RUGBY JUBILEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 224, 20 August 1938, Page 8

RUGBY JUBILEE

LOOKING DOWN THE YEARS OLD ENCOUNTERS RECALLED For fifty years the bounce of the Rugby ball has sounded every winter in the playing fields of the Manawatu. For fifty years New Zealand’s national pastime has had its devotees and ardent followers at this centre; and for that period there has been before the public a cavalcade of players, all of whom have contributed towards the building up of the district’s Rugby traditions. There have been times when the sport has been at its peak, and times when it has dropped swiftly to mediocrity. But these are all phases in its growth, transient periods which have been passed through by every major union in New Zealand. Twice within the last decade the standard of Rugby in this area has reached the elements of greatness, but its brilliancy has, on occasions, been nebulous. However, every year the union has been a growing force, and it has definitely established itself as an important unit in New Zealand Rugby control. Congratulations from the parent body and every other sister organisation in New Zealand have reached it to-day on its attainment, and celebration, of its golden jubilee.

IN THE BEGINNING. Rugby, football in New Zealand the ’sixties and ’seventies flourishes in such centres as Wellington, Wanganui and New Plymouth largely through the presence of garrison troops and Armed Constabulary Camps. In the Manawatu there was never any friction with the natives, and in consequence troops were rarely, if ever, seen in the district. _ Whatever the reason, little interest in football seems to have been taken in the district prjor to 1880. In 1882, however, the Palmerston Club was formed, and it was followed by a club in Feilding. At the'annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union, tho , Palmerston Club was among the number affiliated. Tho first game was played between tho Palmerston and Feilding Clubs, and a description of it is best given in the words of Mr W. Moffatt, formerly of Palmerston, but now of oroua Downs. The game took place at Fending .“I cannot remember the score, but I think Feilding won,” says Mr, Molfatt. “What I do remember was that it was a hard game from start to finish. The game was entirely different then from what is played now.. The forwards kept the ball in their possession as much as possible and only gave it to tho backs when right on tho line. Thero was no heeling out lrom the scrum—the ball was carried right through by the pack which could put in the most weight, behind and push. Koihling laid n hard team to beat. I well remember, and one ol

their best men was ‘Bunt’ Smith, who had two brothers playing in Wanganui.” Members of the first team to play in Palmerston North included: Full-back, Allan; three-quarters, Jackson, Harrison and Salmon; halves, G. and A. Paltridge; forwards, F.

Pirani, senr., E. H. Shaw, B. Hounslow, Haultan, R. H. Stallard, W. and J. Moffntt. L. G. West also played in one game. A. Drew also played, and afterwards officiated as referee. The local matches were played in Beale’s paddock, near the old Campbell Street School. The colours of .the club were blue.

Touching on the other clubs played against in those days, Mr Molfatt stated Feilding was the main opponent, but later Foxton formed a team, while outside matches were played with Wanganui and Poneke (Wellington). The conveyance used in travelling was Mr John Jones’s four-horse express which made the trip to Feilding, and on arrival at the ground the players would strip off, hang their ordinary clothes on trees or the fence, don their football, garb and proceed to business. Public support was not verv good until the formation ol the Manawatu Rugby Union in 1888. The senior clubs at this time were Foxton, Feilding and Palmerston North. INVASION OF WELLINGTON.

About 1885, a team of west coast players invaded Wellington for the first time. Cursory examinations of its early history show that the Manwa-

tu Union did not' exist when the firs West Coast, team was' organised under the captaincy of E. W. Seeker. Though the team mat ydth defeat, socially the trip was a great success,, and many a football raconteur could tell tales of the events of those days'. _ Shortly after this a Manawatu Union was formed, the contributing clubs being Foxton, Feilding, Palmerston North and Marton. Interprovincial games were few, and mainly confined to encounters with invaders from the Wanganui, or knights of the axe from the Union. From 1890 to 1896 the Palmerston North and Feilding districts found many fresh players, Foxton and Marton retiring from the centre of activities. Though there were but few clubs from which players were then available for selection, Manawatu football was at one of its peak periods, and matches were played with Taranaki, Wellington, Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and other unions. The local players’ performances earned' a universal respect for the comparatively isolated union. Its back division was conspicuously brilliant, including men like Thomas, H. S. Speed, W. Robinson, C. Hume, J. Robinson (2), Parr, J. Jackson, F. Luxford, A. Moore, G. and W. Shannon, L. Isherwood, Templar, Jewell, A! Thompson, Orchard, K. Duncan, Dyer, J. Patterson and A. S. Baker. Forwards included S. Cockroft, A. Johnston, Hanna, J. and W. Moffat, Milton, R. Stannard, E. W. Seeker, C. Robinson, G. Elliot, J. Mowlem, G; Hume, Whisker Bros., Gregory, Jackson, J. Manning, Weston, Smith (2), Oliphant, J. Johnston and J. Matravers. Three of the backs mentioned, J. Mowlem, G. Shannon and Orchard, each represented New Zealand. Hanna, at a later period, appeared in a like capacity for New South Wales. FORMATION OF UNION

Perhaps the foremost Rugby enthusiast in the district in those early days® was Mr J. H. Hankins, whose name is well-known to present-day supporters of the code as that of the late senior partner in the legal firm of Hankins, Fitzherbert and Abraham. Unfortunately, no records remain of the manner in which the union was formed, or indeed, of names of those who comprised its officials during the first two or three years of its existence. The minute books atfid records were destroyed by fire about 1895. It ig on record, however, that in November, 1891, at the first meeting of delegates to form the New Zealand Union the Manawatu Union was represented, and in April, 1892, when the parent body was constituted, Manawatu became one of the original members.

The officials from 1891 to 1894 included the following:—President, Mr IV. T. Bailey, of Taonui; vice-presi-dents, among others were Messrs R. S. Abraham/ L. Abraham, Sewell,

Southey Baker, G. Saywell; secretary, Mr Gordon Eliott; treasurer, Mr J. P. Brandon.

: MF Gordon Eliott was. honorary sec- ' retary to the Manawatu llugby Union > from 1891 to 1894. The union in those days controlled the game in the disi trict from Palmerston North to Hunt- ; erville, the senior teams being Palm- - erston North, Pirates Palmerston, ■ Feilding and Marton, while Hunter- ’ ville played in the junior grade. The , Palmerston North team then was a ! great side and, in 1892, journeyed to Wellington, where .it defeated the redoubtable Poneke team, which had not had its colours lowered for the five previous years. Thirteen of the fifteen players in that Palmerston North side earned representative selection. Owing to internal troubles, the Palmerston North Club, which had been formed in 1882, disbanded,'and a new club called Kia Kalia was formed. Pirates won the* championship in 1893 and 1894. The Hankins Shield, which is still the trophy for the senior club premiership, was presented by the president, Mr J. H. Hankins, at the annual meeting of the union in 1897. Records of neighbouring unions show that representative matches were played as early as 1887, and in the years-intervening between that time and 1897, when the first local records (written) were traced, Manawatu played several other matches. IN THE DOLDRUMS. No local records exist for the yeajs 1898 and 1899, .although it is clear from outside records of representative matches that football survived, but an article in the “Standard” of June 22, 1900, reveals that all had not been well. The article is reproduced as follows:—“Judging by the amount of. enthusiasm displayed at a meeting held in the Royal Hotel last evening, 'football in Palmerston North promises before long to be as advanced as it was a few years ago. It has long been a matter for regret that the national, game should have been allowed to gradually die a natural death here from lack of support, but as a matter of fact, since the old Palmerston North Club lost its strength and new clubs were formed, the quality of tho game played and the interest of the public gradually waned. Comparatively speaking, it is not many years since the Palmerston North Club team was a good match : for any club team in New Zealand, I and the representative teams were 1 looked upon as the representatives of 1 a country union which promised to 1 afford decidedly interesting games to j the teams of any sister union. But, as already stated, the game in the ! Manawatu, and in Palmerston North in particular, has sadly deteriorated 4 since then, and it can only be hoped that the old hands now bestirring 5 themselves for the sake of the game / and its associations will be able to c infuse new life into the football of

And a word about the spectators

the present season. The proposal to merge the Palmerston North and Alhambra Clubs into one is a good idea, and will go a long way towards making at least one good team. It has been apparent for a long time that there is not the material in the town to keep two strong senior teams going.” At a subsequent meeting the clubs agreed to amalgamate. REVIVED INTEREST.

Due also to renewed efforts by Rev. C. C. Harper and Mr E. Wylie, the union was revived in 1902, and there was an influx of new players.

It is fitting to refer here to the death of Arthur Parr, who was burned to death in Chicago after heroically rescuing fifteen girls. Eootball enthusiasts of liis day will remember the dashing three-quarter who for several yearn did yeoman service for the Feilding Club and for the union. An injury to liis knee terminated his football career, and shortly afterwards he left for America, where lie met an early but a hero’s death.

The Feilding Club had been meanwhile absorbed by Rangitikei, but two new clubs, Ivia Toa and Terrace End, were formed in 1902, when the Mana'watu Rugby Union was re-admit-ted to membership of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Clubs represented at the annual meeting of the union in 1902, when the organisation was placed on a sound footing, were Palmerston, Terrace End (Wednesday), Institute, Kia Toa and High SchooL Other clubs linking up were Feilding, Awahuri, Oroua Bridge and Palmerston Cadets. The Referees’ Association was established in the same year and, in 1903, there was a marked improvement in the standard of football, and a third grade competition was inaugurated. A MOMENTOUS PERIOD. College Street Old Boys won the senior competition in 1904, and a momentous period was the 1905 season, when a southern section was provided by Foxton teams, and the union undertook a tour to the south. Just before the players left, there came a bombshell. The union demanded that each player should put up a guarantee of £2 to secure his good behaviour on the tour, but the players resented their respectability being so rated. After much wrangling.the union adhered to its original decision, and the team agreed to go “rather than allow the union to kill football in the Manawatu.” However, events later in the season showed that the union had some ground for its fears. Typical of newspaper reports of the period, when candour was a virtue, were: “The Manawatu Union should pawn something and buy a goal-kicker! A schoolboy or two should bo available at a small lee.**' Australia beat Manawatu 7—5 that ,year, when Manawatu had the services of four Hawke’s Bay players. A. McMinn represented New Zealand against Australia at Dunedin, and scored two tries. Kia Toa seniors played Nelson and Blenheim, winning both engagements.

Some were known as “blatant bounders who bawled forth derision at the referee .... this particular species of imbecile is still extant .... raucousvoiced gentlemen who invariably play the game from behind the fence.” Frankness was freedom rn those days. After the peak year of 1905, Manawatu football took a downward slide, and the once famous Institute team disbanded, while other clubs had difficulty in fielding teams. It was a melancholy fact that disqualifications were meted out at nearly every meeting of the union that year, during which a subunion of three teams was formed at Cheltenham. FOXTON LEAVE UNION. Manawatu received a visit from the Anglo-Welsli team in 1908, and combined with Horowhenua to put up a good performance. However, as a separate union, they appeared to be slipping back to second-rate status. Feilding won the senior championship , in 1909, and in 1910 Manawhenua played the Maor,i All Blacks, who had returned from a tour of Australia. A dispute over boundaries fixed the following year was raging with the Foxton Sub-Union, which remained in existence until the Great War period. When Foxton subsequently joined Horowhenua, the remainder of the sub-union formed the present Te Rawau Sub-Union.

The standard of Manawatu Rugby was poor in 1911 and continued at a low ebb until 1918. Manawatu issued their first Ranfurly Shield challenge in 1914, being beaten 11—3 by Taranaki.

During the immediate post-War period, lower grade football was instituted, new clubs were affiliated and the union advanced generally, its representatives in 1921 reproducing the Rugby of over a decade earlier when they lost .to the Springboks by 3 points to nil. Fourth and fifth grade competitions were held in 1922 for the first time since the War. The 1923 season was the most successful in the history of the union, a big representative programme being got through, while the standard of play showed a marked improvement. A sixth grade competition was inaugurated, and 170 boys played in that grade alone. RANFURLY SHIELD WON.

Fortunes of the union varied from 1924 to 1927, and the Manawhenua representative side (Manawatu and Horowhenua), was established in 1925. Two years later, in a memorable game, Manawhenua snatched the Ranfurly Shield hrf 18 points to 16 from Waira■rapa, whose team included several All Blacks. The trophy had a brief—and its only—stay at Palmerston North, being lost three challenges later to a strong Canterbury side which included four All Blacks—Dailey, Lilburnc, Robilliard and Carlton. Manawhenua slumped as a side in 1928 and 1929, and were beaten 34—8 bv the British touring team in 1930. Mixed results were obtained in ,1931 and 1932, and

Manawatu returned to its old status in 1933. The 1934 side was a rather indifferent one, but strong teams were produced in 1935 and 1936, and in the latter year the Ranfurly Shield holders, Otago, were a little lucky to hold off Manawatu’s challenge by 11 points to 5. The big event of 1937 was the Springboks’ match, in which Mariawatu were beaten by 39 points to 3 by one of the most powerful teams that has toured this country. ALL BLACK HONOURS.

Captain of the New Zealand side in the final Test against Australia this year, R. M. McKenzie has. the outstanding distinction of having represented Palmerston North in the All Blacks for five successive years, and. is likely to considerably extend this record. His achievement is outstanding in the history of the union.' Away back in 1893 Manawatu supplied three New Zealand representatives, J. Mowlem, G. Shannon, and S. Cockroft having the honour of being the first exponents of the code from that district to wear the lern leaf. It was certainly no moan performance for a comparatively small centre to supply three All Blacks in the one season. Twelve hiunths later Cockroft gained inclusion once again, but it was as a Hawke’s Bay representative, he having removed there in the interim. Two brothers, Arch, and Alex McMinn, were the next to gain honours, the former in 1903 and again in 1905, whereas his brother came in in 1904. Actually, Arch. McMinn was residing in the Wairarapa when he first won Dominion honours, but lie was back in Palmerston North when he was selected in 1905, although the official records do not disclose the fact. IV. Dustin, a fine forward, was Very unlucky to miss New Zealand ■ representative honours.

A. Carroll gained Dominion honours in 1920 and 1921, and he later went over to the League code to tour Great Britain. A. Law toured Australia with'the 1925 combination, and R. M. McKenzie made his entry into the ranks of the All Blacks in 1934 to retain his place and become viceof the victorious side which has visited Australia this season. Incidentally, McKenzie led the Kia Toa Club (Palmerston. North) to victory in the senior championship last yeai He gave it an excellent start before leaving for Australia, and he returned to find that his club had. successfully won its way through to championship honours once again. PRESIDENT AND PATRON.

President both of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Manawatu Rugby Football Union this vear; Mr A. M. Ongley has given nearly a lifetime of service to the Manawatu Union. He first played for its repiesentatives in 1905, and was a member of the representative team every year from that time till 1911. At the conclusion of the War he became vicepresident of the new union in 1918

and in 1919. He became president in 1920 and again in 1921, 1922 and 1923, when lie relinquished office te become vice-president in 1924.-Her next became president in 1927 and vicepresident in 1928, i 929 and 1930. In 1936 lie was’-prevailed upon once more to take office, and has held the chair since. He has also seivod the union as its selector on rnoie than one occasion.

Patron of the Manawatu Rugby Union, an honour which he has been accorded for several .years, Mr H. F. Gibbons lias an association of sonie thirty years with. Rugby football at this centre and, during that period, lie has not missed attending the matches at the Showgrounds, except’ when absent from the city on business. He is still a regular attender, and has seen local football both in its doldrums and on the crest of the wave.

First captain of the Hawke’s Bay team in 1885; Mr Gibbons was in his Inlaying days a half-hack, though lie had filled every position on the field, and the team combination in those days was sim.ilar to that of the present South Africans. .Mr Gibbons was an all-roiind athlete in his football days. INSTITUTE TEAM’S RECORD.. Formed originally from the members of the Youths’ Institute, nvhicli vyas established in 1897 and subsequently disbanded, tlie Institute team was 'a force to be reckoned with iii Manawatu Rugby early in the present century. Mr W. li. Boon, who was' a Manawatu Rugby representative continuously from 1902 to 1910, was club captain throughout the existence of the Institute team, whicli dispersed, -in 1906.

For the first two years the team played as juniors on Wednesdays, and won the junior championship in 1899 but in 1901 they turned over to Sati unlay play, entered the senior competition, and won the Hankins Shield, both in that year and 1902 for the club premiership. The fact that they possessed no real junior organisation Jed to their eventual disbandment. I heir playing members filtered into the Palmerston Club (forerunner of present Old Bovs Club) and Kia Toa, Mr Boon subsequently becoming cap. tam of the former club. The president of the Institute Club was Mr IV. * T. IVoods (now of Sydney), while Mr vears ’ Manson ' vas secretary for sis

I wo prominent members of the Institute side in 1904, both of whom had previously won All Black honours for the Australm" tour, were the late Mr MeMuin, mid Mr J. Stalker,-both ol them first-class- hacks. Other stalwarts ol tlie club were, T. Stubbs, J K., and F. Baker, V. Penman, W. Adams and \ Scott.. The team toured I.ai analvi in 1901, playing three matches, and were runners-up in the first -rounds™ 0 toUrncy ,lcld at the Show-