WANGANUI DELEGATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 5

WANGANUI DELEGATES

ANNUAL MEETING HELD NEW PRESIDENT CHOSEN. DR. G. J. ADAMS RETIRES. Two important changes were made by delegates attending the annual meeting of the Wanganui Rugby Union, held yesterday. In consequence of Dr. G. J. Adams refusing nomination for a further term, Mr. J. D. Crowley, of Wanganui, was elected to the position of president. Mr. G. H. Pownall withdrew his nomination as honorary treasurer and Mr. F. E. Smith, who was auditor last year, was elected. Mr. L. Holland was appointed honorary auditor. Dr. Adams, in recognition o.f his services to the game, was elected a life member. Dr. Adams presided in the initial stages and there were present: Messis. G. H. Pownall (hon. treasurer), C. T. Young (hon. secretary), J. Moye and J. D. Crowley (Metropolitan Union), J. Quirk and C. L. Mullany (Taihape), A. T. Gatrell and J. Caldow (Rangitikei), A. Monk (Wainua-a-rua) and K. Bourke (Wairoa). The annual report (already published) and the balance-sheet and statement of accounts, showing an excess of expenditure over income of £175, were adopted after brief discussion. Dr. Adams intimated that he was not prepared to stand again for the position of president and gave his reasons. All sub-unions affiliated to the union pleaded with him to reconsider, but ho remained adamant. A brief adjournment was made to permit an informal discussion, but when the meeting resumed the doctor stated that he was still of the same mind. Mr. Moye nominated Mr. Crowley. Mr. Pownall seconded, and the nominee was duly declared elected. Before the matter was put to the meeting Air. Crowley stated that he had no desire to take the position. It was really being forced upon him. He made a finhl appeal to Dr. Adams to reconsider. Dr. Adams: 1 have given you my final word and I declare Mr. Crowley elected. I thank the various subunions for the confidence they had in me. I have nothing to withdraw and can go out with a clear conscience. I am perfectly satisfied that my decision is the right one. The doctor then withdrew.

Mr. Pownall said that nobody had more respect than he for Dr. Adams. The doctor had joined the union and had come on the committee in the first place and had been a hard worker from the beginning. In fact he worked too hard. It would be a fitting thing, Mr. Pownall thought, if the doctor was elected a life member of the union, and the speaker would take pleasure in moving accordingly.

Air. Aloye seconded and heartily endorsed Air. Pownall’s remarks. Air.

Aloye regretted Dr. Adams was retiring. Friendships had sprung up that would prove lasting. It had been a pleasure to attend meetings over which the doctor presided. They had invariably been harmonious.

Mr. Alullany said that Taihape had ben instructed to move to get Dr. Adams back as president. The speaker’s union would be greatly disappointed that he was not continuing. He was known throughout the district and had done much for football in Wanganui and New Zealand generally. It was fitting that he should be a life member. “There is no need for me to add my tribute,” said Air. Crowley. “There is no one more sorry than 1 am to know that he is not going on. His work will live for many years to come.” The doctor was elected a life member and the decision was applauded. On Air. Aloye’s motion the union placed on record its appreciation of Air. Pownall’s services. He is already a life member, having been elected so several years ago. Other officers elected were: Honorary secretary, Air. C. T. Young; honorary treasurer, Air. F. E. Smith; selectors, Alessrs L. Southcombe (Aletropolitan), C. Alurphy (Taihape), and A. Henwood (Kangitikei). Vice-president on New Zealand Rugby Union, Air. J. Aloye; delegates to annual meeting of New Zealand Rugby Union, Messrs. Crowley, Quirk ami Alullany; honorary auditor, Air. L. Holland. It was decided, on the motion of Air. Aloye, that the New Zealand Union be asked to conform to current practice and reduce interest on loans to affiliated unions, and that the respective affiliated unions be written to and asked to support this request.

Air. Pownall pointed out that lack of continuity resulted because there was no president-elect elected at each annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. He suggested that Wanganui take steps to have one elected each year. On the motion of Air. Alullany, seconded by Air. Aloye, this was agreed to. It was decided that Bert Delves should be regarded as having qualified to wear the union’s blazer and pocket badge. Air. Pownall pointed out that whereas this player had represented Wanganui in almost as many matches as Beiliss, he had not, in any one year, fulfilled the requirements for qualification —not having played in three-fifths of the representative matches in any season. Delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union were instructed to oppose the dictum of the Rugby Union (England) forbidding the replacement of injured players. Ou Air. Crowley’s suggestion it was decided to ask that when North v. South Island annual fixtures are being arranged in future Wanganui be given a chance to have ono played here. It was decided to solicit Taranaki's support in this connection. Nomination of a trustee on the Grandstand Fund Committee in succession to the late Air. Louis Cohen, was left to the executive. Allocation of school footballs was also left in the hands of the executive.