RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TOWN COMPETITION TWO TEAMS FROM EASTERN DISTRICT TERMS OUTLINED Provided the Eastern Southland Rugby Sub-Union accepts the terms of the Southland Rugby Union there will be two Eastern teams, Albion (Gore), and Mataura, playing in the Galbraith Shield competition this season. These entries, with four prospective entries from town clubs, Pirates, Star, Old Boys and Invercargill, would make a six-team senior competition with home and home games played between the town and country teams. The question was discussed at length, at a special meeting of the Southland Rugby Union’s Management Committee last evening, when a deputation from the Eastern Southland Sub-Union, comprising Messrs J. W. Aitken, F. Wallis and F. M. Murray, was heard in a request to have two of their teams, Albion and Mataura, admitted to the town competition. Members generally were sympathetic towards the request of the visitors, and after a full discussion in which every phase of the proposal, advantageous and disadvantageous, was outlined, it was unanimously decided to favourably consider admitting the teams to the senior competition provided satisfactory transport arrangements could be made, the Southland Union to take all gate money in all matches played and the transport costs not to exceed £5 at the Gore end. A resolution was also carried that none of the Eastern players taking part -in the town competition would be eligible to take part in Sports Trust Cup games or the Otago-Southland Sub-Unions’ game.

In putting Eastern’s request, Mr Aitken said that at the present time Eastern were “right up against it” in more than one way. They had been “drifting” during the past year or two, largely owing to the stress of the times, and had experienced difficulty in running a three-team senior competition. This year matters had been made more difficult through the Saturday halfholiday being adopted in Mataura, the result being that this club would not now be able to run a team in the usual Wednesday competition conducted by the Eastern Sub-union. This left only two senior teams in the competition, Albion and Pioneer, and the sub-union, after discussing the position, thought that the Southland Union might help them out by allowing them to enter two teams in the town competition. If the suggestion were entertained it would enable Eastern to raise the status of the other clubs in the Eastern district and run a good semi-senior com-

petition, thus giving the country clubs a good opportunity to take part in a good competition. “If we cannot get in here,” said Mr Aitken, “there will be practically no football in the Eastern District this season. We are up against it and are looking to you to help us out.” Mr Wallis said Eastern had fallen on evil times and had always relied on a team from the southern end of the district to enable them to carry on a fair competition. Mataura’s defection would leave them with only two teams, and, of course, a two-team competition was out of the question. They were struggling. Last year a lot of interest was lost in the game in the Eastern District, and they had in mind the idea of re-establishing it by catering for the country clubs, such as Wyndham, Edendale and others, in a semi-senior competition. Albion and Mataura had proved too strong for these clubs in the past and they were not keen on entering the senior grade. Next year they might be in a position again to run a real senior competition in Ihe district. He suggested that the addition of a couple of teams in the town competition might make for a better competition and increase the gates which would help to pay transport charges. Mr Murray supported these remarks and said that the Pioneer team, the third first grade team in Gore, would not be strong enough to take part in the town competition. Many questions were then submitted to the deputation. In answer to Mr R. T. Meredith, Mr Wallis said that as far as sub-union games for the Sports Trust Cup were concerned they would like to call upon the players playing in the town games if possible. The question of the Pioneer players joining forces with either Albion or Mataura, or both, was not considered, as Pioneer felt they would help the Gore competition by splitting up and making two teams. Mr Meredith: But what of our viewpoint? We don’t want teams coming here to be beaten badly week after week because they are not strong enough. Mr Murray said he felt sure the two teams would be strong enough to make a fair showing. Mr Meredith: If we admit these teams, does it mean that Eastern are going to drop out altogether, or will the teams go back to their own competition next year? Mr Wallis: That’s in the lap of the gods. Touching on the financial side of the proposal and the cost of transporting the players each week, Mr Meredith asked what gates would be got in the Gore and Mataura games. Mr Wallis: That is more or less problematical, but we should have no difficulty in averaging £lO gates in Gore and probably £8 at Mataura. Mr Wallis added that he did not know what it would cost to bring teams to town. Mr H. S. Strang suggested that the Saturday gates at Gore should be just as good as the Wednesday gates. Mr Aitken said that Mataura would be able to field a fair team and should “draw” well. Had the holiday not been altered they would probably have tried to carry on as they were. Mr Strang argued that the transport of players was the biggest problem. They could not ask the players to find their own expenses. He was in favour of the teams being admitted and said the union should support the idea. Would the Eastern gate money cover the transport charges? was Mr Meredith’s next question. If the gates were under £lO the union would probably lose on the idea. Mr Aitken said he was satisfied the union would be entitled to all gates. A member suggested that the country players be levied so much each week, but a majority of the meeting did not favour this suggestion. Town players certainly could not be asked to pay expenses, they said. Mr A. J. Geddes was informed, in answer to a question, that Albion would be able to field their strongest team each week. The chairman (Mr W. Baird): You think Mr Wallis, that Albion or Mataura would be able to give our teams a good game? Mr Wallis: Yes, They are not perhaps as polished as your teams, but certainly will be fit and make a good game. Several matters, including refereeing, insurance of players, colours of jerseys, and the re-adjusting of rules were discussed, and a suggestion made by Mr Geddes that Eastern should take the Eastern gates and pay their own transport charges, Town players’ expenses to be met by the Southland Union. The bone of contention was transport, said Mi - Geddes, and if they entertained the idea they should call for tenders. After further questioning the deputation retired, Mr Aitken thanking the union for its hearing and assuring members that if approved, the move would definitely help football in the Eastern District and the players would show more enthusiasm. Discussing the proposal Mr Geddes said there was no doubt Eastern were up against it and this was one of the occasions when they should help their “child,” so to speak. He moved that the union favourably consider admitting the two teams to the senior competition for the 1934 season, providing that satisfactory transport arrangements could be made, the transport from the Gore end not to exceed £5 a trip. “It will add to the keenness of the competition,” said Mr Geddes. “We will have to increase the gate charges, but that cannot be helped. It will be a good competition and the public should see improved Rugby.” The motion was seconded by Mr T. Pryde and carried. A resolution that those Eastern players participating in the Town competition be not eligible to play in Sports Trust Cup games and the Otago-Southland sub-union game was carried, as also was a motion to the effect that Mataura would require to adopt new colours, their present colours being black, the colours of the Pirates’ team. CRICKET K. E. JAMES LEAVING FOR ENGLAND. LOSS TO GAME. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, April 9. Having accepted the offer of a business engagement in England, Mr K. E. James, the well-known Wellington and New Zealand cricket representative, will leave Wellington on Friday by the Rangitane for London. There will be genuine regret at the loss of another of New Zealand’s leading cricketers. The move will give him employment, which he has been unable to secure in his profession in New Zealand and in which he will pursue his studies. Mr James does not go as a cricketer under engagement to one of the clubs in England, but his interest in the game is such that he is bound to be seen on the English cricket fields.