RUGBY WON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 9

RUGBY WON

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE £ TO REMAIN UNCHANGED Last evening a special general meeting of the Nelson Rugby Union was held to consider a motion proposing a change in the constitution of the management committee. After a full discussion, during which a series of amendments were dealt with, the motion was defeated, leaving the present system of direct club representation in operation. The annual meeting of the Union followed. An interesting discussion took place on the standard of senior play in Nelson, especially in the country, and a motion proposing to limit country clubs to two, with boundaries, was placed before the delegates. However, the motion and a number of amendments were all defeated on close divisions and the position will remain the same as last year with six senior teams in the competition. It was decided to abolish the Union’s Accident Insurance scheme.

The special general meeting was presided over by the president, Mr R. J. Eyre. The clubs were represented by the following delegates : Waimea: Messrs E. McGregor, G. Watson, S. Croucher, H. Mason and M. C. Mason. . Pirate: Messrs R. Brownlie, N. Kearns, G. Hall, L. Hyde, and K. Smith. Rover: Messrs H. McPherson. R. Best, A. Baigent, 11. Wilkens and J. Harrison Nelson: Messrs R. Cameron, W. Reed, T. Mahony, H. Richardson and A. MeTlwraith. Old Bovs: Messrs K. Cobden, W. Dee, Simson, Winter, and D. E. Johnson. Rival: Messrs T. Burke, A. Newton, P. Sims, T. Austin and A. TT. Davy. Regimental: Messrs H. Williams and W. P. Morgan. _ College: Messrs A. C. Wood and R. H. 'Methven. Schools: Mr H. Silcock. Referees: Mr N. S- Tankerslev. In addition members of the Management Committee were present. The meeting was called for the purpose of considering the following motion, moved by Messrs W. Reed and J. F. Potter,’ concerning the constitution of 'the management committee: “That the ' management committee consist of president, vice-president, treasurer,, secretary and five members to bn elected at the annual general meeting.” In formally seconding the motion Mr Potter said it would be" remembered that a sub-committee was set up to investigate the affairs of the Union. Acting on the committee’s suggestions the Union dealt with the Referees’ Association and other matters. The report expressed theL opinion that the management committee was too’large and in order to give the- meeting something to discuss the above motion was framed. ;Mr Mcllwraitb, on behalf of the Nelson Club, moved the following amendment : “That the management committee consist of president, secretary, treasurer, and one representative of each senior club, the junior clubs to be associated with senior clubs in the matter of representation

Mr Williams moved a further amendment: “That the management committee consist of six members—president, vicepresident- and four others elected at the annual meeting, with the secretary and treasurer ex officio, no officials of affiliated clubs to be eligible for election. The; amendment was seconded by Mr Morgan. ji'Mr Davy, for the Rival Club moved, a further amendmentvt-hat the com-' diifteo comprise secretary and treasurer ex officio, and one member from each club, arid oiie schools’ representative, the-chairman to be elected from those members.

Air Austin seconded the amendment. Mr Tankersley asked if the Referees’ Association would come under the heading of an affiliated club.

The. chairman said the Association could not be regarded as a club. . Air Tankersley .pointed ou t that by the Association having direct representation it bad greater opportunity of placing its affairs, before the Union. There had been a charge that there was too much club feeling, on the Union committee. If that was so, then it would be advantageous to have members not representing clubs. Mr Potter spoke in favour of having the president and vice-presidents on the committee, their value being of more importance with a system of club representation. It had been said that

the committee was unwieldy but the committee in the past had had full and free discussion and the final decisions expressed the feelings of the majority of dubs.

Mr Mahoney said it appeared the wish was to have the number of the union reduced to a workable number. He did not think the Referees Association should have representation on the Union. The referees task was to control the games on Saturday. _ Mr Burke said Rival would support the Nelson motion if it included representation for Coliege. College provided grounds for the Union. Mr Davy pointed out that the passing of the Rival motion would place the Nelson Union on a similar basis to other unions.

Mr Eyre said the management committee itself had agreed that it was too large. He pointed out that as the motion affected the constitution a twothirds majority was necessary. Mr Silcock stressed the fact that the schools’ representative represented 250 players. Mr Tankersley stressed the importance of College having direct representation. There were 33 teams in the Nelson Union's competitions and of them 11 were provided by the College. In addition three of the grounds were provided by the College. If club representation was done away with, the position would be that, a club providing one. third of the Union’s players did not have direct representation. The President pointed out that the question of grounds was one frequently under discussion. By junior clubs being represented by senior clßb delegates there was a difficulty in matters in which the two clubs represented by one delegate were concerned. Mr Reed said that past experience showed that there was too much “club” and not enough “football” in Rugby Union . affairs, and be favoured a smaller committee working more for the good of the game than for the interests of various clubs. Mr Potter agreed thrjj there had been too much club feeling among members of the committee in the past. The chairman said there was no doubt that club feeling bad been shown on the committee for quite a. number of years. A committee elected at the annual meeting would be comprised of members who were not bound by club direction. He pointed out that the committee at present comprised 15 members, •it being so large that business was retarded. ' . Each amendment was defeated m 1 The motion was also defeated, leaving the position as it was.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

STANDARD OF SENIOR RUGBY INSURANCE SCHEME ABOLISHED In opening the annual meeting Mr Eve extended a welcome to the delemites. He then made reference to the unfortunate death of the President of the New Zealand Union, Mr Donald M. Stuart, ’of Dunedin, and a vote of sympathy to the relatives was passed, members standing as a mark of respect. In moving the adoption of the annual report (published elsewhere in this issue) and balance sheet the president said the past year had been an unfortunate one in regard to finances. Fate Was against the Union in the matter of weather conditions for the Jubilee celebration which entailed considerable expense. The game was not paying for itself. The senior competition had not been an attractive draw for the public resulting in a poor return financially. He wished to comment on the Jubilee function, which was a splendid success in every way except for finance. Old players from all parts of the Dominion were present and the final dinner was an unqualified success. Last season Nelson again entered a team in the Schools’ tournament and if it had not been for the perservercnco of the Nelson Union it might not have taken place, but the West Coast Union ultimately decided to organise the fixture which proved very successful. In retiring from the position of president he was sorry: to .sever his connection with the Union, but he would have many pleasant recollectious o.f the Union and members of the committee with whom he had worked.

Mr Alahoney seconded the motion which was carried without discussion.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron: Mr H. R, Duncan.

Hon. vice-presidents: Mrs Aloller, Mrs Sherlock, Messrs H. V. Searle, H.

Atmore, M.P., Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, F. G. Gibbs, E. S. Cresswcll, F. S. Bolton ,C. H. Broad, W. Lock, C. Lcaper, T. A. 11. Field, W. C. Harley, R. W. Stiles, F. Coleman, L .Baigent, W. J. MoiTatt, T. Newman, A. Baxter, G, Batchelor., J. C. Coote, A. Do Pina, J. Newman and 1". Gahagcn.

President: Mr J. F. Potter. Vice-presidents: Messrs H: M. Rich ardson and H. Silcock.

Secretary: Mr F. J. Lock. Treasurer: Mr D. E. Johnson. Hon. surgeons: Drs W. D. S. Johnston, D. C. Low, W. F. Currie, J. RCloss,. Mr Potter, in thanking the members for election, moved that’ the meeting place on record its appreciation of the services rendered the Union by the retiring president, Mr R. J. Eyre, who bad been president for two years, and vice-president and club delegate previously. The motion was seconded by Mr Richardson and carried, with acclamation. SELECTORS It was moved that there be one senior selector. An amendment was moved that there be three senior selectors. The amendment was lost and trie motion carried. The selectors were then elected as follows: — Senior: Mr W. Reed. Junior: Mr D. Glover. Third Grade: Mr T. Mahoney. Two motions proposing changes in the club representation of annual meetings were defeated. LIFE MEMBERS The Rival club moved, in accordance with previous notice, that no life members be allowed to vote at any meeting, annual or management committee. Mr McPherson moved an amendment that life members have the right to vote at special general, or annual meetings, but not at management committee meetings. The amendment was carried. Mr Richardson said it was felt tlia». tiie life members of the old Referees’ Association should be recognised for their many years of work for the game of Rugby. He would like to make them life members of the Union. He moved as a recommendation to the Referees’ Association that they go into the matter of life members of the old association with a view to having them made life members of the new association. The motion was carried. THIRD GRADE COMPETITION A discussion took place on the question of weight and age limit for the third grade players. It was decided as a recommendation to the incoming management committee that the committee give more careful attention to the classification of players, particularly in the third grade.

LIMITATION OF SENIOR TEAMS . With a view to raising the standard of senior play the Union Committee sponsored a motion that the senioF competition be confined to four teams. A long discussion took place on the position of the country clubs and a i eduction in the number of clubs, with boundaries, was suggested. The various amendments and the motion were defeated, leaving the position as it was last year. INSURANCE SCHEME The management committee presented a scheme for the amendment of the Union’s Accident Insurance Fund. After a full discussion it was decided to abolish the insurance scheme altogether. j It was then decided that the amount now in the Insurance Fund be transferred to the general account. 2-3-2 SCRUMMAGE It was decided to instruct the Nelson delegate to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union to support the 2-3-2 scrummage and the amended kick-into-touch rule. An offer by Mrs Holler of a cup to be allotted to one of the Union’s competitions, was accepted. On the motion of the president, seconded by Mr Richardson, it was decided to place on record the Union’s appreciation of the services of the retiring treasurer, 'Mr D. D. Merritt. It was decided as a recommendation to the committee that the St. John Ambulance Brigade be granted £5 in recognition of its services to the game.