PLAINS FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4872, 2 September 1925, Page 3

PLAINS FOOTBALL.

meeting of union. a meeting of the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union was, held at Ngatea on Monday evening, Mr J. Costello presiding over Messrs H. Torr, J. Nicholson, W. Thompson, C. Foster, G. T. Davidson, M. Leonard, and W. Wylde, hon. secretary. ■ MATCH WITH THAMES. The secretary reported that he had spoken to' the secretary of the Thames -dinghy Union with reference to the suggested date for the home a?id home match. As Thames had won the Peace Cup. and one of tlie conditions was that all matches weie to be played by a certain date a difficulty was being experienced in arranging a date for the Plains match. On August 29, the date originally proopsed, Waihi had arranged to play for tlie Peace Cup, and Thames had taken over the challenge. In all probability either September 12 or 19 Would be available. The matter depended on what date was given Pukekohe, and whether Waipa plajed or not. It could be definitely undei stood that Thames would play Plains at Ngatea this season, but in view of the circumstances they would not expect a return match at Thhmes. Mr Brownlee had offered as a suggestion that a Thames second A team should visit Ngatea. This could probably be arranged at an early date. It was decided that the secretary - endeavour to .arrange a match foi September 19, or a near date. SCHOOL FOOTBALL. A letter was received from the captain of the Patetonga School team asking for a copy of the Rugby rules. Tlie secretary was instructed to obtain rule books for all the schools.

CLUB GATE RECEIPTS. The question of the payment by the clubs of one-third of the gate receipts as in the past was brought up by the secretary, who pointed but that some clubs paid regularly and othci's consistently defaulted.- One club had 52 vice-presidents, and as these men went in free to matches the union- received nothing from _ them. Then there was the trouble of thd union to collect its dues from the club secretaries. He suggested that tlie system be abolished and an annual lev.v be made on the clubs in its place. This'should-be acceptable to the clubs, and would probably act as an incentive to them to popularise football? more than had been done in ' the past, as their total receipts would belong to them. The suggested sysj-■ tern Would also be of advantage to ■ the union. Tlie matter Wats discussed briefly, members supporting the change, and c.n the motion of Mr Fotser, seconded by Mr Berney, it was decided that it be a recommendation to the annual meeting that the contribution to the union by clubs of one-third of the gate receipts be discontinued and that in its place each club pay the union the sum of £5 annually as affiliation fee.' . REPLACEMENT OF PLAYERS. The notice of motion to come, before the Thames Valley Union relative to the replacement or not of injured players was discussed, and it was decided that delegates support tlie rescinding of the motion preventing a player, from being replaced after half-time, NEXT SEASON’S POLICY. The secretary moved that in view of the fact that the interference of club matches by representative matches is tending to ruin football in this district by causing'players and "“•"public alike to loose interest,’it is the opinion of this union, as it has been ’ in previous seasons, that no representative matches be played until the club competition is completed, and that it be a recommendation to next season's union that this be given effect to.

Speaking to the motion the secretary pointed out that of the 54 club matclies arranged by the union only 41 had been played, and that at tlie latter end of the season the teams were made up of anyone who could be induced toplay.' Through the interference of representative matches one team did not have a game to play for seven weeks. If the suggestion was given effect to interest in the club competition would be sustained, full teams would take the field, the selector of the representatives would have ample opportunity to see the men in action several times, and the interunion matches would give players an opportunity of getting into big football if they deserved it. Mr Fester supported the motion and advocated commencing the club matclies earlier than usual. The position was discussed at great length, members supporting the idea. It was decided that the annual meeting next season be held during the month of March, so that the club matclies would commence earlier han had been the case in the past. THANKS. A vote of thanks to Mr E. C. Marshall and Mr G-, T. Davidson, who had acted as gatekeepers during the season at the, representative matches was carried, and the secretary was instructed to convey the unions appreciation of their .services to them. OUTSIDE MATCH. The Kerepeehi club was granted permission to . play Coronmadel on Saturday next at Coromandel. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling almost £6O were passed for payment.

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