WAR MEMORIAL FUND

Evening Star, Issue 18083, 26 September 1922, Page 2

WAR MEMORIAL FUND

O.R.P.U. ASKED TO ASSIST. THE UNION STILL IN DEBT, A deputation from the ' War Memorial Fund Committee, consisting of Messrs J. J. Clark, W. Begg. and D. Harris -Hastings, waited on the Otago Rugby Football Union Executive last evening and asked for its assistance in the raising of funds for the proposed war memorial. Mr Chirk said that the erection of a war memorial had been delayed for a number of years on account of various reasons. The committee was now determined that this reproach should no longer exist, and that steps should at once be taken to have tho memorial made an fact; The committee had every confidence in approaching tho Rugby Union for a substantial donation, because everyone must realise the great work that had been done by tho young men of this dominion in the late war, the * great proportion of whom were footballers. Tho committee felt that tho union would like to share in honoring the deeds of those men. They all knew that the union had made a considerable sum of money this season, but they also realised that it had many claims on its funds. They hoped, however, that tho union would he able to give this fund a substantial donation this year and perhaps another one next year. Mr Begg said that any donation given by the union, would be greatly appreciated by the general public, who had loyally supported Rugby during tho last two 'or three years. This had been due to the excellent spirit displayed by the players and the clean way m which tho game had been played. While on that subject he could- only express his extreme regret of the exhibition, given last Saturday. The players themselves had done their full share in up-holding the great work of the Empire. The public was supporting the Rugby Union, and- ho was satisfied that if that body could give tho committee a liberal donation it would be much appreciated generally. Tire- union some two years ago. promised half the proceeds of a match for the war memorial. In face of that promise and the patronage the union had received from the public, ho thought the Memorial Committee was now deserving of assistance from the O.R.F.U. Mr J. Dunne (treasurer): I suppose tho deputation is aware that the Rugby Union is still in debt, notwithstanding that it is credited with having made an enormous sum of money. Mr Clark: We know that. Mr H. Harris: When are you likely to want this money? Mr Clark replied that they wanted it as soon as possablo, but if -the union could spread its donation over two years that would be satisfactory, Mr Harris said that the union under its rules had no power to make an actual grant. Next year it might ho able to give a proportion of the proceeds of a charity match. ■Mr Clark said that it would have a fine moral influence on the public if the committee could got a lead from the Rugby Union. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee to report.