PAEROA RUGBY UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4401, 10 April 1922, Page 3

PAEROA RUGBY UNION.

annual bepobt. The following report will be submitted at the annual meeting of the Paeroa Rugby Union this evening: Your executive has much pleasure in placing bJJfpr® you its annual re-® port and -balance-sheet for the year ending 1921. In reviewing the activities of the Union for the year we have every reason to congratulate ourselves upon what' is undoubtedly a most successful season, A high standard of play was maintained, as was evidenced in several of the keenly contested games of- the season, and at all times the finances of the Union were upon a sound footing. This in itself was J great asset, as it is generally the question of finance which besets the administration with so many difficulties.

Finance.—ln the accompanying balance-sheet it will be seen that the credit balance is small, somewhat smaller than the success of the season would seem to warrant. Upon investigation it is seen-that this is due to the constant dr,ain that the representative matches were upon the finances of the Union.' The total gate receipts from representative matches was £44' 19s 6d, while the expenses incurred were £B4 19s 4d. This is even rather a conservative estimate as it is impossible at this stage to' obtain the amount of incidental expenses. Thus it will be seen’ that representative matches cost the Union about £4O, .where to the uninterested spectator they should show a profit. There seem to be no solution to the difficulty, though travelling ex penses could -be cut # down considerably if a less luxurious mode of travelling were adopted. This is worthy of consideration in the future, as the cost of car hire was approximately £50., On our social functions there was a Toss ofl 17s lid, the profit on the dance being £l2 9s 4d, while the loss on the smoke concert was £l3 7s 3d., These two items will be mentioned later under their separate headings.

I. Copte Benefits —There is one item in the expenditure column which is worthy of special mention, namely, J. Coote £34 Us 9d. This is the ,tptal' amount received from benefit matches played at Hikutaia, Paeroa, and Te Aroha. Following the Thames Rugby Union we were the first in the Goldfields Rugby Union to suggest anything in the way of a benefit to ou<’ veteran footballer., and we regret the Goldfields Rugby Union did not take the matter up with the enthusiasm the cause deserved..

Competitions.—During the season the Union controlled three competitions, in w.hi<si four,'clubs participated. Three teams competed fn the senior competition, four teams in the junior, and two in the third-grade and it is a re.commend.ation to the incoming executive that 'next season the schoolboys be taken under the Union's jurisdiction. While the Netherton Club was unable to put a senior team in the field, we wete pleased to see at the beginning of the season the old Suburbs Club reinstituted, thus keeping three teams in the field. To the winners of the various competitions your executive would like to take this opportunity of conveying its hearty congratulationsj with a hope that the same spirit will prevail in their efforts to retain their, premiership during the coming season. ,

Referees’ Associationj—Your executive its pleased to report that the old Referees’ Association was reinstituted early in the season, and your executive would like to place on record its appreciation of the association’s work during the year. In this connection we would like to appeal to all retiring players to assist the Union in obtaining referees,* a.s without competent referees it is impossible for any union to carry a season through, with any margin of success. We therefore make this appeal for new referees for the.coming season, and feel that to all who haye learnt the true spirit of the game our appeal wll,l not be in vain.

Grounds. —Your executive regrets to report that in the matter of grounds nothing was done to improve the conditions of the previous season, nor does there seem to be any hope of the existing conditions being im proved upon in the near future. The attention of the Domain Board was repeatedly, called to the shpcking condition of our playing fields, but so far nothing has been done.. During the season you executive recommended that a conference consisting of delegates from the Rugby Union. Cricket Club, A. and P. Association, and Domain Board be called, but at present the whole matter is held in abeyance. The Board has in view’ a scheme for extensive domain improvements, but until such time as the finanecs of the Board improve, or they are able to raise loan money, conditions will have to remain .much as they are at present. Boundaries.—Early in the season there was some controversy with the Thames Union regarding our northern boundary. We came io an understanding with them that it be extended from Hikutaia Greek to Townsend’s Road, with a recommendation to the N.Z.R.U. that it be adjusted accordingly. A Boundaries Conference called by the South Auckland Union was held in Auckland, and to this the Goldfields Rugby Union sent a delegate. Unfortunately the N.Z.R.U. did not officially recognise the conference, which seemed to be purely the work of the South. Auckland Union, and so the matter of boundaries remains in much the same position.

Smioke Concert. —As a smoke con cert it was undoubtedly a great success, but financially, as the deficient shows, it was not the success we anticipated. The night turned out wet, and this no doubt to a large extent caused the unfortunate position in which the function was placed. For a small club such as this smoke concerts are not to be recommended, as they invariably prove a benefit for a few who never played football or supported it in any way. Capa and Trophies.—During the

season the Union was fortunate in having donated to it two sets of caps for the winners of the junior and third grade competitions, and we would like to place op record our appreciation of the fine sporting spirit which .prompted such donations. To the donors, Messrs McWatters, Wells, and Vuglar, we offer our heartiest thanks, and sincerely hope that these caps are but the forerunners of others to come. The set of caps presented to the Hikutaia Club by Mr Robinson and club medals presented by Mrs Bush, Messrs E. Edwards, W. Sorensen, G. Otter, J. Barrett, W. Watson, and T. Eiasa were not donated to. the Union, but to the various clubs, but still, in the interests of Rugby we cannot allow those donations to pass withoutmention. The satne generous sporting spirit prevailed, ahd we have to thank the donors for creating a lively interest and competition in the clubs ‘which is always inducive to the best interests of football.* Social.—At the end of the season a dance and euchre tournament was he'd in the Central Theatre which proved to be a pronounced success, showing a profit of £l2 9s 4d. We were unfortunate in that the floor of the hall had been just previously treated with glycerole, and this undoubtedly reduced the receipts rather more, we think, than the reduction of 10s for .the hire of the hall would compensate us. for. Your executive would like to thank all, who helped to make this function such- a success, especially the ladies, who, headed oy Mrs Poland, did such excellent work, and all those who untiringly worked upon the floor with such disappointing results. Valedictory.—Your executive regrets that this year football in Paeroa will lose three of its staunchest supporters, Messrs Bush, Bryden, and Royal. Messrs Bush and Royal both have long and creditable records both on and-off the field, while Mr Bryden, who, although only with us for a fewyears', will be sadly missed by the Referees’ Association. Your executive would like to place on record its appreciation of the loyal support, ''given by these members tp the Union, and wish them every success in the work which has taken them from this district. BALANCE-SHEET. Th© balance-sheet shows that cash in hand was 6s Id and balance at bank £l2 19s 10s at the beginning.of the season. Officers’ fees amounted to PIO 4s 6d, and affiliation fees-to £6 6s. The gate receipts were £149 14s 6d, and profit on dance £l2 9s 4d. In all the receipts totalled £2ll 17s 2d. The main items of expenditure wee car hire £56," J. Coote benefit £34’ Ils 9d, Jerseys £l3, and debit balance on smoke concert £l3 7s 3d, the total amounting to £205 17s Id, This leaves a balance of £6 0s Id to start the coming season with.