RUGBY IN THE NORTH

Northern Advocate, 24 April 1933, Page 7

RUGBY IN THE NORTH

UNION'S ANNUAL ASSEMBLY LENGTHY SITTING. AGENDA ITEMISED. It was 12.30 on Saturday morning before finality was attained at the annual general meeting of, the North Auckland Rugby Union, held in the Borough Council Chambers. The president, Mr T. J. V. Dunlop, of Bay of Islands, occupied the chair, and presided over an assembly of the following delegates. — Whangarei: Messrs L. A. Johnson and C. R. Powell; Whangaroa: Mr It. Stevenson; Rodney: Messrs Shepherd and Bccroft; Bay of Islands: Mr McFarlane; Hokianga: Messrs W. Kelly and H. Leaf; Northern Wairoa: Messrs W, Montgomery and R. W. Cuthbort; Mangonui: Messrs D. McCarroll and W. Bird; Otamatoa: Messrs J. A. Fiulayson and W. Abercrombie; Referees’ Association; Mr J. A, McLeod; and the honorary treasurer, Mr H. E. G. Smith and the secretary, Mr F. Archer. In ojmning the meeting, Mr Dunlop extended a welcome to delegates. He expressed pleasure at the presence of a number of native representatives who, he was confident, were furthering the interests of Rugby among members of their race and would be of great assistance in the deliberations concerning native affairs. The president’s review (published previously) and the balance sheet, disclosing a satisfactory sum to credit, were adopted. In commenting on the latter statement, the president remarked on the seemingly huge expense in the assembly of teams. Several items were questioned by delegates, who were thoroughly enlightened by the treasurer. Referring to the loss sustained by the Union on the North Auckland— New Zealand Maori match at Dargaville; Mr Montgomery said that supporters of Rugby in Northern Wairoa were very disappointed at the management of this fixture. He declared that arrangements for the running of a train from Kaihu had been finalised, but at the last minute these had been cancelled by the union. As a result, natives at Kaihu, who had intended witnessing the game, were prevented from so doing. Besides causing resentment, this action had cost the union considerable loss in gate takings. Mr Montgomery declared that if the Northern Wairoa union had had its own discretion in the arrangements a bumper gate instead of a loss would have resulted. The collection of gate receipts was also criticised by Mr Montgomery, as was the short stay of the touring team in the western centre, w r hich was contrary to previous assurances. In an explanatory reply, Mr D, McCarroll said that the guarantee required by the Railway Department was deemed excessive and it had been decided to let it drop. The short stay in Dargaville had been necessitated by the limited time at the disposal of the tourists. In concluding the discussion, Mr Montgomery assured the meeting that much more satisfactory results could be obtained in the future if the Northern Wairoa union were delegated the sole control of arrangements. Correspondence. A communication was received from the Kaipara sub-uuicn, making application for the North Auckland union’s recommendation of its affiliation with the Auckland union, Mr Me Carroll said that the North Auckland union could only agree to Kaipara’s severance and had to obtain the sanction of the New Zealand union. He asked the Rodney delegate’s view. Mr Becroft, on having the boundaries specified at his request, said his union would be quite agreeable, as the petitioners were nearer Auckland and a saving in transport costs would be possible. It was decided to accede to the request and the New Zealand body will be informed accordingly. A contention that an age or weight limit in junior competitions should bo introduced, was received from the Hokianga union. The North Auckland executive recommended that action should be taken in regard to the Brake Shield. Mr Kelly considered that a weight limit was not feasible, but favoured the restriction of the age to either twenty or twenty-one. Mr McFarlane informed the meeting that an age limit had been instituted j by the Bay of Islands union, and satisfactory results had ensued. He expressed the desire to see it in universal use. The president said it was a difficult proposition, and if possible a happy medium should be attained. Referring to the Brake Shield’s object as a means of promoting junior competition, Mr Finlayson considered that all teams should be placed on an equal basis. Contending that all sub-unions should be notified before action was taken, Mr Bird proposed a motion accordingly, requesting that their views be obtained and forwarded to the next , general meeting of the executive. The president maintained that the onus of making a decision should be that of the meeting. He then moved aa amendment as follows; ‘ ‘ That the

age and weight limit for North Auckland be 21 years and .12 stone respectively.” This was defeated. Mr Bird’s motion was then put to the vote and carried by a large majority. A number of applications for reinstatement, among which were E. A. Meyer and W. Shortland, were received and granted. Managerial Constitution. A notice of motion, submitted by the Whangarei representative at the 1932 meeting, that the personnel of the Management Committee be altered to one delegate from each sub-union, was duly seconded. Mr Johnson said there was no doubt that the majority of eub-union delegates had definite instructions as to how they were to vote. Neither Northern Wairoa, Bay of Islands nor Whangarei were represented on tho management committee, and he contended that all sub-unions should have representatives to bring forward matters concerning them. Mr Johnson added that the Wliangarei sub-union had adopted the practice of having one representative of each club on its management committee, which was most, satisfactory and would be more so on a larger body such as the North Auckland union. In concluding, he asked, ae sponsor of the motion, for..its endorsement. After a short discussion, it was resolved that the management committee comprise one representative from each sub-union and the treasurer. Mr Kelly’s motion that five comprise a quorum was carried unanimously. Official Personnel. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year.' —Patron, Mr A. E. Harding (re-elected); president, Mr W. Montgomery; vice-presi-dents, presidents of all sub-unions; treasurer, Mr H. E. G. Smith (re-elect-ed); auditor, Mr W. A. Given (reelected) ; visiting delegates to N.Z.R.F.U., Messrs W. C. Coote and H. E. G. Smith; resident delegate, Mr A. C. Kitto (re-elected); selectors (four northern unions), Mr N. McDonald, (four southern unions), Mr I. sou; management committee, Messrs L. A. Johnson, Whangarei, D. L. Ross, Northern Wairoa, W. C. Coote, Rodney, A. McFarlane, Bay of Islands, W. Kelly, Hokianga, D. McCarroll, Mangonui, J. A. Finlayson, Otamatea, and R. Stevenson, Whangaroa. General Business. The high figure under the heading of players’ travelling expenses, on the expenditure side of the balance sheet, was the first topic for review. The "treasurer introduced the question by proposing a motion couched in the following terms: 1 ‘ That delegatee report to their sub-unions the absolute necessity of curtailing expenses of players when travelling to take part in trial or representative games.” Mr Smith said that representative players seemed to think they were on a holiday. Meals, especially in local-ly-played games, were too costly a factor, aiid he stressed the need for a curtailment of expenses. Mr Dunlop supported the previous speaker’s contention, and the motion was passed unanimously. Mr Becroft then moved that all transport for assembly of players in trial or representative matches be arranged by sub-unions only, and that all accounts be endorsed by them. This resolution was also unanimously passed. Reference to the yeoman services rendered to Rugby by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was made by Mr Finlayson, who sponsored a notice of motion to the management committee that, when funds permit, a donation to this body be made. Mr H. E. G. Smith’s proposal of a hearty vote of thanks to Mr A. C. Kitto, the North Auckland union’s resident delegate to the N.Z.R.F.U. in Wellington, for services rendered was also unanimously favoured. Mr Kelly was also accorded a vote of thanks for his assistance in the selection of the North Auckland representative teams. Acclamation greeted the passing of la vote of thanks to the outgoing offiers, and the meeting terminated with similar acknowledgments to the chair. MAORI ADVISORY BOARD. FORMATION CONFIRMED, UNION’S DECISION. The confirmation or otherwise of the formation of a North Auckland Maori Advisory Board was an item included in the agenda of tho annual meeting of the North Auckland Rugby Union, held on Friday night. When introducing the topic, Mr D. McCarroll informed delegates that tho formation of the Maori council was mooted by the manager of tho touring Maori team, with tho purpose of having a native delegate flitting in an advisory capacity on the North Auckland Rugby Union. Tho speaker re- j garded it in a favourable light. j Mr McFarlane supported the provi- j oils speaker’s opinion, but considered ; that the Maoris, besides attending in | an advisory capacity, wore entitled to a vote. j Mr Dunlop uphold Mr McFarlanc’fl point of view and added tnat, being the best man. Mr Harding Leaf should

he elected to the management committee. Messrs Leaf and L. Pnrore fully explained the purposes of the advisory board, and intimated its intention of selecting a native foam to challenge for the Prince of Wales Cup at Wanganui that year.

Considerable discussion ensued as to tlio advisability of- delegating the power fo vote or confining the chosen representative to an advisory capacity, and it was subsequently decided to confirm the board’s formation and to restrict the representative to a. solely advisory capacity.