OFF GOLD STANDARD

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 63, 16 March 1933, Page 9

OFF GOLD STANDARD

EUGBT UNION FINANCE

"DOWN TO HOME BREW"

In a brief account of the past year's stewardship so far as the ■Wellington Bugby Football Union's affairs were concerned, Mr. J. Frendeville, chairman of the union/ indicated todelegates at the annual meeting last night that the management committee had encountered serious "problems on -the financial side. However, by the exercise of much caution, a small credit was shown, and this, in view TDf-_ the'times, was re? garded as a, satisfactory result, even though temporary-relief was received in the matter of meeting certain obligations. During his remarks Mr. Prendeville disclosed : _tha.t;- rent,,, .interest rates, etc., as well as the. .working ex: penses of the union averaged something like £300 per Saturday. It was essential, therefore, that every endeavour'ba made to have big attendances right through the season to meet this weekly, charge. -~

- Dealing with the. financial result of the union's activities,/ Mr. Prendeville said that admittedly" the balance-sheet showed that the union was down on some previous years, "but ;taking. the receipts from club, gates the amount received last year had been exceeded only three times in the history 0$ the union. The union, in the light of that fact, had not done as badly as one would think on the financial result of the year—a credit balance of £3 10s sd. "We have prospered in the good years," he said, "but like.many another association..we have had to como off the gold standard down to 'home brew.? " ■..-'.■■

The president1 (Dr. P. E. McEvedy) Don't say that. ' :

it was unfortunate that for thte Auekl land match, which was one of 'Wei* lingtort's three main representative fixtures at home last year, the' weather was exceptionally bad, . Mr. ; Prendeville continued. The"gate,',' in consequence, Vas. affected materially. It so happened that in every third or fourth, year only a few visiting teams' played in Wellington, but there were more in other years. Six or seven representative teams were dve1 here this year. He said '.''dnej" because there were some unions;' which,' through their finances .being straitened/ might, not ba able to pay ' the call, expected from them. It was hoped, Jiowever, that they, would all be able to make those -return visits. ■'..-. : .

During last, year'the union was uriable f6 'reduce' its overdraft and was unable to ■ meet its liability to ,th.B New Zealand Rugby Union. The bank and the K.Z.E.U.' both mot the union' to that.extent, ljut the obligations still remained and Mr./Prenjaeyille sincerely hoped that the coming season would show better results. T Much care had been exercised last year ,T>y the Management Committee in regard, to the accounts, every item being closely studied to. see where it could be reduced. Gonr siderable reductions were made and the union was able to come out on thß credit side.

The question of charges of admisr sion,to.'.Athletic Park, he'said, had given the; committee much worry. Having settled on Is aVa charge at;the^outset the committee .was, forced to sticlt to It for the -whole season. The financial arrangements had- been mapped out and it was felt that an ait.eratioa to the:eharge would be too risky.' A special tribute- was paid by Mr. Prendeville to club secretaries," club coaches, and club officers ■ generally. "They do a wonderful amount of work," he said, "and I am satisfied in,my own .mind that if it were not for the enthusiasm., of these officials Hugby. f potball wou}d--not- iavf;- continued/so strong as itvhasr been:?'" He expressed the hope that they .would carry on- with that sterling work.