FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144051, 22 March 1913, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

I REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 22. Tho annual meeting of tho Now Zealand Referees’ Association was held yesterday, Mr. R. Isaacs presiding. Fourteen unions wore represented. Tho annual report stated that twenty associations -were now affiliated, and several new associations would apply for affiliation shortly. Over one thousand copies of the handbook had been sold, and 300 distributed* among primary schools. The balance of assets over liabilities was now £3l Is XOd. Air. Isaacs was re-elected president and Air. L, Sievers was elected secretary. The place of tho next conference was left to tho decision of the executive. TARANAKI RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL REPORT. Tho following report is to bo presented to the annual meeting, of the union, to bo held in the Alunicipal buildings, Stratford, on Friday, 2oth inst.:— Tho committee has pleasure in presenting. its annual report for the season 19f2, which, white not as successful as had been anticipated from the financial standpoint, was nevertheless strenuous and enjoyable for players and public. .No less than nine representative games were played, eight being home matches, while a specially arranged game also eventuated with Wellington. Of the nine representative games, those against Wanganui (2), Manawutu, Wellington, Canterbury, South Island teams were won, anu against Otago, Auckland, and Wai-. rarapa, lost. The friendly game with Wellington was lost. The Ranfurly .Shield challenge game was lost by the narrowest of.margins after a very keen struggle, # Financial.—ln common , with the sister unions, tho season was not a good one financially, the weather on rfie occasion of the majority of matches militating against large attendances. Notwithstanding the comparatively small average gates, and the increasing cost of playing these matches, the uobit balance 6t £2l at the commencement of the season has been reduced to £7. While players as a rule are not unmindful of the nonbuoyant state of the union finances, the fact that the travelling expenses of players in representative matches, selectors, and tiie committee amounted to £146 for home matches alone, and the cost of entertaining visiting teams to £46, should serve to show one of the disabilities the Taranaki Union labours under, compared with the metropolitan unions, whose players are placed on the field at the cost of , virtually a tram fare. The touring account (to- Auckland and Wanganui) absorbed £ll7. There is a possibility that this season a ..proposal will -bo forthcoming from Auckland in the direction of, improving the financial positions of the respective unions and Wellington.. Club Football.—The standard of play during the past season showed no evidences of deterioration, although in the northern division clubs , suffered severely from the divided holiday and other local reasons. Unfortunately two old-established clubs (Eltham and Inglewood) found it ftupd&siblo to put senior teams in the field, but it is hoped that this season they will resume their senior status. There was a noticeable absence of rough play during the season, and the committee had fewer cases of this misdeameanour to deal with than for some years past. School Football.—lt had been hoped, had the finances permitted,- to have instituted a comprehensive scheme of graded school football embracing the whole of the province. The encouragement of the Rugby game in the schools is of the most viiiti importance, and it is recommended that the'incoming committee go fully into the question with a view of devising some means whereby the various clubs may be induced to take an active interest in the schools within their several districts.

Half-holiday.—An effort is being made to bring about uniformity in the matter of the half-holiday in the province, wherein no less than three separate day’s are observed. There is more than a reasonable possibility that New Plymouth, Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham and Hawera will I take a poll on the question next month, and it is to be hoped that footballers, as a body, will make their votes felt on the question. Representative Teams.—The past season' made heavy demands on the time of representative players, and it will be well to consider the advisability of regularly placing- an A and, B team on the field, the former to play only, say, Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Canterbury and Otago, the B team to play tho other unions with which we have engagements. By _this means there would be greater inducement for players to excel in their chib games, more players would retain their form till tho conclusion of. tho season, and the public would be benefitted in witnessing a more oven standard of play in tho representative ’ matches. Gates suffer when a “soft thing” lie anticipated. Club Championships,—Tho provincial championships were won as foldows;—First grade, Waimate; second grade, Waimate; third grade, Clifton. Old Players.—Your committee decided during the season to revise tho Roll of Honour, and to issue lion', life member's tickets to all past players who have represented the province on the field, and to those who have been prominent in the management of the affairs of the union in past years. A life membership carries with it the privileges of the union and we are sure this recognition of the services of our old players has the endorsement of Rugby followers of today. .

In concluding this somewhat lengthy review of the past season, your committee lias to thank the press for the prominence given to the game, the Referees’ Association for its assistance ■and co-operation, and players for the worthy manner in which they upheld the good name of Taranaki football. “Alf. Bayly” Scholarship.—The 1912 Scholarship was won by Master Ernest Coutts, of the Stratford District High School.