RUGBY FINANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 3

RUGBY FINANCE

NELSON UNION’S REPORT REVIEW OF PAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES A DIFFICULT SEASON 1 ' The report of the Nelson Rugby Union presented to the annual meeting of club delegates last evening showed that the Union had been unfortunate with the weather for its principal matches, resulting in a loss of £l4O on the year’s working. The report which was adopted, was ns follows Your committee has much pleasure in presenting this annual report for the 1935 season, and review of the season’s workings. Although every endeavour has been made by the .Management Committee to curtail expenditure wherever possible vve are faced with a loss of £l4O 14s 5d for the season’s working besides having a liability of £45 due to the Wellington Rugby Union in connection with the Jubilee match. Our representative matches gate takings show an increase of £22 Os 6d over last seasons, but the profits from same show an increase of £7 13s 3d only, while our Jubilee celebrations resulted in a loss of £32 Is 2d. The revenue received from honorary members’ subscriptions is reduced by £5, while the Seddon Shield tour and school football show a loss of £l6 2s Id and £7 15s 2d respectively. Our losses could have been much greater had your committee not exercised the utmost care in the control of the Union’s funds and reduction of expenses are shown as follows over the previous season’s expenditure—Entertainment £3 9s 3d; printing and advertising £l4 12s; postages £1 7s 6d; ground rent £l7 6s 6d. This season we have been particularly fortunate in the Accident Insurance ’Fund, as the claims paid have been balanced by the premiums received from clubs. This is the first occasion for many years that the accident fund has not been a drain on the Union’s general fund, and the fund at present stands at £37 7s 8d in credit. A note of serious warning must be given in regard to the financial position of the Union. In 1932 the fund 3 amounted to £256 9s Id, while to-day our balance sheet shows a credit of £66 of which £37 7s 8d belongs to the Accident Insurance Fund. Actually our cash balance stands at £2B 12s 4d with a liability of £45 to the Wellington Rugby Union. While we much regret the-above position, conditions over which we had no control contributed in no small measure to the financial position, as weather conditions alone last season at a very conservative estimate cost the Union £250, and on one occasion in particular when we insured against wet weather the only two hours in the whole day that were fine robbed ns of collecting £IOO which would have made an entirely different aspect to our balance sheet. Nevertheless the position has to be faced and the Management Committee of 1936 has a difficult position to meet to put the Union on a sound financial footing. Championships: The 1935 championships were awarded as follows: Max Shield, Country; Ryder Cup, Marlborough junior representatives; cup for most Nelson. Championships : Senior, Nelson; junior, College; third grade, Wainiea; fourth grade, Nelson; fifth grade, College.

Representatives Matches. Senior:.Nelson 13 v. Marlborough 12;' Nelson 11 v. Marlborough 19; Nelson 15 v. Golden Bay-Motueka 15; Nelson 10 v. Wellington 15; Nelson 5 v. Buller 17 (Seddon Shield); Nelson 18 v. Ashburton 16.

Representative Matches, Junior: Nelson 3 v. Marlborough 9 (Ryder Cap); Nelson 3 v. Marlborough 26. Seddon Shield Challenge: The keen interest in the challenges for the Seddon Shield was again maintained this season in the Seddon Shield area, Marlborough losing the Shield in the first Shield match of the season to West Coast, who in turn were beaten by the Buller representatives. Buller were successful in withstanding the challenges of the Golden Bay-Motueka and Nelson Unions and retained the Seddon Shield for the 1935 season. Our representatives played a great game at Westport, but had,4a accept defeat, the score being 17-5. We congratulate the. Buller Union on success iii winning and retaining 'the Shield.

All Black Trials: The trial match between representatives of Nelson,Marl- v borough, Golden Bay v. Bullet, West'; Coast was played at Nelson.. during the season when the New Zealand selectors were in attendance for selection of players'for the proposed English tour. The visiting officials and players were enter-; tained by the Union during their visit. School Football; The schools continue to take a keen interest in;the game arid; the thanks of the Union are extended to the teachers for the time and attention they give to. the boys in teaching them the Rugby code. During the season the Management Committee met the: headmasters to discuss the question of Saturday football for schools. The opinions expressed were that more .good' Would be done by fostering the Friday matches than by trying to introduce football for school boys on Saturdays. The second annual school football tournament in the Seddon Shield area was held at Greymouth. Some good football was played, the winners of the tournament being from the Buller Union district, and we congratulate them on their win. Also we offer our sincere congratulations to the West Coast Rugby Union who so ably conducted the tournament this season.

Officers: The Management Committee held 26 meetings during the season, the attendance of,members being as follows : McPherson, Silcock 26 ,• Richardson, Austin, Merritt, Mcllwraith, Lock 26; Williams 24 ; Eyre, Potter, Referees 23; Methven 21; Fowler, Freeman 16. Representative Honours : Mr N. Kotua was selected to tour Australia with the Maori All Blacks. Mr R. .Watson and Mr N. Kotua played North v. South Maori All Blacks and Mr L. Max and Mr R. Busch were selected to play in the Possible v. Probable South Island trials. To all these players we extend our congratulations. Jubilee: The outstanding event during the season was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Nelson Rugby Union, the event being held during the first week in August. Matches were played with representatives of the Ashburton and Wellington Rugby Unions. (In passing, it is interesting to note that the Nelson v. Wellington match played in 1870 was the first representative Rugby football match to be played in the world). The above matches provided some good football. The various functions arranged for the 'celebrations, which included church parade, drive to the country, morning tea and a dance, were well attended by past and present players. Many a game was again played as old time players related their experiences both on and off the field. The celebra-, (ions concluded with a dinner to the old timers; present officials, and the Wellington and Nelson representatives. One and all voted the Jubilee an outstanding, success, and the. thanks of the Union are extended to the Jubilee Committee (Messrs Eyre. Reed, Merritt and Lock) for the arrangements that they made. The only thing that married the whole proceedings was the weather, which to say the least had a damping effect on the celebrations. Obitifp-y: It is with deep regret that •we have to record the passing of the late Mr Harry Hogg, a past vice-presi-dent of the IJnion, and member of the Management Committee for many years. Deceased was a great worker for the

Rugby game, and in his passing we lose one of our keenest supporters. , ■> .^ffflngral:. The,l9l&-seasom.wilL rank ,a§ one 'the ;nibsi-"eventfui seasons , in' the Insteryspf vH\q.;ganvfi.dn;;NelsQm aparfi f pom already Jieen, noted,,qbpve .and. thq ;strenuous time< that we jhayolpAsshd 'through ,ip, A .w.espect;, ; tb finance,-? Although ..the caff has iMahagemaijt. CbipriSfcffe in ’ ; S|spect !£nd closely a nioSt;’seri ous Rios's for.-the season’s, 'yporkany suggestion.improve ■ The''financial pbsitiOriw'ould' receive the -careful-.consideration -of the Committee. ,Tha;§ueslion Of popukris'inghihe Jgame yecWecL the- attention, of your .committee- and .with that, end in ■yiie'jy'4 'ireductibh *li)f : vgate.r choxgesywas rji rect effect; wahhOt- f the ori&ial ga'tq'oharfees Avere' reyeHed Jo. Sermfih' cp&iuerhttoh )bh *hwrorig occasions aria Recommendations will be discussed at the'general meeting on this question. The Heferlsesy Association was invitefyrto'discrisfe with Management Committee';. the. meetingbnded with the Referees’ AssOci-' ation walking out of the meeting, and a new Nelsort yßriglfy .'Association has beeri joi'riied'to ' carry'On the .controLiof /" ■ h-Duriilg rbCelyed ..frariipatfi ■ jfb'Wi? Sirripspn (ti*ea-' (management, cqinmittee) Moth- hayirig -been transferred from Nelson.' W regret their leaving, but'congratulate them on their appointments, ' .V - We extend-pur thanks to the Press for the matches played,, publication of. team's and fixtures and matters of general; interest to the game op Rugby; Referee?’. "Association for thfc tipie ?apd,.,;,attention;, thht they give to 4he 1 gariieJrii controlling' of matches; to our horn, surgeons, Si; , John Ambulance Brigade, and til's t aid mail "for vainable services, rendered to injured playerto ‘tbe 'selectorsi co'aches 'and trainers.!pf representative teams'; 'also to the club officials and players who have helped td carry on the game of Rugby during, the- past seasmi; -