TARANAKI RUGBY UNION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 30 March 1915, Page 8

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION

ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union is to. be held in the Stratford Fire Brigade Station at.7.30 p.m. on Friday, April °. ? when, in addition to the ordinary business, a notice of motion by. the Tukapa Club will be discussed, to She effect" that the rule relating to officers of the union be altered to include two vice-presidents. The annual report for the year 1914----15 regrets that, owing to the unfortunate destruction of the books and repords by fire some'months ago, it is impossible to present the usual itemised analysis of ht eaecounts, but sufficient information remained intact to enable the correct position being ascertained. As will be seen from a. persual of the figures, the season's receipts just balanced the expenditure, the current year commencing with a debit balance of some £64, against £66 last year. The committee had every reason at the commencement of last season to believe that, not only would it be able to quickly wipe off that deficit, but that the year would close with a substantial profit, mainly owing to the increased interest, being taken in challenge matches for the Ranfurly Shield, of which Taranaki were the holders. Unfortunately, the round of big games had scarcely commenced when war broke out, and, although the union carried out its full programme the majority of the games little more than paid expenses. After successfully defending the shield from a number of challengers, it eventually had to be surrendered to Wellington after a sti'-enuous* encounter. The innovation of the "B" representative match was not allowed to drop, and our "B" team visited Auckland during the season. The executive records with the greatest gratifcation the splendid response that has been made by Rugby players to the country's call. The ranks of most of the senior clubs have been greatly depleted, and these players, with the majority of last season's representatives, will this winter, be struggling for supremacy on a field of greater honor. Obviously, with the loss of so many experienced players, it could not be expected that the game will be maintained at the usual high level this season, but it should be the season of opportunity for the younger players. The executive is firmly of the opinion that no effort should be spared to keep all clubs intact, and competitions going as far as possible, harmonising, with the requirements at all times of the Defence Department. No game affords better training for the soldier, and no playing field a better recruiting ground, and it is hoped, therefore, that clubs will make an earnest endeavor to increase their active membership. The question of representative games is quite a different matter, and may safely be left to the delegates and incoming executive to deal with; but. even were it desirable, the condition of the finances renders it almost impossible that our quadrennial southern tour can eventuate this season. The provincial championships were won as follow: — First Grade. Waimate; Second Grade, Hawera; Third Grade, Clifton. The suggestion has been made at various times that the union should admit honorary members to all the privileges of the union on a £1 Is subscription. Th* expenses of conducting the affairs of the union are now so heavy that as- j sistance from such a source would be almost acceptable. The 1914 Alf Bayly Scholarship was won by Alexander Callan.der, of the New Plymouth High School. In conclusion, the committee wished to thank the Press for its generous support of the game, the Referees' Association for its assistance, and players for the worthy manner in which they unheld the good name of Taranaki football.