REP. RUGBY COSTLY TO MANGONUI UNION

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1947, Page 2

REP. RUGBY COSTLY TO MANGONUI UNION

(Special) KAITAIA, This Day. ALTHOUGH the Mangonui Rugby Football Union last season handled a record amount in gate receipts as the result of participation in major representative fixtures, its financial position at the end of the year was extremely disappointing.

The loss of £3O shown in the general account said the president (Mr J. Cowie), in his report to delegates at the annual general meeting on Wednesday night had been caused by heavy

travelling expenses, entertainment of visiting teams and the conveyance of the union’s own representative players to Kaitaia for practices and matches.

Mr Cowie was re-elected for his second term as president. Mr J. E. Wilkinson was re-appointed secretary and Mr W. S. Bestic was appointed treasurer.

From a playing viewpoint the 1946 season had been most successful, said Mr Cowie in his report. Competitions had been conducted in senior, junior and third grades, with eight teams in each of the senior and junior glides and five in the thirds. The senior team, after defeating North Hokianga in a Halliwell Cup match, had successfully challenged Northern Wairoa for the Harding Shield in a match at Dargaville and subsequently at Kaitaia, successfully defended the trophy against Otamatea and Whangarei, finally losing it to Bay of Islands. Exceptionally bad weather conditions for all major games had affected both ground and attendance. Mangonui juniorS had unsuccessfully challenged Northern Wairoa for the Brake Shield and the third grades had lost narrowly in their challenge for the Powell Shield at Whangarei.

The meeting favoured appointment of three Noi'th Auckland selectoi's. Another benefit day is to be given for Mangonui ambulance funds.