THE RUGBY SEASON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 6

THE RUGBY SEASON

CLUBS PREPARE

ANNUAL MEETINGS* Further preparations for the ap--1 preaching Rugby season were ma.de ; last evening when several clubs held their aunual metinj's. UNITED - CLUB. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr W. R. Kells presided over a good attendance of United Club members and much enthusiasm for the new season was shown, the chairman stating that the attendance augured well for the future. Moving the adoption of the report (which has already been published) the chairman referred to the difficult times experienced by the club last year, and spoke in high terms of praise for the way in which teams had been got together, and their keenness had shown the public that the members possessed grit and were out to uphold the traditions of the club. A severe loss had been sustained by the departure of Mr L. Cope to Christchurch; it was probable, too, that Mr L. Finlay, the club’s ffi-st player, would be leaving the city. Mr Finlay was a good sportsman on and off the field —one of

Nature’s gentlemen—and the gap would he hard to fill. The president also referred to a bombshell—a letter he had received from the honorary sccletary, Mr H. A. Stone, tendering his resignation from the post for business reasons, although he would still assist the club. Mr Kells highly eulogised Mr Stone’s ability and services; the retiring officer was second to none as a secretary. Passing on to refer to the junior team, Mr Kells said it, too, had shown much grit and determination (although losing eleven games on ■’ml). Thanks to the spirit of Mr It. lamsav, it had reached winning form. ;'lie Wednesday team had also dolie ell. The finances were in a satisfacory position, with a balance of over -6 to start ofF the new season. Mr 'ope had donated a cup for the best ■lub member in the present year, an ■ ction which indicated that he retaind a commendable interest in the club. The motion for the adoption of the eport and balance-sheet was seconded ■■ml carried. It was with great regret, the chairman said, that be moved that Mr Stone’s resignation he accepted, anti lie also moved that the retiring secretary’s splendid services be recorded in tlip minutes. Mr G. Edmonds was elected unopposed to fill the vacancy. Letters were received from Messrs R. Akuira and A. 'Ward tendering their resignations from the club, the former on account of inability to come into town as often as lie desired to j assist the members, and the latter, a ; member of the management committee. as .be- is to take up refereeing. Roth were subsequently elected vicepresidents. The election of officers saw the following appointed : Patron, Mr F. S. Goldingham; president, Mr W. It. Kells; vice-presidents, 18 were elected; treasurer, Mr N. Sinclair: auditor, j Mr P, C. Campbell; club captain. Air C. Podjnrsky; management committee, Messrs Moran, Glastonbury

Peters, Rol>b, .Stone, Carruthers, Ramsay, Culpan, Turner and Barker; delegates to the annual meeting of the Manawatu ,Rugby Union, Messrs Stone, Carrutbers, Glastonbury, Robb, Ramsay and Edmonds. Members indicated a desire to reappoint Air Kells unopposed to the office of president, but- he reiterated ail earlier desire to give way to a younger man and suggested that a fitting recognition for services rendered would lie to appoint Air Stone to the office. Mr Stone, however, declined and supported the re-election of Air Kells, and this accordingly took place. A gratifying number of new members were elected.

Subscriptions for Saturday players were, left the same as last year, with the provision for a. concession deleted —seniors 10s, juniors 7s 6d and thirds ss.' Wednesday players who also play on Saturday are to pay 7s Cd plus 2s Cd insurance fee.

The chairman repeated his donation of two trophies to the club, and Mr Sinclair also donated a trophy for the juniors.

The appointment of coaches was left in the hands of the management committee. A letter of thanks is to lie forwarded to Air Cope for his donation.

Air Aforaii referred to the preferment of Hon. Alark Briggs, a vice-pre-sident. as a member of the Legislative Council and mentioned his keen, if unobtrusive, interest in the club, ail interest which the chairman also praised. A congratulatory letter is to be forwarded to Air Briggs.

The club having agreed to take the West- End .School boys under its wing for coaching purposes, the offer of Mr C. Smith to instruct the hoys was accepted and the West End School Committee is to be advised of this.

A committee to promote the social side of the club was set up.

Air Smith asked that the • delegates to the union be requested to Seek a definite ruling on scrum formation; the practices followed were chaotic, he said. He favoured the 3 2-3 formation. The chairman said the subject would receive attention.

In concluding the meeting the chairman reiterated that the prospects for the club were very bright.

OLD BOYS CLUB. KEENNESS OF MEMBERS. At the annual meeting of the Old Boys Rugby Football Club, Mr Ji W. Rutherford presided. There was an attendance of over 30. In formally moving the daoption of the' report and balance-sheet (already published) the chairman commented on the great keenness shown by the club members and also remarked upon the excellent club spirit which had been evident. Without exception the players had been keen in attending practice, in their desire to take part in the games and in their actual play. The spirit of sportsmanship displayed had never been higher and the relations with the other clubs never better. The club had had a successful year on the field, in its administration and in its finances. The speaker congratulated those members of the club who had been included in the Manawatu representative sides and those who had been chosen to participate in the All Black trials. Mr Rutherfurd also paid Ji tribute to the committee, who hod worked enthusiastically throughout the

year. He thanked the retiring secretary (Mr A. S. 11. Cutler) for a good year’s work, and paid a tribute to the retiring chip captain (Mr W. S. Fox). For such a position as the latter both tact'and patience were required, together with a capacity for work, and Mr Fox had all of those qualities. His work had assisted greatly in enabling the club to attain the position it luid, ajid his retirement was a distinct loss. However, he would not be severing his connection entirely. The Press had always been generous to the Old Coys Club and for that the members were

grateful. The election of officers resulted ns follows:—Patron, Nr N. H. Nash; president, ]\Jr K. \V. Eglinton; vicepresidents, 16 were elected ; club captain, Mr A. S. H. Cutler; secretary, Mr W.'H. Simmons; auditor, Mr K. S. Glendinning; delegates to the annual meeting of the Mnnawatu Rugby Union, Messrs W. S. Eox, A. S. H. Cutler, J. W. Rutlierfurd, K. W. Eglinton, \V. E. Norris, and 0. Galpin; dance secretaries, Mr M. Heise and Mr G. Robertson; trustees, Messrs A. E. Mansford, J. W. Rutherftird, and W E. Norris; committee, Messrs AV. S. Fox. G. Kells, NT. Henry, 0. Galpin and G. Dawick. In moving that Mr Eglinton be appointed president, Mr Kutherfuvd said that the club had never had a truer friend and he had filled positions ranging from that of playing member to the club’s delegate to the Manawutu

Rugby Union. In returning tlianks fpr his election to the postion, Mr Eglinton said that if he did half as ably as Mr Rntherfurd had done he would serve the club very well. All had been sorry that Mr Rutherfurd had decided not_ to continue in that position, as he had been of great assVtnnce. Mr Eglinton took the chair on his election and he moved that the club place on record its appreciation of Mr Rutherfurd’s services. He was supported in his remarks by Mr Henry, who spoke of the knowledge Mr Rutherfurd had of the club’s players in nil t.lm rrrndoQ

The motion was carried with acclamation.

Mr Henry moved a vote of thanks to Mr Fox for his untiring efforts for. the club, the motion being seconded by the chairman and carried with acclamation.

The customary donation was granted the Palmerston North Roys’ High School sports fund and the retiring secretary was voted the usual honorarium of £2 2s.

Mr A. C. McPherson was elected an honorary member.

On Mr Rutherfurd’s motion, it was decided that the nomination of teams be left in the hands of the incoming committee and it was also decided, on Mr Henry’s motion, to hold the first field practice on March 28. The president invited a discussion on the Manawatu Rugby Union’s insurance scheme and it was decided to make a recommendation to the union that the .scheme in force last season bo continued.

WELLINGTON DELEGATES. MR PREXDEVILLE’S POSITION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 17. Always of importance is the election of the officers of the Wellington Rugby Union, and indications point to the fact tha-t sonic* changes are likely. A surprise has come from the Wellington College Old Boys’ Club in the change made in its delegation to the Wellington Rugby Union annual meeting. In the list of officers elected for the ensuing year the delegates do not include Mr J. Prendeville, chairman of the Wellington Rugby Union. It was in 1902 that'Mr Prendeville first became a delegate from the Old Boys’ Club, and lie has been one continuously during the past sixteen years. Tile fact that he is no longer a delegate does not mean that his services as a prominent Rugby official have terminated, as no doubt he will be acting as a delegate from another club.