THE RUGBY GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 105, 6 May 1927, Page 11

THE RUGBY GAME

NEW ZEALAND CONTROL

ANNUAL MEETING OF

DELEGATES

TOURS AND OTHER MATTERS

Approval o£ the manner in which the Dominion's Rugby football affairs me being conducted was shown by delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union in re-electing to oflice last evening all retiring members of the Management Committee. The retiring president, Mr. C. M. MTDavitt (Waikato) was in the chair until the election of the new president, Mr. H. Manoy (Golden Bay-Motueka). Delegates present were as follow: North Auckland, Messrs. W. Kelly and A. C. Kitto; Auckland, Messrs. H. Frost, J. Roach, and E. Casey; "Waikato, Messrs. C. M'Davitt and B. Chapman; Thames Valley, Mr. F. Lockyerj Bay of Plenty, Mr. A. Griffiths and Dr. P. F. M'Evedy; King Country, Mr. C. Otto; Taranaki, Messrs. J. M'Leod, J. Garcia, ! and G. W. Slade; Wanganui, Messrs. G. I H. Pownall and R. (j. Dalziell; Manawho"«a. Messrs. J. A. Colquhoun and J. O'Connor; East Coast, Messrs'. E. V J^ittle and G. A. Neill; Poverty Bay, Messrs. E. Wylie and A. S. Parker; Bf^vkes Bay, Messrs. G. L. Mullany, J. W. Nome, N. M'Kenzie, and W. O'NeillBush Districts, Mr. R. J. Smith; Wairarapa, Messrs. R. Ward and E. M'Kenzie; Wellington, Messrs. W. J. Hardham, J. Prendeville, and W. S>. Hornig and Major 1. J. King; Marlborough, Mr. A. A. M'Nab; Nelson, Mr. E. J. Kennitz; Golden Bay-Motneka, Mr. H. Manoy; Bullcr, Mr. A. Colvin; West Coast, Mr. A A Adams; Canterbury, Messrs. S. P. Wilson, M'Phail, and T. A. Fletcher; South Canterbury, Messrs. F. A. Laws and H. H. Fraser; Otago, Messrs. H. Harris, G. A. Nelson, H. S. Leith, J. Murray, and Southland, Messrs. A. J. Geddes, C. A Davis, S. S. Dean, and H. Paton. Among others present were Messrs. G. H. Dixon (life member), C. H. Mills (a vice-presi-dent), and A. E. Neilson (secretary). SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR. Many matters of vital interest to the game were considered, among them the proposed visit of a New Zealand team to South Africa next year. The dates proposed by the Management Committee for trials in view.of the selection of the team were regarded by most delegates as being inconvenient, in that the ordinary representative matches would be affected Mr J. Prendeville (Wellington) considered tuat the trial matches should, be played on the 24th September and the Northsouth match on the Ist October. If the trials were to take place this year they could be played throughout New Zealand on the one day. So far as he could make out it would not be necessary for the team to leave for South Africa until* June of next year, and he did not see why all the trials should not be played early next year. During further discussion Mr. S. S. Dean said that present indications were that the team would have to leave New Zealand oh the 11th June, arriving in Durban on. the 14th July. The Management Committee had suggested that not more than 21 matches be played, to include not more than three Tests, and that the team consist of 29 players. He was of opinion that this season's form must be a guide to .■ the selectors, as the team would'be leaving too early to confine, the trials to next season. It was "intended that the selectors appointed this year should be in office next year as well. After various other views had been expressed it was decided that the trials be. commenced not earlier than the 21st September. TOO MANY MATCHES. Doubt was expressed by some delegates that under the conditions prevailing in south Africa the team would not be able to give of its best throughout the tour in being called upon to play 21 matches. Suggestions were made that the number of .matches'be reduced. Against these, however, it was pointed-out that the financial success of the.tour had to be considered, it being possible that South Africa would be seriously handicapped in that respect if, say, only 14 or 15 matches were played. The matter of finalising details in connection with the tour was left to the Management Committee.. MOASCAR CUP. The suggestion in "the report that in view of the fact that no challenges were received for the Moascar Cup last season, the competition be abandoned, provoked some discussion. . Mr.. N.; M'Kenzie (Hawkes Bay) said that probably the reason for the lack of challenges lay in the fact that last, year the Te Aute College team was composed of big boys. The Te Aute team this season, however, would be quite a different proposition. He had no doubt that there would bo two or three challenges this season. A Taranaki delegate was of the opinion that in some schools there was a certain "set"' against matches being played. He thought that the question of the competition should be taken up with the Headmasters' Associations. Mr. J. Prendeville (Wellington): "As fur as Wellington secondary schools are concerned : Wellington College has its own tournament.. In the other two secondary schools the averagu age is round about 17, with.players as young as 15. I think tjieic feeling is that a school like Te Aute has more players just under the age limit, mid that tliey are too strong for them to really get an eveu game. That is I think, to a certain extent the trouble. It would be a pity to see the competition fall through, and I agree with the suggestion that the. matter be put before the Headmasters' Association to sec if it would not be possible for Borne scheme to be evolved that, would warrant the continuance of the competition." The chairman thought the suggestion that the competition be abandoned was a little drastic, and after some further discussion it was decided that the matter be placed before the Headmasters' Associations in both the North and South Islands. ■ IMPERIAL. BOARD WANTED. Following the presentation of the report upon the Imperial Rugby Conference, at' which Messrs. H. Harris and C. Wray represented New Zealand, there was considerable discussion upon the question of Dominion representation in the control of the game, with references to the need for uniformity of rules and rulings throughout the Empire. The following motion was carried:— (a) "The New Zealand Rugby Union learns with regret of the International Board's decision not to establish an Imperial Board as approved by the 1924 Imperial Rugby Conference, (b) This union urges on the English Rugby Union to call a conference of delegates of the English, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish Unions, together with delegates from the New Zealand, New South Wales, and South African Rugby Unions, with a view to establishing an Imperial Rugby Board, the functions of which shall be inter alia the control or Rugby football within the Empire. . (c) That a copy of this resolution be sent, to New South Wales and South Africa, asking for their support, and that the Enttlish, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish Rugby Unions be notified of this resolution." OTHER MATTERS. It was decided to recommend the Management Committee to consider the advisability of playing a match annually between the minor and country unions of each island. A motion by the Manawatu V'ngby Union "That the New Zealand Rugby Football Union favourably consider the advisability of establishing a Dominion insurance scheme for Rugby footballers".was defeated. The Ashburton and the North Otago sub-unions were, granted affiliation with full- status} 1 as.unions. A decision was made to send the Maori team on a tour of the minor unions this season, thc^tour to take the place of giants to unions except in exceptional eases. In connection with the trial matches for the selection of the team for South Africa it was agreed that the east coast

be combined with Hawkes Bay and Poverty Bay for the game at Napier.

OFFICERS ELECTED.

The election of officer* resulted as follows:—Patron, His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson); president, Mr. H. Manoy (Golden BayMotueka); vice-presidents, the Hon. K. S. Williams (East Coast), Colonel G. F. C. Campbell (Wellington), Dr. G. Adams (Wauganui), and Messrs. L. J. Brake (North Auckland), J. Afneil (Auckland), J. Silcock (Thames Valley), J. Montgomery (Waikato), W. T. Parata (Bay of Plenty), A. Carlson (King Country), H. Spurdle (Tarauaki), W. D. Lysnar (Poverty Bay), A. M. Onglcy (Manaivhenua), R. J. Smith (Bush Districts), G. Maddison (Hawkes Bay), W. G. Laing (Wairarapa),' OH. Mills (Marlborough), W. E. Frank (Nelson), K. Fcary (Golden Bay-Motu-eka), A. Colvin (Buller), A. A. Adams (West Coast), S. F. Wilson (Canterbury), D. M. Stuart (Otago), A. H. Courtis (Southland), H. H. Fraser (South Canterbury), C. J. L. Mollison (North Otago), and W. F. Wntters (Ashburton); lion, treasurer, Mr. E. Wylie (re-elected); auditor, Mr. 0. G. Kember (re-elected); representative on English Rugby Union, Mr. C. J. Wray (re-elected); appeal council, Messrs. J._ Arneil, P. Mackie, and J. I. Conian, oi. Auckland* (re-elected); management committee, Messrs. S. S. Dean, W. F. Horniff, C. L. Mnllany, T. A. Fletcher, A. C. Kitto, E. M'Eenzie, and H. S. Leith (all re-elected).