FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11670, 10 April 1916, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

*~ CANTERBURY LEAGUE. Tb_e annual meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Football League was held on Saturday evening Dr Thacker, M.P., presiding ovor a fair attendance. The annual report stated that the executive regretted that the duty for the serrico of the Empire had leviod x a heavy toll from the athletes of the Dominion, and extended to relatives of the men " who have givon their lives for the freedom of Empire," the »iacere sympathy of all members. The war was responsible for losses, through death, from the football fields of tho country, and to-day the League ranks mourna, the low of many players, including Messrs Wai Monihera (ISorth Suburbs), C. L. Harding (Sydenham), W. Bowden (Addington), W. J., Maswell and J. Bourk (Linwodd), died from Wounds received in action at Gallipoli. It is ploasing to state that though wounded many of our members were recovering, and several had returned to their homes. Members learned of the ready response made by players for service abroad, and tho committee trusted that the war would reach a speedy termination, with success to tho Allied forces, and- the comploto removal of Piussianism. The playing fields would this season be occupied only Dy young members, and players who were unfit for service, and' the committee suggested that super efforts should be made towards the progress of the code, and players encouraged to maintain "tit for service" if required, and all support given to the authorities for the cause of freedom. The balance-sheet showed receipts £ll6 17s Bd, with expenditure £UB 13a. The total assets were valued at £63 16s fid, with liabilities £3 7s €d. Dr Thacker said that as representatives ol the keenest brains in athletes in the Do--1 minion, tbey intended to do. their best for the Empire's cause. They should not grieve unduly over tho losses. The finest men killed in the war had been League footballers; -they had been too keen". Especially would-ho refer to Sergeant E. E. Lamn, a member of the New South. Wales Parliament, who had been killed. Dr Thacker said that when he was in Auckland a few weeks ago, tho executive of the New Zealand Council asked aim what he considered should bo, the recognised rule whilst the war was on. He replied that attention should be confined to juniors, and to those men who could not be spared economicalUy to go to the front. If such men. could not go, they should be able to play football, but should be made to wear their exemption badges when on the field, in order to show the people that they were not " shirkers." In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Dr Thacker said that it was important to recall that owing to o. pledged promise the League made a visit to the "West Coast. They did not go to take advantage of the war situation, but solely to keep their promise. A. lot of the men who would have joined in the League game had gone to the front, but when football was again in hill swing he hoped that North Island teams would tour throughout the South Island. The reference to school football in the report Was very important. Masters in the publio schools who were old' Rugby players should not be allowed to place an embargo on., League football; the boys should, be left to choose for themselves. There would be no ! competition for the Thacker Shield this year, but he would give a trophy to ©vary member of the winning junior team, and a special trophy to the twet player in the best team,'i he he baok or forward., (Applause.; | Mr A. E. Hooper seconded the motion; and said that the Federal Club should" he con- ! gratulated on the fact that fifty out of eighty members had offered their services for the front. The response generally from League footballers had been very good 1 . (Hear, heat.) The masters in the schools seemed to' have a Bet against every game but Rugby. The schoolboys must be encouraged to play League football, as it was , naturally neces-i sary to look»forward to these young players carrying the game in years to corns. The motion was carried. Officers wero elected as follows: —President, Dr Thacker, -M.P.; chairman of committee, Mr A. E. Hooper; deputy-chairnian, Mr A. R. Brunsden; delegate to 'the New Zealand Council, Mr '"W. Wynyard; secretary, : Mr W. S. E. Moyle; assistant secretary, Mr L. Simpson; treasurer, Mr C. H. B.'Poore; auditors, Messrs L. Simpson and T. V. Pike. It was agreed that tho various committees, should''be elected at the next meeting.-The fixing of the opening day of the season was j left to the General Committee. j

Mr E. Manihara wrote,'thanking; the League for its sympathy on the occasion of tbe loss of his eon, killed at Gallipoli.

On Dr Thaoker's motion, a vots of condolence was passed, in silence, all standing, to the relatives of all footballers killed in the war, particularly to tho friends of League players. Quotations were submitted for a suggested badge for all League players to wear. Tie matter was referred to the General Committee. .-■'., .

; The Addington Club wrote, giving notice j of motion that ho player above the age of (■eighteen years should be allowed to play ( football during the coming season. Mr Williams (Addington) said that the sooner Ihej* put the whole force of men at the disposal of tho Defence Department the better. He i oould not take ! office if men were playing j who should bo at the front; He formally 1 moved the motion sent in by the Addington Club. lit Garxard seconded, and. saicLthat the Addington Club would have nothing to do with the League if seniors were allowed, to play. Mr 'Bovne moved as an amendment that only players under eight years or over eighty, should be allowed to play football." Mr Ayling seconded the .motion. Mr Moylo said that fifteen members .of the Linwood Club had been turned down for "flat feet." Surely men who could; play football should be able to handle a rifle'at the front! Nobody had a right to prevent men who had been turned down by the Perence authorities from playing football. He could congratulate the Addington Club on the position taken up, but it was a, , little too strong. , The amondment was lost by a large majority. Mr Boyne moved a further amendment that the League football be played as recommended by the committee. < ' ' • ! Dr Thacker .recommended that the matter should be deferred until the next general \ meeting of the committee. ; This recommendation was adopted unanimously.