Rugby Affairs

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7459, 9 May 1934, Page 8

Rugby Affairs

MANAWATU- UNION MEETING

The weekly meeting of the management committee of the Manav.-atu Rugby Union was held last evening, those present being Messrs K. W. Eglingtou (in the chair), 11. Crawford, E. Olcvely, C. C. Yates, J. R. Haidie, E. W. Low, L. J. Plank, R. E. Hatch, P. O. Skoglund, L. G. Berry, R. B'i'y, H. JHickey and M. Bowler. An apology for absence was received from the president, Mr A. W. Thompson.

Fifth and Sixth Grades

A report was tabled of a special meeting of union representatives and clubs interested in fifth and sixth grade teams. The clubs represented wero Old Boys, Kia Toa, St. Patrick’s, High School and Technical School. It was decided to restrict the competitions to Palmerston North- teams only to climi nato travelling, but in the fifth grade there will be no restrictions as regards age and weight. In tho sixth grade the weight limit will be 9st 71b. The competitions will start on May 23 and nominations close on May 21. The Feilding clubs may inaugurate a fifth and sixth grade competition in Feilding, and if they do so, the recommendation is that the winners of that com petition be eligible to play off with the winners of tho Palmerston North competition.

Old Boys advised that they would be entering a team in tho sixth grade competition. Gate and Stand Charges

The Fcilding Rugby executive wrote in connection with the amended admission charges and entering a protest against the decision as far as the grandstand at Feilding was concerned. The liability of tho executive in building the stand was £7OO, and the only revenue to redeem this expenditure was from the stand. The proposed new charges would cut the revenue in half.

Mr Collins waited on tho meeting on the samo subject and said tho decision of the union had come as a bombsheh, especially as they had only six months to go as regards their seven years' agreement. Mr Crawford said he had been the mover of the motion because ho realised tho union wanted money. Ladies .had been admitted free at tho front gate and a lot hung around the ring. By charging them at the front gate and admitting thorn, free to the stand, sixpence was received for each lady that saw the game. Mr Collins said he still thought the decision an unfortunate one and Feilding executive still would like to see the charge for ladies made at the stand and not the front gate. It was the only revenue tho Feilding executive received.

Mr Yates said it was not so much what was tho liability on tho stand but what is tho liability. The rumours were that the Feilding executive had paid off *tho stand and were hoarding up money r for a gymnasium.

Mr Collins said there was still a liability on the grounds. The executive started a queen carnival and got £320 from that, as well as grants from the union (£250) had Feilding Borough Council (£350). The total cost of the stand and preparation of grounds had been £I7OO, so that somebody had to foot the remainder.

Mr Plank pointed out that the union needed money to get the Kanfurly shield trip, and it was cither that or help for the Feilding executive. Tho decision was really a move to get more money from the Palmerston North gate, Feilding interest not being thought of.

Answering Mr Yates, Mr Collins said the Feilding executive proposed going on with the erection of the gymnasium notwithstanding the liability existing on the stand—they would have a gymnasium next year. As far as he knew Feilding Old Boys wanted tho gymnasium.

Mr Bowler (Feilding) moved that the decision be rescinded and Mr Bly (Woodville) seconded.

Mr Crawford said he had been told by one Fcilding club that they didn’t want a gymnasium. Further, nobody bar the secretary and chairman of the Fcilding executive seemed to know what money they had got. The union only got 9d and yet tho Feilding oxecuuve got Is. Why were they building a gymnasium when the stand had not. been paid off? Mr Yates said that tho fault lay with the two Feilding clubs. If they could not get the strength of the Feilding executive’s finances, who could? They had to take Mr Collins’ word for what he had said regarding the liability. However, the speaker thought the union could very well let tho old charges stand for the last six months of the agreement.

Mr Skoglund quoted figures which went to show that the liability on the stand must have been liquidated. He also thought tho fact that they proposed going on with the gymnasium was evidence that the stand had been paid for. Pending people had to remember they now had a good ground and had been helped in several other ways. The position was that Palmerston North now needed some money. The chairman said he felt the union should have more detailed information regarding the finances. Mr Hatch pointed out that it was a bit late in the day to make the alteration at Pei]ding and he saw no greafe harm in Fcilding having all the money it needed. A gymnasium would be a good asset and it had to bo remembered Manawatu football had benefited a lot from Feilding’s part in -tho competition. Mr Crawford: Mr Collins refuses to

tell us what is coming off tho Feilding stand and says it is a secret. We must know what they arc getting for the purposes of tho new agreement next year.

Mr Hardie considered Mr Collins had not been very holpful. The union had the power to revise the charges. Mr Bowler pointed out that but for the activities of the Foilding executive there probably would have been uo stand at Feilding. Mr Skoglund: B-ut the union is getting no financial benefit from it and they have had £250 of our money.

Cr Crawford considered there should be uo such thing as a Feilding executive —everything should be done by tho union.

Tho motion was lost by six votes to five, so that tho new charges remain.

General

St. Patrick’s Club suggested that coaches in all grades be given free season passes instead of the weekly passes. —The meeting was unable to agree to the general request for several roasons, but granted similar requests made on behalf of Messrs Brown (St. Pat.’s), Farrar (Kia Toa) and Simmons (Old Boys). Bunnythorpe Club asked for a donation of 10s towards the expenso of marking out tho football grounds at Bunnythorpe.—Approved. Mr Bly mentioned that two senior players who wero living inside the Manawatu L’nion’s district, were playing in the Dnnncvirke competitions.—lt was decided to write the Danncvirke Sub-Union for an explanation. United Club asked for the re-grading of R. Sykes, T. Fage, F. Mason and E. Mabey from junior to third grade.— Approved in the cases of Fage and Mabey. As Sykes 'll rid won the medal in the Kia Toa Club for the best junior tho application in his case was refused while further information is to be sought regarding Mason. Woodville third grade B team players were granted permission to join in the Bush competitions or other outside matches owing to there being no fourth grade games in Manawatu at tho moment.

Kia Toa Club asked for E. Hancock to be re-graded from senior to junior.— Approved. Representative Games

Hawke’s Bay Association wrote suggesting an alteration in the date of tho Hawke's Baj r -Manawatu representative game from August 1 to July IS. —Approved and arrangements are to made for the game against Bush fixed for July IS to be played on another occasion.

A game is to bo offered norowhenua for July 7 in Palmerston North.

The Wanganui Rugby Union confirmed July 28 as the dato of the Mana-watu-Wanganui representative fixture. The Mayor is to be advised that July 2S is available for a charity match.

AVednesday Games

Marton Football Club advised willingness to enter a junior team in the AA’cdnesday competitions.

Mr Hatch said the Wednesday enthusiasts -were very pleased at Marton’s decision. Advice was received of the formation of a club in Feilding to participate in the Wednesday competitions, junior grade, to be known as Kowhai Club. The secretary reported the following nominations for the Wednesday competition: —Star, St. Patrick’s, United, Pirates (2), Kowhai and Marton. Fixtures for Saturday Senior.—St. Pat.’s v. United, oval Showgrounds, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr It. Hughes); Kia Toa v. Woodvillc, No. 2, Showgrounds, at 3 p.m. (Mr L. Cope); Old Boys v. Massey College, oval Showgrounds, at 3 p.m. (Mr A. Weston): Feiiding Old Boys v. Feilding, No. 1 Johnston Park, Feilding, at 3 p.m. (Mr J. Cantwell). Junior. —Linton v. Feilding, No. 3, Showgrounds, at 3 p.m. (Mr J. O’Keefe); Old Boys v. Kia Toa, No. 2, Showgrounds, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr B. Holdsworth); Buunythorpc v. Kelvin Springboks, at Bunnythorpe, 1.30 p.m. (Mr T. Woodham); St. Pat.’s v. Massey College, No. .3, Showgrounds, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr C. White); High School a, bye. Thirds.—Bunnythorpe v. Feilding Old Boys, No. 1 Johnston Park, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. Hoi'man); Kia Toa v. St. Pat.’s, No. 1 Park Road, at 3 p.m. (Mr F. Petre); Old Boys v. Woodville, No. 2 Park Koad, at 3 p.m. (Mr A. Gordon); United v. Massey College, No. 2 Park Koad, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr AY. McSweency); High Sehool r. Feilding High School, to be played later in season; Ashhurst a bye.