ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 61

ASSOCIATION.

By Left Wing

Alliance has deckled not to amalgamate with Southern as suggested, the mam reaBon prompting the decision being fear lest the junior club would lose its identity. It is highly improbable that Southern will play in'First Grade football this season. The defection of Southern would be counterbalanced by the introduction of Old Old Bovs' Club, keeping the number of A Grade teams up to eight. Dear " Left Wing,"—l saw in your column of last week a paragraph to the effect that the Northern B (winners of the Third Grade Cup last season) were thinking of entering a First Grade team this year I really wonder where the information came from! Because, so far from having a First Grade team, the Northern B of last year will have no team at allthis season", as most of the players have departed from the vicinity.—l am, etc., H. 0. Cheek. For some considerable time it has been felt that, the gap between the schools and the Fourth Grade was a weak link in the chain of development of soccer players. With the progress of the game the physical standard, of Fourth Grade players has advanced, until it is quite hopeless for boys of average physique just leaving school to qualifv for" Fourth Grade teams. This year it is hoped to bridge that breach by instituting a Fifth Grade. Regulations will be framed which will ensure that this grade will be confined to boys who have just left school. It is the duty of clubs to look after these boys, and it is hoped they will take an interest in these young players. OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. The animal meeting of the Otago Football Association, held in the Trades Hall on the 3rd, was attended by about 20 members, and presided over by Mr S. S. Myers. The annual report (already published) was taken as read. The balance sheet showed that there was a credit balance of £1 fe 6d. general .fund, and a credit balance of, £lO3 0s sd, ground account. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he might point out that the association had started the year with a debit of £l7 and finished up with a credit of £l, which was satisfactory. That was on their working account. It was 22 years since Association football had started in Dunedin, and it had been steadily making way ever since, and he thought the executive was to be congratulated upon the big advancement it had made during the past year. Mr H. J. Duncan seconded the motion, which was carried. The meeting went into committee to consider the balance sheet dealing with Corinthian Park. Messrs G. W. C. Macdonald and J.Renme waited on the meeting on behalf of the Citizens' Recreation Society, and urged that the association should join the latter body. tlie society. It was resolved that the offices of secretary and treasurer l>e combined, and carry a remuneration of £25. The following office-bearers were elected : President. Mr S. S. Myers; vice-presidents __^l(.j; Sls 'a. M'Hutchon, A. H Crawley, W. R. Sinclair, J. MoncriefF, 11. J. Duncan, and. H. E. Mollcr: secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Anderson : assistant secretary. Mr C. Beeby; auditors Messrs A. Sligo and T. Irvine (to whom a vote of thanks was passed) ; delecratf-v to the Football Association, Messrs C. E. Fordham and 11. Godber; delegates to the New Zealand Football Association, Messrs T. K. Sidev and C. E. Statham, M.P.'s; Selection Committee—Messrs W. Yorston, T. Young. o'nd J. Kearney. It was resolved that the season open on the 27th inst. A resolution was passed that the incoming executive be recoimnended to vote £lO to the Culling Park Improvement Committee. It was further resolved that ohib<- to Informed of Uxa intention to inaugurate a

Fifth Grade, to eater for boys leaving school.