RUGBY UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 387, 11 April 1902, Page 3

RUGBY UNION.

The annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union was held last night —Mr W. Miller presiding. Among those present were : Messrs W. MeCredie, D. C. Hawkins', A. D. Robinson, D. Bennett, H. Maude, L, Maude, J. Uaton, Witty, and Dodds. Before the ordinary business was proceeded with, the Chairman introduced the Secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr A. M. DeCosta, who was received with applause.

The report and balance-sheet were read, the report being as follows : Gentlemen, —In placing before you the eleventh annual report and balance-sheet, your Committee feel they are fully justified in stating that never before has football in this district been at such a high standard, both from a playing and financial aspect. As you are aware, the season of 1901 saw a decided alteration in the conduct of the game locally, when, after various meetings, it was decided to adopt the ‘ district scheme,’ and divide the district into four sub-districts. That the results fully justified the change has been very evident. Players were brought into closer contact with one another, fresh life

was infused into the game (thereby making the competitions much keener), the general tone of the play improved considerably, and the confidence and support of the public, which had for so many years been gradually decreasing, was regained, and in return for this they were treated to some of the finest expositions of the game that have ever been played on Tucker’s Paddock, and that each game thoroughly satisfied them was evidenced by the large and enthusiastie attendances.

Senior Cup Contests.—The Senior Cup contests brought out strong teams from each district, viz., City, Huia, Kaiti, and West End. From first to last the final issue was in doubt, and it was not until the concluding match of the season was played between West End and Huia that the former left the field winners of the contest for 1901. Whilst congratulating them upon their success, each of the other clubs deserve every credit for the manner in which they kept up the standard of football attained.

According to a general request, and in order to give the experiment a trial, one senior match (City versus West End) was played on a Thursday, but the results not coming up to expectations, further Thursday matches were abandoned.

The games were one and all played in a true feeling of sport, and the thanks of the . Union are due to each individual player who strove towards obtaining this end.

Junior Cup Contest.—The Junior Cup contest also proved most interesting, and after some splendid games the winners turned up in the Huia Club’s second fifteen. During many of these games, it was most encouraging to hear the various remarks from the public as to the play of our juniors, and we are fully satisfied that as the older players drop out there are good men amongst the juniors ready to take their places. Rep. Match.—Your reps, once more paid their annual visit to Napier, and, after a fast and interesting! game, the home team proved victorious by 8 points to 6. The Union is indebted to Messrs McCredie (captain), Symes, Te Reina, Porter, Baker, Reynolds, Quinn, Eaton, Williams, McGrath, Duggan, Sherriff, Colebourne, Roderick, aud Sherratt, who so worthily fought to uphold our honor. We also wish to take this opportunity of thanking the officers of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union and our many friends in Napier for their untiring efforts to entertain the team, and make the visit the enjoyable one it proved to be. During the coming season, efforts will again be made to induce some of the teams from other unions to visit us.

Finance.—Though the balance-sheet to be put before you this evening will not present a large credit balance, yet when the hon. treasurer explains the nature of the year’s transactions in regard to the expenditure of funds we feel sure that you (and the supporting public) will be perfectly. satisfied with such expenditure. The total receipts from all sources were £l7B 2s 7d. This establishes a record which in the annals of football in this district has never been approached. The expenditure amounts to £176 6s, and there is a credit balance of £ll6 7s, which, when our valuable assets are taken into consideration, must be looked upon as highly creditable. A lease has now been obtained of the Victoria Domain upon most favorable terms, and we can now look forward to having a most suitable ground of our own. Vie will not deal further with the question of finance in detail, but will leave our hon. treasurer to explain the position to you. Ball.—During the year a ball under the auspices of the Union was held, and proved most successful, and to our many lady friends to whom this result is due we again offer our warmest thanks. General.—A Beferees’ Association has now been formed in conjunction with the Union, and has proved a most valuable help, So successful, gentlemen, has been the past season from every point that never before has the good old Bugby game been in a better position than it now is. It is, however, with feelings of the deepest sorrow that we are compelled to darken these pages by having to record a most regrettable incident which occurred during the season. We refer to the sad and untimely death of Mr T. E. Kirk, who died from injuries received on the field. As you all know, on or off the field, there was not a more popular or successful player than he. To mark the esteem in which he was held, it is our intention to erect a suitable monument to his memory, and the work is now being proceeded with.

To those gentlemen who undertook the duties of referees, etc., to the public who have so generously assisted and supported us, and to all in general who have helped to make the season of 1901 the most successful since the inauguration of the Union, we tender our thanks, and trust that one and all will again see their way to make the incoming season as successful, if not more so than its predecessor. The outlook for the new season is undoubtedly a bright one, and the Union wishes its successors in offioe a most prosperous year, and trust that the harmony wbioh up to the present has existed will continue. —For the Committee! A. W. ADAIE. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts (including balance from 1900 of £33 12s lOd) were £136 6s, and of that amrmjit ■ £95 16s 2d had been voted for improvements fp flip Victoria Domain, the main portion of that expenditure being £53 15s for levelling contracts. The treasurer noted that he had in hand £27 6s 6d cash for the Kirk Memorial Fund. The report was received with ap-

pjause The Chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet-, and in doing so congratulated the football fraternity. Owing to the success of the district scheme and having good games they had attained a financial position never held before ; it showed that the public would patronise good football. He analysed the statement of accounts, snowing that the Union had acted economically and successfully. Though their expenditure on the Domain iiad been large they had secured a satisfactory lease, while other sports were also protected. The lease was a very satisfactory one, and by the money spent on the Domain thev were providing for a splendid asset for the Union, and for the public of Gisborne. The season had been a very successful ope, and he had much pleasure in again congratulating the Union. In regard to the items he pointed out that £6 13s 2d to Major Winter was money out of pocket; ms bill amounted to £2l, and the balance he had remitted to the Sports Association. An item of £l2 10s to Mr E. G. Reynolds, extending over a number of years, was for work done on the ground, such as looking after the hedge. The motion was seconded by Mr J. Eaton, and carried with applause. The election of officers was then proceeded withf Mr E. Murphy was reelected President with applause; VicePresident : Mr W. Miller (the other Vice-Presidents are elected by the , various Clubs). Treasurer: Mr W. Miller (re-elected) ; auditors, Messrs R, D t B» Rablusoa wd R* Cols

elected) ; delegate to New Zealand Union, Mr Laurenson (re-elected) ; Vice-President of New Zealand Union, Mr W. Miller (re-elected). Mr L. Maude asked if the Referees’ Association was a live body ? Mr Eaton : It was at the start. Mr McUredie said that at the start a weekly meeting was arranged, but few attended them. Mr Maude : ! think it is - an important department- of the game ; it was a failure last year, and I would like to see it a success this year. The Chairman agreed with that view. it would lie well to approach Mr A. W. Rees, and see if he would take the lead in the matter this year. Last year the public were apparently well satisfied.

Mr H. Maude said he supposed the meetings had not been held because there was nothing to discuss. The Chairman said there were always questions that could well come before the Referees’ Association for discussion. Mr DeCosta said that to make the Referees’ Association a success they should have a secretary who was a regular referee. In Wellington they had a system of grading. Mr I-I Maude : Ours are all about the one grade. (Laughter). Mr DeCosta said a fortnightly meeting would be sufficient, and there would always be knotty points to discuss and to inculcate into players the little points they were apt to overlook. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Secretary of the Referees’ Association to attend to. Mr Robinson called attention to the lack of a proper dressing shed. Mr Hawkins suggested that the clubs should be urged to call their annual meetings. Mr McCredie said that most of them were now being advertised. Mr H. Maude said they should ask the clubs for a list of their members, a suggestion which was approved oi. The Chairman gave notice " hat, a committee be appointed with power to re-arrange the district boundaries, at present defined.” He did not know whether a re-arrangement was neces sary ; he sincerely hoped that it was not, but thought it a wise thing to give a committee power to make a rearrangement if necessary. As Chairman or the Management Committee, he thanked the members for the way they had backed up the committee. They had met them in a fair spirit without' any bickering, and he hoped that there would be a like experience in the future. (Hear, hear.) Mr Hawkins suggested that the rule bearing on the subject should be mentioned in the reports for the information of members. The rule is as follows ; —“That all clubs shall lie composed solely of members who have resided within the boundaries of their district not less than one month prior to the first day of April in each year. Before the meeting dispersed Mr Hawkins deplored that so little interest in the management was being taken by the > ounger members, and he specially complimented Mr Miller on the active interest he had always ta) ?n in the sport, and the great tr hie he went to in attending to deta; . (Applause.) j Miller briefly responded, and attr’ ted their success to the harmoniou- ?ay in which they had worked to,*' er. As to the younger players, he ■ night they should take more inter, in the management of their own clut which he thought would be for the nefit of football as a whole. Oi .lie motion of Mr McCredie, a voi f thanks was tendered to Mr De • sta for attending and giving them ie information he had. He was a dis -guished visitor in football circles. Applause). , ... In : iy, Mr DeCosta said that it was e- mexpeeted pleasure to him to have 1 n able to attend their meetr ing I yas in that room many years ago th he had been present on the original ormation of the Union. It was a eat pleasure to him to he back an ig the old friends, and to know tl by the excellent manage, ment of affairs of the Union such a good pc tion had been attained, the Union in is district being m a much better star financially than some oi the Union; in larger centres. He warmly congratulated the Union. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.