Bush Rugby

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 2

Bush Rugby

UNION HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Bush Rugby Union was held in the Mayfair Hall, Pahiatua, on Monday evening, Mr. R. J. Smith presiding over an attendance of 35 persons. The following delegates were present from Ballanca (Mr. Wilton), Konini (Messrs. Stone and Smith), Alfredton (L. Eagle and J. Waters), Eketahuna (Mr. W. J. Henderson), Mangatainoka Messrs. Moynahan and M. Reichenbach), schools’ representative (Mr. D. Salter), Marixna Mr. C. Burgess), Hukanui (Mr. C. McCardle), Hamua (Messrs. H. Russell and W. Ryan), Nireaha (R. Lawrence), Puketoi (Mr. S. Raleigh). The annual report was read by the secretary, Mr. G. L. Chatwin, and read as under:—

The financial position was not quite so satisfactory as was the case at the last annual meeting. This was due maiuly to the fact that the cost of reconditioning the grandstand was over £SO more than the amount of extra loan granted by the New Zealand Union. A visit was due from the Manawatu Union and this did not eventuate, and Wairarapa were unable to return our visit to them, the loss of these gates greatly reducing our source of revenue,. It will be seen that in the liabilities ia an amount of £44 duo by this union in the way of interest. It is pleasing to be able to say that sufficient funds havo come to hand since the closing of the books to enable this account to be met. Showgrounds and Stand. Due to the milder winter, the grounds were in a better condition during the past season. The reconditioned grandstand was a great benefit to supporters and players alike and greatly improves the appearance and value of the property. Representative Matches. Both senior and junior representatives had an interesting and enjoyable season. Our seniors w r ere successful in retaining the Bebbington Shield for the fourth year in succession. Matches were played away with Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Dannevirke and at home with Puketoi (twice), Horowhenua and Dannevirke. The juniors had matches at home and away with Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Dannevirke. They are to be congratulated on taking the “Ghillie” Gup from Horowhenua. Club Competitions.

Our congratulations go to the following winners of the various competitions:—

Championship.—Senior (with ‘‘Black and White” caps): Hamua. Junior: Hukanui. Third: Mangatainoka. Seven-aside.—Senior (open): Hamua. Junior (open): Pahiatua. Third; Mangatainoka. Secondary schools: Eketahuna. Primary schools; Pahiatua.

Brown Midget Cup: Pahiatua. Cowan Cup. —Senior: Mangatainoka. Junior: Pahiatua.

Kelly Cup: Mangatainoka. We deeply regret the passing of Mrs. Cowan who, with her husband, the late Mr. Henry Cowan, gave such wonderful and enthusiastic assistance to Bush Rugby for so many years. The union’s sympathy was conveyed to the surviving members of her family, as was also the case with the family of the late Mr. J. W. Mills, who was the father of several of our past senior representatives. General. Our thanks are due to the selectors (Mr. R. J. Smith senior, Mr. L. Eagle junior, and Mr. F. Staples third) who gave so much time and thought to the interests of the various grades, and to the members of the Referees’ Association for their untiring and harmonious co-operation. We thank Mesdames O’Neill and Devoy who so generously placed towels, showers and dressingrooms at the union’s disposal throughout the season. To the members of the medical profession we are especially indebted for their generous treatment of injured players. We again acknowledge gratefully the support and encouragement given the Rugby code by the Press of Pahiatua and Eketahuna, and express to the public our appreciation of their support. We take this opportunity of wishing clubs and every player a successful and enjoyable season.

The financial statement placed before the meeting showed a credit balance of £2B 11s 8d as against a balance of £6l 12s 3d the year before.

The election of officers resulted as under:—Patron, Mr. D. Kelly; president, Mr. R. J. Smith; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. L. Harvey, W. Ratu and W. J. Henderson; management committee, Messrs. C. C. Smyth, S. Oliver, J. Waters, M. Reichenbach, R. B. Humphrey, C. H. Wilton, O. Stone, D. R. Salter (schools’ representative); auditor, Mr; P. R. Boagey; delegate to N.Z.R.F/U., Mr. R. J. Smith. Chairman’s Review. When he vacated the chair Mr. Smith said: I have had quite a long time as president and no one has enjoyed it more than I have. I have met and made hundreds of friends while in this position. I used, to get kicks—some that I deserved, and some that I did not. (Laughter.) The speaker then thanked the committee for the kind way they had treated him in his term of

office and said he would be ready to stand down for anyone else that cared to take the job. He referred to the inroads made on the union’s finances by broadcasting and criticised the New Zealand Union for not giving members of the country unions matches against visiting teams. Mr. Smith poiv d out that all the New Zealand Rugby Union management committee members he had waited upon had agreed that it was a fair thing that membors of the Bush team should be included with Manawatu against the Springboks, but apparently pressure had been brought to bear and the Bush players did not get the chance. The speaker went on to refer to local football and said that there were any amount of junior players who were fit to play for the senior representatives, and held that clubs should do their best to see that they were put up to senior grade. In proposing Mr. Smith’s nomination as president, Mr. W. J. Henderson said that Mr. Smith had a great many faults which he, the speaker knew he had, and in past years others had been suggested to replace him as president, but no names had come forward which indicated that there was not another one in the union who was more fitted for the position. Mr. W. Ryan seconded Mr. Smith’s nomination, reiterating the remarks of the speaker concerning Mr. Smith, who vainly proposed Mr. Henderson as president.

Mr. Smith, on being elected, thanked the meeting for returning him as president, saying that he knew why Mr. Henderson had declined to accept the position—he had just got married—but he would be put in next year as suro as faith. Mr, Henderson last year had been given plenty to do and had done it very well, the speaker pointed out.

It was decided to close team nominations on April 20 and begin the competition on May 7. The chairman announced that Mr. J. Holtham, of the Tui Brewery, had obtained a cup from Messrs. Hughes and Cossar to be awarded to the third grade championship. Mr. Eagle asked what had become of the Parkville Cup for the third grade championship. Tho disappearance of several other cups formed the subject of a discussion in which the secretary stated that it was a nightmare to him looking after the trophies.

Mr. R. Lawrence said the Nireaha Club understood that all junior representatives were to be regarded as seniors and if the management committee adhered to this decision the Nireaha Club would withdraw their juniors and enter a senior team instead.

Mr. K. Elliott said that the Marima Club was in the same position and would do the same as the Nireaha Club and enter a senior team if the union regraded their juniors. Mr. Lawrence pointed out that where there were outstanding players in the country they were drawn to the centres which he did not think was fair to the smaller clubs.

In advocating a division into four groups, Mr. Waters said that there were some juinors who should have been in the senior representatives last year. He held that it was the fault of those at the head of the clubs concerned for keeping such men in the juniors in order to win the competition and averred that they would always try to keep them playing junior football. The consensus of opinion favoured a senior A and B competition in the union and cutting out the junior contest, the chairman intimating that the committee realised that something would have to be done and would bring down a suitable plan to meet the case.