FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 8794, 7 March 1896, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Annual Meeting of the Kaierau Club.

Iho annual meeting of the Kaierau Club was heid at the Council Chambers last evening, counter attractions somewhat interfering with the attendance, wbioh nevertheless was very fair. Mr W. H. McLean (captain) presided and the secretary, Mr F. Purnell, read the minutes of the previous meeting and also the annual report as follows :— ln presenting their fifth annual report the committee at the outset cannot claim the report to be a glowing one. For the first time since the formation of the club they are unable to record the success, of their senior team in the cup contests. Last season we had to be contented with dividing honoure for second place with the Warerley team. Our old opponents, the Wauganut Club, bad tha honour of winning the cup. Our non-success can only be accounted for by the fact that we met a stronger and better team, It is true that we commenced the season all " sixes and sevens," but had it been otherwise, tbe result we think would have been the same. The "B" team waß the only one to come out on " top " of its class They were hard pushed by the Fordell team for the trophy. The A team were handicapped from the commencement of the season. Several of their beat players had to be moved into the higher division, und it proved a difficult matter to fill the positions of those shifted. On many occasions they had to commence play with only half a team, which tho committee think was quite unfair. No team, in their opinion, should be called upon to play short-handed. At the meeting we think the question of only entering two teams should be considered, and rataer than follow last year's example •we should endeavour to make two good teams instead o£ having three indifferent fifteens. The matter will be loft entirely in the players' hand?. The committee trust that the only partial success of our teams will havo a good effect on the players themselves and that they will come up smiling again thiß season. The committee also hope that a little more energy will be displayed at the commencement of tho eoason than was experienced last year. It was a matter of sincere regret that the B team met with such a paintul accident od their return journey from Fordell. Onr popular j unior player, Mr A. Murray, waß the most unfortucate, and "Aliek" had nil the members' deepest sympathy. All are extremely glad to see him among us once more. It may not be generally known that two of our best senior players, W. H. McLean and J. A. Blair, with the exception of last year, were in a winning cup tram ever sinco the Union was formed in Wanganui eight years ago, a distinction of which they may well be proud. Most members are aware that during last session of Parliament an Act was passed enabling football cluba to register under the Unclassified Societies Registration Act, so thai clubs such as ours may be put on a legal basis, Notice of motion has been given that the Kaierau Club be registered under tbe Aot.— F. Pdenbil, hon. secretary, for the committee.

After the adoption of the above report and also tbe treasurer's statement the election of officers for the ensuing year -was proceeded with and resulted us follows :— President, D. Blair, Esq.; vicepresidents, Dr Suundere, H. (iibbons, W. Aiken, jun., and J. Purnell, Esq«i. ; captain, W. H. McLean ; vicecaptain, J. A. Blair ; secretary and treasurer, A. C. Hogg; committflo, R. McLean, Cresßwell, Marshall, Bullock and Purnell; auditor, D. l3ell; delegates to Union, W, McLean, Cresswell and D. Bell ; match committeß, captain and F. Pnrnell.

A notice of motion io register the club under the Unclassified Societies Registration Act was discussed. AH those piosent weie of the opinion that it would be desirable to take advantage of the privileges oftheAe*-. It was pointed ont, however, that a special meeting for the pnrpose of pas3in(j snch a mot 'on was necossary, and this will bo probably carried out at an early date.

The question of entering tsvo teams for cup honours was raised, The matter, however, waß left in the hands of the commi'tee. It was intimated that there appeared to be no difficulty vhatever in running three teams. The following new members wore elected:— Working —W. Willis, A. Warwick, S. Barns, D Brown, P. liomax, P. Hodgson, A. Eadie, H. Brown, Barron, J. Miller, 0. Suisted, Sower, L. raaonb, 'C. J. Mclieau. Honorary— P. Atkmp, R. ¥. Witt, H. Walkem, A, Roberts, M. Gordon, G. H. Smith, G. M. Brown, C. H. Charannes, and J. A, Hswke.

It was decided to open the ocasad on Saturday, tho 14th iust.