HUNTERVILLE NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 167, 20 July 1946, Page 2

HUNTERVILLE NEWS

RUGBY UNION POLICY SOME PASSING COMMENT. (0.C.) Hunterville, July 19 The Rangitikei Rugby Sub-Union has not inci eased its circle o£ friends by its policy in legard to representative fixtures in tneir relation to the inler-ciub competitions, while its decision to play a representative fixture on a Sunday (against Ruapehu to-morrow) has provoked a great deal of criticism. Some lew weeks ago the union proceeded with club matches on a day when the weather conditions wore impossible for even a model ate exhibition of Rugby on the excuse that the scheduled lixtuies would make the season unduly late if games v.e;e postponed. Yet at the present moment the union is making what appears to be desperate efforts to get a representative lixture away from the district next Saturday, so that club matches can be postponed for the Hunt Club races. Tne Manawatu Union refused a fixture at Feilding, so now Oroua arc being offered a game. Not ail footbiille.s are racing fans and not many of those who are willing prefer to give up their day's game oi Rugby. A gesture to the Hunt Club is all very well, but if, as was stated on the recent wet Saturday, the season will be unduly prolonged by postponements, then the plain duty seems to be to the ordinary club players—to get on with the job,’ and then’face up to the programme of representative matches.

The decision to resort to Sunday rep. matches certainly seems, on the face of things, to be putting the “gate” before the “game,” the union, of course, having steadily in view a return match with Ruapehu. Organised Sunday Rugby is justified between railway teams and other players whose work prevents them from regular participaGon in the game on Saturdays, but it is generally felt among many strong supporters of the game that the policy of a Rugby Union in ’ fitting in” a representative match on a Sunday after important club matches on the Saturday has nothing to commend it. If such a practice obtains in the King Country and on the West Coast—and circumstances may justify it —it need not be generally encouraged in a country where, fortunately, the Sabbath still stands for something. CATHOLIC CHURCH “SHOP.”

A reminder is given of the “shop” being held to-day (Saturday) in aid of funds for the Catholic Church. This annual effort is being held in Mrs. Burchett’s shop in the Argyle Buildings, and gifts of produce and other articles for sale are solicited. GENERAL ITEMS.

The football club is planning to hold a grana end-ou-season dance in tne Lown Hall. The date has not yet oeen fixeu.

Miss raisy Green, of Rata, whose marr.age lanes place shortly, was guest oi honour ai two gut evenings at Rata last week, one being held al the ifsidence of Mrs. Haywood, and the other in the Putorino Hall. At both functions she received many gifts which testified to her popularity in the district. Mr. Robert Climo, of Hunteiville, celebrated his 89th birthday on Tuesday, and he received many letters and leleg.ams conveying birthday greetings.

The new veterinary surgeon appointed by Ihe Rata Dairy Company is Mr. R. K. Kent, not Hunt, as was stated in the report of the company’s annual meeting. A reminder is given of the bachelor’ dance to be held at Poukiore on Tuesday evening. It promises to be something out of the ordinary.