CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9816, 27 August 1897, Page 3

CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION.

« A special meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, called in response to a petition signed by a number of delegates, was held at the Clarendon Hotel last night to consider "the advisability or otherwise of I removing the headquarters of the New Zealand Rugby Union from Wellington and I consideration of the New Zealand Rugby Union's reply re the sending of Roberts to Australia." Mr G. H. Mason occupied the chair, and there were present—Messrs E. M. Carr, S. Orchard and A. Noall (Linwood), B. Fanning (Lincoln), F. Cowper (New Brighton), W. Gasson, J. Ford, H. Forrester and G. Scott (Sydenham), G. Milne and F. C. Smith (Richmond), C. Clarke (Lincoln College), H. Frost, J. R. Evans and T. Thomson (Christ-church), C. Allard (Swannanoa), A. X White (Irwell), W. Symes and G. Petrie (Albion), D. Fraser, F. Evans, J. McDuff and W. G. Garrard (Mvrtvale), F. E. Asquith (North Canterbury), W. Pearce (Hororata), W. Walton (Boys' High School) aud T. W. Bnntin (Le Bon's Bay). The Skcrktary read the reply from the N.Z.R.U., which was " That the Canterbury Rugby Union be informed that ) although the Selection Committee were not consulted with reference to sending Roberts to Sydney, the action was taken on receipt of a cable message from the manager of the New Zealand team, who now states that he sent the cable at the unanimous request oi the Committee of the New Zealand team."

Mr Caur. moved—"That the Canterbury Rugby Union considers that rhe action of the New Zealand Rugby Union in sending Roberts to Australia, without consulting the Selection Committee, is to be deplored, ,and is inimical to the best interests of football government, inasmuch as it established a very bad precedent." He pointed out that the Selection Committee consisted of Messrs Coutts, Garrard and Fache to select the New Zealaud team, who should have been asked to make the appointment of Roberts. For the manager of the team to wire to anyone specially for Roberts looked like cliquism and favouritism. A very bad precedent had certainly been established, and if such action were not pub down with a firm hand there was no knowing where it would lead to.

Mr Frost seconded the motion

In answer to Mr Milne, Mr Gartukd said all the backs selected went. He could not without consulting his colleagues say if Roberts was an emergency man. The Selection Committee had no intimation that Roberts was to be sent.

The Chairman, in answer to questions, said the Union had no information other than that contained in the reply read. He suggested that the meeting should discuss the question of precedent.

The motion was carried with one dissentient. " "' '' v> "*~ *■■-

MrWalton moved—" That in the opinion of this Union the headquarters of the New Zealand Rugby Union should be removed from Wellington." Since the New Zealand Rugby Union had taken the management of affairs in New Zealand they were always financially on the wrong side in connection with the intercolonial matches. He had perused the by-laws and rules of that Union, and he never came across rules more chaotically worded. Another point which affected the Canterbury Rugby Union closely was the matter of the dates of interprcvincial matches, which was not satisfactorily attended to. 'the Union should find it easier to fix these for the season than it was for a local Union to arrange its own matches. Mr Carr seconded the motion. At present the arrangement was very unsatisfactory, and there was ample evidence of how the New Zealand Rugby Union did not manage its affair?. There was nothing but a continuation'of bungling. If the Unions of the South Island gave a block vote they could shift the headquarters to any place they liked.

Mr Thomson pointed out that there was no guarantee that the Union would be better managed away from Wellington. The question really seemed to be whether the Union should be allowed to exist or not.

Mr Milne said he would vote against the Union going to any province in the North Island, as they were not the most capable of managing sport. Christchurch was the headquarters of most sport, and the institutions were successfully conducted.

Mr J. R. Evans said that the Union had had time enough to put that body on a proper footing , , and they evidently had not succeeded. It was time the Canterbury Rugby Union asserted itself and let the central body know that it had to be dealt with. The New Zealand Rugby Union was either incompetent or eaten up by its own conceit.

Mr 1?. T. Evans said the place was not objected to so much as the present management of the New Zealand Rugby Union. As showing how matters were conducted he pointed out that recommendations at the beginning of the season from the Referees' Association of Cbristchurch had not been replied to until two days ago. The Chairman , said he would not like it to be thought Christchurch selfishly wanted the headquarters here. Geographically Wellington was the best place, but the management had been bad indeed, as instanced by the difficulties attached to the fixing of interprovincial matches. Then the manner in which the Executive got the visiting teams away was far from satisfactory. It appeared to him that the better plan would be to pass a vote of censure on the present management. Mr Alxard was of opinion that, supposing the alteration of place were made, and again there was financial failure, no doubt steps would be taken to alter the basis or revert to the old conditions.

Mr F. EvAys moved as an amendment— " That the present Executive has forfeited the confidence cf the members of the Canterbury Rugby Union, and this meeting is of opinion that a change in the Executive is absolutely necessary in the interests of New Zealand football."

Mr H. Thomson seconded the amendment, which was opposed by Messrs E. M. Carr, J. R. Evans and W. Walton, and supported by Mr McDuff.

The amendment was lost, five voting for it.

The motion was carried, four voting against it. Mr Carb moved—" Tnat this Union instructs its delegate to bring the matter of removing the headquarters of the New Zealand Rugby Union from Wellington before the Executive, and that a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to each Union in the colony, asking for its opinion as to where the headquarters shall be located until further notice."

Mr Allard seconded the motion, which was carried with one dissentient.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.