RUGBY UNION BALANCE SHEET.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1928, Page 13

RUGBY UNION BALANCE SHEET.

(To xhe Editor].

Sir, —The balance sheet of the Taranaki Rugby Union published in your to-day's issue, makes interesting reading. The various items as disclosed make it impossible to discover whether there has been extravagance or otherwise. It will be remembered that at the close of last season the scandalous Incompetence and extravagance displayed by the Union in connection with the N.P. High School v. Te Ante match was an unpleasant revelation to the public, and surely indicated that recklessness was the key-note of the Union’s management. It may be, of course, that those unpleasant disclosures have Jed to more careful administration, but there are one or two points in the balance sheet aforesaid which are difficult to understand. For instance, take the Wellington v. Taranaki match, played at Hawera. The costs in connection ■with this match amounted to £152, while the costs of the four rep. matches •—South Canterbury, Auckland, Walrarapa and Wanganui—averaged £9O each. Entertainment, etc., must be a eostly item in Hawera, surely, compared with Stratford and New Plymouth. Still, money is plentiful, so why worry 1 Furthermore, the costs of the junior play-off of th© club competitions totalled £ll2. The sum of £47 was taken at the gate, but still there was a loss on the match of £65. On the face of it tiiis seems an extraordinary result. Still, money is plentiful, so why worry? I note that the chairman" shook hands with everybody within reach, so to speak, because the credit on the year s play and entertainments —one must nor forget the entertainments, etc., —was (£315. There are several other ftenis one might refer to, but I refrain. In conclusion, Sir, may I, in the kindliest spirit possible suggest to the Union that, considering the quantity of loose cash scattered about so joyously and profusely on entertainments, etc., —not forgetting the etc. —during the football Beason, some of it should be used to pay for the transport of junior players who have to travel to play their elub matches. A number of these young players receive email salaries, and travelling to outside matches Is a serious drain upon their resources. Then again the Union should without delay provide some form of insurance for players no matter what the cost may be. This provision is long overdue, and the necessity. therefore, is too obvious to be stressed by me.—l am, etc., W. H. HAWKINS. New Plymouth, March 13.