NORTHLAND RUGBY

Northern Advocate, 19 April 1933, Page 9

NORTHLAND RUGBY

PAST SEASON BEYIEWED. ASSEMBLING COSTS HIGH. The committee’s report to be submitted to the annual meeting of the Northhind Bugby Union on Friday next, reads as follows: —

‘'The season commenced with approximately the same nuntber of teams as last year, in the vicinity of 02 senior and junior. Two trial matches were played prior to the selecting of the first team to play Waikato, one at Paparpa, and one at Ohaeawai for the northern unions. Although costing some £36, these games gave the selectors an opportunity of seeing a greater number of players from each sub-union than in the past.

‘ ‘ Bepresehtative matches were played against Waikato, at Whangarei, Auckland, at Auckland, New Zealand Aiaori touring team, at Ohaeawai, and' also at Dargaville. The team played their usual groat game against Aucir-

land and proved victorious. Splendid football was witnessed at the two Maori"matches and these games did a great deal to further the interests of Rugby in the North. The non-replace-ment rule unfortunately spoilt the game to a certain extent at Dargaville, us our team was unlucky to lose two players early in the mateli, which left the game very one-sided. Six challenges for the Harding 'Shield, and three for the Brake Shield were received.

“The union was again fortunate in having a player selected for the New Zealand trials (A. N, Finlayson, of the Kikurangi Chub), and in having M. Bika chosen tit tour with the Maori team.

“As an outcome of Ihe Aiaori tour, it was recommended to your union, that a Aiaori advisory,board be form ed, such to function and have a delegate, to sit in an advisory capacity on the committee of the union. Amur committee acted on this advice, and although very little could be done last year, the hoard was formed with (he co-operation of Air Harding Leaf, who has been appointed chairman. One of the first, duties of the board this season will bo the selecting of the Tokeran representatives to play for the Prince of Wales Cup in Taranaki.

“The union just managed the season on the funds available, for, as wij) lie seen by the balance sheet, only one match showed a credit balance—that against Waikato. Unfortunately it was the union’s time to send a, team to Auckland, and this cost something like £BO. Your union approached the New

Zealand Union for assistance with the ’.Maori games, as having to play them in the centres where they were played, the gate receipts were not very high. Apart from paying certain transport items, the parent body would not assist* further.

“The general expenditure has been kept down to a minimum, but a glance at the assembling expenses for a-i matches points out that this item, on-* of the most important, is still high, dust so long as these mount up as they are doing now, it will be impossible ( o consider sending a team, any further away than Auckland. The close cooperation of executives and secretaries of sub-unions would go a long way towards decreasing the present amount. It is hoped that sub-unions will discuss this question fully, so that their delegates may be in a position to deal with the question, and have it finalised at the annual meeting.

“Your committee wish to thank oil for their assistance during the year, and hope that the new season will be a successful one for all,”