WHANGAREI RUGBY

Northern Advocate, 21 April 1933, Page 7

WHANGAREI RUGBY

THE UNION' MEETS,

LARGE REPRESENTATION

ARRANGING .FOR SEASON,

The annual meeting of the Whangarei Rugby Union was held in the County Council chambers last night. The president, Air 0. F. Collins, presided over an attendance of 50 delegates and supporters.

In supplementing the report Air Collins made special reference to the good work done by the Judicial Committee, the findings of which had met with the approval of both players and committee.

The balance shoot showed that gate receipts last year amounted to £284 11 /o. The art union realised £1715 11/(3. Principal items on the expenditure side wore: Travelling’ £1.52 ‘l/5, new ground £212 .13/0; repayment art union loan, £B4 10/(i, and repayment loan, £2OO. The total amount handled by the union last year was £1,150 10/5.

The report (as published yesterday) and balance sheet were adopted after full discussion. Official Personnel. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr' A. .7. Murdoch, M.P. (re-elected); president, Mr C. F. Collins (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs A. Steele. G. Richards and C. H Powell (six nominations); secretary, Mr G. R. Watspn (re-elected); treasurer, Mr G. Grant; auditor, Mr W. C. Coote (re-elected); delegates to Northland Rugby Union, Messrs C. R. Powell and L. A. Johnson; senior selector, Mt “Bunny” FinJaysou.; nominee for seat on the Northland Management Committee, Mr L. A. Johnson (two nominations). Management Constitution. The chairman and M r Johnson spokein reference to the union’s remits to bo discussed at the Northland Union meeting tonight. The proposal is that the Management Committee comprise one delegate from each sub-union. Dir ect representation had proved a great success in the Whangarei union, and left no ground for discontent. Mf Johnson said that last year the Whangarei, Bay of Islands and Northern Wairoa. unions were not represented on the council of five. The suggested rotational change in tin* headquarters of the Northland union was not considered feasible. ' Selectors. There, was a close division on the question of senior selectorship. It was proposed that the existing practice of appointing a solo selector In* adhered to.

Mr C. l>‘. Powell proposed us an amendment that one selector bo appointed for the backs and another for the forwards. The motion was carried by H> votes to £k When Mr Rennie stated that Mr “.Bunny" Fin lay son was prepared to act, it was remarked that, had this assurance been forthcoming earlier, opposition In a sole seinetorship would have been weakened. Mr Finlayson’s appointment w;»s agreed to unanimously. The appointment of a sole selector in the junior grade was strongly advocated by Mr Plcwollyn. Mr Steele and Mr Lon Davis were equally emphatic in .stressing the advisability of two or 'more selectors so that country teams would receive full consideration.

Mr Britland thought it was impossible for a sole selector to judge on the

merits of tlie members of 14 teams, some of which lie would only sec once in a season. Mr Sligo pointed out that with a committee some selectors might not see a team outside his district before the team was chosen.

Mr G. Richards said that three selectors in the grade had been tried for three years and there had never been more dissatisfaction. He moved, seconded by Air Sligo, that a sole selector be appointed, Air L. Davis proposed as an amendment, seconded by Air .1. G. Rritlaml, that three selectors be appointed.

The amendment was carried overwhelmingly. The appointment was deferred until the number and distribution of junior teams were definitely known. The Alanagement Committee will also appoint the third grade selector. General. Air R. Pollock said that names of 57 juniors in the Alangakahia district, who could not afford to travel into W 1 mngarei, had been handed to him. They desired that a western ward bo constituted.

The necessity ot : clearing up Rugby Park was remarked upon by Mr Con aglum, who said that a number of acei-

dents had occurred during training. One case had to be treated by the ambulance men. With a. little effort tho playing area could be made like a bowling green. Plenty of volunteers were forthcoming for a working bee at an earlv date.

Several applications involving a large number of reinstatement forms were received from delegates. Mr F, J. Mullins congratulated the union upon the wonderful result achieved at the seven-a-side tournament last year. The ideal was to get footballers on the field and not on the sideline, and it was a splendid sight to see 400 different players in action on the morning of June 3. Mr Barry appealed to country clubs to assemble their teams on the ground early, as otherwise the urogramme was apt to be hopelessly confused. At tho close of the meeting the chairman said that the enthusiasm displayed indicated that the union was again going to experience an active and'pleasant season. The union would have to be prudent financially and not invite so many foreign teams, unless more favourable terms were agreed to. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing officers ami the chairman. Management Committee. At a subsequent meeting of the Management Committee, Mr C. F. Collins was re-elected chairman. May (i was fixed as the opening dale for competitions in all grades. ’ffite first committee meeting will be bold next Wednesday and subsequently on Tuesdays. Mr J. G. Briflaud was again appointed to arrange tho draw.

The offer to supply caps to members of the team winning (he senior championship, was generously renewed bv Mr ft R. Powell.