NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 27

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION.

The fourth annual meeting of the Now Zealand Rugby Football Union was held in the Exchange'Buildings on Saturday (‘veiling. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. It was decided to again ask His Excellency the Governor to accept the office of patron of the Union.

'The election of tho remaining officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, Christchurch; vice-presidents, .Messrs J. 11. Hankins (Alanawatu), AlossJonas (South Canterbury), W. Empsou (Wanganui), G. H. Boyd (West Coast), C. Northeoto (Southland), A. W. Rees (Poverty Bay), J. Snodgrass (Afar] boro ugh), G. S. Kissling (Auckland), J. AI. Gallaway (Otago), G. F. C. Campbell (Wellington), C. E. Harden (Buller), G. F. Bayly (Taranaki), If. Logan (Hawke’s Bay) ; lion secretary, Air A. AI. De Costa; assistant bon secretary, Air E. Batchelor; lion treasurer, Air I. Ilyams; appeal committee, Messrs Henderson (Auckland), Logan (Hawke’s Bay), Firth and Campbell (Wellington) and Hutchison (Otago); management committee, Alcssrs Bate, Bee, AlcCarcllo, Wcsney, Laurenson and McLean; auditor, Air L. Coupland. It was decided, on the motion of Air Ronaldson, seconded by Air AlcCardell, that the committee should be instructed to arrange a match New Zealand v. Queensland. It was resolved that the committee should make all arrangements in connection with the Queenslanders’ tour.

It was decided that it be an instruction to the committee to arrange for a conference of referees, to be held in Wellington on tho 25th May. It was decided that a North v. South match be played this year. The Treasurer announced that the

affiliated unions had contributed the sum of 26 guineas toward the testimonial to Air lloben, the late lion secretary. It was decided that tho testimonial should take the form of a purse of sovereigns, to bo accompanied by a letter.

It was stated that the affiliated unions had decided upon the following visits during the coining season : —Canterbury to visit Wellington ; Southland to play at Dunedin and Christchurch, and possibly Wellington ; West Coast to play Nelson, and possibly "Wellington ; South Canterbury to play Canterbury ; Wellington to visit Napier, and possibly Alanawatu, Taranaki and Auckland ; Taranaki to visit Auckland and Wanganui ; "Wanganui to visit Rangitikei ; Buller to visit Nelson.

Mr AlcCardell moved that no union affiliated to the New Zealand Union whose subscription and dues are not paid by tho Ist day of July in each year shall bo allowed to have any vote or voice at any meeting of tho New Zealand Union until all arrears are paid. Mr J. Bee seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was decided that another meeting of the Union should be lield five weeks hence.

The Wednesday Club and St. Patrick’s College tried conclusions last week at Newtown Park, and the Collegians simply ran rings round their opponents, beating them in eveiy department of the game. Nine tries were obtained, of which seven were converted, the final result standing at 11 to 0. This makes the fourth successive win for the College Club, the team having previously beaten the Poneko second by 17 to 0, the United Tradesmen by 20 to 5, and the Selwyns by II to 0. Jervis, the crack Auckland three-quarter back, is to play for Parnell this season. At a meeting of the Management Com-

mittee of the Wellington Football Association last week, Newtown Park was allotted to the Rovers for their match with Wood villa on Alay 23rd, to Ihe Swifts for their match with Woodvillo on the afternoon of Alay 25th, and to Queen’s Park for their match with Tutaekara on tho morning of the same day. Air W. Alunckton was elected a vice-president of the Association. Alcssrs Shields and Wooldridge were appointed a Weather Committee. In the football match Parnell v. Waimate, the home team won by 12 points to J. Tliero were 2000 people present. The Canterbury Rugby Union is strongly in favour of a conference of referees.

The following referees have been appointed to act in next Saturday’s matches : —Senior —Melrose v. Poneko, Air Facia; ; Athletics v. Wellington, Air Alck'enzie. Junior Championship —St. John’s v. St. l’atrick’s College, Air J. T. King ; Oriental v. Poneko second, Air Percy; Athletic second v. Selwyn, Air Do Costa; Melrose second v. Petone second, Mr Finuoane. In the event ol the Wellington College being drawn to play, Air Gamble will act as referee. Third-class Championship Oriental second v. Poneko third. Air Ward; St. John’s second v. Petone third, Air Bee. The Referees’ Association decided last Tuesday that in future where two clubs agree on a referee, such referee’s written consent to accept the position must bo sent in to the Association, with the written agreements of the captains of the respective clubs.