THE RUGBY GAME
WELLINGTON UNION'S REPORT
LAST SEASON'S WORK REVIEWED
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR THIS YEAR
The annual report of the Wellington Rugby Union, dealing with the operations of last season, states that the number of active players in the union totalled just over 1000, a considerable increase on the previous year'« figures. Twenty-two clubs are now aftilintcd, new clubs last 6cason being: Wellington Tramways, Mascot, Porirua, Johnsonville, Marist Brothers, Old Boys, and War Expenses. During-the- past season the" number of teams in each grade were as follow, with thd champion team in each grade:— Senior (7 teams), won by Poneke; junior (8 teams), won by Hutt; third class (U teams), won bv Athletic; fourth class (16 teams), won by. Petone; fifth class (13 teams), won by Athletic; sixth class (8 teams), won by Wellington College A. The total number of teams was OG, and in all grades the'competition was keen and strenuous.
Representative Matches. As'anticipated in the last annual report, Ranfurly Shield matches were resumed, and the coveted trophy mado open to challenge on the challenger's, as well as tho holder's, ground. The action of tho Wellington Rugby Union (while holders of the shield) in tabling the notice-of-motion at the last annual general meeting of the New' Zealand "Union to mako the right of challenge open caused favourable comment throughout the Dominion; and the union was heartily applauded when the motion was passed at tho New Zealand Council meeting on May' 23. A fine compliment was later paid to tho AVellington Union, when tho Canterbury Rugby Union chose Wellington's executive officer (Captain T. H. Jones) as referee in the Canterbury-Wel-lington match on August 30, the first Ranfurlv Shield match ■ for four years. It is orilv fitting (comments the report) Hint Wellington should have held the shield against all-comers, and the greatest of credit is duo to the many fine piavers who mode possiblo several brilliant victories \in Ranfurly Shield matches. Indeed, the team is considered to have been one of the. best the province has ever put in the field. Not a little credit is duo to Mr. A. J. Griffiths, the team's coach, and he had tho exceptional distinction of receiving a valuable presentation from the players; ' Thero were two special, matches, one with Auckland on September 17, and one with Wauganui on October 4. The former match created widespread interest, and although played on a Wednesday, drewthn biggest, attendance of the W.R.I'.U. s season.' The result of 2-1-3 in favour ot Wellington is one 'of the most extraordinary results in the battles between the two provinces, as the Aucklanders came with a very fine reputation. _. The New Zealand Rugby Union, wisely reinstated the North r. South Island match (not played since the war-season 19H) and it was played at the Athletic Park' on September 20, 1919. As evidence of the great interest taken in the fixture it is mentioned that the union s percentage (25 per cent.)- of net gato for use of the ground amounted to tho fine.sum of JCIII 15s. -W. • JIeMS. E. Roberts (captain), 13. Algar, MC. Corner. H. Elliott, F. Malin, Hv 13. Nicholls, *R, J. Pa ton, W. T, Ryan, and J.- p. Shearer are congratulated on being the union's representatives in the North team, successful by 23 points to 11, while Messrs. N. A. J. Barker. A. Clifton,J\. B. Eberhardt.-and J. T.- Tilyard were reserves. . , Messrs. W. H. Donovan (part season onlv), A. J. Griffiths, E. Perry, and C. C Ramsdon (who succeeded Mr. Donovan) were appointed representative selectors, nml the fine record of the teams must have' been very gratifying to them. ' •■■■■• „„ " .. ' During the year there were 33 meetings of tho Management Committee, and the attendances were: W. F. Hormg (cbnirninn\.33; J. N. Millard. 32; H. luck, 31; J. Lundon, 31: E. Perry, 30; A. J. Griffiths. 25; W. W. Cook 27; J. Pren. devi'le 27; G. F. W.. Jackson, 2o; h. 11. Ward, 23; W. H. Donovan, 15.
' Athletic Park Improvements. The report adds that thanks are again due' to the Athletic PwkMrnriees (Colonel G. P. C. Campbell, C.M.G, Dr. \. K. Newman, M.P.,, and Mr Jj. Wvlie>) for the prompt manner.m which they met all financial requirements, ami for'their kindness and courtesy to tho union's officials r wlien they came together for consideration of, nnnncia and other matters. Although increased grandstand accommodation is a pressing necessity, the present cost of materials and state of the labour market caused the abandonment of a comprchonnve building scheme. The state of, the property was such, however, that a firm ot ■civil engineers was engaged to, report on the matter of improvements, and as a remit the Athletic Park, it is. hoped, will present an improved appearance by tho opening of the seavon. The playing area was top-dressed at a cost of over .£l2O, but this expenditure was verv necessary and has improved tho surface bevoiid all recognition. Tho ground should be in tip-top playing- condition for the opening of the season. "The timo has come when paid assistant nui't lie obtained for working tho Athletic Park on days when matches aro played," savs the' report: "Members of 'your committee have rendered yeoman service in gratuitously filling the various positions for several years past, but their -services could be better utilised in other directions."
Finances. Satisfactory. , During the year,'a further siinv of XIHOO was placed on fixed deposit. ■ "With interest accrued to January 31, 1920, the total investments now nniount to .£3130 Is. Sd.. or .4:1507 Is. Bd. in excess nf tho union's outside liabilities (loan .CllOO and sundrv creditors MW). Although the financial portion is regarded in every way u matter for congratulation, a yery largo sum of money will soon lie required for pressing improvements at tho Athletic Park. ' Tho gate receipts of tho Athletic Park totalled J!.1211 Gs. 3d. as per the revenue account, the details of which were:— £ s. d. Cup matches 1188 11 i Representative matches .... Mil" 11 3 Season tickets 105 10 6 25 per cent, net gate, . North v. South Island ... 11l 15 4 Waiig.inui Collegiate School v. Wellington College ... 90 9 0 Wanganui Collegiate School . ■v. 'VnHly 21 10 0 Seven-n-side tournament... 30 5 0 Ten per cent, gross gate, . Wellington v. Auckland "Soccer" •• 5 7 I Total 3211 (i 3
The profit on the season's working amounted to the very handsome figure of '.C 1075 2s. Bd., but this to. a good measure is duo to restricteU*j / 'rnil\vny services causing the abandonment of the southern tour (South Canterbury, Otngo and Southland), and a special match at Auckland set down for August 9-othenvise the representative expenditure would have been increased by about .(MOO. On the other hand, from the same cause, the actual expenditure in connection with the representative matches was higher than it should have been, recourse having to bo had to motor traffic, which also necessitated the union assisting two other provinces to play return "matches at Wellington.' Prospects for the Season. "The coming season should be one of tho brightest in the history of the game," adds the report. "Great interest was taken hero last year in clip and interunion matches with Canterbury, Taranaki, and Auckland (particularly the latter), and large attendances are bound to be the order of the day for the 11120 senior championship and representative matches. Tlie jx-wtponed visit of the South African Internationals is a keen disappointment, besides which their tour would have kept interest up to concert pitch and of a certainly increased the public attendance nt local matches. _ • "Tho welcome visit of His Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales' will doubtless bo made the occasion of eomo
special New Zealand matches; while under an arrangement with the Australian unions the Dominion International team is due in New South Wales \ and Queensland this season. This will probably necessitate a much earlier decision of the inter-island match."
Financially, things are very well again for the accident fund, and for the second successive season all clainiß were met without recourse to the union's annual contribution under Rule 9 of the accident fund regulations, thereby enabling, a profit of over £10 to be transferred to the capital account. The union is onco more greatly indebted to that keen enthusiast and past international player, Dr. P. F. M'Evedy, for gratuitous services to the fund. In view of the varying nature of the claims which have come. , forward these two seasons past, an injured players' fund has had to be cs-, tablished for assistance of players un- ' able to qualify under the accident fund regulations, which are in urgent need '. of revision to cover all ca<es and keep them within the written provisions. At the credit of this special fund thero is a handsome balance of ,£11)2 7s. lid.
General Comments. During the season two cups were pro-' eented to the union, the John Swinson Challenge Cup for the senior championship, and the D. D. We.'r Memorial Cup for tho junior championship. "Tho donors, Mr. John Swinson and tho Wellington Football Club, are deserving of ,' the best thanks of the W.R.F.U. for their action, which must necessarily in- • ct.il greater interest into these competi- . tions and encourage that healthy spirit of rivalry characteristic of tho Rugby game in AYcllington," the report continues. "An anonymous donor has also picsented a trophy for the fifth grade. competition, anil if the spirit of these three gentlemen is emulated during the', coming season, trophies for the third,, fourth, and sixth grade competitions will' soon 1m forthcoming." To commemorate the invaluable ser->' vices rendered to Rugby by 'the late Mr.; D D. Weir, footballers of New Zealand : subscribed for' the erection of a memorial,. and a beautiful Scotch granite cross was ; unveiled bv President Dr. A. K. Newman, ' M.P., at tiie Karori cemetery, on Sunday, i November 23, the anniversary of tho death'*of the" late Mr. Weir. As tho memorial fund is still in credit, it is tho intention later to erect a drinking- ■ fountain at tho Athletic Park for players. The inler-collegiate tournament 6cfc down for August 23, 27, and 29 was aban- j doncd on account of illness at Christ's i College, but the remaining two teams fulfilled their engagement, Wellington College defeating Wauganui Collegiate School bv 23 points to 9. Dr. Ritchie' Crawford (ex-president of tho SouthlandRugbv Union) was referee, and two sons of one of the Athletic Park life members (Dr. Hamilton Gilmer) played for Wangamii Collegiate School. Congratula-' tions are extended to Mir. J. P. Firth (principal). Mr. ,T. N. Millard (coach), Mr. Mark Nicholls .(captain), and tho members of the team for the fine victory scored by "Wellington College. In the absence of Dr. P. Marshall, Principal of Wauganui Collegiate School, Guy Ormond (captain) and J. Hunter (coach), the great "All-Black," agreed to meet the 'Varsity senior fifteen, and although well beaten -by the heavier and faster team, the Wauganui Collegians •played a plucky $ame, and the boys are deserving of unstinted praise. They can console themselves with the .knowledge that the W.R.F.U. Injured Players' Fund benefited by over .-£2O as a result of their sportsmanlike action. The Schools' Union continued its excellent work among the rising genora'tinn, and as over twenty teams compete ' each week in the competitions arranged, manv promising young players are recruited from school teams for the lower grades of the clubs.' Following the practise of recent vears. the committee donated footballs to all school, teams. An amount, of .£lO was received from the N.Z.R.F.U. as Wellington Union's proportion of the annual school grant.- Mr. E 11. Ward again represented the Wellington Public Schools' Rugby Union on tho committee, and proved one of its most diligent members. The Eastern Hutt School won the senior school coinpetition. '■ As in past seasons, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and also' the Petone branch, accomplished good work in attending to injuied players. Throughout the season members of the brigade were present on all grounds under the union s jurisdiction, and the thanks cf ofheials .and players are due for the kind seivices rendered.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 127, 23 February 1920, Page 2
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2,001THE RUGBY GAME Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 127, 23 February 1920, Page 2
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