RUGBY JUBILEE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 75, 8 July 1942, Page 2

RUGBY JUBILEE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN

One result of the war is that plans for celebrating the golden jubilee this year of the New Zealand Rugby Union have gone by the board. But it is not intended to forget this milestone in the history of the national game; when hostilities cease, Rugby's golden jubilee will be celebrated in fitting stjde.

Efforts are to be made not only to arrange for reunions of old players and officials all over the country, but to make the occasion by a visit from a strong overseas team. The complete history of the game, already compiled in Wellington, Avill be published in the form of an attractive brochure.

The meeting at which the New Zealand Rugbj r Union was formed was held in Wellington on April 1(5 1892. Seven unions each had one 'delegate present, and the meeting lasted till midnight, for there 'was some opposition. Indeed, this lasted until after the 1893 All Black tour of Australia, in the s.ule for -which Canterbury, Otago and Southland were not represented because they still had not affiliated with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. The only South Island unions represented in the 1893 team were West Coast, Nelson and South Canterbury. :