FOOTBALL IN WAIHI

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXX, Issue 8449, 6 April 1933, Page 2

FOOTBALL IN WAIHI

ANNUAL BIEETIN3 OF RUOBY ONION

PAST SEASON REVIEWED A SUCCESSFUL YEAR The annual general meeting of the Waihi Rugby Union was held in the Miners’ Hall reading room on Monday evening, a good attendance of supporters and players being presided over by Mr J. L. McDermott, and the following delegates being present; —Messrs W. Hume and P. Blomquist, Katikati club; F. J. Callaghan and J. Furey, Convent Old Boys; J. McCiintock and W. Phillips, Waikino; A. Roberts and R. Quinlan, Mata lira; A. McConnell and C. V. Callaghan, Athletics; A. Henry and D. Nisbot, High School Old Boys. Before proceeding with the ordinary business, the chairman moved a vote of condolence with the family of the late Mr A. Gardiner, a member of the Plains junior team, this being carried with those present standing in silence. THE ANNUAL REPORT The annual report for the previous season was then read by the secretary (Mr C. Burt) as follows;—“The committee of the Waihi Rugby Union has great pleasure in presenting the report for the past season, it having been one of the most successful for some years from a playing standpoint and also financially and from the interest displayed by the public. Bettor football, on the whole, was played, and matches were keenly contested right to the end of the season. The attendance of the public increased and greater revenue resulted. The Ahtletic seniors are to be congratulated on their meritorious winning of the senior championship for the Piliing Cup and the knock-out competition for the Hawk Cup. The championship points were: Athletics 14 Katikati 9, Convent Old Boys 8, Mataura 3 and Waikino 2. The junior championship cup was won by the Convent Old Boys, with Waikino as runners-up, the points being: Convent Old Boys 18, Waikino 14, Mataura 10, Katikati B 10, Athletic B S and Athletic A 7. The Convent Old Boys also won the junior knockout competition for the McDonald and the committee congratulates this team on its performance, which was the more commendable in view of its being a first year’s effort. The Athletic third grade team won the third grade competition for the CampbellEhrcnfiekl Gup, the points being: Athletics 10, High School 7, Convent Old Boys 5. The High School won the knock-out competition for the Foresters’ Shield and these teams are complimented on their wins.

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES

“Our representative teams were not so successful in either the Poland or Charcbrokers’ Cup competitions and it is to be regretted that this was partly due to lack of training. Your committee strongly recommends players to take more interest in getting fit. The Duff Cup is still held in Waihi, there having been no matches played for it. Games were played against Morrinsville (lost, 13 points to 3) and Manukau, Waihi winning the latter match comfortably. The Auckland Technical thirds also visited us and were soundly beaten by a junior team. Home and home matches were revived with Thames, the honours being even, Thames however winning a third game in the elimination scries for the Peace Cup. A team also travelled to Tauranga at the close of the season and suffered a defeat. The junior representatives were beaten by Paeroa for the Johnston Cup. A new cup presented by Mrs C. McGregor was handed to the Thames Valley Union for competition as a challenge cup for senior teams, three challenges being received for it but only Paeroa played and were defeated. IMPROVED FINANCES

In regard to finances, the general fund shows a credit on the year’s working of £SO 7s 6d, which is highly creditable. Donations were less than formerly, affiliation fees £1 Is more and gate receipts £lO5 more. On the expenditure side all the following items showed increases on the previous season to the extent stated; Transport, £25; entertaining visiting teams, £l6; gate per centage to Borough Council, £S; donations to Hockey Association, £4 10s; printing, £10; guarantees to visiting teams. £4; general expenses, £4. The accident and insurance fund suffered a heavy deficit. The total receipts were £l7 3s, £S more than the previous year, while the payments totalled £54 6s Od, an increase of £44 over Die previous season. The loss on this fund was £3 7 and your committee feels strongly that this should not be a drag on the union’s finances any longer.

NEW PLAYING GROUND

“Owing to the large number of teams entered in the various competitions (15 all told) your committee had some difficulty in placing matches. This difficulty was overcome satisfactorily but it was felt that the congestion would have to be relieved and accordingly a field in Kenny Street, in the centre of the town, was purchased for £IOO. A

building on it was sold for £4O and a contract let for levelling it at a price of £l5O. Owing to legal difficulties over closing a road through the property work could not be started until well into February, but the contractor, Mr J. Reilly, has made good progress and hopes to have the field ready for grassing by April 22nd. A subscription list towards the cost was left in tlic hands of the chairman (Mr McDermott) and was accorded a wonderful response, £O3 ISs being collected. so that now funds are required for improvements only, the

original cost having already been found and an overdraft guaranteed by several Rugby enthusiasts has been secured to carry on the work. Application has been made for inclusion to the extent of £IOOO in one of the Dominion art unions and although on the list it may be a considerable time before it is actually included. The thanks of the union are due to Mr J. B. Beeche, who gave all legal services free, and to the Borough Council and Mr M. F. Haszard for their assistance.

“Your committee regrets the passing of Mr J. W. MacDonald, vice-

patron, and Mr A. Gardiner, a junior player, and expresses its sympathy with the relatives.

“In conclusion your committee feels that every confidence may be foil in the future, the prospects for Rugby in Waihi looking particularly bright.” CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS In commenting on the report and balance-sheet the chairman congratulated the executive on the successful year it had experienced and stated that one heavy liability had been the accident insurance, which had cost the union £37 out of the general fund. This was a matter that would have to have serious consideration this year. With reference to the new playing area, Mr A. Pearce had been the first to move in this matter and it was through his forethought and interest that it had progressed so far. It would be a big saving .so far as travelling expenses were concerned and when completed the ground would be a splendid asset to the town. The purchase money had already been collected and lie wished to thank the business people for the very generous manner in which they had come forward with monetary assistance. He was very grateful to them indeed. He also thanked Messrs Beeche and Haszard and the Waihi Borough Council for their readiness to help the union. The contractor carrying out the improvements had received a progress payment of £SO, so that the actual bank balance of the union now stood at 2s lid. He also wished to thank the Referees’ Association, the Press and the Federal Band for their help during the past season. Mr A, Waite moved the acceptance of the report and balance-sheet and congratulated Mr Burt on the manner in which they were drawn up. The motion was seconded by Mr L. McGonagle and carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Before calling for nominations for the various offices Mr McDermott thanked all members and clubs for the support accorded last season and specially mentioned the good work of the secretary, who had spent a great deal of his time in attenting to the affairs of the union.

Mr C. V. Callaghan, on behalf of the clubs, thanked the executive for the way they had fostered the sport and the election of officers was then proceeded with, resulting as follows: Chairman, Mr J. L. McDermott; patron, Mr W. M. Wallnutt; vice-patron, Mr G. A. Neill; president, Mr D. G. Saunders: active vice-presidents, Messrs E. McLeay, J, B. Weedon, W. Rae, A. Carter, H. Wroe and J. Talbot; hon. vice-presidents, Drs. Bridgman and L. R. Hetherington, Messrs W. Brown, M. Arbuckle, F. King, F, C. V. Clark, J. Moorhead, W. Parr, M. Johnston, A. M. Samuel, M.P., P. G. Brady, S. Tanner, W. Morrison, K. Paxton, J. Hicks, R. Speeding and J. B. Becche, with power to add; hon. secretary, Mr C. Burt; hon. treasurer, Mr A. Pearce; auditor, Mr F. Nickisson; trustees, Messrs C. Burt and A. Pearce; management committee, Messrs H. Morallee, L. McGonagle, D. McPherson, R. Arbuckle, 0. Longer, J. Talbot, J. Mannix and Leopold; delegates to Thames Valley Union, Messrs C. Burt, J. McDermott and A. Pearce. GENERAL MATTERS Mr McDermott welcomed the new members of the committee and regretted the passing of some of the old hands. The delegates to the Thames Valley Union were instructed to recommend that the Poland Cup competition be confined to one round. Mr Talbot announced that he would donate a medal for the best allround first year senior forward player and Mr Pearce offered a similar trophy for the best all-round first year senior back, both offers being received and the donors thanked. All clubs and teams are to be registered by the next meeting of the management committee on Tuesday, April ISth. The secretary was asked to apply to the Waihi Borough Council for the use of the Recreation Ground for the season and to ask that the playing area be disced and rolled and the meeting then closed.