RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

A YEAR UNDER EXTRAORDINARY .CONDITIONS LOCAL UNION'S REPORT The annual report of the Wellington Rugby Football Union says that the conditions under which games were played during the latter half of the season were extraordinary. The European War completely disorganised the latter..part of the olub fixtures, and thewhole of the representative games. The committee makes no complaint under this heading, bearing in mind that the first thought and care of every citizen should be for the Empire. The answer to the nation's call by members of ■Rugby clubs—players, officials, and explayers—has been gratifying in the extreme, some clubs having lost nearly all their mombors who were eligible for service. To those who have left our shores the committee expresses all good wishes for success and a 6afe return. Senior Championship. ■ The senior championship reached a most interesting stage in July, the Wellington Club and Athletic Club being level in. points 3fter an equal number of games. No final was played. On the declaration of war most of the senior players of the two clubs volunteered for servioe, and the committee, with the concurrence of the clubs concerned, decided that the two teams be bracketed for the senior championship of IS] 4. The early part of the season was characterised by unfavourable weather, many postponements being necessary, especially in the lower crades, where the state of the grounds left no alternative. Before the opening of the championship games the annual seven a side tournament was held, but the attendance was not so good as in former years. Representative Camee. The usual programme of representative games was mapped out early in the season, but required modification ou account of the war. Twelve games were played, Wellington winning nine and losing two, while one (against Auckland at Auckland) was drawn. The northern tour was undertaken in September, and despite the absence of several better-known players, the team gave an excellent account of itself, being undefeated throughout, and securing, by the defeat of Taranaki, the much-coveted Eanfurly Shield. Accident Fund, The claims on the fund were the lowest on record for some seasons past; as a result the expenditure on account of the fund did not much exceed the receipts. The fund is still heavily in-' debted to the general fund. Athletic Park< During the year the first twenty-one year period of the lease of the Park expired, and steps were taken to arrange for the next twenty-one years. This has now been completed and the rental fixed, thereby placing the union in possession of the ground. As a result of strong representations the city authorities have seen fit to allow a reduction in rates, which will mean groat assistance to the union in arranging its finance. Thanks of delegates anu the football public generally are specially due to the executive of the Sports Protection League, who took the matter up and carried it through to a successful conclusion.

At the beginning of the year the sum of £975 was owing to the New Zealand Union on the original Athletic Park loan. Arrangements have recently been completed with the New Zealand Union executive under which" a new loan of £1400 has been granted, enabling the union to discharge the old balance and leave sufficient funds to meet liabilities with a balance over for current' expense in connection with tha management of the Park. Notice of a resolution is tabled empowering the' incoming committee to give effect to the arrangement entered into with the Now Zealand Union. In this connection, opportunity is taken to place on record the union's indebtedness to Mr. G. F. C. Campbell, Dr. A. K. Newman, and Mr. E. Wylie, tho trustees under the original agreement, for their keen interest on the union's behalf since the Park was acquired. Referees. The Eeferees' Appointment Board consisted of Messrs. D. D. Weir (representing the Union), B. A. Marris (representing the players), L. Sievers (representing the Referees' Association). Early in the season certain re-_. quests wore made to the committee on' behalf of itho Referees' Association, all of which were agreed to. Subsequently somo difference arose regarding appointments, and, as the committee could not see its way to agree to fresh demands made, the association advised its members to refuse to act in further matches. Steps were, immediately taken to form a new association, and thanks to many members of the old body, ex-players, and supporters, this was accomplished, and games continued. without break andwithout inconvenience. The thanks of the Union are due to those above-men-tioned for their active assistance, and to the many friends who volunteered to act rather than let any games go by default. Finance, Tho financial transactions have been completed to the end of February. This has been done in order that the Athletio Park transactions and new loan from the' New ' Zealand Union, which was completed in February, might be shown in complete form to enable delegates to grasp the position. The total receipts from matches, as anticipated on the outbreak of war, fell far short of those of any previous year since the Athletic Park was acquired. Expenditure was curtailed as much as possible, and the committee is of the opinion that under the circumstances the financial position is satisfactory. Before the season commenced • tha committee went into the matter of issuing an official programme for all matches, and a very successful result was obtained. A considerable amount was realised on the venture, and this extra revenue has been of material assistance to tho Union in meeting it« obligations. A somewhat larger sum than would otherwise have _ been tha case was speut on advertising games in view .of an assured amount receivable from this source, although the total does not exceed that of former years.