OTAGO RUGBY UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21600, 22 March 1932, Page 7

OTAGO RUGBY UNION

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT The first meeting of the newly-consti-tuted Committee of Management of the Otago Rugby Union was held last night, and was attended by Messrs S. G. Styche, president (in the chair), H, Harris, D. M. Stuart, V. G. Cavanagh, W. Alexander, I. Grant, A. J, Haub, A. M'Donald, J. B. Wootton, Douglas Spedding, W. E. Bagley, A. C. Haynes, A. Cameron, W. Glengarry, T. Porter, D. A. Jolly, Dr Harty, and Dr Perry. The chairman said he would like to express the committee’s sincere regret at the death of Mr J. A. Ainge, who, as they knew, had presented the union with the Ainge • Charity Shield. He thought this shield would carry his name for many years, Mr Styche then moved that a letter of sympathy be sent to Mrs Ainge, the motion being carried in silence.

The following sub-committee’s were appointed:—

Selection Committee.—Messrs Stuart and M'Donald and Dr Perry. Flag Committee. —Messrs Wootton, Haynes, and O’Shea, Works Committee. —Messrs Jolly, Grant, Cameron, Porter, and Dr Harty. Finance Committee. —Messrs Spedding, Harris, Stuart, Cavanagh, Bagley, Styche, and Mitchell.

Carisbrook Ground Committee.—Messrs Harris, Cavanagh, and Alexander. Referees’ Appointment Board Committee.—Messrs Pearson and Glengarry. Correspondence Committee. —Messrs Harris and Spedding. Committee to Deal With Applications for Reinstatement.—Messrs Harris, Spedding, and Stuart. Mr E. S. Wilson, who has been secretary of the union for 29 years, was reelected to the, position. It was decided that the age limits for boys playing in grades which are governed by age should be the same as last year. Any club which plays a boy not eligible for a grade will be liable to be disciplined, and the match in which such boy takes place will be awarded to the opposing side. Mr Paul Vallis wrote stating that a match between the Union Club and the Dunedin Club had been arranged as part of the Union Club’s diamond jubilee programme, and asking for the use of Carisbrook ground on Easter Saturday. Tlie secretary said that the committee had already granted Pirates the use of Carisbrook for their match against the Christchurch Club. Kaikorai were also applying for the use of the ground to play Pirates of Invercargill.—lt was decided to grant the Kaikorai Club the use of the ground for a match to start at 1.30, and that the Union Club be asked if it would be prepared to play in the morning.

It was decided to circularise senior clubs and ascertain if they were prepared to play matches at 1.30 if so desired. Messrs Jolly (convener), Haub, Glengarry, Grant and Wootton were appointed a committee to control the seven-a-side tournament to be held on Saturday, April 16. The committee has power to add to its number. The tournament will be open to senior and junior town and country clubs—two competitions. It will be confined to one senior and one junior team from each senior club. Junior clubs can enter one team. The receipts from the tournament are to be devoted to the city clubs. It was decided to charge 6d to the ground and 6d extra to the grand stand.

It was decided again to print the union’s Annual this year. Messrs Harris and Spedding were appointed delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, to be held in Wellington on April 14. Messrs J. Murray, Julius Dunne, and H. Leith (of Wellington) will also represent the Otago Union. Mr Jolly said he thought their delegates should bring up the question of the appointment of managers of New Zealand teams going overseas. Was it fair that a manager should always be selected from the Management Committee of the New Zealand Union? He thought the various unions should be given the opportunity of nominating a manager. It seemed to him that it was just a question of “ you scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back ” on the part of the members of the New Zealand Rugby Committee. He thought their delegates should bring up the matter at the meeting of delegates.—Mr Harris said even if they did nominate a man for a managership, how far would they get, seeing that the New Zealand Management Committee made the appointment? Mr Stuart agreed with Mr Jolly’s remarks. Moreover, why should the New Zealand Union always appoint members of their committee to travel through New Zealand with oversea touring teams? — (“Hear, hear,”) —Other members spoke against the system adopted, and it was decided to instruct the Otago delegates to bring up the point raised.

It was decided to inform the West Taicri Club that one of its players who, in 1930, had been ordered to come before the committee for an offence during a game, and who had not so far appeared, could occupy the position of a selector to the club.—lt was pointed out that there was nothing in the by-laws to prevent the player taking up such a position. —lt was decided that the committee was of opinion that the player should have sent in a written explanation, as requested, and that the suspension of the West Taieri man as a player still stood.— Mr Harris said that the player had been cautioned for questioning the decision of the referee, Mr W. Jenkins. The Zingari Richmond Club was granted permission to travel to Omakan to play Matakanui at Easter. C. J. Phillips was granted a transfer from Taieri to Alhambra; J. C. M'Donald from Taieri to Zingari-Ricli-mond; R. Edwards and J. Edwards from Pirates to Southern; T. Cahill from Dunedin to University; B. Watkins from Pirates to Kaikorai; J. Delahunty from Dunedin to Kaikorai. A number of applications was held over, no clearances having been forwarded. The Alhambra senior and third grade teams were granted permission to travel to Christchurch to play the Merivale senior team and the Corsair junior team at Easter. COUNTRY WEEK. The secretary submitted a report of the conference with country delegates held in Dunedin on Thursday, March 17. The report read inter alia:— Mr A. D. Edgar reported that the question of country week had been discussed by the West Otago Sub-union. It suggested that Tuapcka, West Otago, Vincent, and Maniototo meet at Alexandra and that a combined central team be selected and brought to Dunedin.— Mr E. Moore (South Otago Sub-union) suggested that the Otago Union might also bring the Eastern Districts and South Otago teams.—Mr J. Gordon (Eastern ' Districts) moved—“ That the sub-unions select a combined country team and play a ■ match against the Southland country districts at Gore or Invercargill, and that the Otago selectors view the game.” Seconded by Mr C. Toms and carried.—Mr D. C. Jolly moved—“ That the manager of the country team be selected by the Otago Union. Nominations to be sent in by sub-unions and the Otago Union make the appointment.” Seconded by J. Gordon and carried.

Country Fixtures.—West Otago v. Tuapeka, about July 23, at Tapanui; Maniototo v. Vincent, about July 23 (subunions to arrange place and confirm date); Vincent v. Tuapcka, West Otago v. South Otago, Maniototo v. Eastern Districts (dates to be arranged prior to match against Southland country unions if possible). Suggested Seven-a-side Dates.—South

Otago, to be arranged; Maniototo, August 27; West Otago, September 3; Vincent, September 10; Tuapeka, August 20. It was suggested that delegates might urge their sub-unions and clubs to endeavour to push the sale of Annuals. It was decided to confirm the report, and to write to the Southland Union and ask if it approved of the match suggested.

SCRUM FORMATION. AUCKLAND UNION’S DECISION. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 21. The annual meeting of delegates to the Auckland Rugby Union decided tonight to adopt a scrum formation _of three men in the front row irrespective of where the other forwards are placed. This permits of several experiments being carried out. SOUTH CANTERBURY’S DECISION RETENTION OF PRESENT FORMATION. (Per United Press Association.) TIMARU, March 21. By a large majority the delegates to the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Rugby Union to-night decided to instruct the delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union to vote for the retention of the two-three-two scrum formation.