FIFTEEN-ASIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 90, 16 April 1940, Page 12

FIFTEEN-ASIDE.

THAMES VALLEY UNION. WAIHI OPPOSES "TARANAKI" SCHEME. Delegates from tlie Paeroa, Waihl, To Aroha and Haurakl Plains Rugby Subunions attended the eighteenth annual meeting of the Thames Valley Union at Paeroa on Saturday evening, Mr. D. G. McMillan presiding. The question of playing the inter-sub-union competition this year was discussed in view of the weakness of teams due to the war. and when it was stated that the trophy had been given to commemorate a player who had lost liis life in the last war it was agreed that the competition be held for the Frank Poland Memorial Cup, as in former years, one round to be played. A modified form of the "Tnrunuki" system was advocated by the Te Aroha subunion delegates, who reported that arrangements had been made to amalgamate senior teams in order to raise the standard of play. It each sub-union had but two senior teams a good competition could be held. In T« Aroha the rlubs would continue, but there would Ix; but a town and a country team under the control of the sub-union. Players who were not up to standard would be regraded to club or junior grade. It was felt that with enlistments at the present rate there would not be many old senior players standing on the line.

Paeroa delegates approved the idea, but referred to difficulties sucb as that of amalgamating long standing rivals. Strong opposition was voiced by the Wjiilii delegates, who stated that there was a prospect of four senior teams this season. The scheme would not he practicable on Hauraki Plains, where the teams came from small settlements with no centre, as had the town unions. Petrol restrictions were a material factor.

Ths chairman suggested that delegates go back to their unions and discuss the matter again, for it was apparent that before the season was half through all clubs would experience difficulty in securing players. Regarding travelling, odvice had been received that teams could apply to the Oil Fuel Controller for reasonable requirements.

The balance-sheet, which the chairman characterised as the best on record, showed an excess of assets over liabilities of £189, of which £ 179 was cash.

Officers elected : Patron, Mr. J. W. Sileock; president, Mr. H. C. Kennedy, of Te Aroha; vice-presidents, the presidents of the affiliated sub-unions; secretary, Mr. J. M. Barker (Te Aroha) ; treasurer, Mr. li. J. Foy (Te Aroha) ; auditor, Mr. G. E. Allen (Paeroa) ; delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union, the president and Mr. F. D. Kilby (Wellington); executive committee, the president, secretary, treasurer and Messrs. D. G. McMillan (l'aeroa), J. McDermott (Waihi) and A. K. Johnson (Haurak! Plains) ; representative on referees appointment board, Mr. J. W. Sileock (Paeroa).

Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring president, Mr. I>. G. McMillan, and the retiring secretary, Mr. R. S. Nicol, who did not seek re-election, and also retiring treasurer, Mr. K. Stace, who is going on active service.