ANNUAL MEETING OF RUGBY UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1892, Page 2

ANNUAL MEETING OF RUGBY UNION.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union was held in the British Hotel last evening, when all the delegates representing the various clubs, as well as a number of players, were present. Mr A. E. Devore, the President, occupied the chair. Mr G. H. Dixon, the Secretary, read the annual report, which was as follows : —

"In presenting the annual report and statement of accounts, the Committee have much pleasure in congratulating the Unioa upon the measure of success attending the operations of tho past season. The anticipations that senior clubs would suffer from the growing practice of inducing players to transfer their membership were realised, and resulted in only four clubs competing for the Senior Cup. One club (Auckland) which bad been in existence for over fifteen years was compelled, through tho defection of members, to withdraw from tho second round of Cup contests, thus leaving, in a football centre like Auckland, only three senior clubs. Your Committee felt that such a etato of things should not exist, and therefore urged on what ia known as the 'District Scheme,' with the satisfactory result that in the cobtests which eusued at the close of the Cup matches, seven first, eight eecond, and ten third fifteens competed, thereby evidencing that tnoro thaa ordinary interest was centred in the scheme. At a special meeting which was held to finally adopt the district scheme, considerable opposition was ehown by the members of some of the old clubs, but the resolution in support of the adoption was carried, and the by-lawa of the Union were amended to meet the altered requirements. During the season our representative team visited Wanganui, Taranaki, and Thames, securing victories against Wanganui and Thames, and playing a drawn eamo with Taranaki. A second team was also sent to Tauranga, where our men were defeated by tlio local players. Visitsare anticipated during the coming season from some of tho Southern Unions, and if the formation of a New Zealand Union is suceepsfully carried out it is intended to send a New Zealand team to Australia. The result of the Cup matchos left Ponsonby winners of the senior, Native Rose of junior, and Albany of second junior contests. In the district matches Parnoll 1., Parnell 11.. and City 111. A were tho winners in their reepoctivo classes Satisfactory arrangements have been made for the continued use of tho Epsom ground. TheTreasuror'sstatomont of accounts shows the amount to tho credit of the Union to be £275 5e 2d, of which £271 18s lid is placed on fixed deposit, while the remainder is in Bank on current account."

Tho balance-sheet showed the receipts for lasi yoar to be £813 19n 6d (including a balanco of £321 13s from the previous seaeon). The expenditure for the season was £538 14s 4d. thus leaving a substantial credit balance of £275 5s 'Id.

Tho reptrb and balanco - sheot was adopted. The following officers wore elecbed for the ensuing season :—President : Mr A. E. Devore. Vice-Presidents : Messrs J. M. Brigham, C. Hesketh and G. S. Kissling. Secretary :Mr G. H. Dixon. Treasurer : Mr J. C. Webster. Managing Committee : Messrs A. H. Cobter, T. Hendoreon, W. C. Speight, F. W. Edwards and J. Arneil. Auditors : Messrs J. Bancrofb and Thos. Macky. The following country clubs were elected :—Hamilton, Waipu, Paterangi, Hunbly, Coromandel County Union, and Ngatihorua (Wharawhate). Ib was resolved that the Suburban Club be allowod to play for the present year the footballors living beyoud the ten mile radius who playod for them last year. It was also decided to recommend the new Management Committee to consider tho advisability of assUtihg the district clubs by an annual grant, to be devoted towards the support of providing a gymnasium or training hall.

On the motion of Mr Chapman, ib was decided to donate an honorarium of £25 to the Secretary and £10 to the Treasurer for their eervicos for lasb year. A roquioition asking bhab a special meeting of the Union be held on Thursday next, 21st instant, for the purpose of considoring the alteration of the boundaries of Ponconby, Suburbs, Noivton, and ParnoU districts, and to accept applications for the election ot now clubs, was presented and agreed to. A meeting of the Management Committoe was then held, when the question of joining the New Zealand Rugby Union and its rules was discussed. The Committoe were in favour of the Union being formed, but suggested several alterations in the proposed by-laws, and as Mr J. Halydtiy was visiting Wellington to-day, ib was decided to ask that gentleman to represent Auckland at the meeting to be held ab Wellington on Saturday noxt, at which ib iH purposed to form the New Zealand Rugby Union.