FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, 14 March 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WAIRARAPA RUGBY FINANCE.

(By “Coach”). The Wairarapa Rugby Union will start the present season with a credit balance on the General and Accident Insurance Funds of over £BOO, Last season commenced with a combined credit balance on these funds i of over £450.

Last year the Management Committee of the Union loaned several hundred pounds, upon first class freehold security, for a short term of years, at a satisfactory rate. Treasurer Alf. Johnson has just received the first interest instalment, ’amounting to £4o—equal to the nett gate of a local representative fixture. Last season Masterton, for the first time in many years, headed the list of Wairarapa Rugby Union gate receipts with a total of £520. This, of course, does not include the two big matches played at Solway, which were N.Z. Rugby Union fixtures, and did not benefit the local union by one shilling. Up till last season, Carterton has headed the list for a good period, well above Masterton. The figures for 1920 were: —Masterton £263, Carterton £403. Carterton’s total last year was £399 10s and on a population basis this is much better than Masterton, which has easily three times tho population of Carterton, and should therefore show correspondingly larger gate receipts.

With a charge of Is as is made at Carterton for all important matches. Masterton gates would easily be worth £lOOO in normal seasons, judged by last year’s results. The “church collection” admittance at the Park Oval, Masterton, is unsatisfactory and a losing proposition to the Council as well as the Rugby Union. Masterton, last season, got its senior football cheaper than any other town in Wai rarapa, which considering its population, etc., in relation to other towns, is manifestly unfair. The whole thing once more proves that the Rugby Union should own its own ground in Masterton, and it would pay for itself within a very short period. Failing this a financial interest in present grounds would probably suffice.

Greytown’s total of £133 odd ii very satisfactory, compared with £6‘ 10s received for the 1920 season. The increase is principally due to the towi running a senior team again for th< first time in many years, in additioi to their usual junior and other teams The Greytown Reserve, containing two grounds, is vested in their Trus •Lands Trust instead of the Boroug’ Council, and all matches are charger for, senior and junior (half price).

Featherston, with a senior team am two junior teams to attract patron; did well to contribute £lO5, which ii very satisfactory for this small tow ship. A charge is made for senior and a collection taken for junior game; owing to the Reserve being a publi< ground vested in the Borough Council with the usual restrictions as t< number of days upon which a chargr can be made.

Mauriceville, with a junior tea.u only in the competitions for the first time, have opened their account with the Rugby Union with the sum of £4, mostly obtained, too, by collections, which shows the correct spirit of this small Rugby district. Martinborough, which is one of the most up-to-date of Wairarapa’s twnships, is disappointing from a Rugby Union point of view, and occupies last place on the receipts list, with £2 12s Bd. This town and district must have nearly as large a population as either Featherston or Greytown to draw upon, yet it Tuns no senior team, -which grade it is admitted draws the<best gate receipts, and instead places only a junior and 3rd-grade team in the field. For the 1920 season Martinborough receipts were £lO Is, much better than last year. Altogether the present financial position of the Wairarapa Rugby Union is most satisfactory, and easily places it at the head of this district’s Athletic Associations. Treasuer A. Johnson and secretary E. McKenkie are to be congratulated upon the care ful way in which they have handled tho financial interests of the RugV' Union over a long period, including many lean years, until finally reaching the present satisfactory position. ! Their administration right through has been an example to more pretentious associations in this district, controlled mosty by “solid business men of standing,” and-which associations at present are financially not as healthy as they might be. NOTES. In answer to an enquiry, the secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Union has received a letter f*mn Southland Rugby Union, stating that it was satisfied with the accommodation and entertainment of the team at Greytown, in connection with the representative match played there last season, but strongly objected to the ground used, which it considered not fit in any way for representative fixtures. Tho Wairarapa Rugby Union, owing to the increased number of teams now playing in the Union and sub-union (East Coast), is entitled to three delegates, instead of two, ns previously, at the annual meeting of the N.Z.R.U. Wairarapa will be represented by the i’ull number allowed. The Wairarapa Rugby Union is in receipt of Mr McLeod’s (President of N.ZR.U.) circular letter to affiliated Unions re constitution and election of the Management Committee of the N.Z.R.U. No matter wha-- opinions may be held by different Unions as to the method adopted by Mr McLeod 't'- bring this subject before the \ affiliated bo.dien, there is no doubt v. b.atevop that his advice 1o •oantry

inions is correct. Briefly, the advice s that all country unions should make i certainty of sending their full quota >f delegates allowed to the annual neeting of the N.Z.R.U., instead of landing proxy votes into the hands if other delegates, mostly representing the metropolitan unions, who can use these votes to further their own interests and possibly to the detriment of country unions. Wellington Rugby Union’s objection to the circular, at the end of last season, was only to be expected, and the objectors mostly were delegates wno are also on the present Management Committee of the N.Z.R.U., or hope to get there. This N.Z.R.U. committee, if the country un : ons’ delegates do their duty at this year’s meeting, should be asked some pertinent questions with reference to their past 12 months ’ stewardship, particularly with, reference to some matters in connection with the Springbok tour, and Lust season’s New Zealand representative teams. A rough classification of coui.iiy and metropolitan Rugby Unions, if fully represented at the annual meeting of the N.ZR.U., shows that the country bhcvld easily control t?.o position, so it is to be hoped those mo it interested will take Mr McLeod’s advice, and see to it that they are fully represented this year by delegates, and not proxy votes.

It is reported that T. Matson, who played half-back for Bush representatives last season, will occupy that position this year behind the Glad stone pack, thus completing the yello.and black’s set of backs, who should now prove the strongest rearguard in the Wairarapa competition. Players of the two local clubs, Masterton and Red Star, have started enthusiastically training by holding combined practices. Neither club has yet officially opened the season; nevertheless, on Saturday February 25, no less than 30 players started the 1922 season, while last Saturday well over 40 were out for a “pipe-opener,” 30 of whom were members of the Masterton Club. Masterton Football Club has been granted permission to use No. 2 ground on Cameron Park on Saturday Apr?! 1, for their official opening of the season. Members and intending members in all grades are requested to note and make special efforts to be present, with a view to the grading of players.

Messrs E. McKenzie (secretary) and A.. Johnson (treasurer) were in Mas'terton last week on business connected with arrangements for another loan from funds of the Wairarapa Rugby Union. The Masterton Friendly Societies’ will hold their annual Rugby 7-aside tournament on Saturday, April 8, according to present intentions. This competition for the Friendly Societies’ Shield is open to genuine members only of Lodges throughout Wairarapa. Should a ground not be available in Masterton on that date, it is understood the fixture will be played at Carterton. This will be practically the “kick-off” of the Rugby season in "Wairarapa, and the entries «of teams will be a record. Carterton will be more strongly represented than usual, no less than four teams having signified their intention to compete, while Greytown may also be represented for the first time. Masterton Lodges will be very strongly represented, and it is expected some of them will be able to put three teams in the field. As most of those taking part are usually Wairarapa’s senior and junior players, some good games should result, and a fair idea be obtained as to the likely material offering in the north and central portions of the district for the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s competitions

Mr Harold Gibbs, secretary of the East Coast sub-union, informs the writer that a meeting is to be held at Tinui to consider the advisability of nominating a senior team of Tinui —Whakataki and Homewood players for the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s competition. If decided upon, the combined team would declare Maclerton their home gound for matches with all senior teams south of here, but would expect home-and-home matches at Tinui and Masterton with teams from the latter place. Owing to the long distances members of this team would have to travel, and in order to encourage them to enter, the Wairarapa Rugby Union would no dou’.J give these proposals the fair considera tion they deserve. The enthusiasm of the players can be appreciated from the fact that for the journey to Mnsterton and return, many of them would be travelling up to 80 miles, and to other Wairarapa towns close upon 1 R miles. However, a motor lorry is now available at Tinui for return trips to that township, so no doubt they would cheerfully manage. It is stated upon good authority that a meeting of the combined Maur ; ee ville and Hastwcll clubs will bo hold within the next week to consider the possibility of getting together a sufficient number of senior players to warrent entering a team in the AV: . rarapa senior grade. Taueru Club, at a prelimary meeting held early last week, decided to nominate in the North Wairarapa Junior Grade It only requires Opaki—Rangitumau. : who were the best team outside rhe Rugby Union last season, (having won all the matches in which they engaged), to now nominate a 'team to complete the list. It is now evident that the numbci of clubs and teams playing under the Wairarapa Rugby Union this season will constitute a record. This proves that in popularity, if nothing else, ti:e game is advancing in this district more than for very many years past. At a preliminary meeting of representatives from Hastwcll and Mauriceville Football Club’s, held early last week, it was decided to recommend amalgamation under flu* m.me of Mauriceville United. The

♦ersey this year will be red and black bars. Three teams will be nominated in Wairarapa R.U. competitions, although in which grades has yet to be finally decided. Clubs are getting busy this week with their meetings. On Thursday Opaki-Rangitumau will hold a meeting tc decide whether it is possible to nominate under the Wairarapa R.U. this season. The Masterton Club committee will also meet on Thursday | night, and Carterton Club hold their annual meeting at the week-end.