A SPLENDID YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 107, 6 May 1926, Page 11

A SPLENDID YEAR

RUGBY IN NEW ZEALAND

ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES

PRESIDENT'S OPENING ADDEESS,

The presidential address to the delegates assembled id the annual meeting of the New Zealand Eugby Union in the Accountants' Chambers this afternoon contained a very optimistic note regarding the future of Eugby in the Dominion. "We have had a splendid ■ year,'? said the retiring president (Mr. H. H. Fraser, of South Canterbury), "and the season wo have now entered upon bids fair to equal tho many glorious seasons that have gone. Our play- . ing fields from one end of the Dominion . to the other are hard put to it to accommodate the teams entered for our •everal competitions, and this, in niy judgment, is tho very best feature of our work as officials and enthusiasts. May it be many a long year before we can say we can satisfy all requirements in this direction. We want the growing boys and young men out on the playing fields and when they have had all they want from the game as players, then we hopo they will con- ■ tinue their interest with the referee's whistle."' ■ • FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES. Continuing, he said that the encouragement of the game in outlying districts was pf first importance, and while the Management Committee's com- ■ ments.on. the subsidies granted last season were noted, it must be remember - ed that many minor unions were up against heavy financial responsibilities, and were deserving of all tho help the New Zealand Union and the betterplaced, provincial unions could give. Financially, the union recorded a loss of £960, but, remembering that items which could rightly be debited against -tho 1024 season's accounts had to be paid in 1925, it was to be noted that there was a gain on the two seasons of ' £873." It was well to remember that " the North v. South Island match was tho only revenue match of the N.Z. ■ E.U., and ho; doubt delegates would realise the importance of playing this match' at *a convenient centre, thereby minimising' loss of time for the play- - era and reducing their expenses to a minimum. : The grants made for school football were much appreciated by the various unions, and it was pleasing to note that most: of tho provincial unions supplemented the grants out of their own funds. The publication of the book on school football was a happy step, and the many letters of commendation received by the N.Z.B.U. showed that it was much appreciated. "" OVERSEAS TOURS. "The outstanding features of last year from the playing point of view," said Mr. Fraser, "were tho visits to and from New. Soiith Wales. Our ■ visit .to the other side was outside the . agreement, and was made at the request of the New South Wales Eugby Union. It helped them to get back a looting on the Agricultural Showgrounds, and at the same time gave them a special feature on which they "- could canvass for annual subscribers to ' their i; funds. . . . We are all pleased to learn^that the Bugby game is coming - back 'into its own on the other side, - and: if the New South Wales Eugby - Union' can put teams on the field of the calibre of the one that visited us last it should not" bo long before tho ■game is once more the pre-eminent winter game of the Australian sports-lov-ing public. "You will note from the report that there is the possibility of establishing the Eugby game in Victoria. This, I know, you will all regard as well worth while, and. also tho action of the Managomont Committee in sending Mr. Fletcher to inquire fully into the possibilities. Wo arc now committed to the extension of the Now Zealand team's tour to Melbourne to play one. match,- which will be of more or less an exhibition match. • "Turning to tours by overseas teams ;in -New Zealand, it is good to know that we may expect. a French team next year, and while wo must all pay due attention to the experience of the Management Committee, at the same time we all expect that the I'reiichmen will, play in as many of the smaller, centres as possible., I think it is due to the public who are supporting Eugby away from the centre that they should ' see the visitors 43 near, home as possible. "The acceptance by France of a team of Maori players is most welcome, a;nd I know is appreciated by our Maori .. friends.. .We can safely prophecy a good tour.from a playing point of view, and, going on our experiences of previous Maori teams, they will worthily represent New Zealand off the field." ■ (Proceeding.)