THE BUSINESS SIDE IN RUGBY HONOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 96, 14 July 1927, Page 1

THE BUSINESS SIDE IN RUGBY HONOURS

RANFURLY SHIELD CONSIDERED AS DRAW TO MAKE MONEY (.Special to THE SI S. 1 PALMERSTON NORTH, To-day. "TF the Ranfurly Shield could be brought to Palmerston North, it would mean a big thing for the town and thousands of pounds for the business community,” stated Mr. M. H. Oram, in advancing the suggestion at Tuesday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce that every effort should be made to help Manawatu-Horowhenua gain the coveted trophy—the emblem of Rugby supremacy in the Dominion. The district Rugby authorities had decided that the challenging team should have a week in camp, but that, the speaker considered, was not sufficient, and it should be' made possible for the local representatives to have a fortnight's intensive training. Hawke’s Bay business men knew the value of having the Ranfurly Shield in their district. Mr. A. T. Bendall, a one-time amateur oarsman of note, asked whether such was commercialising sport. While the general opinion was that it would be highly advantageous to have the shield in Palmerston North, it was deemed advisable to call a meeting of persons interested so that it could take action in the direction suggested. “If the shield comes here,” commented Mr. Oram, “we will see on the show grounds the biggest crowd ever at a football match in the Dominion.