MANAWATU RUGBY UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8837, 31 March 1909, Page 6

MANAWATU RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

. The annual meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union 3vas held, last- night,. Mr A. N. Gibbons presiding,, and. the following delegates being present l—-Messrs Fraser, Stagpoole, Stubbs, N Torstonson, Mullef (Palmerstou),' Pirani, Ryan, Ongley (Feilding), Armstrong, Stalker, McMinn (Kia Toa),, Pawson, Manning, Russell, Freeman (Old Boys), Foote (High School), Opie (Technical School), Paltridge (Wednesday), and representatives from Bunnythorpe and Pohangina Valley.' ■.«"■

REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The report and balance-sheet, as printed yesterday, were read. In connection with *the balance-sheet Mr Pirani pointed out that a sum was\ still 'to /come from the New Zealand Rugby Union for the British match, the amount probably being between £15 and £25 ,and its receipt would considerably alter the balance-sheet. The president (Mr Gibbons), in moving the adoption of the- report referred briefly to the steps taken in Hewitts case and the New Zealand Rugby Union Appeal Committee's decision that "refusal to give effect to a rule did not constitute disobedience," and in view of that decision the committee thought it advisable that the local Union's rules should be sent to the New Zealand Union for revision. Mr Gibbons dwelt on the question of the gymnasium, and said that the A. and P. Associations offer in that connection last year was out of the question, they haying demanded something like 30s a week for the use of their halls. The sports ground had been specially prepared during the season and with a little rolling excellent playing grounds could be obtained. Important matches could be played on the oval. An idea had got round that tho oval could not be used for football, but the speaker assured those present that that was erroneous. Personally Mr Gibbons did not favour gymnasiums for training ,fpr footballers; outside sports needed outside training.' He instanced tho case of rowing men who never did any inside training. But as the wish of the majority of players seemed to bo in favour of a gymnasium he thought tho incoming committee should consider it. In view of the shortness of funds Mr Gibbons said ■ho thought travelling by i rep. teams should be ..reduced this season | as much as possible. Mr Torstonson seconded the motion. Mr Pirani, in speaking to the report, said that a rumour was current that there was a movement on foot to remove the headquarters of the Union to Feilding, but Feilding was not hankering after it after the'manner in which tho Management Committee had been treated by certain persons in Palmerston last year. It would be noticed that the committee were resigning and were not seeking re-election, owing to the way they had been treated. He read the letter written by Mr R. S. Abraham, arising, out of the Hewitt- incident and containing charges of mcompetency against_ the committee, and stated that no committee which had personally held office had carried out its duties more satisfactorily, more faithfully, or more intelligently, than the retirine: body. There was not a man in the district, able to point out a single instance where they failed to carrv out their duties properly. In regard to Hewitt's punishment it may have been a severe one, but the committee had boon unanimous. The Appeal Board had stated that Hewitt should merely have been suspended till ho ehould attend a meeting of the Union as he had been ordered to do, but as he would never have attended a meeting that punishment would have been greater than tho one inflicted. The speaker failed to eoe the difference between "refusal to give effect to a rule" and "disobedience," and he was therefore at a loss to understand what the Appeal Cotnmittoe meant. He did not agree with the chairman's remarks r.bout .the gymnasium, but thought it very necessary to have one. If members got many opportunities for outdoor practice there would be no need for one. but they didn't. In Feilding the A. and P. • Association granted tho use of buildings suitable to practice in. and "he thought the Manawatu Association might easily do likewise. The question of the alteration of the rules of the game was next touched on. Mr Gibbons and the speaker wore delegates to the committee which dealt with them in _ Wellington and the alterations, he considered, were in the interests of the game. The Wellington delegates fought hard against them, but were unsuccessful. However, it appeared since then that they had been at work and a 'committee, mostly composed of Wellington men, to whom the rules had been passed on to lick into shape, had contrived to forward them Home to England too late for them to beoorf r - any use this season. Still a trial of tho alteration could be made in local football just to sos if they worked satisfactorily. Tho Referees' Association and tho splendid work done by its members was not mentioned in .tho report and>. the speaker thought,.-it .a'.'great pity that more old footballers did not offer their services. He mentioned that in all probability n Referees' Association would be formed in Feilding, and it would considerablv relieve the local association by at least taking charge of second and third-class matches played there.

Mr Gibbons neinted out in reference to-' the now rules that they had been handed to Mr Hartnett before he left New Zealand to be delivered to the International Board. It had been suggested that, a conference of South African. Australian and Now Zealand representatives be held to go into the matter of altering the rules and this was made the pretext for the delay by the Wellington men. The report was adopted. NEW CLUBS. Mr Opie, for the- Technical School, inquired whether his club could enter a junior and third-class team. He pointed out that his club could not enter a eenior team, but hoped ultimately' to work up to that grade. Mr Gibbons poined out that it was a matter for the Management Committee to deal with, but he did not ■ see why the request could not be granted. " The club was affiliated with the Union. Mr Pirani said he had noticed that one of the clubs had made a suggestion that third-class players should bo limited to list, and he thought it was a very good one. The Bunnythorpe Club applied to be admitted to the Union, to play in the junior competition, and were accepted. Pohangina Valley also applied for affiliation. Their representative, Mr Urquhart, stated that there were' about 55 members, but as they came from Ashhurst, Raumai, and Pohangina it would be very difficult for them to come into Palmerston to play, and they wished to play as many matches as possible in Ashhiirst. The, team could travel to Feilding, but could not guarantee to come into Palmerston frequently. They ■wanted to play second and third class, with the hope of a future senior team. / On Mr ' Hoben's motion, it was decided to admit the club to the Union, with the recommendation to the Management Committee that their wishes in regard to the playing of the matches in Ashhurst be acceded to as far as possible. The Management Committee afterwards decided to accede to the new club's request. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Following officers were elected:—Patron. Mr A. N. Gibbons; president. Mr \ F.,'.Eiraßi^ivice-presidents, Messrs StagpoblSpilff]?;* Gibbons, E. D. Hpbcn; secStubbe; treasurer, Mr 11. ' ■ MiilleV i "Messrs Foote, Maning. Armstrong, Pawson, Pickets, Smith (Pohangina), Mansford.; hon. surgeons, Drs Peach, O'Brien, and a Feilding doctor to bo elected"*'by the Management Committee ;' vice-president to New Zea- j land Rugby Union, Mr J. ..Manning; delegates to New Zealand Rugby Union, Messrs Pirani and Muller; accident ineuranco committee, president, secretary, and ■ treasurer; hon. auditors, Messrs Fairbrother and Watson; postponement

committee, president, secretary, and Mr Manriing. '.; ■ The .matter of a selector was left to the Management Committee.

CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYERS,

Mr Foote brought up the question of classification, especially of third-class-players. He moved "that the mgeting instruct the Management Committee to enforce its-powers of classification. Last sea-son a number of the third-class players were like so many giants among pigmies, and he considered that it was unfair to. the younger players ■■ to have to meet such big men. Mr Freeman seconded the motion on behalf 1 of Old Boys, and thought there ought to be a weight limit. Mr Hoben said experience in other places had shown that tho presence of big fellows in the third-class grade always tended to epoil the football, and he.thought there should be a method of limiting them. • . Mr Gibbons did not favour a weight limit. Mr Pirani, who-had earlier in _ the meeting mentioned the matter, said he favoured a'weight limit, but thought the clubs could more - effectively deal with the matter. The Feilding Club had decided to make their third-class players go up this year, and that .would do away with the .difficulty there. On hearing Mr Pirani's statement Mr Foote said he would withdraw his motion, .as it was the Feilding Club he had in mind when moving.

GENERAL.

Mr Armstrong moved on behalf of the Kia'Toa Club: "That it be a recommendation to the Management Committee that the report and balance-sheet be distributed , amonget clubs fourteen, days before the annual meeting.—Carried.

The matter of reducing- the clubs' payment to the accident insurance fund was also brought up by the Kia Toa delegates, Mr Armstrong pointing out that the fee of one guinea for each team was a heavy burden, and he moved that the Management Committee bs recommended to consider the matter of a reduction.

Mr Gibbons sounded a 'warning note. He said the fund had taken four or five years to build up, and needed all the meney to keep it up to tho mark. Mr Muller pointed out that a special general meeting would be necessary to alter the rule- on tho matter.

The Chairman pointed out that referring the recommendation to the committee did not necessarily mean it would be adoption, and the motion was carried.

Mr ■ Gibbons brought up the question of -fostering Wednesday football, and hoped the Management Committee would do its best to assist the new movement, ab it was all in the way of improving the game. He would rather see a dozen indifferent teams playing than a couple of good ones, and the rest looking on. Votes of thanks and appreciation for services rendered the Union were passed to the retiring president (Mr Gibbons), secretary (Mr Muller), and treasurer (Mr Toretonson). At a meeting of the Management Committee, held afterwards, Messrs Pirani, Stubbs, Muller, Manning, and Foote were appointed to arrange for grounds for the coming season.