LOSS TO RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 13

LOSS TO RUGBY

Lord Ranfurly’s Death

DONOR OF SHIELD A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Earl of Ranfurly was passed at this week’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and it was decided to send a letter to Viscount Northland 1 expressing keen appreciation of what Lord Ranfurly had done for Rugby, football in the Dominion. Mr. S. S. Dean, the chairman, said that it was in 1902 that Lord Ranfurly presented the Ranfurly Shield for competition in New Zealand, and the shield was accepted as the premier Rugby trophy in the Dominion. The shield not only served as an indication of Lord Ranfurly’s interest in Rugby in New Zealand, but it would also perpetuate his memory. “As manager of the 1924 team,” said Mr. Dean, “I would like to mention that Lord Ranfurly came along to us in England and was very keen to see the destinies of the tour. He went out with us in the conveyances to the ground as a member of the team, and sat with us at the ground. He was pleased to go as one of the boys.” Mr. Dean said that the New Zealand Rugby Union also felt that a Rugby chief had been lost in the recent death of the Maori “King,” Te Rata Mahuta Te Wherowherq, and the sympathy of all Rugby players and officials would go out to the Maons in their loss. A vote of sympathy with the relatives of the Maori “King” was passed.