RANGITIKEI RUGBY BOUNDARY

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 July 1949, Page 3

RANGITIKEI RUGBY BOUNDARY

Dispute To Go To The N.Z. Union Dissatisfied with the Boundary Commission’s proposal concerning the fate of the Ohingaiti Club, the Rangitikei Rugby Union, at a meeting of the Management Committee on Wednesday night, decided to appeal to the New Zealand Rugby Union, to adjudicate on the boundary dispute between Manawatu and Rangitikei. Through the Wanganui Union, Rangitikei is to apply for permission to send a delegation to the New Zealand Union in support of Ohingaiti’s petition. The Rangitikei delegate on the commission, Mr. G. Thomson, reported on a meeting he attended at Palmerston North on Saturday and said that Manawatu were prepared to cede portion of their territory in the Kawhatau district to Taihape, if Rangitikei were prepared to give up Ohingaiti to Oreua, otherwise the Rangitikei River boundary was to be rigidly enforced. The meeting decided not to entertain the idea of ceding Ohingaiti to Oroua Sub-Union, but to ask the New Zealand Rugby Union to judge Rangltikei’s case. This petition signed by 97 residents of Ohingaiti district, requests that the Rugby Union boundary at the northern end of Rangitikei be altered to allow players residing across the river to play for Ohingaiti, or alternatively that the area in question be declared a “ n o man’s land,” which would permit players to play in either Rangitikei or Oroua.

dared the ground unlit for play on the day of the match. A further report was read from the Hunterville coach, Mr. G. N. Young. Because the Ratana players had not erected the goal posts on an alternative ground and broken glass was found on the playing field, the game was finally called off. The Rata delegate, Mr. F. S. Sponner, said his junior team had played two seniors against Athletic last Saturday as the Rata team was short. It had been agreed with the Athletic team, prior to the match, to forfeit to Athletic and to play a friendly match to give the players a run. Rata v.<»n 11-9. It was decided to award the game to Athletic.