N.Z. RUGBY UNION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 816, 13 May 1910, Page 6

N.Z. RUGBY UNION.

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. T.he eighteenth annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held.at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Mr. F. H. Campbell (Otago), presided, and there were present the following delegates :—

Auckland—G. H. Dixon, F. J. Ohlson; Buller-W. C. Wright, H. H. Kelly;Bush Districts—E. Darley; Canterbury—F. I. Cowlishaw, W. G. Garrard, G. H. Mason, V. Meredith, F. G. Wallburton; Hav.-ke'e Baj-—W. Gooseman, F. Laws, W. , J. M'Grath, G. F. Eoach, L. Sievcrs; Horowhenua—J. C. Burns; Manawatu—H. P. Muller, F. Pirani; Marlborough-J. F. O'Sullivan; Nekon-K. C. Akers, N. Galbraith, A. G. Shrimpton; Otago-H. Harris, E. M. Isaacs, J. Brodie, F. H. Campbell; Poverty Bay-D. Weir, G. Lusk; South Auckland-H. J. Field; South Canterbury-C. P. Collins, E. Wyllie, H. Amos; Southland—Dr. Crawford, E. Galbraith, J. Laughton; Tara-no.ki-W. C. Cargill, - Crombie; Wairarapa, A. B. Charters, B. Wanganui, L. Craig, A. Laurenson, G. Spriggens; Wellington-E. 0. Hales, J. T. King, J. Lynskey, F. Roberts, T. Walsho; West Coast-G. Clarke, J. B. Hefferman, W. Perry

The Chairman's Address.

In moving the adoption of ihe annual report and balance-sheet (already published), the chairman remarked that he was hopeful that the English Union' would see its way to favourably consider such alterations in the laws of the game as were suggested by the New Zealand Union. As the result of tho recent Australasian Conference, a more harmonious understanding should now prevail between the New Zealand and the Australian Unions. The object of the decision to send a New.Zealand representative team to Australia this year was to counteract the professional tendency which had made us appearance over there. The tendency in that direction was. fortunately, less strong in New Zealand. Referring to the present condition and progress of the game in New Zealand, the chairman expressed the opinion that Hugby had a stronger hold upon the people than ever, and there was no reason to apprehend any danger from the recent developments with respect to the Aortnern'Union game. They welcomed the advent of. Association football, which was. purely, an amateur game. There was plenty of room for an amateur game, but none for the professional. Professionalism, the experiences of other countries went to show, did no good'. to spprt. (Hear, hear). Upon the subject of school Bugby, the chairman referred to certain difficulties which had been experienced in fostering the game anions the boys. The fact remained, however, that the boys generally took to Rugby when they grew up.' The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. Ohlson. English Union Criticised by Mr. Pirani. Eeplying to a question, Mr. G. H. Dixon, chairman of the Management Committee, said that certain recent modifications in the rules had undoubtedly followed as the result of the recommendations of the New Zealand Eugbj- Union. _ Mr. Piraui questioned this. It was impossible that such modifications could have followed as stated, as these were decided upon before the recommendations could possibly have reached Home. Sir. Dixon dissented. Mr. Pirani was referring to certain modifications which had been drafted in accordance with the wishes of the Australasian Conference. So far as the New Zealand Union was concerned, though they had not received all that was asked for, a number of the modifications were in accord with the feeling of the union in New Zealand. Mr. Pirani contended that they were not. The English Union, nioveover, had made certain modifications, and they in Now Zealand would be compelled to accept them. • . , i The chairman said that it'had-been his' experience that they got nothing from' the English Kugby Union. Mr. Harris suggested that the time was ripe for the adoption of the principle of Home Eule as regarded the laws of the game. He asked what the recommendations of the Sydney Conference were.

The chairman said that those would not enlighten delegates, as there was no agreement between these recommendations, and the modifications adopted by tho English Union. ' '.

Dr. Crawford asked whether there existed any general desire for alterations to the laws of tho game. (Delegates: "No!") If players followed the game in tho proper spirit they would find it fast enough without making radical alterations.

Mr. Dixon, replying, said that the delegates had quite misunderstood the position. The unions had already been informed, by circular, that the English Rugby Union had written to say that the recommendations of the New Zealand Rugby Union had been duly received and referred to the International Board for consideration, and certain modifications resolved upon. Where"was the contumely complained of? The report was adopted.

Alteration of Rules. Mr. Perry (Wellington) moved the following amendment of Eule 15:— (a) A delegate shall not represent more than one union; (b) a. union may be represented by a separate delegate by each vote to whioh it is entitled; (c) that any. one delegate may exercise all the votes to which his union is entitled; (d) voting by proxy shall not be allowed. Mr Pirani suggested the deletion of Clause "d" of the motion, and the insertion of a new preamble, to read as follows:— . "Delegates may only represent their unions in person, providing, etc." The amendment was accepted, and, after a brief discussion, favourable to the motion, tho alteration was agreed to.

Suggested Bayly Memorial. Mr. W. C. Cargill (Taranaki) brought forward for consideration the suggested schemo- for the institution of a suitable memorial in honour of the late Mr. Alf. Bayly, whereby a sum of £100 should be voted by the NIZ.E.F.U. towards the founding of a public school scholarship for the Taranaki district, and tenable for two years. The speaker outlined the draft scheme, as follows:—

Extent of Competition. —All boys resident in the Taranaki Provincial District under the age of 15 years on December 1 in the year in which the examination is held. The candidates must have spent the whole of the year in which they compete in the Taranaki province, and attended some public or private school therein.

Scholarship.—The examination shall be that set out for the junior national scholarship, the subjects being :—English 300, arithmetic 200, geography 100, drawing 100, general knowledge 100; total, 800. .

Character.—Good temper, behaviour, language, popularity, personal character, etc., 200 marks, to be certified to by the headmaster of the school and the chief inspector of schools. Athletics.—A competition consisting of the following- events, open to candidates nominated for the Bayly Scholarship, will be held at a place and time appointed by the Tai-anaki Eugby Union, and governed by officials appointed by them :— Event. Standard. Marks. Ist. 2nd. 3rd. lO'Oyds. 12 2-ssec. 75 1G 6 2 440 yds. GGsec. 75 17 6 2 High jump 4ft. 50 14 i>l Long jump 12ft. 50 14 i 1 Drop kick 45yds. 75 20 8 2 Punt -40yds. 50 15 6 2 Total marks, 500. ■ Place-kicking will also bo included. The candidate securing the highest asgregate number oi marks shall bo chosen as the Bayly Scholar. This scholarship shall be tollable for two years at any high school or district high school in the Taranaki Province.

■ The committee in charge of the negotiations, continued the speaker, had now about .£125 in hand. It was desired to raise J3400, more, if possible. The speaker eulogised tho signal services rendered to. Tarauaki and Now Zealand by the laU . Mr. Bayly, in the causo

of football, and said that the proposal he had outlined, conducted on somewhat similar lines to those which governed the Rhodes Scholarship, would tend to raise the prostigo of the game. Ee moved that the union authorise a grant of JJIOO. There was, he contended, a precedent for such a vote as was askeu, in the creation of the Deans Memorial. Tho motion was seconded. Mr. Perry said thai , the motion was rather difficult to oppose, for reasons of sentiment. He, anyone, would unhesitatingly acknowledge the good work achieved by the late Mr. Bayly in furthering the Rugby game in Taranaki, yet it must not be overlooked that" that player had followed the game for his own pioasnrt). He opposed the motion. Mr. Pirani criticised the attitude of the previous speaker, who, he asserted, had supported the proposal for the Deans Memorial. He spoke strongly in favour of the motion.

Mr. Ma«ou (Canterbury), was entirely In accord with the spirit of the proposition, but thought, that the amount voted should not vary from that subscribed Lo the Deans Memorial Medal. There was a suggestion of making distinctions in donating various amounts.. The mover subsequently agreed to delete the specification of the amount—.£loo —from the motion, and the meeting then resolved that a donation be made. Mr. Pirani then moved, and Mr. Charters seconded, that a grant of £50 be voted.

Mr. M'Grath moved, as an amendment, that the grant of ;£SO be approved conditionally on Taranaki finding a sum of c£3so. ' * .

It was ultimately agreed, Mr. Pirani consenting, that an amount equal to oneseventh of the sum raised by tho Taranaki Union should bo authorised to be paid, conditionally on the funds being expended .on such a schemo of scholarship as had been outlined. Ranfurly Shield. Tho following motion by Mr. Ohlson (Auckland), with regard to the rules governing the. Eanfurly Shield competition, was referred to the Management Committee, with power ' to- act:—"That the holders of the shield- should not be asked to play more than two special challenge matches in any one season." Election of Officers. Tho following officers were elected:— <■ Patron: The Governor-elect, Baron Islington. President: Mr. R. Galbraith. Vice-presidents: Messrs. H. Sannders (Nelson), F. T. Bellringer (Taranaki), D, IC. Logan (Wavrarapa), G. I' , . (J. Campbell (Wellington), P. H. Campbell (Otago), J; Colvin (Buller), A. E. Devoro (Auckland), F. K. Logan (Hawke's Bay), J. S. Fowler (Horowhonua), .T. Manson '(Southland), J. Manning (Manawatu), G. H. Mason (Canterbury), E.' M'Callum (Marlborough), Dr. M"Kay (West Coast), W. B. Miller (Poverty Bay), A. Shirtcliffe (South Canterbury), 6. Spriggens (Wanganui), M. Vance (Bush Districts), Thomas Clarkin (South Auckland), H. Saunders (Kelson). Hon. treasurer: Mr. H. W. Kelly. Management Committee: Messrs. G. H. Dixon, R. M. Isaacs, N. Galbraith, J. H. A. Laughton, A. Laurenson, M. J. Crombie, and F. G. TVallburtbn. Appeal Council: Messrs. F. H. Campbell,' H. Harris, and H. F. Sincock. Auditor: Mr. 0. G. Kember. Representative on the English Rugby Union: Mr. C. Wray Palliser. The location of the Appeal Committee for tho ensuing three years was fixed at Wellington.

Other Matters. On the motion for the adoption of the report on the Australasian . Conferenco (already published), moved by Mr. Harris and seconded by Mr. Lusk, the appointment of referees .was raised by Mr. Wyllie. He thought that the rule on the. subject should be amended to read not fewer than six names. Past experience had shown that the submission of three names to visiting teams as a suggested list from which to make an appointment was not sufficient. ~.,,,, Mr. G. H. Dixon said that the previous speaker misunderstood the position. The' new rule stated that the list should not contain fewer than three. Rules of the Game. Mr. Ohlson (Auckland) raised the question whether tho Auckland Union was within its rights in prescribing that in club competitions any player throwing in the ball should throw it in at least five yards, subject to the previous consent of the teams playing. He moved that the unions be allowed to make such modifications as indicated.

Mr. O'Sullivan (Wellington) seconded the motion. He thought the modification as to throwing in five yards was a very desirable one.

Discussion ensued as to whether the action which it was proposed to sanction constituted a violation of the laws of the game,, and whether the meeting would be within it's rights jn passing the motion. Mr. F. Pirani (Manawatu) said the rule was simply that the ball should be thrown in at right angles, and the proposed modification would not conflict with this rule. He supported the motion. ■ Mr. G. H. Dixon (Wellington) suggested that as permission to do the thing under discussion had been asked from the English Rugby Union, and the reply had not yet been received, it would be inadvisable to pass the motion at present. He also submitted that notice should have been givsh. -

The chairman said he could not put the motion, but tho tenor of the discussion would show Mr." Ohlson that, if the Auckland Union continued to make the modification in question, the New Zealand Rugby Union would not say they were wrong.

•Mr. Ohlson said he would be satisfied with an assurance that the Auckland Union could do so without interference from other unions. He was not asking for any modification in inter-union matches. "Do I understand that we can gp fin?" asked the speaker in conclusion. I.

.Voices: "Yes, yes—until there's an appeal." Loan for Otago, ' Mr. F. H. Campbell (Otago) moved: "That the Management Committee be authorised to grant to the Otago Rugby Union a further loan of ,£I2OO, at- the ruling rate of interest on fixed deposits, such loan to be repaid in six years in equal yearly instalments, provided that the New Zealand Rugby Union is satisfied a% to the security offered." The mover , explained that the money was required for the erection of a grandstand, ' and the revenues. from the use of the structure would be pledged as security. The existing Joan was ,£SOO. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harris (Otago) and carried.

Football Ground at Masterton. Mr, Charters (Masterton) said football at Masterton was played on the showground, and the owners of the ground were willing to soil tho portion used for football at the price they paid for it. Ho mOTcd: "That on an application being made to the New Zealand Rugby Union from tho Wairarapa Union for a loan on the slwwground, such application be dealt with by the New Zealand Union on its merits, provided that the security and rate of interest are satisfactory." The motion was carried.Miscellaneous. The sum of £\5 was voted to the NewZealand Referees' Association for payment of expenses of delegates to the conference of referees in Wellington. It was resolved that the New Zealand Rugby Union pay the expenses of one delegate from each affiliated union to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Eugby Union. It was resolved, on tho motion of Mr. Ohlson: "That .£IOO be voted for tho encouragement of Kugby football among tho boys of the primary schools throughout the Dominion." North v. South. In reply to a question, Mr. G. H. Dixou said it was not the intention of tho Management Committee to play the North v. South match before the selection of the team to play in Australia, but the selectors of the team for Australia would not be absolutely limited to deciding on last year's form. \A motion to play tho North v. South match on May 2-1 was negatived. It was resolved to recommend tho Slanagoment Committee to arrange for tho North v. South match to be played at Christchurch this season. Votes of thanks to the officers were .passed unanimously.