MANGONUI RUGBY UNION

Northland Age, Volume 23, Issue 48, 24 March 1924, Page 5

MANGONUI RUGBY UNION

ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual Meeting of the Mangonui County Rugby Union was held in the Public Library on Tuesday evening. There was an attendance, all told, of twenty-five. Delegates were present as follows: Awanui: W. L. Evans, N. Mc.DonaldOruru: A. S. Paul, Bert Penney. Kaitaia: Banks, Mawhinney. Victoria Valley: A. L. Jones, V. Kitchen. Houhora: J. Mclntosh. Ahipara: J. N. Berghan, G. W. Moore. Pamapuria: A. Latimer. Mr. Fleming, who, as last year’s President, occupied the Chair, welcomed the Delegates and others attending. Minutes of last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The President’s Report was read, and made quite an interesting document. Extracts are made from it Football during the year made a great advance. Ten senior and eleven junior teams were affiliated, giving a total of 315 players, being a great increase on previous years. It was unfortunate that no inter-county matches were played on Mangonui ground. Our team went to Whangaroa, and did well. The public accorded good support, and to cater for them more inter-Countv matches should be arranged. Donors of trophies are thanked. Donations to Charity amounted £27 5/-, this being money to the Kaitaia Hospital Fund. The Balance Sheet was then submitted, disclosing a satisfactory state of mattersBank Balance £22 I2s 7d Whangaroa Tour cost £39 7® 6d £lO was paid as honorarium to the Secretary. £27 5/- was donated to the Kaitaia Cotlage Hospital Fund. Affiliation Fees amounted to £29 8/Gate Percentages £lO 19s 3. Union Gates £lO2 16s 6d, less Tax £4 17s 2d, leaving a credit of £97 19s 4d. There is a balance of £Bl in the Insurance Account. The Report and Balance Sheet were adopted. Messrs Paul and Penney were present as delegates from Oruru, where a club is being formed. A senior, and, if sufficent players are available, a junior team will be played. On the motion of A. L. Jonesseconded W. L. Evans, Oruru was admitted. Home ground, Oruru. Officers were elected : Patron : Mr A. Bell. President : Mr F. Banks, Vice-Presidents: The Presidents of the Affiliated Clubs. Secretary : Mr W. A. N. Campbell. Auditor: Mr C. McKinnon. Hon Soiicilor: Mr J. B. Reynolds. Votes of thanks were carried by acclamation to the retiring President and Secretary.

It was intimated that Pukepoto and Ahipara were amalgamating. A good deal of discussion took place on the question as to whether any club should be allowed to enter a junior team when they had no senior. Eventually i} was resolved that the Union have jurisdiction to accept a junior, without a senior team. Another long and animated discussion took place on a motion by Mr Banks tha any player who had plajed as a senior fo one year should be ineligible as a juniorWhen the matter had been fully ventilated Mr Banks withdrew his motion, and it was resolved to appoint a Regrading Committee, consisting of Messrs. W. L. Evans, J. N. Berghan, and L. Mawhinney. Mr W. L. Evans was re-appointed sole Selector.

The next debatable"' matter was the question of North and South Divisions. Mr Mclntosh said Houhora wished to play with the Southern teams. It was pointed out that there was no accomodation for teams visiting Te Kao or Te Hapua. Consideration held over until entries in from Northern clubs.

The position in connection with referees last year was very unsatistactory, and a Committee, consisting of Messrs Banks, Mclntosh, and' Mawhinney was set up, to deal with the question. The suggestion was made that a Referees’ Association here should join up with the North Auckland Referees’ Association.

Delegates to North Auckland Union : Messrs Cooper and McCarroll, Mr Bateman, first vacancy. In connection with the Insurance Fund it was decided to make Club Secretaries responsible for collection. The Secretaries would be expected to appoint a responsible man to make the actual collection on the ground. Kaitaia Club have pre-emptive right to Sunray Park. Resolved that local matches continue irrespective of Rep. matches, the Union to have fixing of matches in cases of hardship.

The opening date of both Senior and

Junior Competitions was fixed for April 26th, entries to close April 12th. Committee for the draw : Messrs Hanlon, Campbell, and Christiansen. Mr Mclntosh brought up the question of the Te Kao Club being allowed to enter. He said there was a man in this team who had already (it was believed purposely) injured two or three players. It was resolved that Te Kao should He allowed to enter only conditionally on this man not being played.

Resolved that the President, financial Vice-Presidents, and all persons paying £l/l/- to the Union Funds be entitled to go into all matches. Mr Banks proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr W. L. Evans for his long and valuable services to football in the County. “Mr Evans helps the game in every way, puts his hand into his pocket, and says nothing,” said Mr Banks, amid hearty applause. A vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the meeting at II o’clock.