RUGBY FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1928, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE OKAIAWA CLUE. COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT. The committee of the Okaiawa Football Club reported to the annual meeting on Tuesday night that though the balance-sheet showed a loss on the season’s operations, in other respects it was satisfactory. The scheme introduced last year whereby players paid a lump sum which included their subscriptipn and a share of travelling expenses was a success financially and also reduced considerably the work of the secretary. It was. thought that a similar scheme should be adopted for the incoming season. The smoke concert held at the end of the season was a heavy drain on the club’s funds, and the committee thought that future similar functions should not be financed by the club, but should be made self-support-ing. The seniors again won the championship of South Taranaki. For the premiership of Taranaki they were beaten by Stratford in the second contest at Hawera, six weeks after the end of ihe fixtures. This long delay probably affected Okaiawa adversely. In drawing up the cup fixtures the first Saturday after finality has been reached should be set aside for the play-off. The casualties among the seniors were very heavy, making the work of the selector hard, as he often had to place men in positions to which they were unaccustomed. At times that upset the combination of the whole team. Two of the seniors gained representative honours, and D. Johnston just missed a trip to South Africa with the All Blacks. The juniors were unlucky. The number of accidents among the seniors affected them, and though at times they played better football than some of the teams who defeated them, their luck always seemed to be out. Tho thirds did exceptionally well, winning most of their games. Thanks are due to all who managed the teams. Special mention must be made of the ladies who entertained the seniors to a dinner nt the end of the season, and who made untiring efforts to raise funds for the club.

Referring to the report, the chairman said that taking into consideration the smallness of the district from which their players were drawn, they had attajned a very creditable position. They were runners-up for the premiership of Taranaki not only for one season, but for two seasons in succession. All the members of the Okaiawa team were connected with the dairying industry, either working on farms or in the factory, and this made it difficult to muster a team at times.

He congratulated Stratford'on its win. It was in a more fortunate position than Okaiawa, owing to the fact that it had several junior clubs to draw from. Speaking on the balance-sheet, which showed a credit of £4O, he said the club was a little behind the previous year. The position had been caused by several players neglecting to pay their subscriptions. He trusted that this would not be the ease this year.

The gate receipts had increased over tho previous year by £32. The abolition of boundaries us suggested by the Kaponga Club was opposed. Mr. D. Johnston thought it would have a tendency to create one strong team as all the players would flock to one dub. Mr. Betts said it would be “the ruination of football.” If- there were more than two roiinds. it was suggested that the expenses of the third grade team should be borne by the Taranaki Rugby Union. Tho management committee was recommended to donate a football. to each of the three schools in the district. Mr. J. O’Sullivan was appointed coach to the forwards and Mr. Dick Roberts to the backs of the senior team.

CITY FOOTBALL CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. The annual meeting of the Hawera City Wednesday Football Club was held last night. Mr. A. Elgar presided over a small attendance. The annual report recorded another successful season. Though tho team was not the winner of the premier honours much good individual effort had been shown. With the players onering the coming season should see the team attain a higher position in the competitions, provided practices were better attended. A feature of last season’s play requiring rectifying was the unpunctuality of players and. the report suggested the rigid enforcement of the rule that In cases of non-attendanco of players at the fixed time emergencies should be played. There had been no occasion during the year to call upon the insurance fund. Thanks were accorded Mr. Elgar for coaching the team, Mr. Macbeth, the secretary, Mr. Gallagher, the treasurer, Mr. 0. Camming®, the auditor, and the committee. The report was adopted. The balance sheet disclosed a good credit despite the fact that only five subscriptions had been received from the 26 members last year. Tho credit balance was largely due to the larger attendances of the public, and the increase in gate receipts. The following officers wei-e elected: Patron, Mr, E. Cann; president, Mr. A. Elgar; 7 vice-presidents were elected; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. MacBeth; auditor, Mr. C. J. Cummings; delegate to the union, Mr. A. Elgar; management committee, Messrs. L. Bryant, W. Ritter, G. Mclntyre, M. Clarke and J. Hayward; selector and coach, Mr. A. H. Guy; team manager, Mr. A. S. Worrall; social committee, Messrs. L. Bryant, Macßeth, O. Young, Elgar and Clarke. The subscription was fixed at ss. The opening day was set down for April 11. _ New members eleeted were Messrs. J. Standish, Wills, R. Morrissey, E. Hughes, D. Guy and McDonald. One guinea was voted to the Olympic f und. PRESENTATION TO PAT WART. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A smoke concert to farewell Mr. Pat Ward, Taranaki’s All Black, was held on Tuesday evening in the Clifton hall, Waitara. There was a large attendance and the evening passed pleasantly with Hie usual toasts, accompanied with song

and story. A presentation was made Mr. Ward, who returned thanks for. the good wishes and the many kindnesses extended to him while lie had been a reeident of Waitara.