RUGBY UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 22 April 1925, Page 2

RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Thames V;.’>'ey Rugby Union was held at Paeroa on Tuesday evening, the president, Dr. W. R. Lawrence, presiding over Messrs C. Foster, W. Thompson, and H. L. Beitney (Hauraki Plains); W. C, Kennedy, F. Lockyer. R. Woodroff (Piako) ; H. Wipe, P, McConnell, J. J. Caliagher (Waihi) ; and Shand,- C. Mettam, and T. Welch (Paeroa). \ The annual report and statement of receipts and expedjture were read and adopted. The report stated, inter alia, that only one representative ma<ch had been played, and this, while- a success financially," wais a dead failure as far as football was conceriied. ■ ’ The balance-sheet showed ail excfefes of receipts over expenditure of £l6 Is 7d. ’ \ ' ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers’ appointed . for the year, were: Patron, Mr H. Poland M.P.; president, Dr. W. R. Lawrence, Tc Arolia; vice-presidents, Messrs' 8. Walsnlcy (Waihi), J. Costello (HaUralff Plains), P. Brenan (Paeroa), W. C. Kennedy (Piako) ; secretary, Mr F. Lockyer, To Aroha; treasurer, Mr A. Buj-h, Te Aroha; delegate to N.Z. Rugby Union, Mr J. J. Caliagher, Waihi.

During the election Mr Caliagher offered as a suggestion that standing orders' be suspended to permit discussion on the question of the appointment of officers from one centre and making that centre the headquarters of thq union' for the year. - It would tend to promote the sport to have.all .the officers'' closer together than had been the case in the-past.

- The Plains delegates supported the idea, but objected to the proposal on the score of additional travelling expenses for delegates. . , . •it ’ was pointed out that meetings could be held in Paeroa as usual. A vote of thanks and appreciation to -Mr W. Smith, the retiring secretary, whs moved by Mr W. C. Kennedy, seconded by Mr J.J. Caliagher, and cairied by acclamation. The committee meeting was then held, and it was decided that meetings be held in Paeroa as in the past. POLAND CUP. The question of an alteration of the conditions of the Frank Poland Memorial Cup was brought up by the Hauraki Plains delegates, who advocated an alteration to a one-round competition or to a challenge competition. Mr Callaghan pointed out that no special conditions had neon made by the, donors. He was in sympathy with the Plains sub-unloh’s difficulties, which applied in a lesser to the Waihi sub-union. He suggested a deputation tp Mr Poland to ask that he approve of the competition being a challenge one.' •

Mr Shand opposed the suggested alteration and offered the suggestion that the Piako, Paeroa, \md Waihi teams play off and the winner play .i home and . home match with the Plains... .

The Piako .delegates also opposed any chaugej as the. matches were’a major source’ of revenue for the union. The chairffiSn asked the Waihi and Paeroa delegates what financial inducement they would offer the Plains. Or. his own he, would guarantee £lO from the Piako union. The Waihi delegates said,that they could hot pledge their union witnout consulting .it,..

Mr Berney’moved, and Mr Thompson seconded, that one round be played. the. holders of the cup to . have two home matches.

As an. amendment Mr. Kennedy moved that the matter be deferred until next meeting.

Seconded by Mr Wroc and carried, the Plains delegates voting against. NEXT MEETING.

It was decided to hold the next meeting, on Tuesday, May 12.

INSURANCE OF REFEREES,

Mr Dunstan, on behalf of the Thames Valley Referees’ Association, asked if the question of insuring referees while'in charg eof inter-union matches had been considered. It was'pointed out that players were not insured by the union, and that no schcSme was practicable except !>y players effecting their own. cover. WEIGHT OF THIRD GRADE.

The advisability of .adopting a standard weight for third-grade and schoo“oby players was discussed,' and it was decided that the limit for thirdgrade, be ,9ist 81g, and for. schoolboys Bsf 41b in ■ playing clothes.