LEAGUE AND RUGBY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 12, 17 May 1939, Page 8

LEAGUE AND RUGBY

FRIENDLY GATHERING HARMONY BETWEEN THE TWO CODES CONCILIATORY SPIRIT A very • friendly gathering took place at Ruatoki on Monday night at the conclusion of the executive meeting of the Wliakatanc Rugby Sub-Union, when, delegates .met Mr Takarua Tamarau and Mr Paki Powhare leaders of ithe Ruatoki natives and at present leading supporters of League football, for an informal discussion, at which an endeavour was made to clear up misapprehensions which had existed in the past and to introduce a friendly spirit between the two codes. Welcoming Mr Tamarua and Mr Powharc, Mr W. S. Henderson, chair said that It hey hoped that by a frank discussion they could clear up one or two misunderstandings. He was followed by the Rev. W. Rangi, and Mr I. Trainor an,d Mr I. Tunui, who spoke in Maori to the same effect. No Slur Intended Mr iF. Peebles, secretary of the si;b_union, said that, as a. membsr when the unfortunate breach occurred, he could assure the Ruatoki people that no slur was intended 01 cast by the Whakatane un.ion. A false impression probably aroSe through misstatements, and there was no thought at any time of upsetting any of the affiliated clubs. He hoped that all would be forgotten and that thcj r could start all over again. Mr K. Bell (Waimana) said his club at the time felt that tliey should have matches at Waimana and they didn't see why they should have to travel to Whakatane. However they realised that it was not the union's fault that one or two members then felt that centralising football 'would make for better plav. Waimana would like to see Ruatoki come back into the fold. Mr Tamhraiu Mr Tamarau was the next speaker. He thanked speakers for the kindly tone of their remarks. There was much charity in them . He had had many years experience as a supporter of rugby, and in this connection he recnlled with pleasure some of the early history of the game in the district. Referring to the start of the trouble he said that the Ruatoki team had won the championship but had had only two representatives in the Whakatane team. That .began, the seed of the grievance that finally helped to turn them to League. For that reason he had suggested to Mr Peebles that one selector from the three should be allotted to Ruatoki ancl Waimana. This was not approved by the union. Ruatoki's Complaint Mr Tamarau was still of the op in. ion that at the time of the breach Ruatoki was of little importance in the eyes of the Rugby union. Whakatane took the credit for any successes which outlying centres might contribute to. He was pleased at the conciliatory

spirit shown by this meeting and lie was only sorry ithat the meeting was held late in the for the ball was already ilying on both fields. He came back to his old statement that he admired the charitable spirit expressed that evening, and he appreciated the kind request 'that all should come back to the one fold, especially since it was supported by Waimana which was more or less with . Ruatoki when the trouble occurred. He shared the hope that their would be no ill-feeling between the codes, but he referred to the inci. dent last year when the League was not allowed to play on, the Domain. That came before his mind because of the fact that speakers to-night had stressed the need for harmony. If that could only be achieved it would go a long way towards healing the breach. Conference Next Season The League season had commenced, but he suggested that a round-table conference might be arranged before the start of next season. This -would do something to create better feeling. He appreciated all-(that had been said and would convey it to his friends. (Applause). Other speakers followed among them Mr F. Peebles, who said that his brother, Mr P. Peebles, when a selector at the time of the trouble, had offered to resign in favour of a Ruatoki selector. Selectors Mr Henderson said the choosing o! selectors was entirely a matter for the delegates. He emphasised that the clubs were the Rugby union and could do just whatever they liked if they did it in a constitutional manner at the meetings. Next year it might be possible to get a selector fr'om each end of the union and one from the middle portion. The Rev W. Rangi thanked Mr Tamaran for his fine reply. He was thoroughly sympathetic to Mr Tamarau's views and thanked Mr Tamarau for his perception of the Whakatane union's charitable spirit. Seeing the season had started already the suggestion of a round table conference next season was a good one. Sticking by Lettgne Mr Powharc welcomed the union as their host and as an officer of the League. He appreciated the spirit shown. It was a pity it had not been, shown earlier. He must endorse Mr Tamarau's words as a leader of the tribe with a lot of influence. As a delegate and member of a ; League club Mr Powharc said he must stick by League as long as League was in existence. Mr Henderson said he realised why Mr Tamarati was held in very high repute. He had been interested ii, all lie and Mr Powhare had had to say. It would seem that since Ruatoki had won the championship and got only two reps in the representative team there was justification for the attitude they had adopted. Might Have Done Same He was not prepared to comment any further, except to say that in their position he might have taken up the attitude that they hadn't got fair representation. He was pleased to hear the expressions of keenness and harmony. They didn't come to get Ruatoki to be false to their colours but came with the idea of gettin.g a bit off their chests and hearing Ruatoki do the same to clear the air. He again assured them of the pleasure it would be at any time to gather in the one fold. He was only sorry that the talk did not take some time ago. A similar conference next season might have a better effect. It had been a very pleasing ! sight to see the green jerseys in Whakatane last Saturday. In conelusion he conveyed the union's best wishes and hoped they would have a very successful season. Complimentary Ticket Later Mr Henderson asked Mr Tam arau to accept a complimentary tic. keit to all club games in the Whakatane district. He said he hoped to see Mr Tam arau at every match. (Laughter). Mr Tamarau said he was honoured to accept'tlie ticket. The only thing was that the other elders would make him the culprit if they did not get one too. (Laughter). Mr Henderson said that they had issued only one ticket to Mr Tamarau because they were afraid of cheapening the gift, but since the other elders would like a ticket he was delighted to issue them. "Jolly Good Fellows" After the excellent supper provid. Ed by Mrs Powharc iiad disappeared before the hungry delegates the meet ing broke up. "For they are Jolly flood Fellows'- was sung in honour of Mr Tamarau and Mr and Mrs Powh are. In each case the speeches were ablv translntcd by the Rev W. R :i ngi.