WESTLAND SUBUNION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND SUBUNION

MONDAY, APRIL 20

EXECUTIVE MEETING. The members ol' last year’s Executive met at 7.30 p.rn. Present —Messrs H. M. Coulson (President), A. Cutbush, D. R. Dowell, J. J. Breeze, R. McDonald, J. McCleary, A. H. Lawn, F. McGregor, J. Pridmore, J. Stafford and J. Kay (representative on "West Coast Rugby Union) and E. W. Heenan (Secretary). ANNUAL REPORT. Gentlemen. —1 have the honour to submit the report of the year’s workings. Members will remember that the Union started off with a credit balance of £11.14s Id pnd by the balance sheet on the table you will note the past season finished with a credit balance of £23 los 6d. Considering that the total monies received for the year weTe considerably under previous years receipts, the Union has done very well indeed to come through so 'well. The season’s football was if anything a shade better than the previous year’s standard, the junior grade oertamly showed marked improvement,- This improvement in the junior grade was well reflected in both representative fixtures played when the- Westland team came out the victors on both occasions. The newly formed Rival seniors acquitted themselves very. well ‘ being runners up- to the Uni teds in the senior grade. This victory of United seniors in the senior championship was the first victory of that, Club for a number of years and coming as it did in their jubilee year the victory was well merite4, and the. Club re 7 ceived the congratulations of all the competing Clubs. The major Uinon and the Sub-Union were debating the rights and wrongs of the boundary rule for the greater’part of the year. This, as well known, affected two members’of the Excelsior senior team who w’ere residents of- Greymouth, but had beeii members of the Excelsior Club since status as rugby players menced. Roth the players were stalw.art .members of the Westland Reps., and their places will be hard to fill. The Ilium juniors were the victors of the junior championship, and only after some very keen games had been contested, a country club wuh players scattered all over the district theii victory was well earned. ‘ In the knockout competition the Excelsior juniors were successful and now hold' the Breeze Shield, and Rimu Club hold the McGregor Banner and Boomerang Cup. The trophies for the junior grades were keenly contested, especially the McGregor Banner. This valuable trophy was presented to the Sub-Union by F. MoGrgeor Esq. many years ago. To-day many names are inscribed \ upon the Banner and each season makes the Banner more valuable to the victors,

The lowc-r grades were played, but unfortunate as it may seem, the third grade competition was very poorly contested, find this grade-will, have to have the best attention from the in-, ciming Executive if players are to be provided for the future,. The Uffioni is indebted to Mr Haybittle for theenergy displayed in keeping the shrimp games going, this little competition

with the games played at half-time .were- very popular with patrons of the game. During the year the Union received very valuable help from various supporters- of Rugby and I have much pleasure in extending the Union’s thanks to all, in doing so it is necessary to individualise and I think the first gentleman to receive the Union’s thanks should be the Ambulance Officer,

[Mr Pridmore. This gentleman only cam* to our district at the beginning of the year but his first duty was to offer his trained services to the Union. On many occasions players needed the officer’s attention and no matter what the weather conditions were the assistance -was always forthcoming and we offer Mr Pridmore the sincere thanks of all the players and earnestly hope that if it is his good luck to remain in Hokitika fo-r the coming season, the Union will be pleased to have his assist, ance and co-operation. The Referees were as usual always willing and ready to officiate at the various games and it would be im-

possible to carry on without their assistance, this Union always understands their task is a most thankless one, but their help is needed and while tendering our thanks for past assistance we hope to have the help and co-operation of all their members this season. To Mr W. Keller the Union is most grate, ful for the meeting room, provided free of charge and ready help given to all the Clubs, also we wish to convey through Mr Keller the Union’s thanks for the very fine trophies donated by the Licensed Victuallers Association.

The Ladies’ Hockey Club, for generous assistance at the gates, a thankless task, well carried out-, the Union will certainly be pleased to have the co-operation l of the Club this season. The caretaker, Mr Herring, and gate steward, Mr Gaylor, both fulfilled their arduous tasks with credit.

The official timekeeper, Mr A. W. Yarrall, was always at his post ana gave entire satisfaction to all.

During the year the Union was unfortunate that it lost the services of Mr J. Mora, a capable referee and mainstay of school football. Unfortunate as it really was, the Union and school boys were fortunate that Mr "Warren came to Hokitika for he took up the task of coaching the school team. However a few weeks later the School Committee liad the good sense Jo recommend the appointment as head-

master, Mr Menzies, who at that time was a Canterbury referee, also a keen rugbyite, needless to say the school team will show marked improvement during the coming season. During the season the Union was favoured with more than the usual number of visiting teams, the most notable being the- visit of the Merivnle seniors, this team had a royal reception to Hokitika and the Executive showed the visitors as much of the Coast scenery as was possible during their limited stay. A promise was given that the team would return during 1931 and we look forward with pleasure to their visit. Most of the other visitors were of th e junior grades and were matched with individual Clubs. The visitors all enjoyed their Mr McKenzie of tjie N.Z. Referees Association paid a visit to Hokitika, and gave a very interesting lecture,, to the local referees and some players, the lecture was interesting and instructive to all. The usual seyen-a-sid-e tourney was held on the King’s Birthday and was the usual distinct success, teams competing from all over the district and the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all the players. As this is the red letter day of Rugby in Westland it is unfortunate that the Bowling Club take up the Hall and hold their annual ball. The r Union would b® well advised to secure this night and run ft grand presentation ball. This woujd be a fitting final to the big day and the various winners could be presented with their trophies in a proper spirit and not..iff dusk and with half the spectators gone home. This matter should really bo the main object of the Committee to decide early, in order that the necessary arrangements may bo madn, The usual tourney was held at Ross and citizens provided ft very handsome trophy for competition ana use tourney was ft distinct success,

Finally to all thos e who assisted the Union, our thanks, and trust to have co-operation of all the people and the players during the doming season. Last year the visit of the. English team spoilt what would undoubtedly would have been a record year, this season we are in the throes of a lug depression but it may yet lift and give the players every opportunity to be able to keep their fixtures, with members of teams working short time the players will be hard put to do much travelling.

Gentlemen in conclusion 1 wish the Union every prosperity for the future and trust that the season’s football will be thoroughly enjoyed by the patrons and players. I have the honour to be your obedient servant. H. M. Coulson. President. Air Conls-on referred at some length to the report, and notified members of his intention not to accept nomination as President for the ensuing year. Mr Lawn expressed surprise and regret at Mr Coulson’s statement of his desire to retlro from office and asked reconsideration of his decision. All members present joined in expressing appreciation of the services Of the President (luring difficult years mid urged him to reconsider his decision, Mr Coulson thanked members f° r thejf expressions of confidence but regretted hip (iefision was final, A hearty vote of thanks was then passed to Mr Coulson for past services, The meeting then terminated, ANNUAL MEETING. OF CLUB DELEGATES. The annual meeting of delegates was then held. Mr F. McGregor (ho n , life member) was voted to the chair. There wore delegates ns follows ; Rivals,—E. W. Heenan and A. H. Lawn. 1 Excelsior,—J, J, Breeze and R, McDonald, Referees’ Association A. Cutbush. Kiwi,—J. McCleary. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were appointed; Patron:—Mr H. M. Coulsqn. President;—Mr J. Stafford was elected, after a ballot, with 4 votes, Mr D. R. Dowell receiving 3 votes, Vice-Presidents—Messrs F. McGregor and D. R. Dowell, Treasurer—Mr A. H, Lawn. Secretary—Mr E. W. Heenan, Delegate to West Coast Rugby Uffion —Mr J. Kay, Selector to W.C.R.U.—Mr D. R. Dowell. Timekeeper—Mr A. W. Ynrrall. Caretaker.—Mr R. Herring. Ambulance Officer.—Mr J. Pridmore. It was resolved to procure the necessary requirements for the ambulance outfit. Messrs Stafford and Dowell took their seats. The Chairman notified Air Stafford of his election as President and asked him to take his seat. He had also pleasure in advising Mr Dowell that he had been elected Vice President and selection representative. Air J. Stafford took the chair and th- liked members for the honour conferred on him. He trusted that the confidence reposed would 1" fulfilled. and honed that his efforts would have their appreciation at the end of the season. Air D. Dowell, thanked members for re-election as Vic , » President and selector and aissuved them that he wns always ready to do his utmost for tlm welfare of the game. Air Pridmore thanked members for generous appreciation of his services and also acknowledged the assistance given by Air Dowell with his car when necessity arose.

correspondence

From Rivals Club nominating one senior team. —Received. From Ladies’ Hockey Club thanking sub-union for appointment as gatekeepers last season and offering their services for the ensuing season.—Received with pleasure. The question of whether the Excelsior Club was going to nominate a senior team with the Sub-llnion or the Wept Coast Rugby Union, was discussed at some length. Mr Breeze then nominated Excelsior for senior and junior teams.—Received. From Hokitika Boxing Association asking if a suitable date could be fixed for a free .Saturday afternoon for a boxing contest, —Received and consideration deferred. It was resolved that nominations tor junior and third grade teams lie received up to next Monday night.

From N.Z. Referees’ Association notifying that new rule books were being issued at 12s per dozen.—Received.

Mr Cutbush stated the Referees’ Association desired to ask for a grant of £3 3s for six jerseys; that several members had joined.—Received. £3 3s was passed to the Association,

It was resolved to forward on the names of the Excelsior and Rival Clubs for the Senior Competition. In connection with a paragraph in the annual report in reference ‘to June 3rd, no action was taken, after soma discussion, during which a proposal to hold an opening of the season ball was lost on the voices,

The meeting terminated at 10.15 p.m.