HUTT RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 37, 20 February 1930, Page 2

HUTT RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

Tire following report will be submitted to the annual meeting of the above club on Thursday evening, February 27th:— '.

The, Management Committee , has pleasure in submitting the Annual Re-

port and Statement of, Accounts for the year ended 27*h February, 1929.

The ordinary' membership was well maintained and the club had no diffi.- Iculty in fielding six teams. Haying in mind the lessons ltsrned from the previous season,, when * too many teams' were entered, your Committee cut down the entries, 'with the result that competition for places in the various grades/ was very keen, and good attendance at the Gymnasium was, in consequence, a marked feature during the season.

An event, of much importance to the club was the winning of tho Senior B Championship. Wjien the Senior team was relegated to this grade at the end | of the 1927 season, it was realised by the members of the cliiib that a, year or two among; the second teams would perhaps be a good thing provided the building up of the future Senior team was carried out on sound lines. The 1928 season saw-the Senior B team irunners-up in the Championship, it being quite evident at that stage tha.t the team was not ready for the A Grade although a distinct improvement had takes place in their style of play. At the beginning of the season under review, the Club was. reinforced by several new members of senior status who had become residents of the Hutt. These players, with several of our most • promising colts and others- who.-had some experience in this grade, were soon moulded into a good combination , r undex the capable coaching of MessTs McGuire and McKay. Team work —■ without which any team has ' little | chance of ultimate success in the championship—was the key note of their, success. That all members paid strict attention to training was reflected by the manner in which they were aible to finish.up strongly in every game. The increased attendance at these matches showed that the type of foot-? ball served up, was of the brand which appealed to the public. The fact that the senior team includes 'many young players should stand it in good stead in the A Grade competitions this Sea: son. Providing the same good fellowship exists among .the members of the team, and training operations are carTied out as conscientiously as they were last season, a creditable showing should be made. Our Junior team •gained sixth place (equal) in their competition,, and when it is remembered that they were competing with 20 other teams, their record must be, considered a good one. There are several very fine players in this grade who will ultimately catch the eye of the senior coaches. The Third Grade team did not do quite so well, being about half-iway down the list when the numbers went up. Twenty-fiveteams took part in this competition. The members of this side were rather light and this was a big handicap against some of the leading teams. In the age limit grades the Fourths, finished up with the best recora. Of twenty-one competing teams they were placed sixth. It is to this grade we look for the future senior players, /and undoubtedly some promising boys were seen in action during the past, season, who will in the near future be heard of higher up. The Fifth Grade team met with only a fair measure of success, failing to mould into a match-winning combination'although some good material was noted that should • develop during the next season or two. , To encourage boys just leayingschool a team was entered in the Sixth. Grade. Half - the ■ players were eligible ' for Seventh Grade, therefore it was not expected "that they would meet with much "success. Providing the majority are available this year a much better showing should bern ade.

The prospects for the coming season appear quite bright, especially as many promising colts are developing along the right lines. Enjoying as it floes a strong financial position, and possessing a highly satisfactory membership, the club has good reason to look to the future with confidence. .

Representative Honours.—The r' Club did very well in the matteT of representation in the provincial touring teams. W. Peck was a member of the A Team on the northern tour, taking part in every match This player also toured with the B tejam, and took part in the. Town v. Country and Senior B v. Senior A match. We know that in all these matches ?i<? did honour to his Province and Club. -We hope thati he may attain still higher honours this season. H. Hinton and W. E. Jarman were also members of the B touring team,' the latter ajso taking part in the match against Manawhenua.' The above mentioned players together with S. Russell, T.. Tilley, N. Dowsett, G\ Roberts and R. Feeney were selected to take part in the Town v. Country match; unfortunately Messrs Roberts, Russell and TiUey wore not\ available. Messrs Jarman x Hinton and Feeney also cpresentcd the Senior B players against the A Grade representatives.

Coaching—The Club was we'll, served in this direction during the past season. Messrs .Osborne, McGuire, R. McKay, Coopeiy Burke, Dunsf OTd, Stewart, Norton, J. MeKay and Morrison-' all' did valuable service in this direction : and the sincere thanks of the Club, are cx Itended to them. ,

Tours.—A team journeyed to Levin at Easter to play a match against the Levin WandereTs, a most, enjoyable game., resulting. A retufn match unfortunately did not eventuate, the Wanderers being unable' to muster a team at the last minute.

The annual visit to the Palmerston Seven-a-side Tournament took place, the club being represented in the Senior and Junior Grades, end meeting with a fair measure of sueeess,

Trophies.—The Club was most fortunate in having donated for competition among its members a number.of very fine trophies, every Grade having one or mote for allocation. The 'generosity of the donors is greatly appreciated and we are sure that the winners, will value their mementos of their success very highly. The James Cup for the team with the best record was

won by the Senior team fox the second ;time. The Gala Seven-a-side Cup, which was won. by the Junior team at tihe local Gala' before the season proper began, was, "on. the recommends,-. tion of the committee,^ allocated for competition in the age limit grades on the same lines as the James Cup. It was won by the Fourth Grade team. The following.is the list of , donors and winners:—• f Mr. A. Eoutley's trophy—W .E. Jaxman.. v . ; Mr. S. T. Watkins' trophy—B. J. Feeney. Mr. H." S. Dudding's trophy—R. B. Baker. Mr. J. MeDougall 's trophy—G. P. Roberts. _ . Juniors.—-Mr. E: Sullivan's trophy— W. H., Roberts. , Third—-Mr. A. Lees's trophy—A. Killieen. Fourth. —Mr. H. Dunsford's trophy—v L. Pyne v ""' \ Fifth-^-Mr. J. Kennington's trophy— K. Oliver., -Mr. L, Grant's trophy: G. SpenceT. . .. Sixth-r-Mr. H. L. Fraser's trophy— X.' Lowe. " James Cup—Senior Team. 1 Gala Cup—FourtSi Grade Team. Social Items. —During the season, a dance was run "under the direction of an energetic ladies' committee., The financial result was. not all that was expected, -but socially it was more than j successful. At the end _ of the' season a wind-up social, dance and card party was held at which all trophies were presented. TMs function was a . great success and we suggest that more functions of this nature be held^during the coming season. To "the ladies who worked so hard to ensure the' success of these dances we offer our sincerethanks. The Annual Smoko was again" most successful, bobh socially and financially. We have to acknowledge substantial donations of goods from the following:—Messrs , Sullivan, Archer, Self Help Co-op., E. C. Russell and Co, Mouatt Bros.. Regal Pastrycooks^ Hutt Meat Co,, W. A. Gadsby and Mrs'Meagher. - Their generosity is greatly appreciated. To those who;, contributed to the musical side of the programme we owe much of the success of tiie evening, and to them also we extend' our grateful thanks. r

Hob. Members.—A big. increase in this direction was a pleasing feature of the-reason's work, 31 subscriptions

being received, which, indicates that a keen interest is being taken in the •club's activities by non-playing members.

Committee Meetings. — twenty-five meetings were thelJ during the year and were .on the whole fairly well attended. We would point, out that it is most that those who accept nomination, for a seat on the Management Committee 'must be prepared to give up a reasonable amount of time to the job. . The amount of work to be done is considerable and entails more than mere attendance at the ■ weekly

meetings.

Appreciation.—We are glad to »iave the opportunity of recording* our deep appreciation for the manner in which supporters came to the assistance' of the club when it was necessary. We

refei" in particular to those who.were kind enough to transport members of the Senior team to Athletic Park, Johnsonville and Upper Hutt. Their assist-, ance ensured the members arriving on the grounds in good time.

- To our President (Sir. Alex. Eoberta) we; extend thanks for entertaining the members of the senior team and the management committee, at a dinner to commemorate the winnings of the champion ship.' This "informal function was thoroughly enjoyed by all fortunate enough to be present. •

The St. John Ambulance (Peton© Branch) under Mt. A. Black, as usual rendered very, valrnble. service and it gives us great pieesure to record appreciation of their good work*. • The Son. auditors —Messrs Doig and Grant —carried out their duties injtheir usual thorough manner, for which services we /thank them. We are most grateful to the proprietoTs of the "Hutt News" for publishing matters of interest. Their help in. this direction wa^ of considerable assistance as a medium for keeping in. touch with the players and. supporters..

"Early in the season Mr. M. F. Nieholls gave a very interesting lectuTe on the South African tour and Rugby tactics. TJiose present appreciated the able ' manner in which the speaker handled his subject, and expressed a wish that an effort be made to get Mr NichoUs to lecture again during the coming season. • '

Gymnasiuim Matters. —At the last Annual General Meeting a majority of members voted for a motion in favour of flooring the gymnasium... Your committee endeavoured to make arrangements with, the Wellington Rughy Union for the necessary finance to carry out the work, but was not successful; the matter therefore has been held over. We regret having to report that considerable damage was done to the inside fittings of the gymnasium during %the off season. Members are earnestly requested to ihand on any information received which is likely to assist the committee to. trace the offenders.

Obituary—lt is with deep regret that we have to record the passing away fit 'two members of the Club—Messrs V. R. Meagher a,nd A. N. Slater.

Mr. Meagtier had been a Vice-presi; dent for many years and among out supporters he ranked high, fot his good sportsmanship and for his. generosity towards the club. Always desirous of, advancing the position of the club, and always one of the first.to offer help when ;he heard it was needed, his loss will be felt deeply by all.

Mr. Slater was only in his early twenties and until very recently was playing in our junior and senior teams. He was a player of promise and'popular with, young and old, his cheerful but retiring disposition endeating 3iim to many of hi 3 club mates.*

To the relatives and friends of our late club members we extend,our heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement.

We have to Tecord also the loss by de^th, of the mother of J. F., and L Silva, members * known to all. The sympathy of their club mates 'goes out to them in their, sad loss. .

Finance.— The Club's finances are in a most healthy state, the cash at Bank and in P. 0.5.8, accounts amounting to £198/11/3; the assets total £1106/7/7. The actual cash surplus on the year's working is £21/7/8, although this is. not disclosed by a casual' glance at the various accounts. Considerable allow; ance has. been made for depreciation and rent of gymnasium, .which has the effect of showing a loss both in Club Working and Gymnasium' Accounts, whereas each showed a sirrplus.

Club Working Account—^We »have again to acknowledge the very solid financial

supports accorded us by our Vice-presi-dents, the donations from this sbtsree. realising the very substantial sum. of '£37/13/-. Members' subscriptions amounted to £36/15/-. Due to the Wellington Bugby Union's rule on this question, outstanding subscriptions have been reduced, to a -rmTii-mTiim. An item of £4/10/-, in connection with the. proposed visit of the Wanderers' team, calls for explanation. Arrangements had been made to put ;n a 'dinner for t&e visitors and as we did not receive notice of their inability to Taise^a team until less than an Jiour bef OTe the time arranged, it was too late to-cancel'the function. • _... .- .«

In the Gymnasium Working Account it will be noticed an item of £8/18/2 for spare globes, etc. [Replacements have been very heavy due to ill usage by members who persist in kicking the ball in the air. Thanks to the W.R.F. Union's gymnasium matches, we were able +o benefit to. the extent of £25/4/----by selling tickets for matches arranged. Tie Union again very kindly re-imiburs.-ed us to the extent of £17/10/- for managing the Hutt gates

. '.Players'. Jersey Fund;— This account

showed a loss of £3/17/-, being £3/9/3 less than last year, which, is accounted for the fact that members realised the obligations in the matter of the weekly levy.