RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 16

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TIIE COMING SEASON ENTRY OF MILITARY UNITS SOLE SELECTOR REAPPOINTED Prospects of entries from Army units and the Air Force, in this season's senior competitions, were reported to tho management committee ot the Auckland Union last The chairman, .Mr. A. A. Baker, reported that a delegation to tlie military authorities had received a sympathetic hearing from Colonel Weir and Colonel I'otter, who had assured thom ot their desire that Service icums should play as much Ru<j;by as possible. Colonel I'otter had suggested that teams be entered from I'apakura as representatives of the three different units, and also from the Maori unit, in which there would be about -100 Maoris. Tho chairman milled that tho military authorities would welcome the prospects of Army teams playing at F.dcn I'ark, and it had been suggested that possibly a match between Trentliam and I'apakura, which would he eciuivalent to an Auckland v. Wellington representative match, might ho played later in the year. Air Force Teams Reporting on the prospects as far as I InAir Kprco was concerned, Mr. J. \V. Lothbridge said he had visited Hobsonville. ile was assured that at least one senior team from tho Air Force would be entered, and possibly two, one from Hobsonville and one from Whenuapai. They were confident of having a good team, and looked forward to taking part in the competitions. Mr. L- Meek raised Iho question of the fact that the I'apakura camp, strictly speaking, is in the South Auckland area. The chairman said no trouble was anticipated on that account. Although I tic Army teams were anxious to play in the city, it was possible that certain games might bo allocated to South Auckland, and names would certainly tie played at I'apakura. During a discussion of grounds for the coming season, Messrs R. L. Farrell and R. S. Ilarrop inquired what possibility there would bo of getting a reduction in ground rents from local bodies, on account of tho difficulty that would possibly bo encountered in financing operations because of the war. Mr. Farrell said the Government had specifically requested that sport lm kept going, arid therefore tho local bodies should assist with reduced ground fees. Mr. 0. 8. Harvey said the rents now received did not provide for more than a fraction of maintenance costs. Mr. Farrell suggested that ;it least inquiries should be made as to the possibility of reduced fees later in the season if there was a falling away in receipts. Mr. A. Sim monds joined in the view thai (here was an obligation on the part of local bodies to provide giounds as cheaply as possible. No action Mas taken. Delay in Selecting Teams Tho following committees wero appointed:— Match. Messrs. Baker, Orrell. Farrell; insurance. Messrs. Orrell, Ilerrick, Ilarrop. .1. B. Proud; grounds, Messrs. Harvey. Sinimonds, Swecncv, Meek, R. J. Billingharii; tinanec. Messrs. Baker, Orrell, Billinglon. Farrell, Ilerrick. Mr. (>. Orrell was appointed deputychairman. Mr. F. W. Lucas was reappointed sole selector. In the course of a discussion on the position, Mr. Lucas' methods were criticised by Mr. P. Sheehan, who said that last senson's teams were invariably chosen too late in the week. He thought it was wrong to delay the selection of a team until after the filial practice, and considered that the team should bo selected at least a week beforehand in order to give it a chance lo practise ns chosen. . Mr. R. B. Hardy: That is only a matter of individual suggestion to the selector. Mr. Sheehan: I have met players coming homo from practice on Thursday night, and asked them what the team was. and they did not know, The method of training last year was bad. The team to be roarnoil shoulu bo the selected team, and it should be selected a week beforehand. The Technical Old Boys' Club was granted tenancy of tho Newton shod one night a week. ~ • . It was decided to inform the Manukau Club that the union could not undertake to pay for grounds for club practices, but that club?, could apply for the use of grounds which wero taken by tho union on an annual rental. ANNUAL MEETINGS OF CLUBS Morrineville. —At the annual meeting of the Morrjnsville Terriers boo thai I Club, tin balance-sheet showed a very satisfactory position. Officers wore elected as follows: — J atron. Mr. D. R. F. Campbell: president, Dr. S. Morrow; vice-presidents. Messrs M. Anderson. K- Campbell. D. Barlow M Leeson. (. Sing. C. Ma licit. T. JI. Hart. J. Hart. Butler K. O'Grady. K. Stirling and A \\. Ffobson; secretary and treasurer Mr. 11. h. Coonan: auditor, Mr. O. Mnthieson: management committee. Messrs. L. (ha.-c. 1. Hart (seniors). M. Hornsey (juniors). J • Cranston (thirds). P. Bird (honorary members) C. MalUdt and A. W. Rolisnn (old plavers), and Messrs. Campbell, Barker and C Chase. It was mentioned that this season was the club's '-'lst anniversary, and it was decided to recommend to the management committee that it consider holding a function. Waihekc. —The eighth annual meeting of the Waihekc Rugby Football Club was held last night in Hie Ostend Hall. 'I lie club president. Mr. 11. G. Carter, presided ove,a good attendance. The balance-sheet sbnweu a credit balance of '. I'J. The following officer-, were elected: Patron, Mr. M. Lichtcnsteoi. vice-patron. Mr. 11. Haddock; president. Mi. A Mcßeath; lion, secretary and treasurer. Mr C. S. Butler; commit lee. Messrs. .1. Mo; ieith. L O'Hara. T. O'Brien, P. O'Brien; J. Goodwin