FOOTBALL SEASON IN MARTON OPENS WITH TWO PRACTICE GAMES

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 April 1948, Page 2

FOOTBALL SEASON IN MARTON OPENS WITH TWO PRACTICE GAMES

Martonians had their first taste of the new football park. Athletic juniors ran home victorious against Takapau (Hawke's Bay) but Kia Toa (Palmerston North) shaded the Athletic senior team. There was the early season greenness and scrappiness about the p/y and as spectacles the matches were disappointing. One impressive feature of the senior game was the splendid performance given by the Athletic pack. Every forward gave of his best and their hunting was first class. The weather was suited more for cricket than Rugby. There was a fair attendance at the park. The ground had been neatly marked out and from the goal-posts and the posts denoting the half and twenty-five yard lines, small flags, representing the colours of the two local clubs— Old Boys and Athletic—fluttered lazily in the breeze. The goal-posts, too, were well padded at the base. The ground was hard to fall on and while there were a few stoppages for injuries, no player was seriously hurt. Three green patches in the centre of the field stood out markedly, where the fire brigade had been practising. Results of the day’s play were.— Senior. Kia Toa 6 v Athletic 0. Technical Old Boys 18 v Marton 0.8. 0. Junior. Athletic 11 v Takapau 9. Marton 0.8. 8 v Ashhurst 3. Thirds. Athletic 20 v Flock House 0. Technical Old Boys 11 v Marton 0.8. 3. Kia Toa paraded an impressive array of talent including J. Butt (wing), E. Bresneham (forward) two All Black trialists, W. A. Nichols, H. Richardson, C. Fitt and R. Keenan, all Manawatu representatives. To complete the story, accompanying the team as coach was R. McKenzie, the former All Black. Undeterred by the personalities opposing them, the Athletic forwards played a slashing game against a heavier pack They kept the game tight and the fast-moving Kia Toa rearguard was given little latitude. On attack, the home backs did not reveal any outstanding players but Dave McLennan and J. Hutton proved their worth on defence. Territorially Kia Toa held the ascendency for the most part and on the run of play should have won by another six points. They lacked a reliable goalkicker, in fact, throughout the afternoon the goal-posts proved very elusive. Nicholls scored for Kia Toa just before half-time and then repeated his effort right oh the call of time. Kia Toa 6, Athletic 0. Mr. R. Penn held the whistle. The curtain-raiser as an entertainment was decidedly better football. Both teams endeavoured to open up the game with a certain degree of success, although dropped passes, knocks-on and other irregularities always crept in. The outstanding player on the field was the Takapau centre-three-quarter, M. Demalanche, whose powerful running earned him two tries. Whenever he was in possession he was dangerous and carried too much pace for Athletic. Incidental this boy—just turned 18 —is Hawke's Bay junior champion sprinter and represented his province at the recent New Zealand championships at Auckland.

For the most part Athletic were on the attack and the first spell ended 8-3 in their favour, S. Stantiall, scoring a run-a-way try from halfway and T. Oldfield another try which was converted by G. Pull. Demalanche scored Takapau’s try. Halfway through the second spell the visitors went into the lead with another try by Demalanche and one by T. Brocklehurst. The game was pulled out of the fire for Athletic by a really brilliant try by O. Mainwaring who caught the opposition unawares with a superb swerve infield which took him over the line. Athletic 11, Takapau 9. Mr. J. Dickson refereed. ROYAL (DMDHSSION ON EDUCATION SUGGESTED. The New Zealand Educational Institute, at its annual conference in Dunedin next month, will be asked to press lor a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole field of education in the Dominion, according to a remit to be submitted by the Rangitikei branch. The official delegate will be Mr. J. Nesbitt, but Mr. J. M. Grant will also attend as an observer. Both are masters at the Marton D.H. School. Consideration was given the proposed remit at a recent branch meeting, when members thought the benefits to be derived from forwarding numerous remits every year, were doubtful because many appeared to receive unsatisfactory replies from the Education Department or 'the Minister. It was felt that a stocktaking should be made and smaller domestic matters dropped. It was stated that the institute should press instead for a Royal Commission to conduct an inquiry and make definite recommendations, aimed at giving stability to education tor many years. 'l.'a Rangiiikei branch considered that the Royal Commission should pay particular attention to contents of curricula, standards of achievement, provision of text-books and general equipment, provision of adequaie buildings, types of schooling, consolidation and its effects on pupils, teachers and the community, training ano supply of teachers, teacher welfare, adequacy of the education vote, administratlon and general matters. APPEAL FOR AMBULANCE IN 51ARTON BEING SPONSORED. An invitation from the Marton Junior Chamber of Commerce to send a delegate to the next meeting to discuss with the Farmers’ Federation the appeal being launched by the Chamber to provide the district with an ambulance was accepted by the Marton branch at the annual meeting on Friday night. The provision of an ambulance in Marton was long overdue, stated the letter from the Chamber's appeal sub-committee, of which Rev. P. Gamlen is chairman and M. I. Bold secretary. Asking for support and co-operation the chamber stated that an ambulance was available, but approximately 11000 was required for its purchase and equipment. “If we are not getting a hospital, we can do with nn ambulance,” said

Mr. B. Benseman. who pointed out that if one was stationed in Marton, the avoidance of the delay in having one sent from Wanganui to pick up a patient might save a life. “And if we get an ambulance this may prejudice our chances of having a hospital built in Marton,” commented Mr. T. Bergen. It was pointed out by the secretary, Mr. J. D. Simpson, that some time ago Marton possessed a trailer-ambu-lance, but there was hardly any use for it and it was subsequently sold We pay high hospital rates and when we want an ambulance, we have to put our hands into our pockets," said Mr. T. Bergen. Both Mr. A. B. Marshall and Mr. E. H. Simpson supported the proposal to meet the Junior Chamber and the meeting later agreed to leave further comment on the subject until the Chamber's views had been heard. NEW FLATS BEING PROVIDED AT OHAKEA AIR FORCE. Within the next three months It is expected that 16 fiats will be available for married personnel at the Ohakea Air Force station. At present work is proceeding with the conversion of two dormitory blocks which were built during the war to accommodate airmen. Each flat will be self-contained and about the same size as a one-unit State House. They consist of a kitchen, 16 feet by 11 feet, three bedrooms each 11 feet square, with a built-in wardrobe aad a lounge about 12 feat square. PERSONAL. Messrs. E. Oliver and J. Hawkins two members of the Marton branch of the Federated Farmers who died recently were referred to by the president, Mr A. Fullerton-Smith, at the annual meeting on Friday night. As a mark of respect members stood in silence. Mr. W. C. Whittington was elected president of the Marton branch of Federated Farmers at the annual meeting on Friday night. Mr. A. Fullerton-Smith did not seek re-elec-tion. Mr. H. M. Duthie, Marton, has been admitted to the New Zealand Society of Accountants, with the status of associate registered accountant (A.R.A.N.Z.). Mr Ritchie MacDonald, Labour M.P. for Ponsonby. will visit Marton this week and will address the electors of Rangitikei in the Civic Theatre tomorrow night. He speaks at Hunterville on Wednesday and Bulls on Thursday.