RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

KIA TOA CLUB, ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Kia Toa Rugby football Club was held on Monday, the president (Mr A. M. Ongley) being in the chair. There was an attendance of about 60. In moving the adoption of the re- ‘ port and balance-sheet (already liublislied) the chairman said that although the report showed that the club had undergone a lean period in so fur ns playing ability was concerned, there wore many reasons for congratulation. As an instance, in difficult times the club had been able to maintain a team in every grade on Saturdays and had also entered in the Wednesday competitions. Even though some teams had not been at full strength on occasions the good work of the committee and the coaches had enabled the club to fulfil all its obligations to the Rugby Union, and that showed tho club was far from going back. Still greater co- | operation was hoped for this season on the part of the members. Another indication of the club’s financial position was to be found in the balancesheet, which had shown an increase in its cash balance of £BO. That had not been achieved at the expense of the lower grades, which had been assisted I as in tlie past. The club had also been ■ one of the few in New Zealand which had one of its members in the All Black team and had, further, the honour of being one of the very few which had : their representative in an international match. Mr H. R. Crawford thought _ that the balance-sheet was a very creditable one when it was considered that, over all, an amount in the vicinity of £2OO had been spent in tho course of tho season, , , Thirty new members were elected. The election of officers resulted as follows:-—Patron, Mr J, R. Hardie; president, Mr A. M. Ongley; vice- | presidents, 18 were elected; committee, 'Messrs T. Doherty, L. Cowling, W. Mitchell, G. Farrar, L. J. Mullins T. Kilpatrick, J. Kingsbeer and B. Clarke; •secretary and treasurer, Mr G. A. Brown; club captain, Mr L. Heatley; delegates to animal meeting of Rugby Union, Messrs Arnott, H. R. Crawford, L. J. Mullins and G. Spencer; auditor, Mr P. S. Larcomb. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Larcomb for his services. Mr Brown eulogised Mr Ongley’s initiative in urging a change in the constitution of the New Zealand Rugby Council and assured him of the club members’ approval of his action. It was decided that the first field practice be held on the last Saturday in the present month and that the arranging of the games at Easter be left in the hands of the management committee. A game is to- be played j with Massey Collego on April 4. | The following subscriptions were deI cided upon: Senior 10s, junior ss, i thirds 3s, fourths 2s, fifths Is, sixth I grade free, Wednesday players ss. I The chairman announced that Mr R. M. McKenzie had presented the I club with a framed photograph of the i last All Black touring side, taken at ! Newton Abbott, and autographed by ! all the members of the team.

A vote of congratulation to Mr McKenzie on his success during the tour and of thanks for the gift, was passed. Mr Brown announced that he would act as secretary this year, but would have to relinquish the position as from the next annual meeting. He would, however, be maintaining his interest in the club., Mr T. Doherty moved that at the close of the season the team with the best record in the competitions be given a free trip to another centre to play a match. Such a prize would be a valuable incentive to better play, and it would also provide additional interest for the coaches of the teams.

Mr Crawford moved an amendment on the same lines but making it a recommendation to the incoming comittee. Mr Crawford said that circumstances might be very different at the close of the year and the committee’s hands should not be tied at this stage. The amendment was carried.

The chairmail presented Mr B. Clarke with a silver-mounted salad bowl from tho club members in view of his approaching marriage, Mr Ongley eulogised Mr Clarke’s services to the club, especially mentioning the interest ho had taken in tho lower grades and in the affairs of the committee. Mr Clarke thanked the members for the gift and,said that the work he had done had amply repaid iiim by the interest it had given him.

RUGBY REFEREES. MANAWATU association. ANNUAL MEETING. A review of the 1935 Rugby season in tho Manawatu and prospects for the coining season were afforded members of the Rugby Referees’ Association at the annual meeting on Monday. Mr E. W. Low presided, and there, was a good attendance of members. There were several apologies for absence. The N.Z. Rugby Referees’ Association advised that the annual meeting would bo held during Easter at New Plymouth. —Mr Hands was appointed delegate The report (already published in the “Standard”) was adopted, together with the balance-sheet, showing a. credit balance of 13s lOd. Speaking-to the report, Mr Low said that during the recess the All Black tour had been completed and this should stimulate interest in Rugby locally. Most important to the association were the dispensations on rules granted at the conference in London. He recalled the excellent attenda.nces at matches and meetings, and said thanks were due to the Rugbv Union for the manner in which it had readily accepted the referees’ appointments. Mr Low said he had been pleased with the examination results, the instruction classes having proved very satisfactory. He Suggested that these commence earlier this year, with a greater variety of lectures. He alsosuggested that reporters be appointed for the weekly meetings as had obtained two years previously. It was to be hoped that the coaches would attend these gatherings. Mr Low also suggested that a visit from the Wellington referees be arranged. The balance-sheet snowed increased expenses, clue to greater travelling by referees. Mr Low congratulated Mr 0. Eade (Feilding) on gaining his certificate from the Dominion Association, also Messrs E. Petre and C. G. Taylor on passing their examinations. Mr L. G. Perry seconded the motion for the adoption of the report. . Mr A. Ward said he did not think it necessary to forward personal invitations to the coaches to attend meetings ; they could accept the intimation in the Press. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mr E. W. Low (re-elected); vice-president, Mr L. G. Berry • (re-elected): hen. secretary and treasurer, Mr J. H. White; lion, auditor, Mr F. Campbell; delegate to Manawatu Rugby Union, Mr Low; appointment board and classification committee, Messrs H. Hands, Berry,

and Low; delegate) to Dominion conference, Mr Hands. Tile chairman sought an expression of opinion as to whether the rule providing that the names ot proposed new members go to the bailot should he enforced. He favoured the rule. Mr Berry supported the proposal, stating that he did not think the association would be a loser. Mr J. Burgess thought a motion was not required—the rule should merely be enforced. /Mr Ward moved and Mr Berry seconded a motion that the rule be strictly enforced.—The motion was carried. Mr Hand counselled that endeavours be made to secure a return of the 2 —3—2 scrum —it would be of assistance in refereeing matches. If the matter was to be discussed by the Manawatu Union. Mr Hands urged that the association’s' delegate be empowered to vote in favour of the reintroduction of the 2—3 —2 formation. Mr Berry pointed out that New Zealand’s advocacy of the formation had been rejected by the Imperial Rugby Conlerence. Nevertheless, this did not imply that New Zealand was not to employ the formating. Mr Hands moved a motion along the lines of his suggestion, Mr Burgess seconding it, and it was carried unanimously. A motion was passed conveying sympathy with Mr W. B.- Dutliie (Bunnytliorpe) in his illness, which had caused his absence from an annual meeting for the first time for many years. A motion of thanks was accorded the active members of the association for their good work, Mr Ward returning thanks. The appointment committee were accorded a motion of appreciation, also the Press. It was decided that the association meet each Friday, the first meeting to be held on the second Friday before the commencement of the competition.