FOOTBALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 April 1907, Page 1

] FOOTBALL

NEU ON RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of delegates of the Nelson Kugby Union took place at fie Camera Clnb's Kooms on Friday, ♦he Pn-s ifent (Dr Andrew) in the chair. The following delegatei were present: — Messrs Smith, Slurray, F. Hurley, Kitching, McCabe (Nelson), Cannington, Gallraitb, Fairey (Albion), Richards, Hannigan, Shrimpton, Akers, Chapman (Rival), Skeet (College), J. Hurley (Riwaka), McGlashen (Huia), and the Hon. Secretary (Mr H. Hall). Minufes were con.lrmed, and the annual report and balance sheet were reAd and adopted. In presenting the annual report the hon. sttrotary (Mr H. Hall), on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Union upon the satisfactory stato of the finai cea. The amount of inonev hand.cd had been J. 202 7s 3d, and the experditure £172 8s 3d, leaving a credit ba'iii Ge of £'2d 19s ld — a condition of affairs which had nofc existed f< r many years. The hope was expressed fiat there would be an improvemei.t % is spason in senior football, and unle s I th:s was effected it would be detriJmeiptal to the game and lessen publit ic. crest, Tho junior players were conjjraiulated on their splendid exhibitions, and ifc was recognised that the form . s'lown was better than for many years 1 past. The Second Junior and Thin! Ca : s Competitions were also wel patronised. The enthusiasm of youug players was characterised as a happj augury for the future prospects of the game. The incoming committee and the various Club committees were urged fco encourage as much as possible the younger players, and to recognise that the material for future rep. teams was derived from these enfchußias * The competitions last year resulted a follows : — Senior, Nelson Club ; Junior, Huia Club (the latter also journeyed to. Wellington and defeated the winners ol the Wellington Junior Championship); Second Junior, Albions ; Third Class^ College. Seven-a-Side Tournnmer,t_ : Senior and Second Junior, Nelson Club } Junior and Third Class, College. Mention wns ma.:o of the enthusiasm created by the display of the Collegians (a junior combination) in the Sunior Tournament. The standard of play in this tournament so pleased Mrs Andrew (wife of the President of the Union) that that lady presented a shield lor another tcurnament. which was won by the Nelson Club. Senior rep. matches were played againßt Marlborough (the latter winning bj 8 to nil) and against (s olden Bay (Nel«< n being successful by 27 points to 3), while the annual Junior rep. fixture with Marlborough was won by Nelson by 22 points to nil. Tha institution of a Challenge Shield fcr coinpetilicn between Marlborough, Neleon, Buller, and West Coast Unions, which was wen by the first-mentionedj was referred tc with satisfaction. It was stated that the question of the improvement of Rugby football in this district bad been exhaustively dealt with, and the Distiict scheme, not finding i'nvour with delegates, a trial would bo given this year of a classification scheme. A most successful floral fete had added to the funds of the Union, an'i those who had assisted and the donors of trophies were most heartily thanked. Regret was expressed at the departure from Kelson of Mr F. Mcfiee (Hon. Sec.) and Mr McCulloch (Hon. Treaß.), and both before their departure were pr.sented with tokens of esteem by the Union. The report concluded by trusting that the coming season would be a most successful one. Tho bnlanco-eheet showed that the sum of £'202 had been received during the season, that the expenditure was .6173, leaving a cash credit of £2d. Tho total assets of the Union were shown to be £66, and liabilities nil. Officers weie elected as follows : — President, 11 r Andrew (reelected); Vice-Presidents, Drs Gibbp, Pearless, Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Hon. F. Trasb| M.LC, Messrs J. Graham, M.H.R., H. Baigent, F. H. Richmond, H. L. Fowler, A. Oldershaw, R. W. Stiles, G. A. Harknefs, F. Q. Gibbs, W. R. Walker, J.S Wiatt, J. B. Sadd, junr., E S. Cresswell ; Hon. Secretary, Mr H. Hall : Assis'ant Secretary, Mr F. P. Kitching ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr W. Smith ; Management Committee, Messrs McCabe and Murray (Nelson), Fairey and Cannington (Albion), Shrimpton and Richards (Rival), J. Hurley (Riwaka), H. Nalder (Huia). The representatives of the Waimea and College Clubs were not appointed. Senior Selector, Mr D. W. Chisholm (an expression of opinion was taken as to tl • advisability of having a selection committee of three, but the majority favoured a sole selector) ; Junior Selector, Mr J. K. Johnston (re-elected) ; Uon. Auditor, Mr W. D. Chisholm (reelected) : Delegate to the N.Z. Rugby Union, Mr G. F. Campbell. Dr Andrew testified to the wholehearted manner in which Mr Hall carried out the duties of Hon. Secretary last season, and on the President's motion he was aocorded a hearty vote of thanks. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr H. Kitching, who had acted as the Nelson delegate to the N.Z. Rugby Union, for past gemces. In accordance with notice given, Mr Shrimpton moved that the age limit of 17 years on the Ist May attached to clause 8, Third Class Championship rules be abolished. He said that with theclassification scheme adopted by the Union the trouble of tbe past regarding the age limit would be abolished. The motion was seconded by Mr Richards. Considerable discussion followed, anjd the motion was carried by a large majority. lt was resolved to ask the City Council to fill up the holes in "Victory Square with a few loads of sweepings. It was also decided to allow the Huia Football Club 50 per cent of the takings in Cup matches at Motueka. It was decided to approach the City Council and askfor a reduction in tLe proportion of gate money to be paid the Council. It was pointed out that the Council took one third of the takings of each match with a maximum of £o, and that the Union last year paid the Council £50, which was a very large proportion of their receipts. It was resolved that entries for the Championship competitions closo on April 20th. The IN elson Club was granted the use of the Park for a match next Saturday. The customary votes of thanks concluded the meeting. A Taihape resident informs the "Post" that a domestic cat killed a full-grown weasel, which had taken up its haunt not ten yards from the back door of the house. This is the first occasion, which ha 3 come under the paI per's notice where one of theso danger i ous animals has ventured so near a residence.