FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4551, 16 April 1923, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THAMES VALLEY RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Thames Valley Rugby Union was held in the Soldiers’ Club on Thursday evening. The following delegates we'e present: Messrs G. A. Bush. F. Lockyer, A. Charters (Piako), H. Wroe, H. A. Keven. P. E. Keohan (Waihi), D. A. Vincent, G. Porteous, H. L. Berney (Hauraki Plains), J. Walmsley. H>. M. Shane (Paeroa). Mr J. W. Silcock, president of the Union .occupied the chair, and briefly welcomed the delegates. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The annual report was read as follows:— In placing the first annual report and balance sheet before you your Committee has much pleasure in stating that during the past year our Union was finally organised and affiliated with the New Zealand Rugby Union, and our future success now appears to he certain. A conference to determine our boundaries was held at Hamilton on April 21, and this Union was repro sented by the secretary, Mr Walmsley. Also Messrs Sprague and Andrews were present on behalf of the Piako Rugby Union, as. we anticipated difficulties over the Piako and Morrinsville boundaries. However, we are pleased to report that matters were amicably settled, nad the committee desires to place on record the valuable assistance given the Union by the Piako representatives, Messrs Sprague and Andrews. The plans showing our boundaries were completed by Mr Bayliss, of the Auckland Rugby Union, and our secretary, Mr Walmsley, and we also desire to place on record our appreciation of the great deal of work done by Mr Walmsley, who went to no end of trouble in compiling plans, which were submitted tp the conference and agreed upon. This map is now available for any sub-union to examine.

Our application for affiliation to the N.Z. Rugby Union was strongly supported by Mr McDavitt, of the Waikato Union, and Mr Frost, of the Auckland Union, and we thank those gentlemen for their action in facilitating our affiliation t.o the parent body. Tnter-uqicm Matches. —Two rounds of the senior and the junior competitions were played, and Rafter a close contest in both grades the Frank Poland Memorial Cup was won by the Piako senior representatives and the Sharebrokers’ Cup by the Waihi junior representatives. The following is a summary of the result bf the competition for the Frank Polahd Memorial Cup:—

Since the formation of this union and the advent into the competitions for senior and junior cups by the Hauraki Plains Union, it is considered that two rounds of matches are too many, and the curtailing to one round will require the.serious consideration of the incoming committee Also, on account of the travelling expenses to affiliated unions it was mentioned at. a union meeting held late last season that the matter of sending the juniors of all' representative fixtures should come up for consideration at this annual meeting, and we think it. needs discussion.

Finance. —You will see by the statement of accounts that our. receipts amounted to £176 7s 6d, and expenditure £169 Us 6d, leaving a balance af £6 16s. Considering this was pur firs: year, whereby we were placed under heavy expenditure, which included a heavy guarantee to the Auckland Rugby Union before they would send team to Paeroa, tbe result is more than satisfactory. The gate takings at the Auckland match held at Paeroa amounted to £9O Ils, and the Waikato match £24' 10s.

Generally speaking, travelling expenses were very high, anti it is recommended to the incoming committee that more consideration should be given to the method of transit when the representative team is assembling for a match. Hon. Secretary.—We regret to report that Mr Walmsley has decided not to accept nomination as secretary, and this is unfortunate, as his services during the past year have been greatly appreciated by the committee, and we desire to place oh record his valuable services during the formation of this union.

School Grants by N.Z. Rugby Union. —The sum of £l's was last year received from the N.Z. Rugby Union, and £3 9s of this money "has been ex-, pended. The balance will be handed' over to each affiliated union, and they will use it for fostering the game amongst the schools under their jurisdiction.

Rugby League. —This code of football was, at the latter stage of the season, introduced into Waihi, and an endeavour made to get a footing. However, we are pleased to report that very little support was given to the League code, and the officials of the Waihi Rugby Union have the appreciation of all members of the Thames Valley Rugby Union and other affiliated bodies throughout the district for their active steps in nipping Che rival node in the bud.

Referees.—During the year a Thames Valley Referees’ Association wa= formed, and it proved a success, and we feel sure that this association will, during the coming season, further their efforts and extend the good work done during the past season.

Tn conclusion, gentlemen, we wish to thank all those who have assisted the Union during the past season, and we offer the incoming committee our best wishes for a successful year. The balance-sheet disclosed a balance of £6 16s Id, exclusive of a ballance of £ll 10s 10d„ which has yet to be expended among the , sub-unions pro rata in fostering Rugby football among the schools in their areas. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, The election of officers for the en-

suing season resulted as follows . Patron Mr H. Poland, ALP.; president, Mr J. W. Silcock; vice-presi-dents, Dr. Shortt and Mr S. Walmsley (Waihi), Mr R. Sprague and Dr. Law 'J| rence (Piako), Messrs W. G.. and J. Costello (Hauraki Plains), mvl Messrs H. M. Shand and another to be elected (Paeroa). The present secretary, Mr J.. Walmsley, notified the meeting that he did not seek re-election. Several members spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Walmsley’s valuable and capable services to the Union, and he was earnestly asked to reconsider his decision. Mr Walmsley thanked the speakers fdV their kind remarks, and said that it had given him great pleasure to dp what he hod done for the He intimate! that he would again accept office if he were given an assistant. Mr Walmsley was appointed secretary for fhe ensuing year, with Mr 'J. H. Coburn as assistant. ' • . In- consideration of the services rendered by Mr J. Walmsley, he was unanimously appointed a life member of the union. Mr G. A. Bush was re-elected auditor for the year, and was warmly thanked for his services. Mr R. B. Penlington was re-elected treasurer, and was empowered to sign cheaues with the secretary. HEADQUARTERS. The meeting decided that the headquarters of the unioja should be Paeroa. DELEGATES. The matter of electing a delegate to attend the annual meeting of the N.Z. Rugby Union at Wellington on May 3 was held over meantime. This concluded the business of th? annual meeting, a general meeting then being held. i SCRUM FORMATION. Considerable discussion took place with regard to the present method of serum formation. A letter was read from the N.Z. Rugby Union, containing the following -recommendation from Mi Dean, manager of the N.Z. Team: "I am not favourably inclined, to the‘present-day wing forward, and I am of the opinion that he should be abolished from the game altogether, and that we in New Zealand should fall into line with all the other Rugby-playing countries of the world and adopt the three-two-thre? scrummage, and I am confident that better and brighter football would roi sulf, and it would also tend tp eliminate ‘playing- the man’ instead of ‘playing, the ball.’” On the motion of Mr Lockyer, scc- , onded by Mr Shand, : t was decided to . inform tne N.Z. Rugby Union that the i Thames. Valley Union/was prepared to : support the three-two-three scruru- > mage formation. 1 O’DONNELL CASE. The N.Z. Rugby Union advised that . the case of O’Donnell, of Katikati . Club, hau been considered, and it had been decided that the City Club, Waihi. was 4rt fault in playing O’Donnell before notice of his reinstatement L had been recived from the N.Z. Rugby . Union, and that the City' Club must , lose the match as a consequence. The meeting agreed that the Kati- , kati Club was out of order in going > over its own sub-union, and the secret;! rj was instructed to advice that club that all letters must be sent , through the sub union to which it was I affiliated and not sent direct to the i New Zealand Rugby Union. ) INTER-UNTON FIXTURES. 1 It was: deeided that the question ,of ' curtailing the rounds and the draws 1 of the senior and junior fixtures ’ should be held over until next meeting. pending opinions from the dele- ’ gates of the sub-unions. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. E Mr G. Ar Bush, on behalf of the : Piako Rugby Unjon, asked if the • Union would consider the advisabilitv t of holding one of the representative 1 matches in To Aroha during the yeai. 1 Mr Wroe (Waihi) contended that. 5 all the matches should be held in - Paeroa, as it was a natural centre* t and the gates had been satisfactory. 3 Mr Silcock said it was hoped that a nurtiber of extra representative . matches would be played this year, . and the various sub-unions would be . given every- consideration when such I matches were arranged. > t KARANGAHAKE CLUB.

Considerable discussion took place over an application from the Kaiangahakc club asking the Paeroa Rugby Union to extend the existing boundary from Docherty’s Creek to the Karangahake post, office, so as to enable the Karangahake players to affiliate with'the Paeroa union. Mr ■

Shand, in advocating the extension of boundaries, pointed out that by allowing Karangahake to join Paeroa they would be some five miles nearer to a unioh centre.

Mr Keohan said htat he thought the boundary should not be altered. If ft. was altered it would seriously affect the Waikino club. Karangahake had given no assurance that a full team would be placed in the field throughout the season. If the boundaries remained as at present, the Karangahake team could be easily absorbed by the Waikino club. A vote was taken on the question, and on the casting vote of the chairman ft. was decided to alter the present boundary so as to place Karangahake township within the Paeroa boundary.

MEETINGS.

The next meeting of the union was set down for the third week in May. - when the sub-union fixtures would be arranged. .

INSURANCE.

Mr Bush asked if the union had any propositions to bring forward with regard to insurance for footballers. The chairman said that the union was not. yet in a position to " pay insurance premiums, and there was always difficulty in collecting fees from the players individually. It was decided that the Union go into the matter of insurance and submit a scheme at the next meeting.

SELECTORS.

The Union decided to have three selectors this year, and the following were elected: Messrs W. Paul (Waihi), J. Barrett (Paeroa), and RSprague (Piako).

Played Won Lost Pts. Sc. Piako — — 6 5 1 60 - Paei'oa — 6 4 2 47 Ha”raki P’anis 6 ' 2 4 34 Waiht — — . 6 1 5 35