Mataura RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 23140, 5 March 1937, Page 4

Mataura RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

annual meeting The annual meeting of the Mataura Rugby Football Club was held in the Oddfellows Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr J. W. Aitken presided over a fair attendance of members. The chairman referred to the death of the late Mr E. J. Cameron, who had acted as secretary for the club on various occasions, members standing in silence as a mark of respect. The annual report and balancesheet was as follows:— “The committee has pleasure in presenting the club’s 51st annual report. Our jubilee year was marked by the success of the two fifteens, the first grade team being third in the town competition and winning the play-off with Wyndham for the Wallis Shield, the award for the Eastern Southland premiership, while the third grade team emerged victorious from its competition, winning six games, losing two and drawing one game, thus annexing the Ensign Cup. For the senior team to secure third place in the town competition may be considered a very creditable performance in view of the light and youthful team we fielded. Ten games were played, Mataura winning six and losing four. Friendly games were played against Waikaia at Waikaia and against Clyde at Mataura at the commencement of the season, while a team journeyed to Alexandra at the conclusion of the season. “The club’s balance-sheet discloses a credit balance of £1 13/6 and the insurance fund a credit balance of £36 0/6. Anniversary Celebrated “At Easter the club’s 50th anniversary was celebrated and representatives of your committee, working in conjunction with the jubilee committee, organized a series of functions which were attended by large numbers of past and present players. Many ex-players travelled considerable distances to attend the jubilee, and from reports received were deeply appreciative of the efforts, of the club to entertain them. The thanks of the club are due to the citizens of Mataura for the manner in which they assisted to make the jubilee the success it was. “We extend congratulations to those players who were chosen to represent Eastern Southland on various occasions.

"‘During the year members of your committee waited upon the reserves committee of the Borough Council to urge that in view of the amount of work put into the domain in past years the charge of £2 be waived. However, no success attended our efforts. Since the conclusion of the season your president and secretary have convened’ meetings to discuss the matter of additional playing areas. At present the matter is still being considered. In view of the bright prospect of a greater interest in football during the ensuing year and the universal half-holiday, your committee feels that no difficulty will be experienced in building up the club funds to a healthier state, our committee recommends that the incoming committee consider ways and means whereby the insurance fund may be built up.” In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said he could not congratulate the club on its credit balance? However, now that there was almost a universal : Saturday half-holiday, he was quite sure that the coming season would be a most successful one. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr N. McLeod; vice-presidents, Messrs C. D. McConnell, J. Adam and J. W. Aitken; secretary, Mr D. G. Robson; treasurer, Mr H. J. Hill; auditor, Mr A. W. Reid; executive committee, Messrs G. Falster, W. Leitch, D. Gaudion, R. McCaughan, H. McConnell, J. and H. Heaps; delegates to Eastern Sub-Union, Messrs N. McLeod and H. J. Hill; coaches, first grade team, Mr J. Adam. After some discussion it was decided that the matter of coaches for the second and third grades be left in the hands of the committee to arrange later. When the question of the secretary’s honorarium came up for discussion the secretary stated that as the funds of the club were at a low ebb he did not feel inclined to accept any remuneration. After further discussion, during which the secretary was absent, it was unanimously decided that the secretary be given £3 3/- for his services. It was decided that the first match be played on April 3. The secretary stated that it seemed to be difficult to build up a second grade team and he suggested a committee be formed to canvass all second grade players available with a view to forming a second grade team.—The suggestion was adopted, ndrdnra ridleLa vbgk vbgk vbgk vbgk A discussion then arose about the colour of jerseys to be worn this season. Some of the members suggested going back to their old colours (blue) as they had changed last year when playing in Invercargill. Mr McConnell said sentiment entered into the question and he thought that the club should revert to its original colours. The secretary pointed out that the rules definitely stated that the colours of the club shall be maroon. The discussion lapsed. It was agreed that membership fees be the same as last year, 4/- for seniors and 2/- for juniors.

DISCUSSION WITH COUNCIL

ADDITIONAL PLAYING AREAS WANTED On Tuesday evening, members of the Mataura Borough Council met representatives of the various , sports bodies in Mataura to discuss ways and means of acquiring additional playing areas. The Mayor (Mr John Buchanan) presided and there were present Councillors J. P. McErlean, R. Hutton, L. McKelvie, A. Bradley, J. McAllister and D. Coster. Messrs J. W. Aitken and G. Robson represented the Rugby football club, A. Marshall, hockey and W. Walkden, soccer. Mr Buchanan, in suggesting the discussion be an infromal one, stated they were present as the outcome of a meeting of all the sports bodies held recently, when it was decided to approach the council for assistance in the acquiring of additional playing areas. He went on to say that he realized that more ground was required and was in sympathy with the various sports bodies about the matter. He considered that if all sports bodies clubbed together, they would be able to do something. It had been suggested that money could be raised by sel-

ling the sanitary farm when the lease expired in 1941, but in his opinion it was too long to wait. Another area near the cemetery he considered too far from the centre of the town. His contention was that the property adjoining the domain grounds was most suitable and this in conjunction with the present grounds would do for many year’s to come. He had that day received advice from the owner, Mrs D. Sinclair, who stated that she was quite agreeable that the council should have an option over it. Mr Buchanan said it was a pity earlier councils had not had the foresight to set aside a larger area for the purpose of recreation. He then asKed for suggestions from the delegates present. Mr Aitken (Rugby football) said that sporting bodies had inspected various sites in the town, but could not find a suitable one. He also stated that the sporting bodies thought it was the council’s business to procure grounds. The sporting bodies could then club together and raise money to put the grounds in repair. There were various ways in which money could be raised, but nothing could be done until a suitable ground was secured. In his opinion the most suitable piece of ground was next to Mr Rowe’s. No Jurisdiction The Mayor pointed out that as the ground Mr Aitken referred to was outside the borough, the council would not have any jurisdiction over it. Mr Aitken contended that council would have the same jurisdiction over it as it had over the sanitary farm. Mr Walkden (soccer) stated that as far as his club was concerned, if they could get a suitable ground for this year they would be satisfied in the meantime. Mr Marshall (hockey) said that his club .did not wish to move off the present ground; apart from that he assured them his club would give every Mr Robson (Rugby football), thanked the ’ council for meeting them and assured them that all the sports bodies were prepared to do all in their power to raise funds to put in order any ground procured. The opinion was held that it was a civic duty to provide grounds for sporting purposes. As to finance he suggested temporary provision could be made to obtain options over larger areas until such time as the sanitary farm was sold and this money used to procure the areas. Temporary grounds would have to be provided in the meantime. Cr McKelvie, chairman of the Reserves Committee, said that the present council had not been inactive in regard to playing areas. Mataura was poorly off for sports grounds. He stated that in New Zealand there were 74,000 acres set aside for sporting purposes. Of that, Mataura should have 60 acres. In reality they had 21 acres and only five acres, with the exception of a small area on which were the tennis courts, was suitable for sports grounds. He considered the ground belonging to Mrs Sinclair was most suitable and thought they should not delay too long, or all the suitable ground would be bought up for building purposes. But he considered the sporting bodies should petition the ratepayers. The council would then have a mandate from the people. Too Much Money Required

Cr McAllister considered that it would take too much money to put Sinclair’s ground in order. He suggested that removing the trees on the boundary facing Main street and filling up the waste ground in the Domain would be cheaper in the long run. Cr McErlean did not agree that the full onus was on the council. He would not advocate the council committing itself at this stage. He considered that the movement required more backing than it had at the present time and he would like more assurance that it would go on. Cr Bradley also agreed regarding a mandate from the people. He con-, tended that the sporting bodies should club together and raise, say, £5OO and pass it to the council to buy a suitable area. He would not support any scheme which provided for the sale of the sanitary farm, which was a source of revenue, whereas a sports area would produce no revenue. Mr Robson was sure the sum mentioned could be raised but not in one year, and he did no. think they should wait until it was raised. He urged the calling of a ratepayers meeting where a decision might be arrived at which, would influence the council. Cr McKelvie asked if the sporting bodies would consider the reserve on Crawford’s road as a temporary ground for this year. Mr Robson said that he would certainly take advantage of the offer. Cr Hutton thought they should aim at ten or twelve acres. If they could get Sinclair’s ground and a piece of Mr Amos’s ground, it would make ten acres. He agreed that something should be done with the front section adjoining Main Road. He thought that the council should exchange its small areas for one large area. He also was in agreement with a mandate from the ratepayers. Mr Robson suggested getting the borough engineer to give a report on the approximate cost of putting the various areas in question in repair. Cr Coster regarded an area at Coster’s Coal Pit as most suitable. There were 52 acres in this piece which could be beautified and would answer all purposes. After further discussion, Mr Buchanan again stressed the point that the council was in favour of the movement and that in the near future a report would be made from the Reserves Committee.