OTAGO RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10359, 14 May 1895, Page 3

OTAGO RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION.

The annual general meeting of- the Otago *•" Rugby Football Union was held at the City * Hotel on the 16fch ult. Mr James Allen, : M.H.R., president of the union, occupied the ' chair, and there were over 50 delegates present. Mr J. H. Chapman moved—"That in the opinion of this meeting it is not desirable for the Otago Rugby Football Union fco affiliate to fcbe New Zealand Rugby Union." He did not think the circumstances had changed since last year. The action of the New Zealand Union in the past year had been in every way objeo, tionable, and he thought the delegates should show that fchey did noo intend to be coerced by any threats into voting for affiliation. He believed, and he was strengthened in his opinion by conversation with various delegates who had been instructed to vote for affiliation, thai if they could see their way to get matches ontsida of Otago wifch other unions they would never vote for affiliation. Ho instituted a comparison between trips through New Zealand prior to the establishment of the New Zealand Union and the one from New Zealand to New South Wale 3 in-1882 with those trips which had been ' conducted by the New Zealand Union, and did so to the disadvantage of the latter, observing; that the New Zealand Union last year* sens the New South Wales team to several out-bf. the-way places in order to givo affiliated unions a sop. The New Zealand Union knew ) there would be rebellion unless the team were ' sent; fco those plaoes, and the result was thaft -? the trip was financially a complete failare. Ho-' pointed oufc that the Canterbury Union had to hand over-to the New Zealand Union the whole of the balance on the matches played by the New South Wales team in Christchurch last year, and he predicted if. the Otago Union joined ifc would have to do the same thing. He maintained that the country clubs which were ia favour of affiliating fco the New Zealand Union were simply placing a rope round their'necks, which fchey would yet find pulled very tight. Mr T. Chalbiek seconded the motion. Mr Cohen (Alhambra Club) moved as--an amendment—" That all the words after "that" be struck out, with the object of inserting these words—'Thafc ifc be a direction to thein-* coming committee to take immediate steps to obtain affiliation with the New Zealand Rugby Union.'" He recognised that it was useless to argue this question of affiliation, because every man had instructions how to vote upon the question, and was going to act up to his instructions. The majority of the players in Otago not only desired, bufc demanded that affiliation should take place. He, therefore, thought, that the Otago Union shonld affiliate with the New Zealand Union. '

Mr Chapman asked if the amendmenfcvwas not in efiecfc a direct negative of. his motion. 7 The, Chairman ruled that it was so, and, therefore, could not be received. On a vote being taken the motion was __eg»"! tived by a majority of one, and the nnionhas since been affiliated with the New Zealand Union. . .<..".-' 7 ELECTION OF OHFICE-BEABEBS. ■'"' The meeting then proceeded to the election of office-bearers. On the motion of Mr Cohen, Mr ,R. .Chisholm was unanimously 'elected president. For four vice-presidents, Dr-Ross, Messrs J. Horn (Bannockburn.;- J. M. Gallaway, G. L. Denniston, W. GuSe (Naseby), M. Cohen, and, W. Laidlaw (Matakanui) were proposed. The ballot resulted as follows :—Dr Ross 39 votes, Mr Denniston 38, Mr Laidlaw 29, Mr Gallaway 25, Mr Cohen 20, Mr Horn 18, Mr Guffie 12. . Mr J. Hutchison was unanimously re-elected hon. secretary. Messrs T. Chalmer and W. T. Monkman declined nomination for the ion.. treasure-ship, and eventually Mr D. Duncan was elected unanimously. '; Messrs F. H. Campbell, W. J. Cran, 'if. 3. Strong, G. M'Laren, A. Restieaux, J. R. Montgomery, H. M'Farlane, W.- Beadle, R. D. Isaacs, D..X. Torrance, and H. S. White were nominated for positions on the committee of six, and the" ballot resulted as follows :—Montgomery 35, Cran 29, Torrance 29, M'Laren 29, Strong 27, Isaacs 25 (elected); Beadle 23, Campbeli 22, Restieaux 21, M'Farlane 19. W*_ite6. Messrs J. Crosby Smith and W. T-.Mo___« manwere appointed auditors.. '...-"•■' On the motion of Mr Hunter, secondedSlry Mr Montgomery; Mr S. E. Sleigh wat-iex * elected delegate to the English Union.