RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27916, 13 March 1956, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NORTH CANTERBURY SUB UNION FINANCES AFFECTED BY SHIELD MATCHES “So long as the Ranfurly Shield matches are played in Christchurch, the finances of all sub-unions will be affected, as supporters are drawn into the city and it seems that the same circumstances will apply this season.” said the retiring president (Mr F. J. Foley) at the annual meeting of delegates to tiie North Canterbury Rugby Sub-Union at Rangiora last evening. An excess of income over expenditure of £4l 10s was reported. The president said that had the Canterbury Rugby Union not made a grant of £5O to the sub-union the financial .position would have been much worse. The annual report said that the standard of play had been, perhaps, not as high as usual, but all competitions had been keenly fought. More players had been in the game than for some seasons, and it appeared that more younger players had been encouraged to’ participate. The setting up of a third grade competition had been well advised and it was suggested that the playing of even lower grades should be considered. Seventeen teams had entered for the senior, junior, and third grade competitions. In representative matches the sub-union had won the Southbridge and Munro shields. Representative honours had been won as follows:—country, J. Wilson and J. McLean; country colts, A. Loffhagen, P. O’Loughlin, L. Lundy, T. Carlyon, and K. Thompson: Northern Sub-unions, N. Feary, J. Wilson, J. McLean, G. Lee, and C. Karaitiana. Officers elected were:—patrons, Messrs W. H. Gillespie, M.P. and A. Burk; patroness, Mrs A. Hunnibell; president, Mr A. W. Inch; vice-president, Mr A. M. Henderson; management committee, Messrs L. C. Ashworth, E. Gilman, G Wood, and L. Mclntyre; treasurer, Mr K. Hood; auditor. Mr L. D. J. Smith; trustees. Messrs Inch and Hood: delegates to Canterbury Rugby Union and Canterbury Sub-Unions’ meetings, Messrs Foley. Henderson. Inch, and R. D. Catherwood: .delegates to sub-unions’ executive, Messrs Foley and Catherwood.

Opening day was fixed for April *>l matches to start at 2.30 p.m. It was agreed there should be a cole selector for each grade. The affiliation fee was fixed at six guineas for each club, plus 10s to assist the North Canterbury Referees’ Association