RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2420, 27 March 1915, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

RUCBY UNION & SEATOUN PARK. THE CHARGE OF FALSE PRETENCES DENIED. : At Thursday night' 6 meeting of the Miramar Borough Council, Councillor H. A. Smith accused the Wellington Rugby Football Union of having obtained the use of Seatouu Park a coupto of season's back "practically by means of false pretences." Air. E. 0. Hales, chairman of tho Union, was yesterday questioned as to the Union's version of the matter. In discussing the oharge levelled against the union, Mr. Hales said he did not know who llr. Smith was, but ha had i)o hesitation iu giving his statements an unqualified denial. Tho position' was that in 1912 the union's delegate interviewed the iliramar Borough Council and applied for a lease of Seatouu Park on behalf of the union. The application was refused, so tho union took the park at a rental of £10 per annum.' The council asked that the park 6hould be used as little as possible, as it had very little top-dressing. This request the urtion complied with. In 1918. when negotiations were again entered into, the council pointed out ti>.>' the Hutt and Jolmsonville local bodies, from whom tho union rented grounds, had a. certain number of senior matches played on their reserves, and suggested that a similar privilege be acorded the Miramar Council. The union then entered into an agreement to play two senior matches at Miramar, iu addition to paying .a rental of £10. Again the union carried out <ite agreement, and also allowed Association football matches to be played at the park prior to the Rugby matches. In 1014 the council informed the union that it could not have the ground, as it required top-dressing; consequently tho park was not used for Rugby. Mr. Hales added that the Miramar Council made a better bargain with the union than any of the other local todies, which for a rental of £10 marked their grounds, whereas the union had to bear the expenso of marking Seatoun Park itself. . 1 PETONE CLUB. The annual meeting of the Petone Football Club was held last evening, Mr. A. Coles presiding. The report and balance-sheet (already published) were adopted, and during the evening the following officers were olectedPresident, Mr. A. Coles (re-elected); vice-presi-dents, Dr. Ross, Messrs. H. J. Palmer, J. W. Martin, T. M. Wilford, M.P., R. Mothes, G. D. M'Ewen, J. T. King, J. \V. M'Ewan, G. Davis, H. Ryder. R. Corson, W. Hay, A. . Riokard, W. Wearne, J. Lynskey, J. Couzens, H. Cowie, E. T. Taylor, R. Hancock, J. G. Castle, M. Welch, C. 0. Brooklebank, Rainsford, H. J. Dohoyan, C. Wadley; club oaptain, Mr. W. Fraser; vicecaptain, Mr. W. Donovan; hon. secretary,' Mr, A,. Bennett; assistant secretary, Mr. J.. Bradley; hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Thomson; committee, Messrs. E. I'rice, T. Dent, Jas. Corson, C- Hill, H. Tancred; delegates to union, Messrs. W. Donovan, W. Fraser, J. Lynskey; auditor, Mr. J. D. Fraser. It was decided to send a team to Shannon at Easter. A vote of oondolence to the Crawford family was carried, all members standingPONEKE CLUB. The annual meeting of the Poneke Football Club was held last night in Scott'? Rooms. 'Mr. A. F. Wiren presided, in the absence of Dr. Newman, M.P., who was indisposed. There was in ' attendance of about 60. members. The annual report and balance-sheet (already published) were adopted, and Mr. Wiren referred to the fact that thirty-one members of the club had gone to a front, • a . highly creditable number. The olub had also allowed their gymnasium free of charge to the National Reserve. In the , discission which followed it was urged that increasing support should be given to the gymnasium. Mr. G. H. Williams wrote from Police Headquarters, Seddon, wishing the olub a successful annual meeting and season. Further letters were received congratulating the club on the number of members who had left for service. Mr. E. A. Dawson also wrote in complimentary terms, and it was decided to reply thanking the writers for th6ir well wishes. Nineteen new members were elected. _ Officers were elected as follow:—President, Dr. Newman, M.P. (re-elect-ed); vice-presidents, Messrs. A. H. Turnbull, E. A. Dawson, T. K. E. Burgess, W. Brown, W. J. White, J. M. Muir, W. N. Johnson, G. Deslandes, H. Sommervillo, W. Larkin, F. M'Parland, M. Crombie, W. J. Cornwell, E. Bull, W. Hood, W. J. Wallace, A. F. Wiren, Drs. P. Mackin and W., E. Heroert; club captain, A. Griffiths; secretary, R. B. Magee (re-elected); treasurer, C. Mitohell (re-elected); gymnasium committee, Messrs. C. Mitchell, N. Wilkineon, ana A. F. Wiren; selection committee, Messrs. A. Griffiths and 0. Mitchell; management committee, Messrs. J. Laing, W. Wilkinson, J. Tilyard, K. Pavitt, P. Keeney, D. Dennehy, F. Jacobson; auditors, Messrs. A. F. Wiren, E. Prendevillo; delegates to W.R.F.U., Meesrs. A. Griffiths, Iv. Pavitt, R. B. Magee. Gold medals were awarded as follow: Mr. E. A. Dawson's, to T. Baker (sixths), and Mr. Moroney's, to 0. Baumber (fifths). ST. JAMES'S CLUB. The annual meeting of St. James's Football Club was held last evening; about 25 enthusiasts being present. The election of officers resulted as follows:— Patrou, Rev. W. Shirer; president, Mr. F. Kitto; vioo-presidontß, Messrs. A. Campboll, J, Crewes, R. Dwyer, W. Dobsoh, R. G. Dagger, R. Fletcher, M.P., J. M'Donald, F. M'Farland, J. W. O'Sullivan, W. H. Pollock, W. Rowe, F. Jepson, H. Urquhart, R. A. Wright, M.P., F. Wright, anrl J. Campbell; club captain, C. Hills; hon. secretary, H. Marsh; hon, treasurer, F. Alpe; Management Committee, Messrs. A. C. Kitto, A. Ontrim ; C. Ballanger, W. Malin, and C. Hills; delegates to the W.R.F.U., Messrs. F. Alpo, A. C. Kitto, and H. Marsh; hon. auditors, Messrs. W. J. Hopkins and H. Tlrquhart. Ten new members were elected.