RUGBY FOOTBALL EARLY OPENING FOR WEST COAST RUGBY SEASON

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1949, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL EARLY OPENING FOR WEST COAST RUGBY SEASON

In his annual report to the West Coast Rueby Union, the president, Mr F. W. Baillie, stressed the importance of opening the season at an early dare, stating that this would give the union greater time in which to complete competition games and hold representative matches. The secretary, Mr O. F. Scott, said that the opening date last year was April 3. He pointed out that gate receipts had increased during the last two seasons when an earlier start had been made.

The West Coast Basketball Association is to hold a field day at Rugby Park on April 9 and the union has been asked to participate. It is the union’s intention to support, the move it was stated. A recommendation is to be torwarded to the management committee that the season open on April 2, with, competition matches. Mr J. Laing asked if it was possible for members of the union to travel to Hokitika and Reefton in order' to outline the position regarding the union’s finances. The president said that it was the union’s intention to visit these areas after the sub-unions have held their annual meeting. He did not think it wise to attend the annual meetings. A vote of appreciation of Mr G. W. Ormandy’s work for the union is to be recorded in the minutes of the union.

Mr Baillie • presided and also present were Messrs H. Clifford, A. M. Jamieson, O. F. Scott (secretary) M R. Bunt (treasurer) J. Smith, W. Shannon (Blaketown) C. Neville. W. O. Elair (United); W. Clancy, L. Forrest (Celtic); M. Devlin (Tech O.B.) J. Jackson, J. Johnston (Star); A. H. Sumner (Cobden); F. Holmes (Magpie); H. Webster, J.* Laing (Westland Sub-union); A. Agnew, S. McDonnell (Inangahua Sub-union); and A. King (Referees’ Association). TOUR OF SOUTH

Provided approval was received from the New Zealand Rugby Union the union had arranged for a tour of the southern districts this season. stated Mr Baillie. Endeavours had already been made to secure more outside representative teams to play on the West Coast during the comingseason.

Next year the union would be holding its sixtieth jubilee, and it would b c necessary to start making arrangements this year, the president stated.

OFFICERS ELECTED The following officers were elected for the 1949 season.—Patron. Mr A. A. Adams (re-elected); president, Mr F. W. Baillie (re-elected); vicepresidents, Messrs A. M. Jamieson, IT. Clifford (re-elected), and J. Webster; secretary, Mr O. F. Scott (reelected) treasurer Mr R. M. Bunt (re-c-leced); management committee Messrs W'. O. Blair, J. Jackson, C. Neville, \V. Shannon, B. Watkin, J. Smith: custodian, Mrs J. H. Lindbom re-elected).

When nominations were called for the management committee of six members. 10 names were received. In the ensuing ballot, Messrs W. Clancy and J. Smith received an equal number of votes, but Mr Clancy withdrew his nomination and Mr Smith was duly elected. FINANCIAL POSITION

Following the presentation of the balance sheet to the annual meeting by the treasurer, Mr M. R. Bunt, it was recommended that the management commmittee at its first meeting of the year set up a subcommittee to discuss with the treasurer the financial position and bring down a report of ways and means of increasing the union’s income. In presenting the balance sheet, Mr Bunt said that the loss for the year, after charging depreciation, amounted to £36 2s lOd. “I estimate the future annual charges on the grandstand at £150,” he said. “This charge is made up as follows.--Increased rates £5. interest £37 10s, depreciation £62 10s, repairs and maintenance £45. “With the grandstand charge at is 500 patrons would show grandstand receipts at £25 per game and on that basis six representative fixtures would be required to meet the annual charges.”

Furlhe-' discussion on the ballance sheet followed in committee and it was decided that a recommendation be forwarded to the management committee that a sub-commit-tee be set up to discuss with the treasurer the financial position of the union. • ■ REFEREES’ MEETING A feature of the season had been the good attendance of members at meetings ,said the president, Mir R. R. Haglund, in his report to the annual meeting of the West Coast Rugby Referees’ Association. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year.—President, Mr A. Lindbom; vice-presidents, Messrs M. Olsen and J. B. Hogarth; delegate to West Coast Rugby Union, Mr A. King; secretary, Mr C. Cockburn; selection committee, Messrs A. Agnew, M. R>. Bunt and Cockburn. Delegate to the New Zealand Referees’ conference at Nelson, Mr Cockburn.