ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1380, 5 March 1912, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. THE RUGBY UNION'S REPORT. STATE OF THE GAME. The annual report of tho Wellington Rugby Union states thnt (he total number of players during last season in tho Saturday grades was 1150, between 500 and 000 in school grades, and 100 in Wednesday grade. Taking tho cup matches right through the committee feel justified in congratulating members on tho class of football, which, judging by tho patronage extended, was appreciated. "From a financial standpoint, the season must bo regarded as a success. The total attendances at cup matches, exclusive of ladies, reached 52,418, an average of 2900 per match, as against a total of 35,213 in ltllfl, with an avcrago of 2500 per match. The cost of administering the union's affairs, without including Athletic Park expense, was ,£1159, compared with £1173 lust season. Tho sum of .£IOOS was received from the park trustees, of which some .£SOO was swallowed up in liquidating liabilities duo on account of last season. In this connection the park trustees directed the attention of- the committee to the large amount advanced, in a letter from which the following is extracted;— "It should bo pointed out that the receipts of la.st season were exceptionally good; that tho trustees ended the season with n much smaller balance than at the commencement, and therefore the Wellington Union should not count on being able to draw such a large amount in the coming season." The Public Schools Union continued its operations throughout the season. Twentyfour teams competed in the three grades promoted, and the winners of the A and JJ grades respectively were Te Aro and Mount Cook, while Petono West won tho suburban grade. Tho total membership of school clubs aggregated 550. It has boen recognised that, whilo the Schools Union has done much t'o encourage the game, and thanks aro duo to its officers, tho scopo.of its operations might be extended with advantage An attempt was mode to give effect to this without success. Tho matter of fostering the game amo.ig the younger players is one for careful consideration. Tho committee endeavoured to meet the position to some extent by providing a class for boys not exceeding 15J years of ago who aro not old enough to take part in the fifth class. The clubs were interested in this proposal, with tho result that fight teams were got together to compete in a sixth grade series of games. Considering that tho project was started when half the season had expired, the number competing warrant the executive in.saying that this class will, if continued, attract a considerable number of players. "At the beginning of the season, three teams entered for Wednesday competition. With a view to increasing the naiiibcr of players available, and addiaj to tho interest and standard of play, the committee decided that each Wednesday club l>e permitted to play a limiti-d number of Saturday players. 'This induced one extra team to come into the competition. The thanks of the union ore due to the president, Dr. Newman, M.P.„who has donated a. hands >a:o silver trophy for competition in this class, and your eommitteo hopes that the coming season will seo increased ntoiOst in the rnid-we-b matches.

Athletic Park Report. "The financial transactions in respect of tho Athletic Park for ,the year ending on January 31, 1912, arc shown in the following statement:— "Tho total receipts in' respect of cup and representative games, are somewhat in excess of that of anv previous year, while the expenditure (bearing in mind some .£3OO paid on account of the previous season) shows some reduction on what has been expended in the past. "During the year the Wellington Union has been advanced tho sum ot «£ 1005. A comparison with other years show that in 1910 the amount was .£1246; in 1809, .£1320 which included .£3OO due from the old company in 1908. Coins back still further, it will bo noted that prior to the purchase of the park .£835 and .£1443 were the amounts received respectively in 1907 and 190 G. From these figures it w.ill be seen that the purchase has proved a lucrative one for the Wellington Union. "Under tho terms of appointment of trustees, it is provided that the maximum amount which can be advanced to the Wellington Union in any year is onethird of the net receipts. Jn view of tho Wellington Union's requirements being in excess of the amount that would be available under this clause, tho Now Zealand Union has agreed to a modification of tho terms which give the trustees discretionary powers in the matter. 'Owing to Mr. George Dixon removing to Auckland, his position as one of the trustees became vacant, and Mr. N. Galbrnith has been appointed in his place. It is desired to place on record the keen interest which Mr. George Dixon always displayed and the good work accomplished by him during his term of office. "During the year Mr. Murphy, who had been caretaker for a number of years, resigned that position, and applications were called to fill the vacancy. From among tho numerous applications received from throughout the Dominion and Australia, Mr. Fcnton, who comes from Napier with excellent credentials, was appointed to the position."

BUSINESS FOR THE MEETING. GYMNASIUM SATURDAY. The following business will be considered at the annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union on Tuesday evening next:—Notices of motion to alter rules, the intention to propose same being hereby given in accordance with Rule 41. By tho Management Committee:— (a) To alter Rule 1/ by striking out the word "eight" in line 3, page 8, and substituting therefor tho word "ten." (b) That Rule 20, sub-clause (j), page 9, be ainendedf by inserting tho words "or otherwiso as I hey may think fit" after the word "number - ' in the first line. (c) That Rule 22, page 10, be amended by adding thereto the words, "A general meeting of delegates shall bo held on some day in the month of Juno in each year, to be determined by the committee, to discuss any business of which notice shall ha;o been given to the secretary at least fourteen days before the day fixed for such meeting." '■ (il) That Rule 41, page 13, be amended by striking out the words "an annual or special" in the second lino thereof, and substituting the word "anv" therefor, (c) That Rule 2, Rules for Club Contests, page 17, be amended by striking out the word "six" in the first line thereof and substituting the word "seven," and by striking out the word "and" before the word "fifth" in the second line thereof and inserting the words "and sixth" after the word "fifth," and by adding the words "or in iho sixth class con-. te.it who shall have attained the age of fifteen years and. six months on the first day of April aforesaid." after the words "April 1" in the sixth line thereof. (f) That Rule. 11, page -7, be amended by adding (he words "No subscription shall bo payable by a sixth class club" after the figures "10s. Gd." in the fourth lino thereof. (g) That Rule 9, Rules for Club Contests, page 18, be amended by inserting the words "In the event of a player not eligible to play for a team, playing for such team, then such player shall be disqualified for a period of not less than twelve months, and if Hit: captain, for the time being of u team, permits a player whom he knows to be ineligible" to play for that team, such captain shall also W disqualified for a period of not. less limn twelve months" alter the words "vice versa" in the thirteenth lino thereof. By Mr.. Perry-"That Rule 10 of tho rules for club contests, Page Hi, be amended by striking out nil the words after 'allowed' in tho tenth line thereof. By Messrs. D. D. Weir and A. E. Wilson—"That llulo 10, club contests, be amended as follows: First paragraph to he excised mid replaced by the following: 'The appointment of referees shall be in the hands, of tho Management Commillei', who will select same from members of the Wellington llefcreos' Association, which shall bo directly allilintcd with the Wellington Rugby Union.' Second paragraph to stand with the exception that where the words 'Appointment Committeo' appear (hey shall be altered to read 'Management Committee'." Bv delegates of the Athletic Football Club--0) "That a day, to be called 'Gymnasium. Saturday, ha tot ajait in

each season for tho purposo of playing matches, tho net proceeds from which nro to bo used to assist clubs to bund gymnasiums. (b) "Tho takings from the gates and the sales of tickets to be equally divided between those clubs already possessing gymnasiums (as yet unpaid tor) and thoso clubs anticipating building. (e) "That clubs be given a month's no-, tico of the date chosen which would be not later than July 31, and the matches played to be either ordinary cup fixtures or special games arranged between tho clubs, such games to bo those likely to attract the public. (d) "Before participating in tho scheme clubs would bo required to furnish tho Wellington Rugby Union under whose administration the fund would be with their audited gymnasium account showing their total liabilities. (c) "As each club liquidates its debt, it would drop out of the scheme and cease to benefit from 'Gymnasium Saturday'."