BRIGHT FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 18239, 2 April 1923, Page 4

BRIGHT FUTURE

RUGBY IN NEW ZEALAND. CONTROLLING BODY’S REPORT. “ Not only do wo hear of more players taking the field in the various competitions, but tho interest of the general public lias been well maintained, and tho various unions, as a result of the support given, have been able to take up vital questions of playing areas in a practical way,” states the Management Committee of ‘tho New Zealand Rugby Union in offering in its annual report congratulations to all concerned with tho control of the Rugby Union game on the further progress made during the year.. “ The season's operations,” the report states, “ have been heavy on all unions, and as tho result of their close attention to local and general requirements, there has been the same marked absence of untoward incidents, which have made the reputation of the Rugby Union code such an excellent one. A special word of commendation must be extended to the. larger unions for the way they have, at considerable expense to themselves, sent teams to the smaller centres. Such visits must tend to improve tho standard of play in tlie outlying districts, and at the same time give the players in these districts tho opportunity to prove their capabilities. The financial position of affiliated unions, too, shows improvement, which is a matter for congratulation, as it should have its ultimate effect in the improvement of playing fields and general accommodation.” Regarding tho unions’ financial position, a substantial loss on the year’s operations is shown in tho balance-sheet. This, tho report states, was only to be expected in view of the many on the union’s funds and the limited sources of revenue open to it. Tho North and South Island match resulted in a loss, which is unusual, and the assembly of the two sides at Auckland entailed heavy expense, while the state of the weather on the day adversely affected the gate receipts. The arranging of the series of matches in connection with the Moascar Cup competition occasioned a great amount of trouble, and resulted in a heavy financial loss to the union. ALLOCATION OF LOANS. Applications for loans had been received and the available funds of the union had now been fully allocated. The policy adopted in arranging loans had been to give preference to applications for the purpose of acquiring playing grounds. The terms of tho loans provided for .annual repayments of 10 per cent, of the amount advanced, and these payments, as they accrued, would he used to help other unions requiring assistance, as far as funds would allow 7 . Allocations had been made as follows during the year:—Auckland, £2,000; Wellington, £2,250; Wairarapa, £2,000; Wanganui, £500; Taranaki, £500;

South Canterbury, £1,500. The committee expresses appreciation of the work carried out by the selectors. Referring to the- resignation of Mr G. W. Slade from the position of chairman, after serving for three years in that capacity, the report states: “Throughout this period the business of the union has been particularly heavy, and tho close attention given to its requirements, entailing sacrifice of much time, was a material factor in tho success which followed on the union’s operations. The thanks of the union are due to Mr Slade for the services ho has rendered.” “ The future for the game is bright,” the report concludes, “ for young New Zealand is taking it up as enthusiastically as ever. With these players coming on, and the good-will of the public well maintained, we are confident that the coining season will be even more successful than the one just closed. NEW SOUTH WALES TOURS. Dealing with tho interchange of visits between N‘)ew South Wales and Now Zealand, tho report stales that both the Now Zealand and tho Maori teams which toured last season had been well received on the other side, and one result of their visits had been the strengthening of the financial resources of the New South Wales Union, which had had a hard struggle against strong opposition. The special feature of the New Zealand team’s results was the loss of the rubber to New South Wales. That was the first occasion on which a New South Wales team had wrested supremacy from New Zealand in test matches, and the hearty congratulations of the union had been extended to them on their achievement. It was sincerely hoped that their success was the forerunner of many mbro stirring contests, and that, as a further result, Rugby Union football would make that progress in New South Wales which tho merits of the game as a team game entitled it to do. The Maori team’s visit preceded that of the New Zealand team, and the Maoris met with greater success on the field. The New South Wales Rugby Union was sending a team from Sydney about the 20th August to tour the dominion this season. The Now South Wales standard of play ns shown last season and the previous success of the New South Wales visit to New Zealand should assure, good football, and New' Zealand would have to leave no stone unturned if it was Irr regain the honors. The New South Wales Union had also asked that a team, not necessarily a Now Zealand representative team, should • be sent across in. Juno for a three nr four-match tour. Negotiations to send a Maori representative team were now in progress. AMONG THE MAORIS. Referring to the conferences held to discuss tho, question of fostering the Rugby Union game amongst tho Maoris, the report stales that a representative Maori committee was set up, and had since mot in Napier. Tho report adds: “ There is every reason to believe that they will serve as a strong connecting link between the New Zealand Rugby Union and Maori players and supporters. As one result, wo have to acknowledge a particularly handsome silver rose bowl presented by Mrs Perry for competition between Maori sides. The thanks of the union are due. to Mrs Perry for the fine trophy. To Mr W. T. Parata, who, for many years, lias shown the keenest possible interest, especially towards encouraging and conserving the loyalty of the Maori race, to tho Rugby game, our special thanks aro due.” SCHOOL FOOTBALL. It is stated in the report that a sum of £4BO was allocated to various unions for the encouragement of school football. Tho grants were: £25 each to Wairarapa and Bay of Plenty; £ls each to Thames Valley and East Coast; and £2O each to tho following Northland, Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Horowhenna, Marlborough, Golden. Bay, West Coast, South Canterbury, Auckland, Waikato, East Coast, King Country, Bush Districts, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson," Duller, Canterbury, Southland.