RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20060, 29 March 1927, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SUB-UNION'S ANNUAL MEETING. (From Odb Own Cobeespondent.) MILTON, March 28. The annual meeting of the South Otago Rugby Sub-union was held at Balclutha on Saturday evening, and the following delegates represented the affiliated ciubs: — (Jlulha, Messrs S. W. White and J. Cameron; Toko, Messrs A. E., Powley and J. Cuff; Clinton, Messrs P. Campbell and D. M’Kenzie; Clutha Valley, Mr F. M’Guinness; Romahapa, Mr A. J. Braithwaito; Owaka, Messrs G. Fraser and J. Duff; Union, Mr D. Hepburn. The chair was occupied by the retiring president, Mr S. V. White. ' The season was commenced with a credit balance of £76 13s 6d, and finished with a credit balance of £59 17s. The gate receipts totalled £149, compared w’ith £195 during the previous year, all clubs, with the exception of Owaka, showing a decrease in their gate returns, due to bad weather and lack of interest. Delegates’ expenses wore greatly in excess of the previous yfcar, totalling £sl 7s 6d, as compared with £26 17s 9d in 1925. The report and balance sheet was briefly commented on by the retiring president and then adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: President, Mr Hepburn; vicepresidents. Messrs S. V. White and A. J. Braithwaite; secretary, Mr R. W. Culbert (re-elected); selection committees—Senior; Messrs Powley, Duff, Cameron, Braithwaite; juniors: Messrs Hepburn, M'Guinness and Powley; auditor, Mr R. A. Brewer (re-elected); trustees, president and vice-presidents; emergency committee— President, Messrs White, Braithwaile, Cameron, M’Guinness and secretary; delegate to Otago Rugby Union, Mr P. C. Hislop (re-elected). Suggestions were put forth for Increasing the gate returns, and the Clinton and Owaka delegates were authorised to confer with representatives of their respective Domain Boards concerning charges for admission to the football grounds. A request from the Owaka School for a football was granted, and it was also decided that footballs bo granted on application by other South Otago schools, provided at least 10 boys are attending the schools. The Bruce-Clutha branch of the Teachers’ Institute wrote asking for representation, on the Sub-union, with full voting power.— The request was granted, with a proviso that the schools’ delegate shall not have voting power except on matters concerning school football. An offer from the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society to lease the show ground and buildings for the football season at £27 10a per annum for five years aroused considerable discussion. —It was eventually decided that a deputation wait upon the society and submit alternative offers of £2O per annum or 20 per cent .of the gate receipts. The charge of £27 10s was considered excessive, and would necessitate a subsidy from the union’s funds. Two small accounts wore passed for payment, and tho_ president and secretary were authorisd to sign cheques. It was resolved that two rounds only bo played for the banners, with a knockout competition if necessary to extend the season. It was also . decided that a third grade competition be initiated, oven if only two teams enter, the players being restricted to an ago limit of under 19 years. A handsome silver cup has been procured for this competition. The opening day for (he banner matches was fixed for Saturday, May 7. The emergency committee was authorised to draft up fixtures after the affiliated clubs had notified how many teams would be entered.—The appointment of referees for the various matches was loft to the emergency committee. It was resolved that an insurance policy be effected over the Sub-union's two banners and three silver cups.