RUGBY UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 March 1922, Page 4

RUGBY UNION.

- — *-. — . I ANNUAL MEETING. i

I The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held in the Foresters' Hall, Stratford, last evening. Mr D J. Malone presided, and delegates present were: Messrs J. McLeod and C Brown (TukapaJ, Humphries, J. Clark, and H. iSims (Star), R. J. Brokenshire and It. G. Howell (Old Boys), Langlands, Lealand, and P. Chapman (Inglewood), It, jr. Harkness and C. Jackson (Stratford), L. Beamish and J. Goodwin (Hawera), McKenna and Sheehan (Patea), A. Lees and A H Guy (Okaiawa), R. B. Feardon, M. Lynsky, and J. Kissick (Kaponga), Paterson and A. C. McKay (Waimate) A 'F Neilson (Opunake), J Garcia (Okato), Voullaire and Morgan (Rahotu), M. H. Moyes and F. Bowler (secondary schools), A. J. Papps and J. Kiley (referees), J. H. Dunn and W. H. Anderson (Eltham), F. Ross and Tancred (Clifton). Mr. Malone, in welcoming the dele-' gates, said the large number present ' ugured well for the coming season. He ' trusted they would elect a strong executive to control the affairs of the i union. j The report and balance sheet as already published were read. j In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the president saidthey could congratulate themselves on ! having had a. very successful year. There had been a revival in the game last year, but, while they had j>rogressed very^much, he understood that many new "Yearns—offshoots of other teams—were coming in, and he thought that every encouragement should be given to these. The question of playing grounds would have to receive attention. Sufficient provision had not been made in Taranaki for sport, and it • seemed to him that it would be a good ! thing to establish three special playing grounds—one in the north, one in the south, and a central ground. The ; population of Taranaki was increasing to such an extent that it was quite possible within eight or nine years to have crowds of 8000 or 9000 people at football matches. The only way in which grounds on which adequate provision could be made for spectators could be obtained was by interesting the public and obtaining their assistance. With regard to matches played, they were seldom at full strength, but the Taranaki team made a splendid stand against the Springboks, and this was the turning point in Rugby in Taranaki. It had certainly been dis- | couraging to be beaten so often. He was looking forward to a .^successful year. . Mr. MeLeod, in seconding the motion, congratulated the football clubs and the team of the province on the , most successful season. He commented on the improvement in play during the season, and said that the inauguration of ths new scheme last year with " regard to management had proved 1 satisfactory. The union did not wanij to make money out of the clubs, and refunded to clubs for the year £1000, which was double the whole of the amount taken at the gates by clubs last year. Clubs had not taken a right view of the balance sheet, and he wished to emphasise that the union was not making money out of them. The scheme was in its infancy, and he believed that the gates would improve. While this was' so there was a likelihood of a higher charge being made for grounds. Then again there was the question of the amusement tax, and they would 'have to consider whether this should be passed on to the public !or paid out of their own funds. The this year would, he believed, be reduced. They would probably be able to make better arrangements for advertising and travelling. If the gates increased and expenses came down 'there' was no reason why they should not refund more to clubs. All ; the representative matches had shown some profit, and the total turnover for football in Taranaki was equal to the j turnover of any union in New Zealand. j There was a feeling abroad that the union was in a much better position, but if that was so it was not due _to the club competitions. .! Mr. Beamish, referring to the item in the balance sheet dealing with gate receipts, said that the total receipts ; were £1510, whereas the balance sheet i showed £1286. ! The secretary said that last year the . New Plymouth matches were very diffi- . cult to handle. There was an item of , £99 which should have-been placed to , the Auckland match, but the money j came to him late. Many difficulties i arose in this way. The auditor was perfectly satisfied that the books were in order. ! Mr. Beamish: Should not these items .be shown? j The secretary: They are shown in the cash book. i Mr. McLeod said that the gates | sometimes came to the secretary nett , and at other times gross, and this led jto confusion. I. M*- Lees said he did not see how a balance sheet could be correct when jit did not balance. According to the statements of receipts and expenditure, he said, the "balance sheet did not show that the nett amounts had been taken in. j The secretary said that it was impossible to make the accounts balance, one reason being that insurance could not be charged to any individual match. Mr. Lees said the trouble arose because they did not have in all cases detailed statements from clubs Everything should be quite clear. The managers, they knew, were doing a lot ot hard work, but the delegates wanted a clear statement on the financial posijn* • £ y knew tnat the union started with a certain credit balance last year, but it was rather hard to work out what the profits were this year. He thought that if the position had been put in a simpler form it would have saved a lot of trouble to clubs when discussing the balance sheet at their annual meetings. Mr Lees referred to certain items on which he thought they should be given some information. It seemed to him that a good deal of expense could be saved in reierees travelling expenses by appointing men who lived at the end or the district where matches were being played. He would like an explanatlOTl or the management expenses Mr. McLeod said the idea of the management committee was to make the balance sheet as full as possible, and it was the only union in New Zenland which endeavoured to give details or receipts and expenditure in eonneeO ™. representative matches The secretary said that the expenditure in connection with the management had only increased by £84, and i it would be recognised that this was a reasonable increase in ail the circumstances. Mr. McLeod said the amount for expenses was mainly for motor cars for ' travelling purposes, and they were, new paying £100 to the secretary. Mr Garcia said that" the B match v ' wairoa sub-union, expenses had been omitted and this would account to some extent for the apparent discrepancy. , : lhe secretary, replying to a question, ' said there was some difference with the r<ew Zealand Union about paying for a motor cay engaged to take three players to Marton, because they had not been

able to catch a train. The amouat had toot been paid yet. iMr Lees suggested that the balance- ' sheet should b© circulated before the j clubs held their annual meetings. With regard to club football, it seemed t«» him that the matches should not continue after August 1. This was a dairy ing district, and after the beginning of August players were usually very much occupied. Dealing with the management, of third grade matches at the south end, he said that Okaiawa had ran a third grade team which had rolled up three Saturdays running, only to be disappointed. This was due to a bad system of advertising, and was not encouraging to young players, who did not want to win matches by default. He hoped in future the official time for starting would be properly advertised. He expressed his satisfaction at the attention that was being given to school football. Referring to the proposal that the headquarters should be removed to New Plymouth, Mr Lees said the clubs in the south were well satisfied with Stratford as headquarters. The promise that the meetings would, as formerly, be held at Stratford, was mere camou- . nag© Mr McLeod said the report was written honestly. It would be understood that the secretary had no vote, and the headquarters had been removed to New Plymouth because Mr Jago was now re- , siding there. With regard to finishing the season earlier, he did not see how j they could finish before August 1, and 1 unless they played two matches 'a week it was physically impossible to shorten the season. With respect to the time for starting matches, all the clubs 'n the south advertised in the Hawera Star, and the advertisements did not harmonise with the union's programme. H«» thought the union should take cnarge of the whole of'tne advertising mi ing the coming season. He would iike to. see club matches finished by July 1 if it were possible. !Mr Harkness criticised a number of items in the balance-sheet and objected to one item appearing in such a , form as to suggest that Mr Malone j was being paid for his services, whilst jas a matter of fact Mr Malone was | much out of pocket in connection with , his work on the Union. Mr Harkness j further contended that the report of j the Union should be signed by Mr Ma- : lone as president, and not by Mr McLeod as chairman. It was explained, in reply, that Mr i Malone quite understood the reason for j the peculiar way in which the item reI ferred to appeared, and that it had ; been customary .for the past 20 years for the chairman, who was more in touch with the affairs of the Union than the president, to sign all reports. Mr Garcia said he thought it would ,be a good idea if, in future, the execu- , tive met and discussed the annual re--1 port before it was signed. Mr Malone said he believed the funds of the union to be quite in ' order, and he would not like to have 1 feeling abroad that this was not so. 'He thought, however, the union would ;be wise in closing their financial year earlier so that the executive could meet and have the balance-sheet sent out in time for the annual meetings of clubs. *He had felt rather sore at having been shown in the balance-sheet as having [ drawn several amounts, but Mr Jago \ had explained the position to him. He ! had drawn no money excepting for car ( hire to attend matches. Though there . had been aome criticism of tlfe way in , which the balance-sheet was presented . he was satisfied that the finances of the union were in safe keeping. Mr McLeod said it had never oe- . eurred to him that the executive s should be called together for a diseus- [ sion of the balance-sheet. As Mr Gar- • cia had put it members generally had > confidence in their officers. No mem- > ber of the committee had previously , suggested that a meeting should be i held before the annual meeting. The report and balance-sheet were s adopted. Officers were elected as follows:— President, Mr J. S. McKay; vice-presi-dents, Messrs A. L. Humphries (north), L. G. Beamish- (south); management committee, Messrs Jas. McLeod, Jas. Garcia, E. R Harkness (north), E. B. Fearon, A. Neilson, W. A. Guy (south), H. W. Moyes (secondary schools), Papps (Beferees' Association). The primary schools' representative will be recommended by the Teachers' Institute. Mr A. L. Hmphries was appointed treasurer and Mr H. W. Thompson auditor; vice-president of N.Z.E.U., Mr J. S. McKay. The question of whether vice-presi-dents were ex offieio members of the management committee was raised by Mr McLeod, and, on the motion of Mr Garcia, the meeting, gave it as their interpretation of the rule that all ofiicers, excepting the secretary, are exoffieio members of the management committee. Mr Lees moved that the headquarters of the union be located at Stratford and that the secretary be stationed there. This, he said, had obtained and had given satisfaction for over twenty years, and while he did not wish to cast the slightest reflection on Mr Jago he did not think they should depart from what had proved so satisfactory. Mr Paterson seconded. Mr C ipinan moved, as an amendment, t. .l Mr Jago be secretary and that 1 c reside at New Plymouth and that t 3 headquarters be at Stratford. Mr McLeod said he did not think he could accept office if they had to break in a new secretary. He was not saying this as a threat. He was perfectly satisfied that any difficulties which clubs had experienced would not crop up again. Mr Jago had brought the new system into operation, and if a new man was asked to take on the job it would be unfair to the Union and all concerned. There was little more than sentiment in Mr Lees' motion, and perhaps a feeling that the New Plymouth end was after the control, but anyone who knew the northern members could not believe that." The secretarial work was being done well, ana they could not expect the same efficiency if a new man was appointed. He quite understood that a motion [ would have to go through sanctioning the change of residence, for the secre- j tary to New Plymouth. | Mr Malone spoke highly of Mr Jago's qualities, and said he did not think that because Mr Jago had found it necessary to live in New Plymouth '■ he should be disqualified for the secre- ! taryship. The salary they were paying ' would not keep him. i Mr C. Jackson said while he believed ! that the headquarters should be at ' Stratford, he did not think it mattered \ wßere the secretary resided. j The motion was lost and the amend-.' ment was carried. j Mr Ross urged that it was a hardship on a player to prevent him, because he , had played in one senior match, from playing junior again. Mr Malone said the rule was framed after careful consideration and to prevent a man from swinging from one grade to another. : _Mr Boss said that emergencies arose with small clubs, when it became necessary to play a junior in a senior team. | Mr McLeod said it would be difficult to fix a limit if the rule was relaxed. A man could apply for reinstatement again, and the Union would see that no hardship was imposed. A delegate said the Star Club had asked him to move that the age limit

for third grade players be up to 21 y«ars. Mr Clark seconded. ■ Mr McLeod said it had been found a couple of years ago that football was = being killed by clubs playing men as' heavy as 15 stone in third grade.1 He had no doubt that the success attend-, ing fourth grade football was due toi tne age limit and because men were excluded who could not do an injury to boys. The rule was introduced to meet the cases of light and young players. A suggestion had been made that the ages be reduced. It may be that behind the motion there was a belief that the Star Club, if permitted to hold its present team together, would be able to win a competition next season. Mr. C. Jackson thought a weight limit was of greater importance than the age limit. Mr Ross said he was quite sure that tne idea suggested by Mr. McLeod was not at the back of the Star Club's proposal. The motion was lost. Mr Brown moved that it be a recomendation to the Management Committee that a sole selector be appointed, and the clubs recommend players for representative matches The chairman said "that at present there were three selectors. *.?i_ reply to a Question, Mr McLeod said he did not see any B grade matches j last year. iMr Lealand moved, and Mr Lees sei CO?r ' that tner-e ** three selectors. air Malon© said he had quite made !up his mind that he would not act as selector this year j Mr McLeod favoured having one selector only. If three other selectors ; could place m the hands of the sole sei lector the names of 30 players for re- : presentative matches he would have no j difficulty. No three men would pick the ; same fifteen men. He favoured the club I selectors first picking the men whose names should then be. passed on to th* three selectors for the province these selectors to pass on the names' of 30 men, from whom a sole selector would select a team. A Kaponga delegate favoured having two selectors, one for the north and the" other for the south, who would submit • names to a sole selector. |Mr Garcia,said the difficulty in the pa&t had been to get three men who would act as selectors. He would like to see three men appointed, with Mr Malone as chairman. inference was made to the old matches, North v. South, which a dele- | gate thought should be revived. These, i with two. selectors at each end to pick , the teams and a final selector for rep i matches would-meet the case. Mr. McLeod then moved and Mr. Harkness seconded that there be three selectors, who shall make their recommendations to a sole selector. Mr. McLeod's amendment vmxs carried. j The question of dub boundaries was raised. | Mr. McLeod said the committee had i not time last year to go into this matter. j Mr. McLeod further said that they I wanted a direction _ from the meeting on the question of whether the amuse" i ment tax was to be charged against the ; public or whether they should meet it ; themselves. If they had been required ■to pay amusement tax last year their j credit Jsalance would have been nearly I wiped out. | Mr. Humphries moved that it be a i recommendation to the management ; committee that the tax be handed oji to the public. This would make the public realise- the injustice of the tax. The motion ( was seconded by Mr. : Harkness. \ I Mr. Garcia thought they should join i hands with the A. and P. shows in"protesting against the tax. ' The motion was carried. Mr. Harkness. suggested that junior j competition matches be played on Thursdays. I The resignation of Mr. A. R. Ryder •j as a vice-president and member of the ; management committee was received j with regret, and it was decided to place on record the union's appreciation of , his services. I Attention was drawn by Mr. Fearon ;to the seven-a-side tournament at I Kaponga on April 27, for a shield presented by Mr. A. L. Casey. He asked delegates to bring the tournament be- ■ fore their clubs. j Mr. Lees said they were also putting on a seven-a-side tournament at Okaiawa. „- Mr McLeod said he would like to refer to the criticism of the Management Committee in connection with its treatment of the Patea dub. Though there had been certain objections on the ■ ground of the expense that would be in- ! curred in travelling expenses, the union . had agreed to take in Patea, buc the ' Patea Club had not carried out its pait of the undertaking. They had been tci<J I that no gate at Patea would be worth > less than £25. The Patea .delegate had told them that the proposition was a real good one, and to other advantage i would be added free grouuJs. The j i nion's experience" had been most unfor- ! ti.nate,-and it had been found thai quite a lot of things nad been sail that should never have been said, The Patea, Club haa cost them a lot of money. This was true, of course of other clubs, but when they were, asked at Patea to pay in addition to the 15 per cent, of the receipts agreed upon, a further £20 for I grounds, the demand was too heavy. ; The public of Patea was badly educated jif they thought it proper to walk into a football match by dropping threepence in a box, and sometimes nothing at all. If the Patea Club had applied to the union m a proper spirit thef might have done someming, but to say that they had not carried out their contract after making a lo*s of about £50 or £60 was ridiculous. How could it be said that they had broken their contract when the secretary never had the power to makej a contract. The Sports Protection j . League had raised the question of having the number of days on which a charge for . admission to public domains could be 1 made, increased to twenty in one year. This would enable the Patea Club, by bearing the cost of the required advertisement, to charge admission to matches. It was a pity that the Patea , Club, which had been treated the same ,as any other club, had not made its fuss earlier in the season. Mr McKenna said he was pleased the matter had been brought up. There was no doubt that there had been mismanagement. For every team match motor cars had to be hired and the expenses , had run into a very large sum, and the members of the club had to dip their hands in their own pockets. During the past six months the sum of about £1900 had been raised by a scheme set on foot.by the football club for improvements to the Domain grounds. A pavilion was now being erected, and the football grounds was being ring fanced so that members of the union would see that provision was now being made for football in Patea. He did not know much, about the last meeting, but if the union could not help, then the club must help itself. He pointed out that a great help had been given by a big gate at Waitara, dne to a match in which. Patea played. On behalf of the Patea Club, he wished to say that they now believed that they had been treated fairly, and had received the same treat- • ment as other clubs. (Applause). On the motion of Mr Lees, seconded by Mr Garcia, the union placed on record the high appreciation of the services of Mr Malone to the cause off Kugby football in Taranaki. The motion | was carried by acclamation. A meeting of the Management Com-! hiittee wa& held subseomentlv, when Mr '

Jas. McLeod was re-elected chairman. Mr D. J. Malone was appointed chairman of the Taranaki Referees' Association.

It was decided to hold the next meeting on Thursday evening March 30. Clubs are requested to send in their entries before Tuesday to the secretary^