RUGBY UNION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 197, 18 August 1909, Page 2

RUGBY UNION.

The Marlborough Rugby Union met last night, when there were present: Messrs J. J. Corry (Chairman), J. H. Morrison, A. 11. Thomson, J. Strickland, W. Lamb, E. S. Hylton, D. Mc<3allum, and A. J. Maclaine (secretary). - s A NELSON COMPLAINT. Mr R. Wariden, at the request of the Union, attended the meeting, and in ljeply to questions from the Chairman regarding a complaint forwarded by the Nelson Union relative to the conduct of some members of thesenior team when there, said he knew nothing of it. He had been with most of the team throughout the evening, and had seen nothing to which anyone could take exception. The Chairman said that the nature of the offence had nob been outlined by Mr Kitehing, secretary of the lNelson Union. Mr Baigent, of the Masonic Hotel, had raised the complaint, and he certainly thought this Union should investigate the whole matter, and it should receive the fullest inquiry. He could not see why Mr Kitching should have been so "squirmish" about it. The members of this Union were not a lot of <4?wrding t° ..Mr Kitching, Mr Baigent was going to take the matter to' the New Zealand Union. He would assure theffl that it was not Hecessartf f&jT'thtim to take the question fed the Ne# Zealand Union, as the Itjlieat'iiimnry would be made into the fact* of the case by this Union. He moved: *'That, the Nelson Union's letter having been placed before this Union, it desires to; be given the fullest details of the complaint, and promises that every inquiry will be made injbo the matter. This Union would further like Mr Baigent to personally'report the matter, and if possible to attend the next meeting, this Union tendering to him his expenses, so that the matter would receive the'

fullest possible investigation.'* Mr Thomson seconded the motion

Mr Morrison asked if it was not a matter for the Nelson Union to investigate. ■;■ \ The Chairman said that the complaint was a reflection on the whole team. , Mr Wanden said the conduct of the men was most exemplary, and no complaints whatever were made about their conduct while they were there. As far as Mr Baigent's complaint was concerned, he understood that someone had tajken two or three pewter pots from the counter of the Masonic Hotel, but who took them he could not say, or whether they were taken by any members of the Marlborough team

Mr Morrisbn said that the complaint wa§ only what they were, accustomed to receive after the representative team had been up and had beaten the Nelson representatives. The Chairman said that the whole of the visitors to Nelson from Marlr borough on the occasion of the match knew nothing of the trouble, and it appeared to him that it was not justi-r fied, but Mr Baigent would have to state his case and abide by it. The motion was carried. ' -A , Mr Manning wrote regretting that he could not attend the meeting owing to indisppsition, but expressed his willingness;to attend any future meeting should the Union so desire.

NELSON JUNIOR REPRE- ' .... SENTATIVES.

The Secretary read a telegram from the Nelson Union, which stated that no Wednesday would be suitable for their junior representatives to play Marlborough, but suggested that. the match .should be played on Saturday, September 4th. The Chairman moved, and Mr McCallum seconded, that Saturday, / September 4th, be fixed for the junior representative match Marlborough v.-Nelson, at, Blenheim.— Carried. . ■ ■

SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. — The Chairman asked if anything had been done in the direction of getting the local team, together by Thursday. -Mr Wanden said the men were in private training, but he did not think |t would be possible to get them into town before Friday. - The Chairman said the team should tje in town . together by Thursday. Me moved that steps be taken to get the team together on Thursday night, the Union to pay their expenses. The members of the team to report to the selector on Friday morning Hylton seconded the motion, wnicn was carried. The Chairman moved, and Mr Hvlton seconded, that the Seddon Shield match be advertised forthwith, and tihat the admission money be Is to the ground, grandstand Is,' ladies half-price and, that seats could be reserved for 2s 6d, including admission to fche^ grandstand, the box plan R- Wanden's <>&»• +hf r r> St I ricJlan^1 undertook to show tne people to their reserved seats . Ihe question of arranging details in connection with the match was left m tne_ hands of the ground andmatch committees, with power to act SOUTH ISLAND TEAM. The Chairman moved, and Mr Hvlton seconded, that a telegram be sent to the New Zealand Rugby Union pointing out that an important match was to be played here on Saturday next, and request that the selector of une bouth Island team be ptesent to witness the match and consider the ■claims of any members of the local team for inclusion in the South Island team.—Carried. BUSH UNION. The Bush Union wrote stating that W+w -T aS n?5 *°nr™S this year, but that it would be pleased to play a match against Marlborough at some future date—Received. FIRE BRIGADE SOCIAL. The Fire Brigade Social Committee' wrote tendering an invitation to the West Coast team to be present at their annual social to-night. +t,A/T ote ? f *hanks was accorded to tne Committee for its generous conjsideration. WEST COAST" TEAM'S ARRIVAL. Mr Maclaine' -intimated that the West Coast team would not arrive in Blenheim until Thursday morning PELORUS TEAM. The secretaries of the.clubs in the Felorus district wrote stating that they would be in Blenheim on Saturday noxt, when arrangements would be made for a match to be played between a team selected from their «lubs and the Marlborough B team. THE AUCKLAND MATCH. The Blenheim Retailers' Association advised the Union'that, owing to Wednesday being the gazetted halfmiay' Jt could not consent to close on .Thursday, August 26th— Received SEDDON ENTHUSIASTS. Mr Fuller, Seddon, wrote asking if the Union would arrange to have a special train put on from Seddon on '

Thursday next, the occasion being the match against Auckland. Mf Maclaine said he had com-, municated with Mr Couch on the subject, and had been informed that the sum of £8 would have -toj be guaranteed before-a special train would be put on. Mr Fuller had guaranteed that amount providing the train arrangements were advertised this week, in order that the news would be circulated round the district. ! The Chairman moved that, Mr Fulier.'having guaranteed the necessary amount for a special train from Seddon on Thursday, Aug. 26, the Union make the necessary arrangements and advertise them. Mr Morrison seconded the motion, which was carried. HALF-HOLIDAY. Mr Hylton moved, and the Chairman seconded, that the Mayor be asked to invite the citizens of Blenheim to observe a half-holiday on Thursday, Aug. 26, in place of Wednesday, the occasion being the visit of the Auckland, representative team.—Carried. A special invitation was also accorded to the Mayor to attend a reception to be tendered the "West Coast team at the Club Hotel tomorrow night, in conjunction with the local team.. ... CENTRAL v. MOUTERE. The Central Chib wrote stating that it would be unable to aeceda to the Union's request to forego its claim to the senior cup, and to play Moutere the final game on ra date to be arranged. .The letter pointed out that there, was a possibility of several of the prominent members of the team leaving the district, and that it would be impossible for them to get a strong team together after September 11th. The Chairman, after reviewing the position, moved that the letter be referred back to the Central -Club, and that Mr Strickland be asked to. endeavour to get his club to play off for the cup. Mr Morrison seconded the motion, and it was carried. A PROPOSED TOUR. The Chairman reported having met Mr Shirtcliffe, President of the South. Canterbury Rugby Union, and during a conversation that gentleman had outlined a tour which could be undertaken by the Marlborough team next year, at very little expense, and from which the Union would net about £150. He had promised to engineer the tour for this Union. He moved that the Union keep in view the question of sending a representative team out early next season. ■ Mr McCallum seconded the motion, which was carried.

The meeting then rose