FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 773, 23 March 1910, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON RUCBY UNION. ANNUAL REPORT. The report of the Wellington Rugby Union, to be presented at tho annual meeting to be held at the Y.M.O.A. rooms this evening, states that the committee is pleased to be in a position to report tho continued success and progress of the union. ' GRADE COMPETITIONS. . "Probably (says the report) the whole history of the union records no keener competition than that which took place in the year under review. In the senior grade the struggle for top position was exceedingly keen. The games were followed with great interest by the general public, and at the end of tho second round- Poneke and Petone were together, with an equal number of points. In tho play-off the former team was successful, and thoroughly deserved its win. Congratulations are extended to Poneke for its meritorious performance, and to Petone for its splendid showing, especially towards tho season end. Tho junior competition was . won by.Kia Ora. This .series of matches produced some very good football indeed. .The winner of the third-class was therecontly-formed St. John's Club, while Southern again accounted for the fourth-class. The. fifth-class competition, was nominally won .by Petono, but" it was subsequently discovered that the team had played a boy who was over the ago limit, and other teams were in tho same position. Under the circumstances the committee decided that no fifth-class championship be declared in this grade. This question of age limit is one that requires serious attention, and those in charge of fifth-class teams are recommended to insist that boys produce somo evidence that they are entitled to take part in that grade. With a viow to minimising the trouble, notice of motion is being given to alter the rules, providing for, a penalty for players who knowingly mislead club offioials and play in the fifth-class when not eligible.' The s-.'-in-i-Fido enmpetitition, promoted for the mirpoto of procuring funds for the Accident Fund, was won by Old Boys (soiuor) and St. Patrick's College (junior). This fixture resulted in a net amount of £40 being handed over to the insurance account. The Wednesday competition was won by the Oriental .Club, after a .contest of more than average, interest. It is pleasing to report an-increased interest in the midweek games. . ■ .

"Schools.—lncreased interest is being shown "among the school teams. Tho Schools Rugby Union found it necessary to divide their competition into Wo grades, ten _ teams playing in the ; A grade and eight playing in the B grade. I: In both the competitions tho Terrace School provided-the winning -team. ''ACCIDENT INSURANCE FUND.". "Once again it is .necessary to direct to the financial position of the Accident Fund. , Despite tho increase in tho union's donation and'a sum of £40 received as a result of the seVen-a-eide tournament; the account shows a net loss on the season's working of £82 6s. It was found necessary to pay increased fees' for medical attention, the arrangement working inore satisfactorily from the players' point of view, than in former years. It is evident that some stqpsmust bo taken to prevent the fund going into bankruptcy, and notice of motion is being given to alter the rules dealing>with tho fund. "The question of 'suitable playing grounds is always a' serious ono, but .your committee was successful in- securing the'necessary playing areas. Satisfactory arrangements are in' hand for coming season. -■ "During the year final matters in con-n&tion-j with-, the acquiring "of tho park ; were concluded, : and tho venture so far : ha; proved successful. froni : a financial standpoint, as- mil be seen from a perusal of /tho: attached statement of the trustees. The'liability is a heavy one, and it must be borne in mind that'the past season iras an exceptional ono in respect or gate receipts, - which cannot reasonably.be expected to be' maintained- :

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES; •■ Seniors— ' W'g't'n. Oppon'ts. v. AVangamii ;;,, 28 - 3 v.Taranaki ...... 15 Q v. Auckland .... 0 • 3 .v. Canterbury ... 11 : 6 v. Soathland ... 18 5 v. Otago .: 13 3 v.Wairarapa'..... 15 '• 11 v. Horowheuua ... 13 3 Juniors— •.' v. Wednesday ',- '■ ■ ' ■ 'Reps. '....... 0 '' ■ 5 . .v. VVairaiapa ..... 12 14 Wednesday— .... ■ v. Horowhenua 13 C ''The senior team toured the South Island, playing three matches, each'of which was won by them. Tho record is an envious one,' and your representatives are deserving of hearty congratulations In addition to their prowess' 011 tho playing field,: the memoers of the veani well, upheld our record for good condact and gentlemanly bearing nlnlo oft the field. Mr. \V. Perry proved a popular and capable manager. . OFFICERS. "Thirty-three ordinary meetings and one special nieeting have been held during the year, at which the attendance was as follows:— J. Burns, 33; J. F. O'Sulhvan,.32; J.' Sweeney, 27; S. S. Drown, 20; W. Perry, 26, W. J. Hardham 26; P. Peters, 24; E. O. Hales', 16; 3. H. Price, 15. . "Of the officers elected last year,, Mr. P. Smith being unable to accept tho position of treasurer, and Mr. Meredith unable to' act on the General Committee, Mr. Perry agreed to fill the position of treasurer, and the two vacancies on the committee were filled by tho election of Messrs. Peters and Price. Mr. Halts attended every committeo meeting, while in Wellington, but at different times ho was absentfrom town on business. :

"During the year the three gentlemen elected on tho Sohioi Selection Committee were unablo to agree in their selections, resulting in the resignation of this committee. As at that timo there was-only ono.moro representative team to bo selected, your eommitteo deemed it expedient to ask them to continue in oifice to select this finalteam, and eventually Messrs. Meredith and Pudney consented to act.

"Our relations with the Referees' Association throughout the year wero cordial, and the thanks of delegates are due to all ofßcors and members of the association, vhoso timo was voluntarily given up for the good of the game, and to whose eft'orte a considerable amount of tho season's success is due. •'Wo also acknowledge with ..thanks and appreciation tho support accorded to us by the public, and tho kind assistance'of'those supporters who lent their aid at the Athletic Park on Saturdays. Mcmbors of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, both on tho city and suburban grounds, lendered first aid to a largo number of players, and'tho best thanks of players and members of tho union are duo to theso gentlemen who ■looked after our injured players. To the press wo desiro to express thanks and appreciation for assistance and oonsideraiton extended throughout the year." ..'..'-. FINANCE. The statement of finances shows the receipts for the year to have been £4014 19s. 6d., of which substantial amount £2947 11s. sd. were goto receipts at cup, representative, ami other matches, to which has been added £1198,35. 9d (loss" £692 16s. 9d. previously t- ken to

credit), gate receipts for Athletic Park up to September 30, 1908. T!io chief items on tho expenditure side are as follow:—Rent, rates, taxes, etc., £460; written-off property account, £666 4s. 9d.; rent of Miramar Park, £350; other rents, £182; southern tour expenses, £153 4s. 10d.; general advertising, £132 ss. Bd. The credit balance paid to capital account amounts to £772 18s. 7d. .■.-■'-. ATHLETIC PARK TRUSTEES. The trustees of. the Athletic Park state the receipts for the winter season of 1909 came well up to expectations, while the expenditure did . not riso above that estimated when the park was acquired. Tho balance-sheet shows a balance of assets over liabilities of £646 4s. 7d., out of which an amount has since been handed to the Wellington Rugby Union in reduction of their liability to bankers. The old company's bank credit of £677 os.. 10d. was transferred to the trustees, 'from ■which a sum of £300 was subsequently paid to the Wellinfiton Rugby Union on account of gate receipts* for 1908, and, in judging the result of the working, it must bo remembered that the balance of £367 os. 10d. forms part of £646 4s. 7d. shown in the accounts. Since the trustees took over the management a total sum ot £1314 7s. 6d. has been, paid to tho •Wellington Rugby' Union. trustees, are fully alive to ; tho necessity of care in dealing with tho finances of the park.. At no distant date a large outlay will require. to be spent on upkeep and'improvement .of'the ground;' a matter which has been under consideration for some-time. -The heavy-current expenses and the annual payment to tho New Zealand Union form a formidable sum, which must be provided annually before any balance is available with which to carry oh the, operations of the Wellington- Union. In view of tho anticipated ground exneues, it is not safe to. anticipate that such a largo sum as- .handed over during the past season will be availnbl" during the coming year towards tlu. expenses of the union. .■'.'■■., : ■..'■ KARORI CLUB. ■ The annual meeting of the Kardri Football Club was hold last evening. The report, and balance-sheet, which disclosed a satisfactory position, were read and adopted on the nibtion of Mr. C. Spiers, seconded by Mr. Monaghan. It was .decided to enter a■' team : for the third-class championship,, and also one for the fourth-class championship if possible '■'-.■ . ~ ■• . •>

llio following, officers were' elected for tho ensuing season:—Patron, Mr. B. G. H. Burn;' president,' Mr.... W.. T. Hildreth, seii.; vice-presidents, Messrs J. P. Luke, M.P., Dickerson, J. F. Spiers, W. Williams, H. Moss, C.Mann, ■D..Picot,.'W. Lowe, and W, A. Kelldw; club captain, Mr. H. Cartwright; field captain, Mr.' Geo. Finlay'son; vice-cap-tain, Mr. O. Marshall; lion, secretary and treasurer,- Mr. S. Hildreth (pro t«m); management committee, Messrs F. Tarr, L, Fearn, A. Edwards, A. Kennedy, W.■ Mansfield; selection committee, captain, club captain, and Mr A. Edwardsi'" ' . ; ' Mr. Gi '.Walmsley was elected a life member; Tho secretary was instructed - to apply to the Karori Borough Council for the use of grounds and shed. CANTERBURY AFFAIRS. (By Telegraph.—Press Asspciatlon.i Chrlstchurch, March 22. The Canterbury Rugby Union decided to-night to establish ii Tliursday competition provided sufficient support were forthcoming. .1 '•