GRANTS TO SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25796, 6 May 1949, Page 5

GRANTS TO SCHOOLS

DISCUSSION BY N.Z. UNION (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 5. Tl®e view that the school grant was inadequate was expressed by Mr W. Sparkes (East Coast) at the annual meeting to-day of the New Zealand Rugby <Jnion Council. He said that a scattered union such as his could not provide sufficient funds to encourage school Rugby adequately. He was supported by Mr R. L, Robinson (Horowhenua). The chairman (Mr A. St. C. Belcher) said the grant was made on the school population basis except that the metropolitan unions received only token amounts. All unions had to dip into their funds to supplement their grants. On behalf of the major unions, Mr G. Orrell (Auckland) said that to provide a Rugby ball for each school in his union cost £350 as against the grant of £2O. Mr R. J. Smith (Bush) congratulated the executive on its assistance towards the encouragement of school football. Mr R. Love (East Coast) urged that the division of districts for the Prince of Wales Cup competition be rearranged on a less cumbersome basis. The Maori Advisory Board intended to make a recommendation in that direction.