RUGBY FINANCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24877, 26 April 1944, Page 2

RUGBY FINANCES

CLAIM FOR INTEREST PARENT BODY CRITICISED (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Tuesday "The New Zealand Rugby Union has become a firm of money-lenders," said Mr. R. Murdoch, the Northern Wairoa delegate, at the annual meeting of the North Auckland Rugby Union at Whangarei. The balancesheet of the New Zealand union was being discussed in relation to the claim by the parent body for interest payments on a loan made to the Northern Wairoa sub-union. Mr Murdoch said he considered the parent union should remit interest charges during the war years on loans made to sub-unions, the speaker mentioned the position wherein the New Zealand union was pressing Northern Wairoa for payment of interest amounting to only £lO, which was six months in arrears, while some major unions were in arrears to the extent of £250 and more. The Northern Wairoa sub-union was receiving practically no revenue, as all the fit young men from the district were away with the forces and little football could be played. On the other hand the New Zealand union showed a surp.us on the year's working of over £4OO, witii accumulated surpluses of £44,206, the greater part of which was out on loan. Objection to the action of the New Zealand union in withholding the interest payment out of North Auckland's share of broadcasting fees was voiced by Mr. L. J. Brake, pastpresident, who considered that the New Zealand union was only trustee for the fees and should |iay out in full to unions. Mr. L. Meek (Whangaroa) said that, with the large accumulation of funds at the disposal of the New Zealand union, it should be its policy to lend the money free of interest for the support of Rugby in the various disfricts. , . . , As payment of the amount had been made by Northern Wairoa, 110 further action was ' taken by the North Auckland union. Officers elected were:—Patron. Mr. A. L. Harding; vice-patron, Mr. L. J. Brake; president, Mr. J. A. Finlayson; vice-presidents, presidents of all affiliated sub-unions; treaflurcr, Mr. 11. 13. Smith; auditor, Mr. L 4. L. Gunn; secretary, Mr. R. Roseman; management committee, one delegate from each sub-union; delegate to New Zealand Rugby Union management committee, Mr. A. C. Dealing with school football in the area under the union, it was decided to organise the schools into two zones, with Mr. L. Meek (Whangaroa) organiser for the northern zone and Mr. E. Meyers (Waiotira) organiser for the south. No affiliation or registration fees have been levied on sub-unions during the war vears, but the position this year may be altered with more competitions under way. arid the question of re-imposing the fees was left with the management committee, with power to act. QUESTION OF AFFILIATION (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Tuesday The question of affiliation by Rugby unions to the Council of Sport was discussed at the annual meeting of the North Auckland Rugby Union. The subject was introduced by a remit from the Whangarei sub-union, this having been forwarded to the New Zealand union. The remit was to the effect that the matter of affiliation or otherwise to the Council of Sport should be left with subunions. A letter from the Whangarei subunion stated that it had affiliated, and intended to remain affiliated, with the local Council of Sport until such time as it was informed by the parent body that its action was unconstitutional. "The Council of Sport is under what might be called Government control," said Mr. L. Meek. "Government interference and regimentation should be kept out of amateur sport, and under these circumstances I am against Rugby unions joining sports councils. Such actions are against the constitution of amateur sports bodies." Speaking as a member of the National Council of Physical Welfare, Mr. L. J. Brake said that neither the Minister of Internal Affairs nor the Government had any intention of interfering with or controlling sport. Mr. Parry was a strong supporter of sport, and it was due to his realisation of the position that local bodies were not providing the required facilities, that the Council of Sport had been set up to bring about a strong body of public opinion to force local authorities and the Government to do their part in providing sport facilities. As the remit had been forwarded' to the New Zealand union, no action was taken by the meeting BOXING CONTROL ACTIVITIES IN AUCKLAND Complete satisfaction with the success of the past season's activities was expressed by members at the 39th annual meeting, of the Auckland Boxing Association on Monday night. There was a large attendance, and the president, Mr. A. B. Joplin, was in the chair. Mr. Joplin said that, although things were rather difficult during war years, the association was by no means in cold storage. Considerable success had been achieved last season and in many respects Auckland had set a fine example to other New Zealand associations. Prospects for the coming season, both from a professional and an amateur point of view, the president added, appeared exceedingly bright. Reference was made to the recent death of Mr. W. E. Dervan. a stalwart of the association over a period of 30 years. It was stated that a move was under way to create a Dervan memorial fund. Discussion took place over the allocation of seats for contests in tiie Town Hall, and in repiy to questions an assurance was given by both the president and the secretary, Mr. H. E. Watts, that in (he matter of bookings by members it was definitely a case of "first in, first served." There was no question of favouritism being shown to certain members. Appreciation was expressed of the services of the honorary secretary, the honorary treasurer, Mr. F. Kennedy, and the honorary custodian, Mr. W. T. Harper. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —Patron, Sir Cyril Newall; presi-, dent, Mr. A. B. Joplin; vice-presidents, Sir Ernest Davis, Messrs. A. J. Court. C. H. Drysdale, R. Griffiths, G. Herbert, E. Montgomery, A. J. Weir, J. H. Kinnear; committee. Messrs. R. Moore, C. P. Crowther, R. L. Parrel!, W. T. Harper, F. V. Home, I). H. Kirk-Jones, E. Maud, W. B. L. Power, I J. G. Hoffey. F. W. Lucas, C. Olsen, H. P. Tucker, G. Bush (co-opted); hon. secretary, Mr. H. E. Watts; hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Kennedy; auditor. Mr. C. F. Saunders. AMATEUR CONTESTS The amateur bouts to precede the professional boxing contest at the Town Hall next Monday night, between Dud Rollinson, of Auckland, and Tommy Downes, of Wellington, will be selected from the following:—L. Salmon (Fire Brigade) or R. Stevens (Fire Brigade) v. J. McLeod (Davey), C. Kerr (Tamaki) v. H. G. Richards (Hellaby), or •T. Donald (Fraer), J. Mcintosh (Tamaki) v. Tj Ashman ' Kacoory) L.A.C. Brown (Air Force) v. F. Zimmerman (Butler), B. Watts (Wellington) v. C. Keith (Fire Brigade), P. Tirohey (Wellington) v. J. Boreham (Facoory), W. Breese (Pyster) v. R. Robert- ! .son (Facoory), R. H. Fry (Leys) v. L. Poster (Pyster), R. Fcrrall (Davey) v. W. Ngakuru (Facoory), or M. Paton (Godward). BOWLING CONTESTS Pairs Championship.—The North Auckland pairs bowling championship was concluded on the Whangarei club's greens, M. Whitelaw and L. Lambess (Whangarei) defeating J. Nodanovieh and P. Searle (Dargaville) in the final, 22—15. The runners-up had won the competition on a previous occasion PIGEON RACING Northern Club.—Young-bird championship, from Palmerston North. 24S miles: F. Sissons' Silver Midian. 861 yds. 1; J. Brown's San Ferian. 800 yds, 2; F, Tucker's All Black, Ss7yds. 3. Nomination prize: W. Donaldson. Davies and Shiels Cup: F. Sissons. Young bird average: F. Tucker. GRAIN AND PRODUCE The following is the official wholesale market report of the Auckland Grain, Seed and Producers Merchants' Association:— Wheat.—Merchants are holding good stocks, which are selling through store ai 7s 111 to Ts 'id a bushel. Maize.—Through store prices, which are nominal only, are 8s to Ss 3d a bushel for whole maize and Ss 3d to Ss (Id for kibbled. Oats.—Supplies are very difficult to obtain from the South Island. Local through store prices are 7s 3d to 7s <!d a bushel. The quantity available Is very restricted. Chaff.- There is a little more chaff offerinsr with through store prices ranging from £ll 10s to €ls 10s n ton. Barley. -There are at present no stocks held in Auckland. Barleytiioal.—Through store prices are £ll 10s to £l2 5s a ton. Stockmeal.—Merchants are holding fair stocks, which are selling at £ll 2s 3d to £ll 17s 6d a ton through store.