SHOW RUGBY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 14

SHOW RUGBY

QUESTION OF SUITABILITY. OF MATCHES PRESENTED. In reporting at last night’s meeting of the Manawatu Rugby District Council that some unfavourable comment had been directed by members oi the Manawatu A. and P. Association at the programme of matches presented during Show Week by the council, Mr J. R. Hardio stated that two members in particular had stated that they were not at all satisfied with the fixtures. He accordingly wished to move that the rectors of Te Aute, St. Patrick’s and Wellington Colleges be written to asking whether they would be prepared to play in Palmerston North in Juno of each year at the Winter Show under the jui’isdiction of the A. and P. Association. In so doing the speaker held that the _ council was thereby assuring the association that it was endeavouring to arrange the show matches to the best of its ability. Mr R. E. Hatch, in expressing astonishment that dissatisfaction should have been felt by any member of the A. and P. Committee, maintained that the games presented during the show had been splendid, indeed, nothing finer could have been provided than the school games. Mr Skoglund: “Are they finding fault with their own school.” The acting-chairman (Mr T. Collins) asked whether the matter had not been taken out of the hands of the council by the A. and P. Association, for the only game actually arranged by the council had been the Te Kawau-Oroua fixture.

Mr A. S. Faire, in seconding the motion, pointed out that it was in the interests of the council to furnish attractive football. The past year had witnessed a lack of co-operation between the A. and P. Association and tlio council, but, so far as the members of the latter body were concerned, they had been only too willing to assist. He put forward the suggestion that the arranging of a programme for future winter shows be made by a committee from the council and one drawn for the association. He could not believe that any remarks made by the A. and P. Association members had been intended as a reflection on the football as provided by the High School. It would have been impossible to do so, maintained the speaker, if the persons concerned knew anything about football. He was certain that the members of the A. and P. Association were proud of the school where many of their sons attended. Mr T. Pagan supported Mr Faire’s suggestion that a joint committee be sot up to draw up the programme of matches. Mr Hardie stated that, while lie had merely conveyed to the council the opinions of two prominent members, he wished to explain that they had been made prior to the games being contested. The chairman pointed out that the one match arranged by the council—the Oroua-Te Kawau fixture—had now been staged three times and no complaints concerning it had been previously made, while the High School games had been finished exhibitions. He was of the opinion that, if complaints had been made, they should be recalled by the members concerned. Mr Skoglund: “Despite it, they had a record year.” Mr Proud mentioned that, when in conversation with Mr Lethbridge, that offifficial had held that the £SO grant made by the A. and P. Association to the council for the provision of show Rugby was to assist in meeting expenses in connection with the visits of outside teams which were to be borne by the council. Voices: “That is not so.” Mr Faire: “The association gets pretty good football and the council sacrifices £2OO or £3OO in gate money in giving them those attraction.” Mr Eglinton moved as ail, amendment, that the A. and P. Association be written to suggesting that .a committee from each body be set up to immediately meet and consider the question of show football. When put to the meeting the amendment was carried, the matter of writing to the colleges, as previously suggested, being held over for the committee, if appointed, to consider.