RUGBY FOOTBALL

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 28, 31 March 1928, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE TARANAKI UNION. THE ANNUAL MEETING. . t. li'i’O The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held at the Foresters’ Hall last night. Mr H. Spurdle (president) was in the chair. PRESIDENT’S REMARKS. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman said the increase in the gates last season indicated the continued popularity of the national game. The Union desired to place on record its appreciation of the manner in which the balance-sheet had been presented and of the manner in which thei secretary had carried out his duties. The Union’s thanks were due to Mr Arthur Guy, the sole for the able manner in which lie carried out hi a duties under trying conditions, and he was congratulate ed on being appointed one of the selectors for the All Black team foi South Africa. The Union extended congratulations and good wishes io Pat Ward, the only Taranaki player selected for South Africa. It ivas pleasing to note the improvement in the standard of play in the oast season. He strongly advised ".hat no change he made in the system of playing matches in the northern and southern divisions, as ,x t present. He also advised against vhe proposed change Of the boundary system. Mr Spurdle congratulated the Referees’ Association on the able manner in which its members had carried out their duties, and in conclusion thanked the Management Committee for kindness extended to himself during his term of office. In handing over the chair to hi s successor he wished the Union every success in the future.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. _ In seconding, Mr J. McLeod, chairman of the Management Committee, congratulated players on their splendid conduct during the past season, it was many a year since there had been a season with so light a proportion of serious offences by players. The position also reflected credit on the referees, who must have had good control of the games. •The season had been ‘a good one financially, and if these prosperous conditions continued it might not be long before the Union would be able to purchase the grounds required for all the games in the province. Negotiations were proceeding for acquiring a .ground at New Plymouth, and as time went on it was hoped to ijet grounds in other towns. At present, as regards grounds, the Union was in the hands of Domain Boards other bodies and private inflividuals. A good feature noticed by the committee last season was the smooth working of the advisory committees in charge of junior football Of the troubles which arose in junior football, very few reached the Management Committee, they having been smoothed out by the advisory committees., which had greatly lightened the work of the Union, and the system should be extended. It would be desirable if the system was extended to the t IVednesday competition in the south. » SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR. ' As regards the South African tour they might think they should have bad more players in the team, hut they had every confidence in Ward. Both as a footballer and a man he ivould uphold the best traditions of Taranaki football. Ward was worthy of inclusion m the team fiom every point of view. The report and balance-sheet wei e adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as under. Mr A. F. Nielson, senior vice-pre-sident, was elected president, Mr R- Masters was re-elected vicepresident for the north, and Mr J. Goodwin was elected for the isouth. Management Committee; Messrs I. McLeod, H. Spurdle, J. Garcia, J. Paterson W. A. Guy, W. B. Fearon. Auditor: Mr C. H. Wynyard Resident delegate to New Zealand Union: Mr G. W. Slade. Hon. solicitors; Messrs Young and Moss. Selector; Mr W. A. Guy. Hon. treasurer; Mr B. H. Young.

THE DIVISIONS. _ Mr Lees was given permission, to withdraw the following motion of which notice had been given by Okaiawa Club:-That the present constitution of the Taranaki Rugby Union be altered so as to allow of what are known as the Northern and Southern Divisions being fanned into sub-unions. The Taranaki Rugby Union to be managed by an executive elected by the sub-unions, ihe executive to have control of al (nter-sub-union matches, representative fixtures, and play-offs to determine the champion provincial team in each grade, BOUNDARIES Mr E. Scott moved on behalf of Kaponga Club:—That the Union renew the present system of playing the competitions under the boundary schemes, and if possible, abolish the boundaries, allowing all playerg freedom to play for which ever club they may desire. He contended that the change would make for the improvement of football, ami that the present system cut large numbers of players out of a game. After a short discussion, confined lo Kaponga, Okaihwa and Waimate delegates, the motion was defeated o n the voices. Mr Scott also moved on behalf of the Kaponga Club that the Union’s rules be amended to provide that any player who has played for one club only b e allowed to P la y for that ’ club, if be so desired, regardleslW WtffcWP He o«

Mr McLeod seconded pro forma, tie said the proposal had some merit, but he thought it should have further consideration. Mr Masters said there was no more merit in this motion than in the previou s one. DISTRESSED CLUBS. Opunake and Waimate Clubs made application for grants from the special fund formed for the purpose of helping weaker clubs. The Waimate Club balance-sheet showed a debit of £3. This was the result of a payment of £l7 19s Gd on account of a player who sustained a broken leg. It was decided to make a grant of £ls. The Opunake Club’s balance-sheet showed a credit of £33, but an application was made for a grant towards the cost of improving the club’s ground. The application was referred to the Management Committee. PROPOSED SUB-UNION. An application from Whangamomona for the formation of a subunion was referred to the Management Committee.