TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1919, Page 5

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of delegates to the Taranaki Rugby Union that has been held practically since the outbreak of war took place at Stratford last night, and, judging by the enthusiasm shown, prospects for football look particularly bright. Mr. T. Buchanan (president) presided, and there were also present: Messrs .1. McLeod (Tukapa), J. Clarke, A. L. Humphries (Star), J. Garcia (Okato), A. Neilson (Opunake), 11. Masters, R. G. Harkness (Stratford), L G. Beamish, R. Ure (Hawera), J. McKay (Waimate), A. Lees (Okaiawa), R. B. Fearon (Kaponga), A. Gray (Hawera and New Plymouth Technical Schools), A. R. Ryder (New Plymouth High Schools). Later, Messrs P. G. Harkness and Anderson (Midhirst) attended. Before commencing business, the president asked all present to stand for a moment as a mark of respect to those footballers who would never return. The president remarked that since the commencement of the war the Management Committee had carried on the game with the aid of juniors, limiting the age to 20, feeling that footballers, like all other sports, realised that their first duty was to the Empire, and footballers had, indeed, nobly done their dujy. They had lost a number of fine players, but it was pleasing to see so many players coming back as well as ever. He was satisfied, from letters received from France and Egypt, that there Would be a great revival in football when the men returned. The spirit, certainly, was not dead, for in Waitara recently they had two returned men playing who had only one arm each. Clifton would be able to put four teams in the competition, and Jie urged all football enthusiasts to put their backs to the wall and put the clubs in as good a footing as before the war.

ANNUAL REPORT. The committee elected in ]f)ls reported that during the war practically all Taranaki football clubs suspended operations while their members went forth to the Great Adventure, and it was a great tribute to Rugby football in the province . that so many men had passed as physiI rally fit, and that Taranaki had been : quite unable to enter a single senior I team during the past four years. Reference was made to the loss of many players, and it was hoped that clubs would co-operate in compiling a complete roll of honor of Taranaki footballers. Primary and secondary school football had been encouraged, and it was to these young players that clubs must look for the re-establishment of their teams. Hope was expressed that every old club would endeavor to enter its full quota of teams, even if weak at the start, so that returned soldier footballers might find immediate operations available for them in their local team. Nothing would more facilitate the rehabilitation of our war-worn men in civil life than immediate active participation in healthful and competitive recreation. In order to further encourage primary and secondary school football, it was proposed to meet the head teachers in conference. Reference was made to the difficulty of secur. ing club colors this year, the need for temporary alterations, and the need for the formation of a strong and efficient Referees' Association. An appeal was made to every eluh to use its influenco with old players and enthusiasts to offer (heir services. Thanks were returned to all who had kept the game alive durin* the last few years. ° balance-sheet siiowed a credit of £3 5s Sd, but there was a considerable liability. The chairman moved its adoption, and Mr. McKay seconded. Mr. McLeod emphasised the necessity of clubs giving every assistance in compiling a list of players w l, o ] lft d ] os t their lives, with a view to deciding on the form that a roll of honor should take. Tt was also necessarv to get into close touch with primary and secondarv school football, and probablv (he best way would be to have representatives of these schools on the Management Committee. Mr. McLeod paid a tribute to those who had gone to the front, and emphasised the fact that thev must do all possible to perpetuate the memory of the footballers who had fallen Mr Buchanan slated (hat it was proposed (o erect etilcs at the entrance to he ground at Waitnv,,. „nd he suggested that something like this should be done throughout the province. Mr. A. L. Humphries, as an old plaver who had been to the front, did not think the Union could do less than perpetuate the memory of those who had made the supreme sacrifice, and also of those who hart come back, because it was impossible for any one who had not been there to recognise the sacrifices the men had made and the hardships fliev had to P»t up with.

Mr. Masters also spoke strongly in support and expressed the hope 'that the clubs would take, the matter up enthusiastically. He felt sure the members would respond wall. He started

that a committee should be set up, The report was adopted. REPRESENTATION ON THE UNION.

Mr. R. Masters then moved, in accordance with notice of motion, that any clhb nominating a senior team be entitled to a senior delegate with two votes, and a junior delegate with one vote, and a club entering a junior team be entitled to a junior delegate with one vote, subject to the teams being accepted by the Union. He pointed out that thare were some teams that would be unable to enter senior teams this year, and it was advisable that they should have representation. It was also advisable that the schools should be represented. Mr. McLeod seconded the resolution, stating that what was mainly intended by the motion was to bring in more players.

Mr. A. Lee 3 pointed out that It was nesessary to foster play as much as possible.

Discussion took place over the question of players classified as seniors who might be playing in junior teams, and it Was pointed out that, without some provision being made, injustice as to classification might occur. Mr. Masters stated that, while pleased to see Midhirst enter a team, ho thought that it would be better if Midhirst entered a junior team under Stratford, as, otherwise, the Stratford district would be considerably curtailed. Members generally understood that Midhirst would play as a junior team under the Stratford Club. Mr. P. O. Harkness said that, while Midhirst had fifty players, if four or five of their best players were taken to assist Stratford it would mean the downfall of the Midhirst Club. Mr. McLeod considered it would be good business if every township had a team playing under the club that controlled the district. The resolution was then carried. It was also resolved that a player of a solely junior club classified as a senior may be permitted, subject to tho sanction of the Management Committee, to play for the senior club of the adjacent district. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President, Mr. T. Buchanan (re-elect-ed) ; vice-presidents, Messrs D. J. Malone (north) and J. Crowley (south); secretary, left in the hands of the Management Committee; treasurer, R. Masters; auditor, J. H. Thompson; Management Committee, Messrs J. McLeod, J. Garcia, R. G. Harkness (north), A. Lees, R. B. Eearon, L. G. Beamish (south). It was resolved to write to the Teachers' Institute inviting it to nominate a representative to tho Management Committee. A representative of the secondary schools will be appointed by the Management Committee, after the primaiy schools' representative has been appointed, the idea being to have both the north and south represented. Vice-president of the N.Z.R.U., T. Buchanan.

THE SECRETARYSHIP. Mr. Skoglund, in resigning the position of secretary, stated that he regretted very much that he would be unable to continue, owing to pressure of business. It would be a wrench to tear himself away-from his football associates. Mr. McLeod paid a high tribute to the work ,of Mr. Skoglund. who had the interests of the game at heart, and his severing of his connection with the game was a severe loss. A resolution was unanimously passed, expressing appreciation of the good services rendered by Mr. Skoglund ever since he had taken up the position fourteen years ago, and the hope was expressed that he would retain an interest in the game and continue to take up the whistle. >

It was resolved to make Mr. Skoglund a life member of the Union.

Mr. Skoglund stated that he did not intend to lose interest in the good old game. He urged clubs to be loyal to the Union, -which, after all, was a union of the clubs. Players should cut their expenses down to the lowest possible ebb when travelling. In the past there had been more than the Union could bear. Throughout the year it should be the object of the club to build up the funds of the Union, and"as long as players wanted to travel to representative matches in luxury the Union would always be short of funds. ■GENERAL. It was unanimously resolved to recommend the New Zealand Rugby Union to remove the disqualification placed on Huston Young, of the Opunake Club. Mr. Ryder suggested that the Bayley Memorial Scholarship Sports should be carried out this year. s Mr. Fearon suggested that clubs in a sound financial position should be asked to make a donation to the Union's funds. Mr. Skoglund thought that the leading clubs should play matches at the commencement of the season in aid of the Union funds. At a subsequent meeting, Mr. J. McLeod was' elected chairman of the Union. j ---