RUGBY CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 148, 19 March 1931, Page 5

RUGBY CONTROL

Meeting of Union WELLINGTON’S YEAR Many important questions were discussed at the annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union last evening, and it was not until a late hour that the meeting finished. There was a large attendance of delegates. Moving the adoption of the annual report and statement of accounts, Mr. J. Prendeville said the past season had been a particularly good one, the representa tive teams having met with great success and the competitions having proved exceptionally interesting. Prospects for the coming year were good, but although the committee had obtained a few extra grounds, it seemed that players would be hard put to find grounds without entailing some extensive travelling. Dealing with the statement of accounts Mr. Prendeville made a number of corrections in figures as published in the statement, though the same totals were arrived at. Financially, the season had been a successful one, but the union still owed the New Zealand Union a considerable sum—though payments were a year ahead — while the mortgage to the Bank of New Zealand was an extensive one. It would still be necessary to exercise great care in the management of the finances. . , The report was adopted without discussion. Officers Elected. The following officers were elected: — President, Dr. P. F. McEvedy; vicepresidents, Messrs. A. F. Wiren, A. McBain, J. P. Firth, G.M.G., W. F. Hornig, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, C.M.G.; vice-president N.Z.R.U., Dr. P. F. McEvedy; management committee, Messrs. H. S. Morgan, J. N. Millard, J. Prendeville, T. J. King, H. Murphy, A. J. Griffiths., J. King, Professor Boyd Wilson, J. Moffatt; bon. treasurer, Mr. G. F. W. Jackson; delegates to New Zealand Rugby Football Union,' Messrs. J. Prendeville, A J. Griffiths, W. F. Hornig, H. Murphy, T. J. King; hon. auditor, Mr. O. G. Kember. Notices of Motion. Several notices of motion were discussed all dealing with administrative details. The first, moved by Mr. J. Prendeville, was to the effect that a senior player shall not play in. a lower grade unless he has obtained a transfer from the management committee. For the purpose of the rule a senior player is any player who has represented this or any other union in its senior grade representative teams or who has played three or more times in the senior grades in either the last or the present seasons. This motion was carried after brief discussion. I The Miramar club advocated a change of the constitution as affecting delegates, and suggested that these should be appointed as follow:— A. club entering 10 or more teams, 4 delegates; entering 6 to 9 teams, 3 delegates; entering 3 to 5 teams, 2 delegates.; under 3 teams, 1 delegate. The words' “status of such club,” in clause 7 of the constitution and rules, it was suggested, should be changed to “actual number of teams entered.” In opposition to this it was pointed out that the colleges, entering a great many teams, might be entitled to up to 15 delegates, though the mover pointed out that the representation on the New Zealand Rugby Union was constituted on the lines he suggested. The mover also said that it was not desired to disturb the present representation of schools and colleges. The motion was lost. A further motion from the Miramar Club advocating that at least one meeting of delegates be’held in June subsequent to the annual meeting, when progress reports of the union’s activities should be presented and general business transacted, was lost. Helping Unemployed Players. Suggesting that it was probable that many players would be unable to pay club subscriptions by June 1, and would, under the present rule, be debarred from a game, the Selwyn Club suggested that the rule concerning the furnishing of duplicate receipts be not enforced during the 1931 season. Mr, J. Prendeville suggested that such a question was more one for the individual club. Cover against accident was also a point that needed consideration. Mr. S. S. Dean thought no one should be debarred from playing football because he could not pay his subscription, but he suggested that clubs should see to it that any such player was covered against accident, by paying the levy required from the club funds. The motion was carried.