RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 5

RUGBY

THE TAIHAPE UNION ANNUAL MEETING HELD RESTRICTIONS IN NUMBER OF TEAMS (Own Correspondent.) In an earnest endeavour to raise the standard of Rugby football in Taihape, the local Rugby Union decided at its annual meeting on Monday evening to limit the number of teams in the senior and junior grades to four in each grade. The president, Mr. John Quirk, occupied the chair and presided over an attendance consisting of the following delegates: Messrs. H. D. Bond, C. Quirk, J. Bridson, W. Munro (Pirates Club), W. O’Connor, P. Henery, L. A. Hebberd (Utiku Club). J. J. Ryan, R. C. Schofield, J. Webb. A. 11. Smith (Hautapu Club). H. Hakopa and W. Pine (Huia Club), J. C. Whibley (school), S. Steedman, A. Caulcutt, N. Anderson (Old Boys), C. H. Transom (Referees’ Association) and the secretary (Mr. C. L. Mullany). The Mangaweka Club was not represented. A number of Rugby enthusiasts who were not delegates were also present. The meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Miss Betty Overton, daughter of Mr. A. K. Overton, patron of the union.fi

The annual report and balancesheet were read and adopted. The latter disclosed a credit balance of £75 3s lid, compared with £B9 5s lid in March, 1936, thus showing a loss of £l4 2s on the year’s working. The treasurer (Mr. R. C. Schofield) explained that £l3 was to be distributed to the various clubs for the benefit of injured players. The credit balance of £75 was exclusive of the £l3 above mentioned.

Commenting on the report and bal-ance-sheet, the president remarked that the 1936 season had not been a success, but such a state of affairs seemed to be general throughout New Zealand and was by no means confined to Taihape. He was looking forward to an improvement this year and hoped that by limiting the teams to four in each of the senior and junior grades, the standard of play would be raised, and greater interest would be shown by players and public alike. The speaker went on to thank the members of the management committee for their splendid-support last year. A tribute was also paid to the services rendered by the St. John Ambulance, the referees, the secretary (Mr. C. L. Mullany) and the Press. The speaker concluded by striking an optimistic note concerning the coming season. Election of Officers The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Patron, Mr. A. K. Overton; president, Mr. John Quirk; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Webb, W. Pine, L. A. Hebberd; management committee, Messrs. W. O’Connor, A. H. Smith, W. N. Anderson; hon. secretary, Mr. C. L. Mullany; hon. treasurer, Mr. R. C. Schofield; hon. auditor, Mr. J. A. Graham; delegates to Wanganui Rugby Union, Messrs. J. Quirk and C. L. Mullany; senior selector, Mr. C. L. Mullany; junior selector, Mr. A. H. Smith; third grade selector, Mr. W. Pine. Limitation of Teams The recommendation of the outgoing committee that the number of teams in the senior and junior competitions be limited to four in each grade, was briefly discussed and Mr. A. H. Smith moved that the recommendation be adopted. Mr. W. Munro seconded the motion. Mr. Hebberd: The scheme will be difficult to work. There is a full team at Utiku and also at Mangaweka. Mr. N. Anderson: Who has the power to eliminate some of the clubs? Mr. Mullany: I favour four teams in each grade (senior and junior). If we have more it will spell the ruination of Taihape football. If the number of teams is limited the standard of play should be raised. I suggest that a date be fixed for the closing entries for the senior and junior competitions. We will lose all public support if we continue with six teams. Mr. Whibley also spoke in support of four teams. Mr. Hakopa thought that theie should be five teams and pointed out that good football had been seen when this number of teams had been competing. Mr. Hakopa moved an amendment to this effect but failed to find a seconder. The motion limiting the number of teams to four in each grade (senior and junior) was put to the meeting and carried. Mr. Munro moved that the selection of the teams be left to the management committee. Mr. Bond: I will second the motion. The management committee have our confidence. Mr. Mullany moved an amendment that a delegate from each club assist the management committtee in the selection of the teams to take part In the senior and junior competitions. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Whibley and carried. It was resolved that entries for the club competitions close on April 4 and that each club name their delegate when forwarding their entries for the club competitions. Mr J J Rvar a c wither the union would be in favour of “home-and-home” matches with Mangaweka, in the event of the yellow and blacks competing in the Taihape competition. Mr. Mullany: It k only fair that each chib should go to Mangaweka in rotation. On the motion of Mr. A. Smith, it was decided that the same game as last year be set aside for the injured players’ fund.