RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 135, 4 March 1929, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WELLINGTON UNION REPORT NEW GRANDSTAND WELL UNDER WAY The forty-ninth annual report of the Wellington Rugby Union states that the past season was a most successful one. “Splendid weather prevailed for cup matches, there being only one really wet Saturday during the series. The attendance at the senior championship final between Victoria University College and Poneke was the second largest on record, being estimated at 13,000. No new clubs were admitted, but the number of teams taking part in grade competitions showed a marked: increase—from 155 to 178—and there are now some 4000 players under the union’s jurisdiction. “Mr. J. N. Millard was again elected as sole selector, and the committee has no hesitation in saying that his good judgment and whole-hearted enthusiasm did much towards the success of the union’s representatives. The Wellington representative team played ten matches, of which eight were won and two lost, while the B team defeated Nelson by 19 pointy to 14.' “The season was most successful from the financial point of view, and the gate takings from cup matches at Athletic Park were slightly ahead of the record figure established in 1927,” the report continues. “The figures for representative fixture were, however, less than in 1927 owing to the fact that there were fewer games played at home. The season’s profit after paying off a further instalment of loans to the. New Zealand Rugby Football Union was £1514 7s. Bd. “Claims on the accident fund were heavier than hr.s been the case for some sea-’ sons past, and the geiieral fund was drawn upon to the extent of £333 Is. lOd. to meet the difficulty. “The new grandstand at Athletic Park is now well under way. The new rental has been fixed at £550 for the first seven years, and at £7OO per annum for the remaining fourteen years of the first twenty-one years’ period. The rental thereafter is to be assessed by arbitration. The tender price for the stand was £22.376. The position so far as finance is concerned is as follows: —The union has in hand £7OOO of its own money, and a further loan of £2500 has been obtained from the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Bank of New Zealand has agreed to advance up to £3OO by way of overdraft at current rate of interest, and has also approved of a loan on first mortgage of £12,000 at 6 per cent., repayable in fifteen years. The nayment of interest and sinking fund will entail strict economy by future committees for several years, but the committee is confident that the increased accommodation provided will bring in all the additional revenue necessary for the purpose, and will make the ground one of the best equipped in the Dominion. The stand will provide greater comfort for spectators and players. “The committee has pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of a donation of £250 from Mrl Erie Riddiford towards the grandstand building fund, and places on record its sincere appreciation of his generous action.” “The outlook for the forthcoming season is decidedly good. As regards representative fixtures this union is due to visit Auckland. Taranaki. Wanganui, and Hawke’s Bay. while visits are due from Canterbury. Otago, Southland, Manawhenua, and Wairarapa. In terms of a resolution passed at the last annual meeting. of delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union, the Wellington Union, as one of the major unions, is under an obligation to play at least two matches •against minor unions.”