WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 69, 23 March 1910, Page 3

WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL REPORT. The leport of the Wellington Rugby Union, to be presented at the annual meeting to-night, at the V.M.C.A. rooms, has many interesting features. Reference is made to the extraordinary keenness of the interest taken in the senior championship last season. ''Probably," says the report, "the whole hisloiy of the union records no keener competition." The results of the other grade competitions are also revived. Kia Ora won the junior championship ;»fter a series of matches that produced some very good football ; ' St. John's the third grade, and Southern Ihe fourth. No championship was declared in the iifthclass, as it was discovered that the nominal winners, I'ptone, were playing a boy over the age limit. The union proposes to lay down a new regulation in ■ this connection, providing for a- penalty ' for the offending club. The Wednesday competition was won by Oriental after a season of more than average interest. School football also showed increased interest. ! ACCIDENT FUND. The position of the accident fund is not regarded as satisfactory. Despite the increase in the union's donation, and a sum of £40 received as a result of the seven-a-side tournament, the account showed a net loss on the season's working of £82 6s. It was found necessary to pay increased fees for medieaJ attention, the arrangement working more satisfactorily from the players' point lof view than in former years. "It is I evident," concludes the report on this head, "that some steps must be taken to prevent the fund going into bankruptcy, and notice of motion is being given to alter the pules dealing with tho fund." SUCCESSFUL REPRESENTATIVES. The great success of the representative teams during the season is especially J mentioned in the report. Out of eight ! senior matches only one— that against ! Auckland — was lost. During its southern tour the team won every match. "In addition to their prowess on the playing field," says the report, "the members of ; the team well upheld our record for good conduct and gentlemanly bearing while off the field. Mr. W. Perry proved a popular and capable manager." FINANCE. The statement of finances shows the receipts for the year to have been £4014 19a 6d, of which substantial amount £2947 11s 5d were gate receipts at cup, representative, and other matches, to which has been added £1198 3s 9d (less £692 16s 9d previously taken to credit), gate receipts for Athletic Park up to 30th September, 1908. The chief items on the expenditure side are as follow-: — -Item, lates, taxes, etc., £460; written-oif property account, £666 4s 9d ; rent of Miramar Park, .£350; other rents, £182; southern tour expenses, £153 4s lOd ; . general advertising. £132 5s Bd. The ciedit balance paid to capital account amounts to £772 18s 7d. ATHLETIC PARK. The trustees of the Athletic Park state tho receipts for the winter season of 1909 come well up to expectations, while the expenditure did not rise above that estimated when the park was acquired. Since the trustees took over the management a total sum of £1314 76 6d has been paid to the Wellington Rugby Union. "Tho trustees are fully alive," states the report, "to the necessity of care in dealing with the 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 the New Zealand Union form a formidable Bum, which must be provided annually before any - balance is available ~;wi£n.

which to carry on the operations of thi»' t Wellington Union. In view o{ Jhe,.anl ticipated ground expense*, -it - ia~ nc* safe to anticipate that .such a" largeV sum as handed over during tho pastseason will be available during the coming year towards the expenses of th#union." . * In conclusion, acknowledgments -are made to the Referees' Association for. their services, to the public for their> support, to members of the St. -Johifc Ambulance Brigade for first aid rend£ ered to injured players, and toother Press for assistants and considerations extended throughout the year.