FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1921, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI REFEREES’ ASSO CIATION. ANNUAL RE UNION. The annual re-union of members of the Taraqaki Referees’ Association (northern committee) took place last night, taking the form of a dinner, followed by a ~moke concert. There were about forty present. Mr. Eagar (Inglewood), president of the association, presided, with Mr. G. Hopkins, chairman of the committee, and Mr. Jas. MeLeod, chairman of the Taranaki Rugby Union on either hand. Among thoee present were representatives of the Taranaki Rugby Union and various clubs, and Mr. J. Goodwin (representing the South Taranaki Referees’ Committee), while a number of apologies were received. LatW in the evening, Mr. E. Perry (manager of the Wellington representative team), Dr. Hutcheson («p--tain), and several other members wore also present. After dinner at the R<<yal Hotel tlft party adjourned to the Soldiers’ Club, where a pleasant hour or two Wfo spent. In proposing the toast of “Tito Clubs,” Mr. G. Hopkins remarked thSt this would probably be the last seas® in which he would have the pleasure ef seeing most of the duba in the province playing on their home grounds. He touched on the slackness shown in soifo cases. For instance, some grounds ware not marked as they should be, and fo suggested that the dubs should nppoixfc grounds committees next year to see to this. He remarked that the Pukekufo Park ground probably would not been marked out yet, but for the Springboks’ match.

Mr. J. O’Shea, in proposing the Tar£« naki Rugby Union, said the s&mti scheme brought forward by Mr. McLeot and adopted this year had been a great success. In New Plymouth they could see that the playing of outside clubs from all over the province had created great interest. Taranaki, he eaid, was indeed fortunate in having a man like Mr. -McLeod at (he head of affairs to raise football in Taranaki to a level that all wore proud of. Mr. McLeod, in reply, said that thd management committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union, good or bad as It might be, only reflected on the clubs, who selected it, but lie thought that the clubs had made a good election. He said that the decisions generally of the union were accepted in the right spirit by the majority of tho pbayers and the referee-3. During the past year tin* Referees’ Association had been more in touch than ever, and the fact that they had been able to hold a conference did much to clear tho way. He was satisfied that the scheme of playing matches all over the province had been a step in the right direction. Not only had it improved the standard of pliy, but it was better from the point of view at finance. He believed that the union at j tho end of the season would have a ' credit of £IC?«J. They were able to repay clubs 50 to 75 per epnt. of their ■ travelling expenses, so that the seniors i travelled with less cost than ever, I though they had further distances io l .ravel. They had also helped school football, and next year hoped to assist the lower grades. Their alm was to obtain grounds in the various town? of the province on which football could be played, and he was hopeful that in a lew years this would he dore. He thought that was the direction iu which th< Now Zealand Rugby Union, would spend the profits from the South African tour. Football in New Zealand had received a decided impetus by the visit ol the JSou’.h Africans. He thought that while the first English team might be called missionaries of the gaiao in New Zealand, the South Africans might be said to be rivalists. Ho pointed out that ycung footballers had a great deal to look forward to. Next year thev would be receiving a visit from France, in 1923 we toured South Africa, in 1924 the English team came here, and in 1925 we would send a team to the Olympic Gamas, and there were also trips to Australia and. British Columbia. In concluding, he expressed his appreciation of the work done by referees, all of whom t'-ok the field with the idea of doing then best. Tne association was giowing in membership, and be suggested that the whole of the referees of tho province form themselves into one body, and in this way they would become a strong association that would “cut some ice” among the referees’ associations of the Dominion.

Mr. G. Hcpkin:- here presented Mr. . Roch with a of merit, showing that ho had refereed in representative matches. This, he said, was iie twentieth anniversary of the association, and in that time only thr-'o i such certificates had been issu .d to members of tho association, v’z., to Messrs. F. Spurdie, W. Rmh and the. speaker. Mr. Roch had been a referee for fifteen years before •ireing the certificate. Air. Roch suitably replied. Other toasts were “Kindred Sport -. ’ proposed b} Mr. P. Skoglund and ><•- spondee! to by Messrs. Tua .ridge. I’. Coutts, T. Petty and I’. Gilmour; 1;. .- ereesl Association,”Mr. Howell, Mr. Eagar ami Mr. J. Goodwin “The Visitor-. ’ Mr. Julian, Messrs. E. Perry and Sidde.. • (Wellington), and E. Jackson; “The Chairman of (he Committee,” Mr. F. Hooker and Mr. Hopkins’ During the evening a. splendid musical programme was contributed, items being given by Messrs. W. P. Oki e. Brooker, P. R. Bellringer, A. B. Macdonald. R. B. Macdonald, Fred Hooker, G. Jago, C. Berg, P. A. Tunbridge, and rhe New Plymouth quartette. Mr. N. B. Bellringer was the accompanist. The arrangements reflected credit on th? committee, and nari ieularly the secretary (Mr. F. Roberts), whose work was acknowledged by several speakers.