RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20537, 11 April 1930, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND UNION.

NEW OFFICERS ELECTED.

PROPOSALS FOR TRIAL GAMES. [by telegram.—rnws association.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The annual meeting of the New Zealand flugby Union was held to-day. Mr. A. A. -Adams (West Coast) presided over an attendance of 80 delegates. In his presidential address Mr. Adams referred to the growth of the came in Australia- After 15 years the All Blacks played match last year ogainst Australia and the Commonwealth team was to bo -congratulated on winning the rubber. In New Zealand the came was eontinuinc in its popularity arid the parent body was performing useful service in lending money to unions at a low rate of interest to assist jn tho purchase and improvement of grounds. Unfortunately, some unions were behind in their payments and in not carrying out the terms of mortgage were doing «n injustice to other unions desiring loans. The finances of the union were in a sound condition and a profit of A'tilO had been made on the year's workings. The outstanding feature tins year would he the visit of the British team, which would he the first for 26 years, continued Mr Adnms. It was regretted that Scotland wi only one representative in the team and the attitude of the Scottish Union towird overseas teams was hard to underftond It. was hoi.ed the Home unions would hnve airreed to a conference on the rules and other international matters dorins the forthcoming tour, but apparently they were not favourably inclined to the • nggestion. Invitations had been sent to ether overseas unions and up to the present Canada and Australia had accepted. No reply had yet been received from South election of officers resulted;— Patron, "the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe; presiAent Pr G. Adams (Wanganui); vicepresidents. Messrs. L. J. Brake (North Auckland!, .7. Arneil (Auckland), S. 'Walms]ey( Thames Valley) A. G. Yardley (Waikato) J. Goodwin (Taranaki). J. McUill (Manawhenua). K. S. Williams (East Coast), A. S. Parker (Poverty Bay), W. .T. Wood (Hawke's Bay), R. S. Smith (Bush •■nistricts). G. Sellar (\\ auarapa). Dr. V. F McEvedv (Wellington). C. 11. Mills (Marlborough), A. E. Max (Nelson), E. Tsvlor (Golden Bay-Motueka). A. G. Calvin (Buller), T. Mcintosh (West Coast). A. E. •McPh.iil (Canterbury), H. H. Eraser (South Canterbury), H. Harris (Otago). W. Robtn«on (Southland). R. S. Webster (Kins 'Country). S. Sullivan (Ashburton) and B Stevenson iNoith Otago); hon. treasurer. •Mr E Wylie; management committee, •Messrs' S. S. Dean. H. H. Sterling, J. G. P"sche. T. A. Fletcher, E. McKenzie, 11. S Leith. A. C. Kitto; appeal council, •Messrs J. Arneil, I'. Mackie. .1. L. Conlan (Auckland); auditor, Mr. 0. G. Kember Mr. J. Prendeville (Wellington) asked what the union's policy was with regard to trial matches this year . Mr' Dean explained that it was intended "to* hold three trial matches, two in the North Island/and one in the South. Mr. Prendeville asked if there was any ' necessity for the proposed trial game on •May 14. It had also been rumoured that the union intended to assemble the NewZealand team a week before the first test, and for this team to play at least one match before the first test. . Mr. Dean explained that it was intended that the New Zealand team should play a match against North Otaco on the \\ednes- - dav before the first test match. Tt was not considered fair to ask the New Zealand team to take the field without at. least one frame together. Mr J T King advocated that the New Zealand and Maoris match should be made an annual event. The match last, year had done a great deal of good for the game in Wellington, and had resulted in a profit of X4OO From a playing and commercial aspect, the Pakeha v. Maori match was a first-class proposition. If 'lie fixture were made an annual one. it would encourage the Maori players. „ , , . The motion that the fixture be made an annual one was carried.

SOUTHLAND UNION FINANCES. AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. [by — rnr.fis association.] INVERCARC.TTjL. Thursday. According to a statement made by M<\ 'A. 11. Courtis, tho treapurer of the Southland Rugby Union (holders of the Ranfurly Shield I. the finances of the union are anything hut a satisfactory state. Mr. Courtis said the union had borrowed from the Amateur Sports Trust, which controls 1 the proceeds of the successful All-Gold jirt jinion, organised in 1925, a sum of £9500. bearing interest, at 2} per cent. This money was to be repaid to the Sports Trust at the rate of £SOO every second year, (he year in which representative matches were played at home. At the time these arrangements were entered into, however. Jnvercargill enjoyed a Universal half-holiday and there did not appear to be any /reason why the union should not be able to meet its obligations. With a divided half-holiday, however, enme financial trouble to the union, and the overdraft had crept steadily up. until to-day it had increased to four figures. In addition, the union had not berji able to meet its obligations with tho Sports Trust, and at January 31. the end of the union's financial year, an amount of £-300 was owing in interest, and a repayment of £SOO was due. He said the executive intended to rectify

the position by curtailing expenditure commensurate with the efficient running of the union, and it looked to the paying public and footballers generally to assist in every possible way.