FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19451, 28 March 1933, Page 9

FOOTBALL

rubgy union. ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES The annual meeting of delegates to the South Canterbury Rugby Football Union was held last night. Present— Messrs J. O'Leary (president), G. Kelly (Waimate Sub-Union), A. Aitken and C. E. Thomson (Old Boys), J. Rosevear and L. Collins (Celtic), A. G. Knowles and J. Lillico (Star), R. Judge and C. Sandrey (Zingari), M. McKenna and C. F. DeJoux (Temuka), W. Quirke and J. C. South (Waihi), A. H. Clemens (Geraldine), W. A. Gumming (Y.M.C.A.), A. Jackson (High School), A. H. McClintock (Technical College), A. B. Rowlands (School Sports’ Association), T. Langford (vicepresident), and A. B. Herdman (treasurer).

Year’s Activities Reviewed. In moving the adoption oi the annual report (which had appeared in “The Herald”), the president said the matter which concerned delegates most was the financial position of the Unioiv Last season a loss had been made of £319/8/6, allowing for depreciation amounting to £IOO, and the writing off of £4O from the Marlborough Union and £SO from the Hawke’s Bay Union, items which had appeared in the balance sheet for some years, but money which would not be recoverable until a South Canterbury representative team visited those centres. Last year the Management Committee had tried to cut down expenditure as much as possible. At the start of the season, they had been faced with the possibility of poor gates, and it was decided to reduce admission charges to 6d. Although the football was witnessed by large crowds, there was not a very large increase in revenue, while the receipts for the seven-a-side tournament dropped to about half of the previous year’s total. The opinion might no doubt be advanced that they were more concerned with football in South Canterbury rather than with finance, but unless the Management Committee had the finance necessary they could not carry on football successfully. All sports bodies, however, had of late been faced with losses owing to the abnormal times, and the balance sheet perhaps was not as bad as it looked. The Union now had no bank overdraft. In 1928 bank overdraft and sundry creditors were epresented to the extent of £71114 1. r 1929 the total was £278/3/5, and in 930 £289/4/1. In 1931, the overdraft vas shown at £SB/4/7, and sundry reditors £203/7/5. Last year, however, here was no overdraft, sundry credit>rs amounting to approximately £3OO. Over a period of years the Union had lot slumped a great deal. The Manigement Committee had been fully ilive to the financial position, and durng the year this had been a matter >f great concern. Application had >een made to the New Zealand Rugby Jnion for a loan of £4OO, the treasurer naking a trip to Wellington, where he rad received a very sympathetic hearng. Later the secretary of the New Zealand Union had visited Timaru. The lew Zealand Union later offered to ncrease the present first mortgage of 12000 by £4OO, but on the Management Committee approaching a local resilent who held a second mortgage of 1700. the second mortgagee stated that re could not see his way clear to have ris equity reduced by the amount of the idvance, and the position was now at i deadlock. The Management Committee had done their best to meet the second mortgage, and had agreed that if the second mortgagee would agree to the proposal he would receive £3.0 per year off the principal. The second mortgagee had replied that he had no guarantee that the agreement would be adhered to by future Management Committees. Referring to economies, ;he president said that the Committee last season thought it advisable to atienrpt to reduce fifth grade travelling expenses, but tasted of the amount being reduced it had been increased to the ;xtent of £2. This year they would have to consider cutting out travelling allowances in this grade. Future economies in view were that the present system of groundkeeping be altered at considerable saving, the Management Committee to arrange for honorary gatekeepers, and that the Committee do without the use of School Park. Mr O'Leary said that in 1926, the Union had borrowed £2OOO from the New Zealand Union, and had promised to pav off the principal at the rate of £IOO per year. So far not a penny of the principal had been paid. Last year the interest instalment of £4O had been reduced by £25, while this year another £4O was due, with the total instalments still owing to the New Zealand Union well over £IOOO. While he did not wish to criticise the actions of previous Management Committees, he thought that some provision should have been made for repayment through a sinking fund. Five out of sixteen affiliated Unions had, by the New Zealand Union’s balance sheet, been unable to pay their loans, and while it was said that the New Zealand Union had plenty of money—and no doubt they had—something should have been done to make repayment. It had been gratifying to find that last season the Waihi Club had materially assisted the Management Committee with the full amount of a gate at Winchester. The motion was seconded by Mr Jackson, who said that black as the Union’s position might look, the Management Committee were to be congratulated on the keen eye they had kept on the affairs of the Union. Mr Cumming said that the chair - ! man's remarks in regard to finance had ’ cleared the air somewhat, and credit I was due to the Management Committee for the magnificent effort to clear off the sum of £4OO during the last few vears. It was pleasing to see that the Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay loans had been withdrawn from the balance sheet, where for some years they had appeared as assets. There was no doubt, however, that the Union were at present bankrupt, and if they experienced another season such as the last. South Canterbury would be relegated to the position of a second-rate Union. For football in the district that would be disastrous. The various clubs by their annual meetings seemed to be in credit, and things must not be nearly as bad as some might try to think. He suggested that the Union and clubs might concentrate on the holding of a monster Queen Carnival as a means of assisting the finances, making the event essentially a football one. It was hoped that as the seven-a-side tournament last year was finished in semi-darkness, the Union would revert to the system of playing the fourth grade preliminary matches on Anzac Square. Permit Committee. Referring to the reference in the annual report to the work of the Permit Committee Mr Cumming said it was gratifying to find that the efforts of ■ the Committee were appreciated. In his opinion the conditions under which the lower grades played last year proved more equitable to players. As chairman of the Permit Committee he thought that the second paragraph in the report in

regard to the Permit Committee was entirely wrong. It read: “During the closing stages of the season, however, and as a result of the various conferences between this Committee and the Management Committee, it was found that an agreement could not be reached in respect of various recommendations put forward by the Committee, the members of which saw fit to resign.” The so-called conferences were purely mythical. The only conference was at the half-yearly meeting of delegates, this meeting being sparsely attended. Most of the business was taken up in a wrangle over what the Permit Committee had done in re-grading three players. At that meeting he was the representative of the Y.M.C.A. Club, but he was asked a number of questions in his capacity as chairman of the Permit Committee. Later the Permit Committee had conferred, and two or three letters had been sent to the Management Committee, two being taken in open meeting and the third in committee. He would like the opportunity of reading the third letter to the delegates.

The chairman: “It was only a slating of the Management Committee.” Mr Cumming: “Delegates should know the contents.” The chairman: “You can bring the question up under general business and read the letter then.”

Mr Cumming: “I bow to your ruling.” Mr Cumming then moved as an amendment that the following be substituted in the report in regard to the Permit Committee: “During the closing stager of the season, however, and as a result of certain recommendations made by the committee in accordance with the rules of the Union, thfe Management Committee saw lit to disregard these recommendations, and constituted itself a Permit Committee, the result being that the members of the Permit Committee tendered their resignations.” Mr Clemens was of opinion that there were more important things affecting the Union from a financial point of view, to be discussed. The amendment was seconded pro forma by Mr Jackson. Referring to the attitude of the New Zealand Union, Mr Langford was of opinion that although South Canterbury owed them a considerable sum, there was no need to be dismal about it. The mortgage, he considered, differed from an ordinary business proposition, in that the New Zealand Union had reaped large sums from South Canterbury as a result of matches against overseas teams being played here. In his opinion a better understanding with the New Zealand body was necessary, and the South Canterbury Union should hold a pistol at the New Zealand body’s heads with a threat to close down if assistance were not forthcoming. Messrs Herdman and Aitken supported Mr Langford’s remarks, the latter stating that the Union could not carry on under existing circumstances. They would have to get further assistance from the New Zealand Union. Money was owing to business people in the town, and some means would have to be devised to meet these sums. Di-eussion then returned to Mr Cumming’s amendment, which was rejected on a show of hands, the report and balance sheet being adopted.

Notices of Motion. “That the president, immediate pastpresident, treasurer and one delegate from each of the senior clubs comprise the Management Committee,” was a remit forwarded by the Zingari Club, and sponsored by Messrs Judge and Sandrey. . .. . .. Mr Cumming was of opinion that it would be grossly unfair if junior clubs were not granted representation on the Management Committee. If Geraldine fielded a senior team, the senior clubs would occupy practically all the Management Committee seats. The motion might be on right lines if the Management Committee were increased to ten. . _ . Mr Clemens pointed out that Geraldine would be fielding a senioi team this year. He thought that the Management Committee should be constituted in the best interests of the game in South Canterbury generally, and it was questionable whether the suggestion aimed at improvement. Messrs Jackson and Thomson spoke against the proposal, which was lost on a show of hands, a • two-thirds majority being required before it was carried. ... , ~ The Old Boys’ Club submitted the following motion, which was rejected on a show of hands:—‘’That the School Sports Association’s delegate be not given voting power on the Management Committee unless appointed as one of the seven members of the Management Committee by ballot, such member to be nominated by the Schools’ Association at the annual m A further motion from the Old Boys’ Club —“To amend Rule 13 to read that if the Schools’ Association’s delegate retains full voting power while not included in the seven elected members the same privilege be extended to the Referees’ delegate,” was also rejected. Election of Officers. On the motion of Messrs South anc de Joux, Mr J. O’Leary was unanimously re-elected president. Mr Cumming proposed Mr Knowlei for the position, but Mr Knowles de dined nomination. Other officers elected were: —Patron Dr. D. D. Dryden; vice-presidents Messrs A. G. Knowles, T. H. Langford and J. Harley; immediate past-presi dent, Mr H. H. Fraser; managemen committee, Messrs J. Lillico, A. G Knowles, J. Rosevear, A. H. Clemens R. Judge, A. Aitken. and W. Quirk (Messrs Aitken, Quirke and C. Thom son tied in a ballot, the chairma giving his casting vote in favour c Messrs Quirke and Aitken); hoi treasurer, Mr A. B. Herdman; sol selector, Mr J. Wilson; hon. audit.o: Mr A. C. Martin; hon. solicitor; Messrs Tripp and Rolleston. Motion Defeated. Mr Clemens moved, and Mr Knowl< seconded, pro forma —“That Rule 49 t deleted and that the following 1 substituted: Referees shall be selecte by an appointment committee consirt ing of three members of the Referee Association, being the president ar two other members to be elected i the annual meeting of the Referee Association, such selections to be sul mitted to the weekly meeting of tl Referees’ Association, and then lat submitted to the Rugby Union for a] proval or otherwise.” It was considered by some membe that the motion, which was lost on show of hands, would not be an in provement on the present system. General. Mr Knowles said that in view of tl financial stringency he would like i expression of opinion as to wheth town and country sections in the four and fifth grade competitions could played this year. This would obviu travelling expenses. Country delegates considered that would be difficult to arrange compe tion in these grades in the country. Mr South said that although Wai was not in any way affected by the fc mation of a Geraldine senior team, thought it would be a pity to see sev teams in the senior competition tl year. If Geraldine, as the season pi grersed, found that they could r continue with their senior fifteen,

would mean that new arrangements would have to be made. It would be a pity to have a bye. Mr Clemens: “Do you think Geraldine are flying high?” Mr South: “I certainly do. Last year they could not finish the season with a junior team.” The chairman explained that Geraldine were an affiliated Club, and if they entered a senior team the Union could not very well decline to accept the entry. If an entry were sent in the Union would give the matter consideration then. The question of holding a queen carnival was again mentioned by Mr Cumming. If they were able to raise £2OO by this means, it would be a great help, said Mr dimming. Mr Knowles: “I had rome experience with the last queen carnival, and I ; don’t want any more., I would sooner see 1000 season tickets sold at 10/each.” , The chairman said that delegates . could refer Mr Cumming’s proposal tc , their Clubs. The chairman said that representa- •' tions had been made by the South Canterbury Cricket Association for £ » five years’ lease of Fraser Park. Con--5 ditions had been drawn up. but nothing - definite had been done. The Associa 1 tion had offered ten per cent, of th< f gate takings and had undertaken t< • keep the grounds in order. e Members agreed to leave the matte ’’ in the hands of the Management Com mittee. Appeal to New Zealand Union. The opinion that the Union should s make a strong appeal to the New Zea e land Union for financial assistance e was expre~sed by Mr Langford, wh d suggested that £4OO could be advance ' by way of third mortgage. He moved s’ “That the Union apply to the d Zealand Rugby Union for a. grant c £4OO on third mortgage, pointing oc s ’ that unless the Union are prepared t »- meet South Canterbury on the line suggested, it is impossible to carry o * football in South Canterbury owing t the sum of £3OO being due to sundr creditors.” rs Mr South: “If we don’t get the £4C 6 there will be no football? l “ The chairman: “We can call anothe meeting when we receive a reply.” The motion, which was seconded t Mr Aitken. was carried uanimously. \e Votes of thanks were passed to tl m chairman, and to Mr H. H. Fraser f< er the use of his office, h 3e Management Committee. At a subsequent meeting of the Mar agement Committee. Mr J. O Leary wi ft unanimously re-elected chairman. Permit Committee. hi r- Considerable discussion took pla< ne regarding the resignation last year ■ »n the Permit Committee. Lis Ultimately the members ol last yeai o- [ Committee —Messrs W. A. Cummin ot 1 T. H. McDonald, and KUgh Fraser it were reappointed.