FOOTBALL

Patea Mail, Volume LIII, 14 March 1932, Page 2

FOOTBALL

THE PATEA CLUB, ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Patea Football Club was held on Saturday, Mr. L. Hunt presiding over an attendance of about 20 members.

The minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed.

The annual balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of I2s: sd, was also read. The annual report stated that from a playing point of view the season had been a successful one, the senior team gaining third place in the Southern Division, the junior and thirds both winning their respective groups, and being defeated in the provincial playoff. The senior team supplied its usual quota of representative players, Wills, W. Baldwin, Petersen, J. Crawford, P. Bourkc, and Richards playing in the Taranaki team. From a financial point of view, the season was reasonably successful, the debit balance of the previous season being wiped off, largely through the assistance of eiar-ownors and of Mr. D. Ainsley and other members of the amusement committee. The hope was expressed that all players and supporters would endeavour to assist the .club by paying subscriptions early in the season. The gate receipts showed a slight increase over the previous year’s, due probably to the pooling system wdth regard to gate monies. The scheme, however, did not receive a fair trial, owing to several games not being played on account of postponements caused by the interprovincial games. It was hoped that the coming reason will permit the scheme to receive a fair trial. The thanks of the club are due to Mr. W. F. Shoild, who has given his services as auditor over a period of years. The chairman said things were deeiderly brighter than last j r ear, due largely to the generosity of car-owners. This season he hoped they would have the same generous treatment meted out to them. He would urge members to pay their subscriptions early in the season. Mr. Ainsley had made no less than £l2 10s for the club. If only the other members of the amusement committee had backed him up things would have been much better. He hoped for the club’s sake that more members would attend the euchre parties. In conclusion, the chairman, congratulated the players on their play during the past season, the championship in one case being lost by one point and another by two points only. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted as under: — Patron: Mr. G. V. Pearce. President: Mr. A. T. Christensen. Vice-presidents: Messrs. Eamsbottom, Hemingway, G. ,'Thorburn, Dr. Simmons, A. Manderson, G. Williams, A. Pearce, P. Bourkc, F, W. Locker, D. Quickenden, J. iW. Bourkc, M. Carey, M. P. Comerford, J. M. Hurley, P. Dwyer, A. N. Williams.

Management Committee: Messrs. A. Taylor, L. Hunt), R. Hamerton, F. McKenna, J. A. Drummond, A. C. Thompson, R. Adams, J. Kettles, P. Bourke, jun., C. Gudgeon, J. Boniface. Hon. Secretary: Mr, A. S. McDowell. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. R. C, Rutherford. Hon, Auditor: Mr. W. F. Shcild. Delegates to Union: Messrs. L. Hunt, R. C. Rutherford, and F. McKenna. Club Captain: Mr. L. Hunt. Selectors: Club captain, field captain, and vice-captain. Junior Coach: Mr. I. Glenny. Third Grade Coach: Mr. E. Hamerton.

New Members: Messrs. J. Boniface, C. Gudgeon, P. Markham, L. Edwards, S. Cousins, W. Hobbs, H. McAsey, R. Martin, P. Smith, R. J. McWilliam, E. Taylor, and Walton.

It was decided to send a team to the seven-a-sido tournament at Kaponga, md that the season open on April 20. A letter was read from the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to all affiliated unions, recommending the adoption of the d-2-3 scrum ‘formation and the abolition of the wing-forward.

Mr. Rutherford said ho did not think it mattered much what the club thought as the matter rested with the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr. Rex Hamerton said the whole matter was largely one for the referee. The fly half would be as bad as the wing-forward if the referee did not check him. The club would have to play what the union decided, so it was no good discussing the matter.

Mr. Hunt said tlic 3-2-3 formation had to be .played in accordance with the new rule. Mr. Rutherford said New Zealand claimed that they should have a say in fixing the rules of the game, and therefore should have a representative on the International Board. After a brief discussion, it was decided to leave the matter to the discretion of the delegates. The matter of selecting a seven-a-sidc team was left to Messrs. L. Hunt and P. Bourlcc, jun. The, subscription :w;.s fixed at £1 for seniors and 10s for juniors and os for thirds.

It was decided that Thursday night be the night for training purposes.

The thanks of the club were tendered to Mr. I. Nansett for donations, the ladies who assisted with euchre parties, and all who had assisted the club during the year. The question of holding a dance was considered, and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the amusement committee.

There being no further business, the meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair.