RUGBY CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1929, Page 3

RUGBY CONTROL

ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW 7 ZEALAND UNION.

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION,

The annual report of the New Zealand Rugoy Union states that the union is in a sound financial position. ■ ‘Consequent, however, up..n uiie bulk of the funds being on loan to affiliated unions secured' upon playing grounds at a very low rate of interest, the regular source- of income is not large (says the report), and care will have to be taken against a heavy increase in commitments if the union's fund is to

•;e preserved intact. In this connection, notwithstanding the visit of the New South Wales team, the surplus of revenue during the past season was only £348 10s Id., whilst in the forthcoming season we will have to return the visit. The curtailment of the British team’s tour, as mentioned in another part of the report, will no •(loiibi, have a serimis effect upon the takings that might reason aly have been’expected, whilst not appreciably reducing the outlay. ... It has b.on and n’id. your committee hopes, continue t > be the policy of this union, to use all the available funds in assisting local unions in the acquisition and improvement of playing areas when ever opportunity offers, and a reasonably business proposition is pui forward.”

- AUSTRALIAN TOURS. ’ “A fresh agreement has been arranged with the New South Wale: Union covering, the visits of a New Zealand team t'o- Australia- in 1929 and 1932, and return visits of an Australian team to New Zealand in 193’ and 1933,” continues the report. “In order to enable the New South WaleUnion to obrain the use of the Sydney Cricket Ground, and to resuscitate the game in Queensland, it was deemed necessary to send a team to- Australia this season.

“We are glad to know that Rugby is again being played in Queensland, and the prospects for the future are very bright. The sending of a team across this year may to some extent inconvenience some of the unions and interfere somewhat with club games. Your commi'tee feel that in the general interests of the game the sacrifice is small compared with the amount of grxjd our visit is going to do for the Rugby game in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria at the preiienjt juncture. The Nbw Zealand Union will undoubtedly reap the reward of the pioneering effort by reestablishing those unions both financially and,in the estimation of the general public, which is surely in the spirit and host interests of our game.” REMITS FOR ANNUAL MEETINJ. The following remits are set down for consideration at the annual meeting of the Union on May 16: By the Canterbury That the New Zealand Rugby Union negotiate with the New south Wales Rugby Union regarding the agreement entered into in connection with interchange of visits, with a view to modifying the agreement by reducing the frequency of the visits.” (2) That the visit of a team to Australia this season ue put hack one month.” The Otago Union to move rule 14 be altered to read. “That unions having under 30 teams, one vote; 30 teams and under 60 teams, two votes; 60 teams and under 90 teams, three votes; 90 teams and under 120, four votes; 120 teams and over, five votes. The number of such teams shall be supplied to the secretary of this union prior to the date of the animal meeting. For tile purposes of this rule, ‘teams’ shall mean all teams, exclusive of primary school teams, affiliated to a union.”

The King Country Rugby Football Union to move: “That the sum of £IO,O per year be advanced to be utilised in assisting minor unions.” The Management, Committee to move: “That in view of the coining British tour all matches during the 1929 and 1930 seasons be played under the rules as laid down by the International Board.”

MOASCAR CUP. “It is a matter for regret that a greater number of secondary schools do- not compete for the Moascnr Cup,” continues the report. “Last season one match only was played. Palmerston North High School v. Te Auto, and was won by the latter school by a small margin. The committee suggests for the favourable consideration of unions that they should immediately got into touch with the secondary schools in their respective districts with a view to inducing them to enter for this competition, and so making it thoroughly representative, and it is further suggested thpt delegate,? should report the result of their endeavours to the annual meeting.” THE GAME AMONGST THE MAORIS. “The Prince of Wales Cup. as you are aware,” proceeds the report, “was presented b.v H.R.11. the Prince of Wales for the promotion of Rughv football among the Maoris. Conditions, for a competition for this cup were drawn up by the Maori Advisory Board last July and submitted to the N.Z.R.U. for approval. To inaugurate the competition, it was de-

tided to divide New Zealand into four districts—three in the North Island and one in the South—and the Tairawhiti (north-east) district were adjudged the holders. The first challenge match was played in Gisborne on Aug. IBch. last, the challengers being the Tokeiau (northern) district who defeated the holders after a splen-

did exhibition of football by 15 points to 8. 'The game created a great amount of enthusiasm among the Maori race, and it is quite evident that this competition is going to orove a very popular one. In order !o prevent too many separate eompetiti ns among the Maoris it was decided to abandon the North v. South contest for the Te Moari rose bowl and to award this trophy to- the holders of the Prince of Wales Cup. '• hese two trophies, therefore, will in future be competed for conjointly, j

“The Maori Advisory Board has asked that when delegates airo arranging their lists of inter-provincial fixtures for the season, two dates should he set aside for the competition'-. This would avoid the inconvenience caused to unions by the withdrawal of their Maori players hr particular matches.. It is the desire of the Maori Advisory Board '■n fit dn their arrnngeirrnts as harmoniously as possible with those of other unions -«o that the Maori players may be free to take the places Ih*v have honourably wen in the various provincial teams. This nampetition should prove a very valuable means of fostering football among the Maoris. Their orowess on the Rugby field has been amply demonstrated for many vears, and they have produced many olavers who have won the highest possible honours while weaving the All Black jersey. The Maori Advisory B''nrd asks that the various unions will continue to meet their wishes in a sympathetic manner and do- e-veyv-it-bng to assist them in fostering this competition.”