PETONE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 38, 15 March 1939, Page 3

PETONE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

The annual meeting of the local Club was held in the Oddfellows' Hall last Thursday night and was attended by approximately 150 members and supporters. Mr J. R. Robertson, President, was on the chair. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance she'et, Mr C. P. Brockelbank, a life member, congratulated the Club on the past season's success. He said it was particularly gratifying to ' find that such a happy state of affairs was directly due to the physical fitness of the players. The club had won the Club Championship, Senior "A" Championship, besides four other grade championships—the best record since 1907 when ail grade Championships were won. Fitness was essential to success and indicated that Petone was playing its part in building a fit nation. The balance sheet showed an excess of assets over liabilities of £983/14/7, giving indications that very shortly the £1000 mark would be reached. The sound financial position was due to the excellent management of the Committee which deserved to be commended on its stewardship. In conclusion Mr Brockelbank wished the Club every success in the coming season and mentioned the Centennial celebrations, expressing the hope that the Club would join in the various movements and so ensure the, success of such a noteworthy occasion. ...» Mr W. King, one of'the club's very early senior captains, in seconding the motion also congratulated the club on the fine season's performance, and advised junior players that selection committees and coaches in making their choice of teams were always guided by the desire to place what they considered, was the strongest team in the field and to accept such decisions in a true sporting spirit. Messrs B. A. Brown, B. Kean and L. Pointon also spoke, while the President, Mr Robertson said that it was no small matter to place and maintain ten teams in the field every playing Saturday. The club had fulfilled every engagement during the season and the record of points for and against was very much in favour of our teams. Tributes to the work of the coaches and members of the committee were pa,id by Mr Robertson, who also extended congratulations to Mr A. Lambourn who had been a member of the All Black team which had toured Australia and to those players who had gained representative honours. A tribute was also " paid to Mr H. R. Pollock who had come out of virtual retirement

to help the club at a stage when injuries had depleted the senior team. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Reference was made by the President to the loss sustained by the Club in the death of several old members, notable Mr W. S. (Pa) Ridler, the first Secretary, and one of the founders of the Club, who had rendered great service to sport during a very active life. The untimely passing of Mr P. Byrne, a great club stalwart and prominent ! player of a few years back, and also Mr J. Kerr, a vice president and supporter of many years standing was also deeply regretted. A motion of condolence with the relatives was carried, members standing in silence as a mark of respect. The following officers were elected:—Patron, Mr Nash, M.P.; president, Mr J. R. Robertson^ vice-presi-dents, last year's re-elected and Messrs B. Kean, J. P. Gaynor, J. R. Gaynor, fl. Fleet, S. Prebble, J. Kerr, J. Fox; club captain, Mr D. S. Peterson; deputy-club captain, Mr A. W. Henry; auditor, Mr A. L. Warden; solicitor, Mr W. I'. Coles; secretary, Mr A. W, Hey ward; assistant secretary, Mr C., McGurk; treasurer, Mr W. H. W. Sweeney; delegates to Wellington Rugby Union, Messrs J. D. King, M. F. Nicholls, and W. H. W. Sweeney; committee, Messrs J. Martin, J. Lambourn, W. Sundgren, J. McGurk, and I. T. Watson.

Senior Competition

The following recommendation regarding the senior competition was received from the Wellington Rugby Union; That the senior competition be divided into two divisions, wfth no senior B grade, there to be 12 teams in the first division and up to 10 in the second. At the end of the first round the top six . teams shall play for the Jubilee Cup and the bottom "six- for another trophy. If a team in the second division wins that competition two years in succession, it should have the right to play the lowest team in the first division at a time to be decided by the management committee. Mr Robertson said the proposition was a good one, and he felt that the club should support it in principle. The present arrangement was not entirely astisfactory, having the disadvantage of leading to. the relegation of a team that might have fallen on lean times-after having had a long aind honourable record. Several members voiced the opinion that 12 teams was too many for the first division, but it was agreed to support the proposal. It was decided to send a team to play Otaki on Easter . Saturday. Sixteen new members were elected.