TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 May 1925, Page 4

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

MEETING OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

At the ordinary meeting of the Tar anaki Rugby Union « Mangement Committee last night Mr. J. McLeod (chairman) presided, and there were present: Messrs. R„ Masters, ,J. Goodwin, J. (jrarcia, W. A. Guy, It. Tyrer, A. L<\ Nell.sou, White and Spurdle and the secretary (Mr. S. Neilso-n). PLAY AT OPUNAKE. A coniiplaint was received from Opunake as to encroaching on the field of play. Mr. Neilson said the club had no funds except what it had put into dressing sheds and gymnasium. it could not afford the fencing necessary, which must be rail and wire. It was only on one side there was trouble. Mr White moved that officials should be appointed to keep the crowd backMr*. Neilson said that- even with the help of the local constable they could not restrain the public, and this was supported by officials' of the club. it was resolved to' draw the attention. of the Opunake Club to the complaints made by spectators, and that during the season the conduct of the spree tutors had been most unsatisfactory through being allowed to encroach on the playing area, and unless steps were taken, to prevent its continuance it would be a menace to- the game, and the union might be compelled to deal with the ground under its by-laws.

PLAYING GROUND; AT OPUNAKE. Mr. A. F. Nielson reported that at the re-union of old footballers at Opunake the matter was threshed out. Players were, very much perturbed over it, but unfortunately the ground was utiuer the control of the Domain. Board and- the club had no funds with which to erect a fence.

A letter was received from the Opunake Club iu reference to its taking players from Rahotu, stating that reports which appeared in the press seemed to give a wrong impression that Opunake were trying deliberately to weaken the Rahotu Club. Any such intention was denied. They explained that of the four players, two (Norga-te and Snow) had been refused their reinstatement- as juniors. J. Lusk was not • now a member of the Rahotu Club and the fourth man (Hawke) was an ex-Wairarapa representative, who, having once- played in their team, had since been allowed to return to Rahotu. They resented the suggestion of lack of sportsmanship, as the Opunake Club had always done its very best to- assist the junior clubs in the . district, GENERAL.

The Okaiawa fourth glade team pro-, tested against .several* YV annate payers, held-to be over age anui. YVeunesday players.—lt was forwarded to the W aim ate Club for an explanation. A ruling was given allowing Clifton to play Urudis, a T'ainui Sub-Union player, - if so desired. Advice was received that the All Blacks were wanted to arrive in Wellington on_June 1. The team play a Wellington team on June 3 and leave for Auckland on the following day to catch the Moeiaki on June u.

Patea were given, permission to play T. Fitzgibbon, W. and F. Cunningham, B. Hone, Murphy, D. Hair, of the Wa.verley Club, which was not playing this season. The northern division of the Referees’ Association wrote suggesting that in view of several injuries received by members of clubs, stretchers should be procured for use so that injured players could be removed with greater comfort

Dr. Campbell (New Plymouth) acknowledged receipt of a complimentary ticket, a.ncf sent a letter enclosing a donation of a guinea. Mr. A. Mowlem. and the secretary of the Methodist Circuit acknowledged receipt of complimentary ticket's. • The matter of insurance' was considered, and it was resolved that the chairman and Mr. White go into the matter and report. A. Sullivan, wrote, in reference' to his being ordered off in the Toko match, that whatever happened was purely accidental.—lt was decided to caution the player. Ivlenner, of the Lepperton Club, wrote asking to be allowed to play junior football because of the difficulty of getting a,way, and also that he would prefer not to play senior because he could not get the requisite training.—lt was decided that men should plav senior if they are eligible.

The secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union fqr warded >a circular lefcleter, conveying a resolution from the English Rugby Union to the effect that they did not think it advisable that an Imperial Rugby Advisory Board should'Tie formed on the lines * suggested by the_New Zealand Rlugbv union, but suggesting that an Imperial Rugby conference be held at intervals' of not less than three years.

DEWAR, SHIELD COMPETITION. The Stratford Club enclosed the programme for the Dewar Shield competition, and nominated two teams from Stratford, one from Celtic and two from Toko Club for the tournament on June 3. Clifton entered two teams and Urenui one, Old Roys and Tukapa one each. On a suggestion by the chairman it was resolved to see Avliat could be done to foster interest in the competition. He said they Avoiild like to see at least twentyfive teams. POSTPONED MATCHES. Clifton asked if the postponed match with Okaiawa could be played on June 6, seeing that their first round would conclude this Aveelc, and if possible the postponed match between IngleAvood ,and Jlawera on the same day. This would mean giving Tukapa and Patou byes, but most of the Waitara members Avere busy and it Avas felt they should play _Okaiawa on their own ground before having to meet them at Okaiawa. It Avas resolved that the matches Hawem-IngleAvood and Olcai-aAva-Clifton bo played later in the season. REP MATCHES.

Marlborough. Auckland, Southland, ManaAva.tu, Wanganui and Rangitikoi Unions confirmed the dates fixed f° r matches. King Country (which was to pi,ay at Eltham) advised it, Avould be unable to send a team as the Ohura Road Avas impassable. It hoped to come to Taranaki next season. MOASOAiRI OUP.

The New) Zealand Union advised that challenges for the Mo a,scar Cup must be lodged before June 30, and that no school will be required to play more than four matches during the season. AlL.such, matches must Ire played before the end of the second term.

Advice had been received that Wanganui Technical School had sent in a challenge, and Te Ante, it Avas understood, had also challenged. Mr. J. GoodAvin made-a, request for the New Plymouth High School team

to play in Hawera-. He said that South Taranaki sent a large number of pupils to the school, and he considered the people should have an opportunity of seeing the team play. Mr. Moyea had advised that it would be impossible to accept .anv other matches owing to the very full programme for the seaisoir. , Mr. McLeod said he would interview Mr. Moyes again, but one great difficulty Avonlcl be to get a team to play them. BENNETT MEMORIAL. In reference to the Bennett Memorial (South Africa) and the request for a donation, the chairman said he considered ' some small donation should be sent to slaoav the good feeling between the Dominions .and with a view to' helping to cement the feelings of good ‘fellowship in vieiv of the prospective tour of South Africa in 1927. It was resolved that the union get into touch Avith the New Zealand Union with a view to seeing what other unions Avere doing. and adding that Taranaki favoured giving a donation. REINSTATEMENT'S

These Avere agreed to as under: Celtic Club, E. Andrews, senior to junior; Opunake, M. Brophy. senior to junior; Old Boys, 0. Olsen, 2nd juniors to Brels; Star, A. S. Baker, senior to junior; Waverley. H. Beck and S. Crompton, senior to junior, and R. Cameron, junior to second junior.