RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

EASTERN SUB-UNION.

QUESTION OF SEASON PASSES.

At the weekly meeting of the Eastern Southland Rugby Football Sub-Union Management Committee last evening there were present Messrs J. W. Aitken (president, in the chair), F. Wallis sen., F. M. Murray, F. Wallis jun., C. M. Wilson, J. M. Boyne, A. H. Davidson, G. H. Whittingham, W. Leitch, H. G. Wallis, B. Scott, I. W. Martin and R. S. Green (secretary). R. Voice was granted a transfer from Pioneer to Waimumu. In view of the date fixed (July 29) for the sub-union’s match at Dunedin it was decided to request the Southland Rugby Football Union to commence Sports Trust Cup matches on July 8 and play matches fortnightly thereafter.

The Southland Rugby Union advised that the Eastern Sub-Union’s nomination of Mr J. W. Aitken as the manager for the Sub-Union team to play Otago at Dunedin had been noted. Advice was also received from the Southland Union that the Eastern SubUnion’s application for a return Town v. Eastern match had been accepted and the date suggested, July 12, had been agreed to. The Northern Sub-Union confirmed June 28 as the date for the Grant Cup match at Gore.

The headmaster of the Wyndham District High School advised that the two boys Heath and Strang against whom protests had been entered would be 16 years of age in September. Mr Wilson reported that he had inspected the team and found that some of the boys were heavy, being up to 12st 31b, but none, were over age. The protest vzas dismissed. The Mataura Town Clerk advised that the sub-union’s application for a reduction in charges for the use of the domain had been considered and it had been decided for this season only to reduce charges by 10/- to £1 for each day the grounds were used.—lt was decided to thank the Domain Board for the concession.

A complaint from the Referees’ Association that the ground at the Wyndham Recreation Grounds had not been clearly marked, thereby causing considerable inconvenience to the referee, was referred to the Wyndham grounds committee.

The following resolution passed by the Referees’ Association was conveyed to the sub-union The referees realize that the question of official passes seems to have reached a stage when action by the Sub-Union was inevitable and the referees accept the decision of the sub-union insofar as it affects them. When the time comes for privileges to be reconsidered, they trust that the claims of the referees will have first consideration.

A requisition signed by eight delegates was received demanding the calling of a special meeting of delegates to consider whether official season passes should be issued and to whom such passes should be issued. Several members expressed the opinion that the question was one of finance concerning which the committee had full powers for the term for which they were elected. A reversion of the committee’s action would be equivalent to a vote of no confidence in the committee.

Mr F. Wallis sen., expressed the view that it would be advisable for the delegates to reconsider the matter and withdraw it.

The chairman agreed with Mr Wallis. He said that if asked to give a ruling on the matter he would rule the requisition out of order. The secretary said that he had no option but to call the meeting. The chairman said that the decision had been arrived at when it . was learned that 70 free passes had been issued. This was too “many. The subunion was asking for concessions in rent of grounds. Next year things might be better but the sub-union for the year was breaking its usual custom. It was decided to hold a special meeting on June 29.