FUTURE OF LOCAL RUGBY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12618, 10 April 1934, Page 2

FUTURE OF LOCAL RUGBY.

BUSH UNION’S POSITION. AX APPEAL, FOB SUPPORT. The annual. report of the above Union is as follows: The credit balance of your Union has, as the result- of the year’s working, dropped by £'2s 2s 6d and the present credit of £8 7s is insufficient for the peace of mind of those conductm<r the management of your Union. It” was expected that the gat e , receipts would have, increased last, year rather considerably, and had it not been for the loyal support of the country clubs, and particularly Ekeahuiia Club, in arranging gate collections, the. gate receipts undoubtedly would have decreased on last year s figures more than is actually till© case. When on© takes the economic, depression into account, perhaps it Is fortunate that the drop in g.ates is only a matter of £4 4s. Nevertheless, there is surely some further reason tor such a tremendous drop from, the .£3OO mark in 1929 down to fill© present low ebb of gate revenue. The standard of football in the Senior Grade has certainly deteriorated. That fact is very evident when one studies the record of our Senior Representatives. One- perhaps wonders whether the Boundary scheme suggested some years- ago may not have been advantageous for the improvement of football. Again, perhaps it may be better to limit- the number of Senior teams to four. The district is very scattered and the parochial feeling strongly exists which undoubtedly is necessary for the present scheme of competition, and finance. It is a. difficult question, and in view of the precarious state of your Union’s finances, the matter is exercising the minds of your Management Committee. It is suggested that this matter should receive serious consideration by the Clubs when holding their Annual Meetings, and any helpful suggestions will be heartily welcomed. A. modern up-to-date dressing shed is badly wanted at the Showgrounds. and a second giound should undoubtedly lie levelled and formed, were finances available. Centralisation of all matches might assist materially towards better gato income. Ways and means for the provision of moneys for carrying out these improvements are wanted, and ag,ain helpful suggestions will be welcomed. Yotir Union. when it took up its loan with the N.Z. Rugby Union, agreed to repay £SO annually off the principal. This has been an impossibility, with the result, that in some small measure, our failure to honour our liability lias prevented the N.Z. Rugby Union from giving assistance to some other Rugby Union in need. Your Union is the smallest Union in New Zealand, and has undoubtedly the smallest income. It is little short of marvellous how ends are met annually. Revenue is needed, and that can only come from the public. The country folk are loyal partisans of the game, but it must frankly be confessed that the burgesses of Pahiatua have been most disappointing in their attendance at and interest in the various matches. A little thought on the amount- of business resulting from football, should at least per-

suade the business people of Pahiatua that it is up to them to do all they can to foster the game. There is danger of the game being dropped in Pahiatua. and a, very real danger too. If it does, it will then be too late to realise the value of Rugby to the business of the town. Practie.nlh the whole of the income is spent in the district, and only the necessity of making visits to other Unions, prevents the whole of the money being spent locally. I therefore make a serious appeal to- one and all. to .assist our national game wholeheartedly in 1934. There is hardly one sporting association, and even other organisations that do not shine brightly for a. short while in Pahiatua and then invariably wane and soon are forgotten. Instance after instance can be given. Surely hv energy and interest, Pahiatua can lift- itself from its usual lethargic state and outlive its already unenviable reputation in. this respect. Truth hurts sometimes, but nevertheless facts prove that, such a state of affairs exists locally, and 1 am keen on having that impression removed, not only from a Rugby point of view, but from a communal aspect. So long as one or two enthusiasts carry on, the general public is content to let things drift on. Surely a healthy sport, a. sport. is worthy of fostering apart from the commercial benefits accruing to the town itself. It. is to be hoped then, that in 1934, now that the silver lining is gradually appearing, greater and livelier interest will he taken in all the social and sporting life of the whole- community. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Our Senior Representatives played six matches, including a. Bebbington Shield Challenge Match against Dannevirke, and lost- them, all. In the series Bush scored 32 points against 98. Our Junior Representatives playid two matches, winning them both, scoring 34 points to 11. Our Third Grade Representatives won its only match by 11 points to nil. Our congratulations are given to A. Mahoney who was chosen in the 1933 North Island team. We desire ailso to place on record the Union’s appreciation: of the services of the three selectors in the various grades—Messrs A. Henry, W. Udy and C. Wilton. C HUB ( OMPETITI ON. Our congratulations go to the following winners of the various competitions. CHAMPIONSHIPS.—Senior . Hamua ; Junior: Ballanee ; Third Grade: Athletic; Fourth Grade: AVoodville High School. SEVEN-A SlD®.—Senior . Hamua ; Junior: Ballanee; Third Grade: Athletic; Fourth Grade: Pahiatua, High School. COWAN CUPS.—Senior : Mangatainoka; Junior: Eketahuna Old Boys. ST IT DEB A K ER CUP: Nireaha MJDGET CUP.—No competition. GENERAL. The Management Committee de-

sires to thank the Press botlli in Pahiatua and Eketahuna for its "onerous publicity and all others who have given their time and services freely. The Referees’ Association worked along satisfactory lines and its use and help to the Union. is< most necessary. Any player retiring from active football is urged to join up with the Referees’ Association and so assist in keeping alive his interest in the game and at the same time performing sometimes a thankless but a useful task. • In conclusion, may 1 extend to all Club Secretaries, gnd members of the Management Committee, my personal thanks for their very loyal support and courteous assistance, to my at all times. _ S. K STDDEEES. Secretary.