RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17964, 8 March 1930, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WAIKATO UNION MEETS. ANNUAL MEETING ON MARCH 28. MR COOPER RESIGNS. The management committee of the Waikato Rugby Union met for the first time in the 1930 season last evening, Mr B. Chapman (Putaruru subunion) presiding. There were also present Messrs E. J. L. Whiting and C. Speight (Hamilton), S. Boulton (Cambridge), C. Mclntyre (Morrinsvllle), A. G. Yardley (Matamata), H. G. Haselden (Waipa), T. Clarkin (Raglan), F. Harris (Taupiri), J. M. Crosby (Paeroa) and the secretary, Mr T. W. Thompson. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on March 28. / Mr T. A. Cooper, selector to the union, tendered his resignation. It was decided to accept his resignation with regret and place on record his sendees to football. CONFERENCE OF SUB-UNIONS. THE PEACE CUP. RULES AMENDED. In the past certain rules governing the Peace Cup competition caused a certain amount of friotion and dissatisfaction among the competing subunions, and with the objeot of removing these barriers to an amioable understanding a conference was held last evening, at which the sub-unions affected were represented. The rules were fully discussed and where necessary amended. The donor of the cup, Mr R. English, who was present throughout the conference, informed the meeting that as far as he was concerned he was quite willing to agree to any alteration in the rules which would be for the benefit of the sub-unions as a whole. The amended rules, as finally drawn up, when submitted to the donor, received liis endorsement.

Tb-e conference was presided over by Mr H. Frost, chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union. There were also present Messrs T. W. Maben, secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union, C. Speight (Hamilton), C. H. Rabone (Thames), C. McDavitt (Morrinsville). A. G. Yardley (Putaruru), H. G. Haselden (Waipa), B. Chapman (Matamata), T. Clarkin (Raglan), F. Harris (Taupiri), T. S. Cray (Cambridge) and J. M. Crosby (Paeroa). Apologies were received from the sub-unions of the Thames Valley Union. The Amended Rules. The amended rules, unanimously approved by the sonference, read as follows : No. 1 : The cup, which shall be known as the “ Peace Memorial Cup,” shall be a challenge cup, open to all Rugby Unions in the King Country, Waikato, Franklin, Rotorua, Thames, Ohinemuri and Piako districts . and any district within these boundaries. No. 2 : The first holders of the cup shall ho the Hamilton Rugby Union. No. 3 : All unions shall have the right to lodge one challenge in each season, and no challenge shall be lodged with the holders prior to March 1, or after June 30, in each year. No. 4 : In the event, of there being more challenges than Saturdays available to September 30, a draw shall be conducted to decide on the sub-union which will be called upon to play preliminary matches. The draw shall be taken as to the order of play. No. 5 : The bolder shall acknowledge the receipt of a challenge to the challenger within seven days of the receipt of same. No. 6 : In elimination matches the travelling union will receive half the net proceeds of the gate, but in no case more than £3O. The venue of the match shall be mutually arranged. No. 7 : The holders shall decide on the date of the matches, and all matches shall be played on the ground of the holders. The holders shall declare not later than july 15 in each year the order of matches and dates as laid down. No. 8 : Matches shall not be commenced later than the third Saturday in July in each year and no match shall be played after the last Saturday in September. No. 9 : Ten days before a Peace Cup match the holders shall submit to the challengers the names of three available qualified referees, two of these to be from outside unions for the selection of one to control the match. No. 10 : The challenging team shall be entitled to no expenses, but the donor considers that in the case of a team coming a distance where there are no home and home matches a reasonable percentage of the gate should he allowed. No. 11 : In the case of a challenger winning the oup they shall take over all challenges lodged with the previous holders and adhere to dates originally arranged unless otherwise mutually agreed upon without prejudice to any other sub-union’s challenge. No. 12 : Any dispute or any matter not provided for in these rules shall be settled by the Auckland Rugby Union and their decision shall be final and binding on all unions unless the matter is agreed upon mutually. Changes Made. In the old rules, which were drawn up on May 15, 1925, a challenge for the cup had to be lodged not later than May 31, but now challenges can be sent in up to June 30. Another important amendment, which is considered will be a great boon to the smaller sub-unions, is the provision of a share in the gate receipts when playing against another sub-union on the latter’s ground in elimination games. Whereas in the past the Waikato Union decided the date of the challenge matches, the holders will now decide on the date on which the matches will be played.