NO AMENDMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 63, 16 March 1933, Page 6

NO AMENDMENTS

TO RUGBY RULES

WELLINGTONS MEETING

UNUSUAL INCIDENT

"I am/glad no'bne has suggestions forward relating ,to alterations in the rules.tfethe garne^ said Dr. P. F. McEvedy,:'* president'-'of the Wellington Rugby Union;, when, declaring the annual meeting df the nnioii- closed last -nights "It shows that New. Zealand is prepared to play Rugby according to the rules as laid down.

"In spite of the depression, i£ we all put our shoulders to the wheel, I think \ve will come ont- all Tight next year," he continued

"1 think 'most of us were surprised to learn that we had £3'los 5d on the right side of the account," said Mr. P. Henry (Miramar), in congratulating the Management Committee, the Junior, Advisory Committee, and all others who had assisted on the useful 'work they had done during the year. He thought that the union's officials had conic through with very great credit. '~•■■.. Aa ■was forecast in yesterdajrs ' Post, the meeting was concerned solely with matters relating to the control of the game locally) and there were no really contentious ' questions. The Miramar Club's motion; in' regard to the grading of teams took/some time to "dispose of, out the discussion •■ was 'confined'sto a few speakers, and:the proposal -^ras rejected by a big • majority on-a Nshow-of hands. Al&ut sixty 'delegateg "were present.'

; DECLARATION OF VOTING. The election, of; the new Management Committee, .which 'usually ■ stirs'- the 'interest of the meeting, resulted in the retiring committee being re-elected, but was responsible for a sbmewhat unusual incident. After.the president had announced the names of the -successful candidates, Mr. C. O. Bell (Miramar) asked for'the voting figures to bemade public, but Dr. McEvedy said he was .'not prepared to comply with the request. ' ■ ■ Mr. Bell then quoted the union's book of1 rules, which provides that a declaration of the result of trie voting shall.be made. I)r. McEvedy repeated that he would prefer not to announce the - figures, but, as they were desired by the meeting, he. did so. TheballoW- he said, had resulted in. Professor Boyd-Wilson arid Mr. H. Simmons tieing. forilasfi place> and he had accordingly giveri'his casting vote in,favour of-the existing''order, with the result that Professor Boyd-Wilson had been declared elected. '. ■'- ••. '

A HUTT VALLEY SECTION,

A. recommendation that the lower grade teams frorfl. *=Upper Hutt to Eastbourne should be confined to a Hutt Valley section was inaide .by Mr. Sproule on behalf of the Melrose-Selwyn Club, Mr. Sproule pointed out that Vlast season the refund of fares to players amounted to £395 Us 4di and much of this would be unnecessary if the Hutt Valley teams were in a section of their own. He also suggested that the. Minister of Transport should be approached to see if it would be possible for motor-lorry owners to be allowed to carry sports; teams "without having to take out a passenger-carrying licence. This would enable teams to be transported very cheaply. • ~ '.:.• .. .

Mr. S. S. Dean (PoneEe); chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, said that he had 'already taken the matter up with the Transport Department on behalf of all the New Zealand unions. The Department had stated that'lthere were serious difficulties to be -overcome, but it was prepared to .consider theimatter. '"■•-■.

In reply to Mr. Sproule's suggestion of a Hutt YaUey-i section, Mr. Prendeyille said that it would probably be put into effect in the future, but the time was not yet ripe as there were too few teams. RECOMMENDATIONS MADE. On the suggestion of Mr. -P.. Henry (Mirarhar), it was made a recommendation that, in compiling the annual report a list should be provided- of the affiliated clubs/, with the number of teams in each instance and the date .on, which the club was.founded. '- ;. ■■'■." Mr. Henry also' recommended that instead of commencing the flower grade matches, at 1.15 p.m., in -'the middle of the season, they should be started at 1.30 p.m., and the duration of the' games reduced by a quarter of' an hour. This would allow the boys more time for luuch'. On the motion of Mr. H. Murphy (Athletic), seconded /by. Mr. Dean, it, was made a recommendation that, where possible, the services of .ex-Rugby players should be' engaged at Athletic Park. Mr. G. : ? H. ,-^yeir (Wellington) . asked whether.I.tKe committee would allow the charge for.; club.' benefit matches to be reduced from .Is; This would facilitate the sale of .tickets, as the matches were really only practice games, and were often not very attractive. to watch,' On the motion of the Miramar Club, it was decided to amend rule 23 to allow the Management Committee to remain in office until the committee for the following year had been elected, instead o£ until the next annual meeting. % -.',■■-.• ■'■■■■•, Mr/A. W. Cooper said that the''amendment was intended to prevent the position which arose last year, when 'ifciad been' contended that the. Management' Committee could not move a motion at the annual meeting because it was; not then in existence. It might also, happen'that a member of the committee \wotild not be sent as a delegate to the meeting by his club, . and unless the rule were altered he would not be eligible to attend. It was decided to v6te the usual honorarium to the union's treasurer, Mr* G; F. W. Jackson. ■ ' ■-...•: ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: — President, Dr. P. F. McEvedy; vice-pre-sidents, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, CJVLG., Messrs. A. F, Wiren,. W. ..P. Hornig, C. Campbell, A. Mcßain; vice-president to the New Zealand Rugby Union, Dr. P. F. McEvedy; honorary treasurer, Mr. G. F. \V. Jackson; Management Committee, Messrs. J. Bxendeville, J., D.\ King, J Moffltt/ / J, N; "Millard,. A. J. Griffiths, H. D. Morgan,; Major T. J. King, and Professor E. J» Boyd-Wilson; delegates to the New Zealand Rugby VJJnion, Messrs. J. Prendeville, A. J. Griffiths,-' C. G. Porter, W. F. Homig, and Major T. J. King; . auditor, MjvO. G. Kember. ■ "