FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13265, 20 April 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL

(By "Goal Post.")

There were threa nominnt'ons for the office of President of the Rugby Union this year, and the ballot resulNd m iavourof Mr F. C Watson, who, I am sure,. nil! fill the position with credit Mr 0. S. Fraser, who had held the pies id- wv lor the last five years, declined to lake any other office this season. There are several changes on the Union this year, many officers having resigned. However, all -the ; •> ■.tis>a> '.•••ve '• en nlUu I was pleased to learn tint ~•:>■'. Hcie-.u), of Temuka, was elected with Mess's Strachan and Carlton as ono of ihe selection committee. Temuka are to run three team* .this season, and Fairlie, Albury, and Pleasant Point will be known as the Mackenzie SubUnion. Geraldine are running juniors and third grad?. I am sorry this rising town cannot run a senior team this, season'. Geral-' din? have some good sports, and I hope they will reconsider the matter of entering a Senior team. Rumour has it that Mr H. ,Fraser has resigned the secretaryship ot S.C.R.U. He has worked hard for the Union, and it is to be hoped that they, will get a good substitute. J.'. o'L"nry states 1 that, .he will not be playing tbh season. . Who will be' the captain of the Timaru Club? Some, think Holdemess and Conlan are the favourites. I have received a letter from Waimate re the. President's Trophy. I am pleased that Mr Maben brought the matter up at the Union mee ipg, and I am more pleased to learn that thje Union are to forward it on to Waimate. For. the information of Waimafe let me state tlr.it I quite agree with their demands, and trust that they will stick to Rugby and get a senior ■ team, going. I am confident with the class of play that was shown at their tournament last year that with an effort they could easily get a team going. I will be pleased to hear of any news from their quarters. The competitions will not start till Thursday, May 2nd as next Thursday the Coursing Club open their season. , The school question has now been settled and Marist Brothers are on the same footing as the other schools. ) The Timaru Club held a practice on the Athletic grounds on Thursday, about thirty players rolled up, and they had a good game. ' Pirates had thirty-five players along, and put in some good play. I am informed that P. O'Connor shaped well and that he will make a first-class forward. Altogether the Pirates hav-9 a heavy team of forwards. Star met for a practice on the ian Grounds with" about twenty-five men. Hunt, the .captain, gave his shoulder a wrench and had to'retire. It is to be hoped he will not' have to give up the game as Star will.r:e?d every member.tlus year. : . All the teams ssem to'be in earnest about getting into form and I think, this season we will have better football, than in the past. ■ '.- If sufficient inducement offers the Union will run a fourth grade. I am pleased the Union have the interest of the boys and- youths at heart. I am informed that W. Doyle, who was one of South Canterbury's rep. forwards; is not playing this season. However,. 1 would be pleased to learn that he", has changed his mind and is playing for one of the Auckland teams. Amongst th-a spectators ah the Athletic grounds oh Thursday was Br Dryderi, who was watching the game very closely. It is a pity we could not get a iew more men of the doctors samp to take an inter st in the game. I understand a few gentlemen are offering their services as referees this season.' Allow me to compliment them. GERALDINE FOOTBALL CLUB. The football • season was opened on Thursday afternoon in Geraldine with a match in fancy costume. A procession of players attired in fantastic and artistic dress, paraded along Talbot street to the Domain to the accompaniment of trumpet and drum. At. .the grounds a match Geraldine v. Hurralis was played ia the presence ,of a large number- of spectators, who greatly enjoyed the. fun. After a considerable amount of preliminary fooling, during which some of the dresses received severe treatment, the posing teams settled down to . work".. and the mat Hi resulted, in a win for Geraldine by 9 points to 3. ' In the evening a smoke concert was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, when there was a good attendance of members and friinds. The president, Mr J. Kennedy} occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toast, Mr J. Martin proposed "The South Canterbury Rugbv Union," 'which was rrsnonded tfl bv Mr Dean. In proposing "The Geraldine Football Club" Mr J.; O'MaHey told a number of interesting reminiscenscs of the early days of the chib. Mr J. Kennedy in responding urged the members to keei> ut> the reputation of the old team which was that of one

of the best country clubs in South Canterbury. Mr J. Arnst, captain of the club, expressed Luis satisfaction a.t having such a promising lot of young players in the team. Although this "year they would only have a junior le-am , yet he was confident that with proper schooling they would next year have a first-class senior team. The chairman then proposed "The Hurrah Football Club" to which Mr J. S. Stirton replied in .humorous vein. Mr Kens.it also responded to the toast. "The Referee" was proposed by Mr Gresham. and responded to by Mr McKay. "Kindred Spor s" was proposed by Mr J. S. .'••t-irton and responded to by 'Messrs Grade (Hockey), Allan (Cricket), Donaldron (Teiinij), Kennedy (Swimming), O'Malley (Racing), Other toasts were "Tho Visitors," "S.A. Army and Mr R. Scott," "The Ladies" "The Press" and "The Chairman." Vocal items were contributed by Messrs J. -S. Stirton, . J. Arnst, J. Gresham, A. White, J. Chapman. W. Benn, M.. Burke, J. Morrison, L. Scott and It. Hendry. Tbe accompaniments were played by Mr J. S. Stirton and the catering was in the hands of Mi- G. H. Bryant.