THE "ALL BLACK" SURPLUS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 95, 21 April 1906, Page 6

THE "ALL BLACK" SURPLUS

A QUESTIOX OF DISPOSAL.

At the annual meeting of the Auckland- Rugby .Union last evening the question of'the division of the profit on the New Zealand footballers' tour to Great Britain was considered- Mr C. Stitchbury suggested that as the ■NewZealand Rugby Union would have aprofit of close upon £10,000 in hand as a result of the tonr. fhe A.8.Ul should ho. represented at the annual meeting to.be held in Wolling-toa on May 3rd by an active worker of the union, preferably the seeretarv.

Mr C. E. MacCormick suggested that the matter should be left to the incoming committee to appoint a local representative if the cirrnmstances warranted such action. Jt -was unlikely that any scheme dealing with the money would be brought forward f at the annual meeting, no proposal to that effect being on the agenda paper. Auckland had been exceptionally well situated in rega-Td to its delegate, having a past officer, and a present member of the union as its representative.

M-γ F. J. Ohlson pointed out that the union would have nothing to do with the money for its own purposes. Any future tour would undoubtedly be a financial success, while further funds would accrue from the New South Wales and other visiting teams. Ho suggested that a portion of the sum should be donated to the various unions, say £1000 to the larger bodies a.nd proportionate amounts to the smaller. If this were done the Auckland Union would be able to pay off its mortgage and other unions to obtain grounds. He also suggested that some more tangible memento of the tour than a medal should be given the various members of the team, suggesting that a gold watch should be presented to each. Mr I\ Fraser thought that it was time for the union to speak up and get a share of the proceeds. If the Now Zealand Union put by, say. £5000 a-s a nest egg. it was only right that those who ha<l agreed to finance the tour in the event of failure should benefit by its success. If the Xew Zealand Union had any useful purpose on which .to spend the money he would not have mentioned the matter; they had no object- in keeping the money, while the Auckland Union had a good object in endeavouring to secure a portion of it.

Mr A. E. Devore (president) pointed out that it was not their (the Auckland Union's) money. It belonged to tho footballers of New Zealand, administered for their benefit by the parent body.

Mr Ohlson said he had brought the matter up because the money lielonged to the footballers of the. colony, that was why he wanted the various unions to gel hold of it. If they moved the larger unions of the colony would work in the same direction.

The chairman thought tho time inopportune to bring the matter forward, since no scheme had bpen propounded. If sub-division for tho. erection of traiuing halls in town .and country had been suggested it would have been better.

Mr M. J. Sbeehan said that Mr Molntyr<\ a member of the Wellington Management Committee, who bad visited Auckland, informed him that a project v.as afoot in Wellington, wher* there was a great shortage of grounds, to acquire Athletic Pa,rk. the argument bfing that it would be a football ground for the colony, and would return good interest.

Mr Ohlson moved that the Auckland representative, to the N.Z.R.TJ. request the union to consider the advisability of dividing tbe profit from the. "All Blacks" tour amongst the various unions of the colony.

Mr C. E. MacCormick expressed tbe view that the motion was premature. He would like to hear first what the N.Z.B.U. proposed to do with the money. The matter required to be handled gingerly. If it was suggested that the money should be divided amongst the unions the parent body miffht say that they would do so, and distribute it where it was most wanted, and that certainly would not be. Auckland. Such a. scheme would have the sympathy of the smaller unions, which had already unsuccessfully endeavoured to secure a proportion of the profits of the big unions. Such a motion as was suggested would be a two-edged sword. Mr W. Martin thought that if the union did not strike now it would be too late.

Mr Ohlson said that there was a' good deal in what Mr MacCorarick had said, and he was prepared to allow his motion to remain over for consideration .by the committee.

This course was agreed to.