RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Northern Sub-Union REDUCED REVENUE FOR YEAR At the annual meeting of the Northern District Rugby Football SubUnion at Balfour, the president, Mr W. Johnson, was chairman, and the following delegates were present: Messrs S. Ryan and D. Andrew (Lumsden), R. Felton (Mossburn), F. Fraser and Alex. Stewart (Balfour), G. Soper and A. Earl (Country Pirates), A. C. Witting (Schools), J. H. McMath (life member) and M. Lavelle. , .. . c The annual report stated that toi the year there had been a decline in the revenue. The year began with a credit balance of £35 11/1 and finished with a credit of £25 19/8, a loss of approximately £lO, which was, m the main, attributable to the loss of public interest in representative matches. Ihe principal loss of revenue occurred in the Grant Cup and the Stewart Cup games. The total revenue was below that of the previous year. After holding the Grant Cup for a number of years the sub-union lost the trophy to Eastern, to which congratulations were extended. Three senior and six junior teams were entered in competitions conducted by the sub-union. Because only three teams were entered, and with a view to creating greater interest, the senior competition was amalgamated with that of the Eastern Sub-Union, and some keenly-contested games were witnessed. The Mataura Club won the competition and Country Pirates Club retained the Bedford-Compton Shield. The Gee-Chapman Shield for junior teams was retained by Balfour. The Balfour senior seven-a-side team won three tournaments —Nightcaps, Lumsden and Waikaka. The report congratulated Messrs A. Sutherland, C. Soper, W. Parker and W. Sheriff on their inclusion in the Southland team. As the representative team would have to travel this season to play for the Trust Cup and the Grant Cup, the committee recommended that the incoming committee I consider ways and means of raising funds to defray expenses. . , , The adoption of the report and balance-sheet was moved by the president. Mr Earl seconded the motion, which was carried. The chairman referred to the bereavement suffered by the Small family, Lumsden, and the secretary was instructed to forward a letter of sympathy. The election of office-bearers resulted: President, Mr W. Johnson; vice-presidents, Messrs G. Soper, A. Earl and P. Mcßride; secretary, Mr A. P. Scobie; schools delegate, Mr A. C. Witting; selectors, Messrs L. F. Fraser, G. Soper and A. Earl; fixtures committee, Messrs W. Johnson and A. Earl. .... ,v l The question of again joining, the Eastern-Northern senior competitions was discussed and Messrs W. Johnson, J. H. McMath and A. Stewart were appointed to confer with the Eastern District Sub-Union. Mr Witting was- deputed to arrange the schools’ fixtures. The Lumsden Club applied for permission to hold a seven-a-side tournament and it was decided to hold the application over till next meeting. Mr Andrew mentioned that he had received a letter from Mrs James Reid, of Mataura, about a cup donated by her Husband. Mr Reid had wished the cup to be played for by junior teams, the cup to be inscribed and known as the James Reid Memorial Cup. It was decided to accept the cup with thanks. The appointment of referees was held over till the next meeting. It was agreed that the sub-union hold monthly meetings at Lumsden. All clubs under the jurisdiction of the sub-union were granted permission to play friendly games. BALFOUR CLUB A desire that an Invercargill team should visit Balfour for a friendly game was expressed at the annual meeting of the Balfour Football Club. Mr J. H. McMath was deputed to endeavour to arrange a game. The election of office-bearers resulted:—President, Mr L. F. Fraser; secretary, Mr A. Stewart; committee, Messrs D. McLean, S. Keown, P. O’Neill, R. Gillespie, D. McGregor and W. Joyce; club captain, Mr Allan Stewart; coach, Mr L. J. Sparks; assistant coach, Mr M. Lavelle; selectors, senior team, captain, deputy-captain and coach; junior team, captain, deputycaptain and Mr Lavelle; delegates to sub-union, Messrs F. Fraser and A. Stewart; auditor, Mr L. J. Sparks; gatekeeper, Mr D. McQuilkan. Opening day was fixed for April 1.