FOOTBALL WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 76, 31 March 1914, Page 4

FOOTBALL WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION

WORK OF THE YEAR. The annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby Football Union wa6 held, last night. Dr. A. K. Newmsui, M.P., presided over an attendance of thirty delegates. The adoption of tho annual report and balance-sheet, a .precis of which has already been published, was moved by Mr. W. Perry. In congratulating the committee on ils year's work, Mr. M. J. Crombie said that tho committee had. had a bad season, and everyone knew that the work was difficult. Nevertheless he considered the committee mado a mistake in increasing tho gate charge at Athletic Park. The state of the finajicee might have warranted a change, bat after a trial of a few weeks the old charge should have been reverted to. He was struck by the small attendances at big cup matches, and he noticed that there was a deficit of £300, in comparison with the. previous season. He hoped the rule regarding ago limit in the lower grade would be enforced. In the opinion of Dr. Newman the increased charge was all right, but the system did not have a fair run. There liad been many wet Saturdays, and the championship was unsatisfactory. He hoped they would hav<» better luck this year. The matter was one for the incoming committee. Speaking as a littstee, Dr. Newman said that some time ago the Wellington Union had borrowed £4000 from the New Zealand Union, whteh was to b(» repaid in a certain number of years. Tho payments had been kept up well till last year, vben £375 had to be borrowed to meet the payment. With a good season this year they might move into a sound position. The Jea.se of the Park v ex« pired in> November, and the union would have to give six months' notice of intention to renew the lease. Concluding, the Chairman said that the prospects for tb» season were bright, and better gates could be expected. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. OFFICERS. Officers for the ensuing year were t'fected as follow : — President, Dr. A. X, Newman ,• vice-presidents, Messrs. G. I<\ C. Campbell, S. S. Brown, J. T. King, and J. P. Firth; vice-president of the New Zealand Union, Mr. G. F. C. Campbell ; Wednesday representative on the management committee, Mr. W. Hornig; treasurer, M«\ W. Perry; auditor, Mr. 0. Kember ; management committee, Messrs. E. O. Hales, H. Buck, A. E. Wilson, W. Hardham, G. Howe, D. Weir, A. Kitto, E. A. Dawson, E. Little; delegates to New Zealand Union, Messrs. E. 0. Hales, F. ftbbertß, G. Howe, T. Lynskey, and J. T. King. CHARGE FOR ADMISSION. There was considerable discussion when Mr. M. J Crombie moved that it be a recommendation to the management committee to revert to the scale of charge for cup matches which was in force prior to last season. In seconding the motion Mr. A. Griffiths said that it would bo in the interests of Rugby" to revert to tho charge of sixpence. Rugby had lost supporters through Hie increase. Air. W. Perry (last year's treasurer), said that had the increase not been made last year, they would have had even a worse condition than they had at present. The expenditure had been curtailed, and as that had not achieved their object, the gate charge had been increased. Unfortunately, last year interest had not been so keen it might have been in the second round. He still favoured the shilling charge, and thought that Mr. Crombie s motion should be rejected and the question left to the Management Committee to be dealt with. Mr. D. D. Weir supported the sixpenny charge. Mr. E. O. Hales said the trouble last year was that one clifb ran away with the championship, and he did not think that any more persons would have attended the matches had tbe charge been sixpence. They should carefully consider the * question before they c&iried the- motion Mr. D. M'Kenzie contended that if the shilling charge were adhered to the game would go back. Mr. J. Burns supported the shilling charge. The motion was supported by Mr. Hardham, who, however, said he did not wish to tie the hands of the committee. A CONCESSION URGED. " Mr. Davidson thought that some concession in the way of season tickets should be made to supporters and members of clubs, The attendance of ladies should be encouraged. While he was in' favour of the popular price, however, he had heard no argument to show that the committee had made a mistake in increasing the charge. Replying, Mr. Crombie, while admitting that the committee was right in trying the experiment, said that the shilling charge had not proved the success that was anticipated. The receipts from the sixpenny gate two years ago totalled £1300, whereas the shilling charge had returned only £1000 last year. A popular price was necessary if they wanted to encourage supporters. While he did not think the motion was tying the hands^ of the committee, he would withdraw it if decided, although he was sure a majority of the Management Committee favoured the lower price. Permission to withdraw the motion was given by the meeting. On the motion of Mr. Griffiths, it was decided to appoint three selectors of representative teams instead of one. UNIVERSITY' CLUB. . The University Club held its annual meeting in the Victoria College gymnasium last evening. Professor Hunter was in tiip chair, and there was an attendance of 45 members. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. The balancesheet disclosed a credit cash balance of £13 3s 9d. TIIO report congratulated Messrs. Ryan, Faire, Sandel, Quilliam, Shaw, and Fawcet on representing the club with the New Zealand University team in Sydney in July last. It was stated that the Sydney University team would, in all probability, visit New Zealand this year. The Beard Brothers and Faire repicsented Wellington during the year. Officers were elected as follow : — Patron, the Chairman of the Professorial Board ; president, Professor T. A. Hunter ; vice presidents, Messrs. H. H. Ostler, Delamare, Cui'tayne, Bogle, O'Leary, and Davie ; club captain, JMr. P. J. Ryan ; deputy club captain, ' Mr. A. S. Faire ; lion, secretary, Mr. D. Harle ; lion, treasurer, Mr. A. East ; management committee, the above, and Mr. W. J. Melody ; lion, auditor, Mr. P. B. Bioad; delegate to W.R.JL, Messrs. W. Perry, A. S. Faire, and. P. J. Ryan. In connection with the visit of the Sydney University team, it was resolved to recommend the club's delegates to the >.'ew Zealand Univcisity Football Club's iDLcling yt Easter that the eligibility test for players 111 tho University matcheo bo such as would j3«>vent other, than

bona-fide students, who are members of the University College clubs, from participating in these matches.