N.Z. RUGBY UNION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 202, 15 May 1918, Page 7

N.Z. RUGBY UNION

■AN N (JAL REPORT, Tho report, to bo submitted at (ho annual meeting of tho New Zealand Rugby littion at the-end of this month states Hint tho call, for military pit*.poseri, upon tho Dominion's voting manhood bus very considerably aft'eeled I lie. operations of iho various altilialeil unions, with the result that, in tho caso of the more isolated unions and unions controlling scattered country districts.' it has been found impossiblo to carry 011 regular competitions, and in.some few instances tlm gnmo was practically at a standstill during last seaton. In most of tho larger centres, however, the eft'orta of tho authorities wero rewarded by a gratifying measure of success, and this despite tho fact that serious financial and other difficulties had to be faced. It iB hoped that during the present season local unions will continue their efforts to foster and maintain the game in their respective districts.

Although tho work for the year dscloses a nominni accretion to tho accumulated fund, attention must again be drawn to tho steady growth of the amount which appears ill the balancesheet nnder the hending of "Interest Duo and Owing on Mortgages." During tho period under review this item has increased by i£li)o 12s. 10d., ana now stands in these accounts at .£714 16s. sd. Sinco tho accounts wero closed, the Wellington Union has paid all interest duo by it to date. Another matter which must bo noted is the comparatively large amount owing for unions' subscriptions. Altogether tho position is such- that, in tho opinion of tho committee, the remaining liquid funds of tho union require to be carefully husbanded in order to prevent their further depletion. With regret tho committee has again to comment on tho fact that tho New South Wales and Queensland unions havo not yet repaid the amount of .£362 3s, lid. advanced in 1913, as mentioned in previous reports. Tho sum of .COG was allocated to tho various unions for the encouragement of school football. Delegates aro nwaro that it has been decided to hold over until the end of the war the. compilation of a Roll of Honour of Rugby footballers, and it is assumed that local unions aro recording' all the information availablo in their respective districts. Tho committee has takeii steps to compile as comploto a list as possible of New Zoaland representative players who have made the:supremo sacrifice. This list is as follows:—J. Baird (1913), R. S. Black (1914), 11. Dewar (1913), A. J. Downing (1913-14), D. Gallagher (1903-4-5), E. T. Earner (15)04-5), ,T. Jf'Neeco (1913-14), G. Sellars (1913), R. Taylor (1913), F. Wikon (1910).