MR. DEAN REVIEWS GROWTH OF RUGBY OVER 28 YEARS

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1948, Page 5

MR. DEAN REVIEWS GROWTH OF RUGBY OVER 28 YEARS

(P.A.) Wellington. May 5. After many years as chairman of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. S. S. Dean relinquished that post at the annual meeting of the N.Z. Rugby Council today. Replying to tributes to his service to Rugby as chairman of the executive, Mr. Dean gave a review of the progress of the game during 28 years. Features were that in 1920 the revenue wa§ £430 and expenditure £5BO. School grants were £lB6. The gross gate for the North-South match was £465. The South African and Australian (N.S.W.) tour in 1921 had resulted in the union’s funds rising to £14,527.

The 1930 visit by the British team was one of the most successful on record. The gross gates amounted to £55,852, of which £10,655 was paid to unions for the use of their grounds. The profit from this tour was £21,579. The 1937 Springbok tour resulted in the union’s funds being boosted by £17,705. A sum of £2875 had been granted to unions which did not have a game against the Springboks. For many years about £lOOO a year had been granted unions to foster Rugby in schools. Many thousands had been spent on fostering Rugby among the Maoris. More than £lOO,OOO had accrued to the funds of affiliated unions from ground rents for New Zealand matches, grants for school football and fostering the game generally and broadcasting fees.