NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9307, 7 January 1896, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRA.M.) WELLINGTON, January 6. At a meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night, Mr E. D. Hobeu handed in his resignation as Hon. Secretary of the Union and also as a member of the New Zealand Referees' Association, on his ieaving the colony. The Chairman (Mr G. F. Camphell) said that the very existence of the New Zealand .Union, was due iv the first place to Mr Hoben'a initiative and then to the great ability, determiuatioo and energy with which he had conducted its affairs. The Union was now firmly established as the most powerful athletic body ia the colony, aud iis fiuaucial positiou was satisfactory, so that there was no fear for its future. The greatest difficulty Mr Hoben was leaving behind him was that of finding a worthy successor. While sincerely regretting his resignation, they could only congratulate him on bis transfer to a sphere where his energies aud ability would have wider scope. Iα Australia he would he of great value to the Union with which he has been so long associated in the arrangement of Intercolonial visits, &c.; but his lose would be moat severely felt in this colony. Ie was decided to leave the matter of appointing a successor to a meeting to bs called later. Mr Hoben said that he would be very pleased to be of service to the New Zealand Uaion in Australia. He thought the Union's light* ing days were over, aud that, now thac it embraced the whole colony, it -had the loyal support of every Union in New Zealand.