FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 86, 20 April 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

rOVEETY BAY BUGBY UNION ANNUAL MEETING.

At the annual meeting of tlio Poverty Bay Rugbv Union, held last evening in the'' Masonic Hotel, Mr W. Miller presided. Amongst others present were Messrs A. \V. Adair (Secretary), K. Cole, W. Duggan, K. Jones, J. Dods, J. Shaw, AV. Quigley, li. W. Symes, AV. S. McCredie, H. Maude, J. Eaton, J. Nutting, Hawkins. The first business discussed was the bylaws dealing with the district scheme as drawn up by the committee appointed. These were much on a line with those in existence in Auckland, and with slight alterations, they were adopted. The following report was submitted : Gentlemen,— lt is with much pleasure that your Committee present you with the tenth annual report of the Poverty Bay ltugby Union, and congratulate you upon the present state of football matters in the district, both from a playing and financial point of view. Though the past season’s matches cannot be considered as too satisfactory, we consider that such a state was due not so much perhaps to the lack of interest, but to the falling off in the number of players. As evidencing this, the annual rep. fixture with Hawke’s Bay produced one of the finest matches over seen in the district. Cup Contests: As already stated, owing to the scarcity of players only two clubs were able to put teams into the field. Those were the two old rivals Gisborne and Turanganui. After the series of matches arranged for the contest, Gisborne proved their superiority by winning right out. Both Clubs arc, however, to be congratulated upon eacii doing their utmost to help the Union to keep football in the district up to a high standard. The junior fixtures also resolved itself into a contest between the same two clubs, and again the Gisborne Club proved itself victorious. As the outcome of a conference be-

tween the delegates representing the above two clubs, a series of team matches was played, and after some most interesting games, resulted in honors going to the Gisborne Club. “ Pep.” Matches : The district once more enjoyed a visit from the “ reps " of the Hawke’s Bay Union, and after what - was voted one —if not the most—interesting of games between the two Unions, the local men wore beaten by 13 to 3. Though beaten, our players were by no means disgraced, and had they been able to have had better football during the season a different result might have been expected. While on this wo might state that the takings at the gates proved a record since the inauguration of the Union—surely a . most creditable and highly pleasing result to all interested. To those players, viz . Messrs Symes, T. Kirk, S. Bile.y, D. K. Porter, ,1. Glennie, W. Samson, It. Jones, M. Murphy, AV. Duggan, C. Freer, C. Taylor, A. Richardson, AV. Jiodcrick, A. E. Colobourno and 1.. Steele, who so worthily fought to uphold our honor, the Union tender their heartiest thanks. The season witnessed a new event — namely, the visit of a junior team from Hawke’s Bay. The local junior players chosen for the various practices to represent us evinced a lively interest in the fixture, and although the team eventually chosen proved inferior to their opponents, it could not be considered their fault, and it is to be hoped that the incoming season will see the visit returned, and it consequently behoves all juniors to do their utmost in this direction. Finance : Financially the Union is in a most creditable position, having now a . credit balance of .toil 12s lOd, which, considering the past season, is most satisfactory. The present season will entail heavy expenses, but with the bright out- ’ look wo havo no fear of the consequence. General : As you are all aware, gentlemen, a decided change is to take place in ’ the future conduct of football in this district. At a large and most enthusiastic meeting of footballers, thoroughly representative of all parts of the district, it was decided to adopt the district scheme, thereby producing much keener competition and regaining the interest of the public which showed such a falling off in the past. The committee appointed to define the boundaries, etc., divided the district into four divisions, in all of which Clubs with a strong membership have been formed, and the result of the departure can leave no room for doubt as to its ultimate success. The question for a new ground will be one for the incoming Union to consider, ■it being thought that the Victoria Domain should now bo used fo%plaving purposes. To those gentlemen who undertook the duties of referees, and all others who did their utmost to make the. past season a success, the Union tender theft thanks, and trust that they will see their way to . keep up their interest in tho gamo and its players. Finally, the outlook-for tho new season is very bright, and the Union wish its successors a most prosperous year, and trust that tho harmony that has up to tho (present existed, will continue.” « The balance-sheet showed the receipts . Jo be £B2 -Is, and the expenditure .£4B 11s -2d, leaving a credit of Toll 12s lOd. The chief items of expenditure were: Bent, ■ ‘,£ls (including £5 from previous year); caps, £2 Os lOd; printing and advertising, •£8 8s od; brakes, Napier reps., £fi', Napier juniors share of gates, £5 os od. ■ the receipts were as follows: Balance from 1899, £lB 3s 7d; club gates, £ll 5s 10d; subscriptions from Gisborne and Turanganui, £3 3s ; gate, Hawke’s Bay v. Poverty Bay £35 10s (a record); gate, Hawke's Bay v. Poverty Bay juniors. £lO •Gs Gd ; subs, to brake, £2 10s ; advertisements on rep. programmes 15s. • Considerable discussion took place with regard to the question of representation of tho different clubs on the Union. Mr j Nutting contended that each club should be equally represented on the Union, lie pointed out that tho unequal representation of clubs on the Union had been a bone of contention for years past, one dub having sometimes three and four representatives. Various suggestions and resolutions were put forward, but it was nearly ten o'clock before a decision was arrived at. when the following proposition was agreed to :—” That the Management 'Committee consist of nine, which shall Include two delegates from each club, from whom the Secretary shall be appointed, together with Treasurer to bo appointed n't the general meeting of delegates, and who need not necessarily be a delegate from any club.” In cousequence of tho above-mentioned being carried, a change was made in the delegates of the City Club, Mr 11. Colo retiring in favor of Mr A. AV. Adair, so that the latter might be elected to the office ot ■ Secretary, it being the unanimous wish of the meeting that lie should be appointed to that position. The election of officers resulted as follows :—“ President, Mr E. Murphy ; Vice-President. Air AV. Miller; secretary, Air A. AV. Adair: treasurer, Air AA T . Miller ; auditors, Alessrs Cole and E. D. B. Robinson.

Mr A. M. DcCosta, Hon. Secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union, wrote asking the local Union io appoint a delegate to represent the district. He also asked the Union to nominate a gentleman for the office of Vice-President, and ho further desired to bo informed if it was intended to send a team away from Gisborne during the season. Mr A. Laurensou was appointed as delegate, and Mr \V. Miller as Vice-Pre-sident. The latter in accepting the position, promised to do all he _ could to further the interests of football in the dis- - trict. . It was decided to register the union * under the Unclassified Societies Act. The question of the appointment of a committee who would arrange for the postponement of matches was brought up by Mr Eaton, but consideration of the . subject was deferred.