RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 21054, 17 March 1932, Page 5

RUGBY

OTAGO UNION'S ANNUAL MEETING HR S. G. STYGHE RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT SEASON OPENS ON APRIL 23 Thq annual meeting of delegates to the Otago Rugby Football Union was held last night, Mr S. 0. Styche (president) presiding. • CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report, said the outstanding feature of last season was the visit of the Australian team, which was looked forward to with a great deal of interest. The match in Dunedin was a keen and hard one, and kept the large attendance of spectators interested to the finish. The members of the visiting team thoroughly enjoyed the game, and at the conclusion of their tour stated it was one of the best they had taken part in. During their stay in the city they were well catered for, and missed no opportunity of taking advantage of all outings offered them. With regard to our touring team, it could be said without doubt that the tour north was one of the most successful. Prior to reaching Christchurch , prospects of lifting the Ranfurly Shield appeared very bright, as the team had given such fine displays. However, it was not to be, as, unfortunately, several members wore indisposed with severe colds and influenza, with the result that the team had an off day, and certainly did not produce the form shown in the north. However, the local public later had an opportunity of seeing the team in its true form when it played it’s last representative match against Southland. Mr Styche said the junior representatives were not so successful as in previous years. Credit must be given the Eastern Districts for their win, which was well deserved. As regards the match against Canterbury here our team practically played against senior players. The idea of these matches was to bring out the promising young juniors, and not to foster men who had v been in senior grade or those who have been for years playing junior grade and never likely to get further. It was hoped that this coming season some understanding would be come to with Canterbury, and that only juniors would be considered in future. Whilst on the subject of junior reps., the incoming committee might consider it advisable to reduce the number of selectors, and also the number of trial matches; as it was, last season, the competition was cut short on account of so many trial matches taking place. In respect to local flag matches, only twelve were played in the senior grade throughout the season, interruption being caused by the departure of the touring team, and this was most unfortunate, as the competition was then in an interesting position, and anything might have happened for a few more Saturdays. A Country Week was again held in Dunedin, when all districts were represented, and, although the form displayed was not of a high standard, some interesting play was witnessed and the games thoroughly enjoyed. It

was just doubtful if the same procedure would be adopted this season on the score of expense; if not, some other arrangement would be come to meet the position. An innovation during the season was the seven-a-side tournament, relay races for seniors and juniors, also a sprint event. The committee in charge were to be heartily congratulated on the way they controlled the events, and the competing teams deserved great praise lor the way they backed up the committee, there being no hitch or delay throughout the whole day. It would bo suggested that the same programme be repeated this season, but that it take place prior to the competition matches starting, thereby being the means of getting the players fit earlier in the season, and alsa it was anticipated there would bo a larger attendance of the public, which would mean the clubs would benefit financially, as the takings were divided amongst them. The knock-out _ competition was another innovation instituted really to fill in the gap whilst the Otago team was on tour, but the matches staged did not interest the public to any large extent.

The doings of the primary and secondary schools were fully recorded in the report, and from same it would be noted that the number of teams was on the increase, which was satisfactory. T'he results of outside matches were a credit to the State primary schools. Despite the increase in number of players, it was rather a puzzle to know what became of the boys on leaving school, as in 1930 they had six teams competing in the Rugby Union’s president’s grade competition and in 1931 four teams. Thanks were due to all those gentlemen who had given so much time to the welfare of the boys and the game. , Mr Styche mentioned that further improvements were made to the Cansbrook Ground during the season by the erection of a new fence facing Burns and M'Glashan streets. This was sadly needed, and now gave the approach a much improved appearance. He was pleased to sec that clubs were prepared to play men or youths who were unemployed and who were unable to pay their subscriptions. They would have before them that night a letter from the New Zealand Rugby Union supporting the 3-2-3 scrum. The idea was to do away with the wing forward, but they might, on the other hand, have two breakaway forwards instead of one wing forward. There was no doubt that some wing forwards did spoil the play, but there were also wing forwards who opened up the play. The responsibility of dealing with the wing forward really rested with the referee. The speaker referred to the loss sustained during the past season by the passing away of meu who had taken a prominent part in their game. Mr G. W.'C. Macdonald had been a regular attender at their matches, and their old friend Mr George Scott, despite his handicap, had always been the jovial fellow at the matches played at Mosgiel. There was no necessity to refer to the capabilities that Mr Eckhold possessed, both as a player and a referee, they being well known by them all. He asked them to stand in silence in memory of the men who had passed away. . , . Mr Styche said that the subscriptions from ground members for the year 1930 amounted to £322 and for 1931 to £6l. In 1930 there was one match with the British team and five interprovincial matches, while in 1931 they had had the Australian match and three interprovincial matches. The receipts from the fourteen club matches in 1930 came to £2,317, and for twelve matches in 1931 to £1,940. Other matches had brought in £1,936. The receipts from other similar matches in 1930 (a larger number) had come to £2,411. The travelling expenses in connection with the Payne Trophy match, the junior representative team, the Otago touring team, and Country Week totalled £1,048. The expenditure would bo nonrecurring this year, with the exception of that required for Country Week. Looking at the prospects for the coming season, it might be expected that receipts for club matches would he down, but against this there was a prospect of additional club matches being played, which should greatly assist in keeping up revenue from this source. Added to this, they would have the Payne Trophy match, and there were also due visits from several of the northern unions. On the expenditure side there would be a saving in travelling expenses of a considerable amount, and also a saving on Carisbrook Ground, as no farther improvements were likely to be made at present. Taking all things into consideration, and despite the fact of their present overdraft of £123 and the loan of £2,500 due to the New Zealand Rugby Union, which was reducible by 10 per cent, per annum, they should, by keeping down their expenses to the minimum, manage to wind up the season satisfactorily. (Applause.) Mr H. Harris seconded the motion. Ho said the incoming committee would require to watch the finances very carefully.

Mr T. O’Shea thought they should pay more attention to chib matches and less to representative fixtures. He said that in seven years the union had spent £II,OOO on Carisbrook, and they would have to safeguard their finances. Mr Harris said lie did not think Mr O’Shea’s figures were quite correct. He thought £7,000 or £B,OOO was nearer the mark. They had a lease of the Carisbrook Ground for twenty-one years. The rent for the first seven years was £l5O per year, second seven years £225, and third seven years £3OO. On a 5 per cent, basis he thought the union was on a good wicket. The lease had fourteen years to run, and there 'was a right of renewal. The motion was carried. HONORARY MEMBERS’ TICKETS. Mr A. M'Dqnald moved that the previous resolution regarding the withdrawal of the privilege attaching to honorary members’ tickets bo rescinded and the following substitutedAH holders of honorary members’ tickets shall be entitled to free admission to all matches in which their senior team is engaged during the first round of matches.” Mr D. M. Stuart seconded the motion. _ He said ' that times had altered since the change was made, and chibs now required the assistance of honorary members. He did not think the clubs wanted only honorary members who wanted to get something out of tho Rugby Union. He suggested that the price of honorary members’ tickets should be ss. In tho course of discussion a majority of the delegates spoke against the motion. It was contended that the tickets were open to too much abuse, that tho stronger clubs would be able to sell far more tickets than the weaker clubs, and that it would lessen the takings at the gates, thus both tho union and the clubs suffering. Mr M'Donald said it was his idea that not less than 5s should be charged tor the honorary members’ tickets. Mr Grant moved as an amendment that the subscriptions for honorary members’ tickets be not loss than ss.

Mr 11. Harris said he was opposed to the proposal to restore the privileges of honorary members’ tickets. He thought an honorary member should not ho anything hut on honorary member, and should not bo one who was seeking concessions.

The amendment moved by Mr Grant was lost. * Mr M’Donald stated in reply that he did not think there was anything in the argument that the finances of the union would suffer by the reinstatement of honorary _ members’ tickets, which had been issued for many years Mr J. B. Wootton moved as a further amendment: “That the subscription be the same as last year, and that the union make a grant to each club of £10.” The amendment was lost. The motion, which had caused considerable discussion, was then put and lost by a large majority. BRIGHTON CLUB AFFILIATED. An application by the Brighton Club for affiliation with the union was approved. v TO ASSIST CLUBS. Mr H. Harris moved that it be a recommendation to the Management Committee to hold a seven-a-side tournament on Saturday, April 16, the proceeds to be divided amongst senior and junior clubs at the discretion of the committee. The motion was carried unanimously. OPENING THE SEASON. It was decided to open the season on Saturday, April 23. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Mr I. Grant moved that junior competitions bo arranged by the Flag Committee on scales of weight in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade competitions. The motion, was seconded by Mr J. King. There was considerable discussion on this motion. The majority of the speakers wore of the opinion that any anomalies under the present age system would be increased considerably under a weight system. The motion was withdrawn, the secretary submitting a scheme under which it was proposed to verify the ages of boys by a reference to school registers. OFFICE-BEARERS. Mr S. G, Stychc, on the motion of Mr V. G. Cavauagh, was re-elected president for the ensuing year. Messrs V. G. Cavauagh, J. Mitchell, A. M ‘Donald, and D. N. Stuart were elected vice-presidents. Mr Douglas M. Spedding was reelected treasurer at the same remuneration as last year. Messrs Broderick and Chalmer and Mr W. T. Monkman were re-appointed auditors. For the Management Committee of twelve tins following were nominated: — Messrs W. Glengarry (Union), I. Grant (Alhambra), 11. Procter (Eastern Districts), Dr Perry (University), E. Bagley (Ravensbourne), D. A. Jolly (Vm ; cent), A. Cameron (Zingari), W. Pearson (Southern), J. B. Wootton (Southern), Dr Harty (University), T. Porter (Port Chalmers), Haynes (Dunedin), W. Brookes (Dunedin), T. O’Shea (Union), and O. MThee (Pirates). Upon a ballot being taken the following were declared elected: —Messrs Glengarry, Grant, Dr Perry, Bagley, Jolly, Cameron, Pearson, Wootton, Dr Harty, Porter, Haynes, and O’Shea. SELECTION COMMITTEE. It was decided to appoint a Selection Committee of three. Messrs D. N, Stuart, A. M‘Donald, J. King, and Dr Perry were nominated. Upon a ballot being taken Messrs Stuart, McDonald, and Dr Perry were declared elected. LIFE MEMBER. The Chairman moved the election of Mr G. A. Nelson as a life member of the union. He spoke of the excellent work he had done during his time as treasurer of the union, and also while he was an ordinary member of committee. The motion was carried.