THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 57

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The annual social tendered by the Ota?o Football Association to school players, and in conjunction with which the trophies competed for in all the different grades are presented to the successful teams, grows larger each year with the increasing number of players taking pait in the game. This year it was found necessary to engage the Victoria Hall to accommodate the number expected. The boys assembled in large numbers on Friday ]ast — over 30i"> being present, — the wot weather notwithstanding, and enjoyed themselves in trrie boy fashion, with a surfeit of cheering and singing of " For they are jolly good fellows," and a devoted attention to a liberal supply of eafables provided and dispensed by a large number of lady suppoiters of soccer. The programme of entertainment was just to the taste of the average boy, being mainly of the comic order.

The President of the Otago Football Association (Mr S. S. Myers) occupied the chair, with him being Messrs Duncan, Wilson, Elmslie, Braithwaite, and Ash ton. In his opening remarks tho Chairman, after apologiaing for the absence of Mr Dugald M'Pherson, referred to the marked progress the game had made during the past four years. He spoke ia enthusiastic terms of the hojcl the game

had amongst the schoolboys. He had pleasure in reporting that the wvnneis of tha school competition, hitherto known as tho College team, would in future play under their legitimate title of the High School team. Tho rector had assured him that as there was room in tho school for both games, the Association code would receive as much prominence in the athletic life of the school as any other game. The Mayor (Mr J. Braithwaite) was piesent, and duiing the course of the evening proposed the toast of "The Otago Football Association." He stated that the premier team (T£a,itangata) had won the competition by play of a very high standard. He hoped that tho phenomenal success of the Association game during the past few years would long continue.

Mrs Braithwaite (Mayoress) then preeentsd tho medals to the winners oi the schools' five-aside, and paid a few prettily-worded ccmplimonts to the hoys. The following is a list of the trophies and winners- —

Schools' Five-a3ide (Senior).— Christian Brothers, medals. Schools" Five-aside (Junior).— Christian Biothers, medals. Schools' Cup (Senior).— High School, carrying medals for each player. Schools' Clip (Junior).— Mornington, carrying photographs for each piayer. llmd Grade Five-aside— Green Island, trophies. First Grade Five-aside.— Southern, gold medals ana cup. Third Grade Cup. — Mornington. Tllurd Grade Special Cup. — Milton. Second Grade Cup. — Mornington. First Grade Cup. — Kaitar^gath. Charity Banner. — Wakan. In receiving the Senior Schools" Cup on behalf of Ike High School te-am Mr J. Eeid s.ncl the club was very proud of the cup, and intended io fight hard next year io retain it. It was pleasiug to note that the word ringing throughout the meeting was " clean." The association was evidently doing its best in th.3 direction of having tho boys become players and athletes instead of being merely content to look on at others taking exercise.

During an interval a presentation was made to Mr George M'Millan, who is leaving Dunedin shortly to take up work in Invercargill. Reference to Mr M'Millan's lengthy and enthusiastic connection with the Association football game in Dunedin, and to his having founded the Wakari Club, waa received with, applause. Mr M'Millan received a handsome marble clock as a memento. In replying, he expressed his intention of still furthering {he game if opportunity offered. Votes o£ thanks were passed to the ladies, the Otago Football Association, the SckooV Committee, the press, and the chairman, the -■essential part of the gathering being ihen terminated with the singing of " God save the "King." An informal dance was then enjoyad for an hour.