WELLINGTON UNION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 152, 22 March 1919, Page 3

WELLINGTON UNION

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Wellington. Eugby Football Union, which is to be presuited to the annual meeting of delegates 011 Thursday, contains a number of matters of interest.. Tho number of active players in the union totalled 735, a considerable increase on the previous year's figures. The committee departed from the pfitgrammo of tho past few seasons when tho championship games were confined to players of military age, and reverted to open competitions, except that in -the third grade clubs which did not enter a senior fifteen were restricted to players 21 years of age and under. Sixteen clubs were affiliated to the union, but the number should be increased during the coming season owing to the laige number* of soldiers returning from overseas. Players were to be congratulated on the class of football played throughout the several grades. In the senior championship l'oneke and Petone met three times in August and September before Poneke were victorious. Six represeiitative_ matches were played, resulting in five wins and one loss, the latter being in the match against Wairarapa at Carterton 011 August 17. Two matches were also played with tho strong combination from Trentham Camp, when Wellington was defeated on both occa-sions—2l-5 on' June 3 and 40-3 on September 28. J; . '"The untimely death of Mr. D. D. Weir took from our midst one of the bestknown figures in the sporting history or tho Dominion." adds the report. "He was an outspoken, keen, and enthusiastic worker, and Rugby football has suffered irrer rablo loss by his decease, and many a piayer a good friend. No doubt steps will he, taken to suitably commemorate his services." Athletic Park and Finance. Expenditure amounting to nearly was last season authorised by the trustees for urgent repair work to the grandstand at the Athletic Park, and although the finances are in a 'hcnilthy condition in view of the very satisfactory gates last season, care and economy will have to be practised, as expenditure of a similar nature is sure to be a necessity in the near future. Thanks are due to the Athletic Park trustees (Colonel. G. F. C. Campbell, C.M.G., Dr. A. K. Newman,JI.Pi, and Mr. E. Wylie) for tho prompt manner in which they met all financial requirements and for their kindness and courtesy to the union's officials when they came together for consideration of fin* l ' l " cial and.other matters. Mr. Fenton is to be congratulated upon the way the ground was kept throughout an exceptionally long ■ season, and in recognition of his, splendid work was voted a bonus. ,Tlie season's working showed a profit of ,£36t ss. lid., as compared with a loss of ,£l2O l!)s. 2d. the previous season. An additional amount of .£157 Is. Gd. was received from tho Athletic Park Fund Re. tention Committee, making the total retention fund receipts .£2156 Os. 6d., the sum of .£1998 19s. having been shown m last year's accounts. The Athletic Park trustees placed .£ISOO on fixed deposit during the year, and at January- 31 ".£39 6s. 7d. had accrued for interest. - If all goes well this season there should be a substantial enough profit to liquidate the indebtedness to the -New-Zealand Eugby Union, -and thus save tlie annual interest charge of SO6. The number of claims on the fund during the season was less than usual, which is a matter for congratulation in every way. As -a result the receipts exceeded expenditure by ,£2-t 12s. 3d., without the annual donation of (from the general fund), which, however, was credited according to the rules, thus showing a total of .£M 12s. 3d. to the good. For this satisfactory state of affairs the union is again greatly indebted to Dr. P. F. M'Evedy for the great assistance ho rendered .tho union in conncction with the working of the acoident fund. As tho capital account is 111 credit to the extent of .£lll 2s. 3d., the accident fund should in future cause no anxiety from the financial point of view.

" Players Suspended,

Owing to the controversy '• with tho N.Z.R.F.U.. over the question of "amended"' rules' in the Auckland matches, an inquiry was held in September and October extending over six meetings. Tho oomiuitteo found it necessary to insist ou the enforcement of tho rules,.with tho result that four members of the representative fifteen aro .suspended pending nt-.tei-daiiec which up to the .present has not been forthcoming. As in past seasons the St. John Ambulance Brigade accomplished good work in attending to injured players. Throughout the season members of the brigade were present on all grounds under the. union's jurisdiction, and the thanks of officials and players are due .for tho kind services rendered. ■ KERHAMPORE CLUB. The Berhampore Football Club held it 3 annual meeting on Thursday night, thero being an attendance of fifty members. The annual report stated that tho cjjib was compelled to withdraw from tho coi'n- . petitions in 1916, owing, to. tho, great response from members to-the Empire's call. The boys of the district formed a now club to carry on, and were very successful, as they won the fifth grade and were runnors-up in the third grade. At tho meeting .on-Thursday-night this club amalgamated with ••the. old club. A vote of condolence, was passed with.-the relatives of those members who have "gone West." ... The election-of officers for-the ensuing year,resulted as follows: Patron, Mr. George Fliix; president, Mr. A. A. Whitelaw; secretary and treasuro'i 1 , Mr. C. S. Kiis3e.ll; lion, auditor,. Jilr. W. Forsyth'; delegates ,to Rugby Union, Messrs. B. Murray and C. Russell; Management Committee, Messrs. E.. Whitemd, . N. Walters, N. Bryden, A. Howard, A. 51.. Scott,, A,. Pope, B. Murray. Eighteen new members were, elected. The meeting was presided over by Mr. A. A, AV.hitelaw, president of tho club.