FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4953, 19 March 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

HAIITOAKT plains BUGBY union. annual meeting. The annual meeting ot.the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union was held at Ngatea on Monday evening, Mr J. Costello presiding, over the following delegates: Messrs W. Thompson, J. H. Nicholspn, W. G. Pratt, A. C. Nicholson, F. L. Wallis), C. Lawernce, H. Dalgety, P. Clark, C. S. Foster, H. Duncan, C. Molloy, T. Alderson, A. H. McClean, R. Williams, G. Lu-Griffith's; D. Moles worth, E. Cowdrey, E. Harris, M. Leonard, and W. Wylde (secretary). ANNUAL REPORT. . Tire annual report was read as folr tows, and together with the balancewas adopted : — “The season 1925 cannot be classed a,s a successful one from all, points. ' “inter-club matches, commenced on April 18, and the first; round was completed without interruption except for Anzac Day. In the second round, however, very serious interference -was caused -by the representative matches-, and in three montjhs there were only Tour Saturdays, available for club matches. At one time there was a gap of four weeks: between fixtures, and one team, through no fault of its, own, had no match for seven weeks. Such interference practically killed all interest in the game, ahd as ja result only 16 of the 25 intel-club matches in the second- round were played, z and many of these could not be classed as, football at ail owing to the incompleteness of the teams a,nd the incompetence of some of the members included. This question is, of vital interest, and serious consideration will have to be given the subject, if Rugby is to progress, in the, district. The only teams, to complete the competitions were the two Ngatea l teams. So far the trophies won have not J>een presented, as a quorum could '.Sot be secured at a union meeting to authorise a function for the purpose. “The representative tea-m played six Poland Cup matches , and two matches against Thames,, Two matches were won, one was drawn, and five were lost. Only one player /was in every match ; five players, were in the seven matches, two, in six, three others in five, three in four, five in three, sjx in two, and ten players were in one match only. "Financially the season has been a successful one, due to the strict economy exercised in transportation and entertainment. All visiting players were well entertained without impos-'' ing any hardship on the Ngatea la.dies, who, however, were always willing to assist if called upon. The transportation df players, by motor lorry for* the close matches resulted in a sjaving of about £25, as compared with previous years when cars were utilised. A further saving could probably be effected /fry calling tenders at the beginning [of the season for transportation by bus. “As, an indication of the falling off public interest durihg the season it is worthy of note that the gate receipts- for the representative matches dropped steadily, from £27-odd to £B- - A falling off in- enthusiasm was also demonstrated in the attendance of delegates at union meetings, of which several lapsed: for . want of a quorum. "The prospects for the coming season now appear to be very good, ahd a big effort should be made to sustain this enthusiasm. This -factor should be taken into consideration when officers are, being'appointed. “Thanks are, due to thio past season’s. officers, the Retereejs’ Association, and to those who have assisted the union financially and by voluntary labour during the past season. "The insurance of players against accident on the field was the subject of much investigation, and from the experiences of other unions it was, agreed to advise players! 'to effect their' own cover. It was found that many unions were recommending their players to insure with? one particular company, which was' offering very good terms.” A vote of thanks-was, accorded the auditor, Mr E. Walton. 1

OFFICERS. The following officers were- appointed : Patron, Mr W. G. Hayward.; president, Mr J. Costello; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Wylde ; auditor; .Mr E. Walton. ALTERATION OF RULES. The union rules were amended to provide that before transfers df. play- • ers from one club to another became effective .they must be registered with, the union secretary. A clause was added providing for the appointment of an appeal board to deal with all protests,- suspensions of players, and other urgent business requiring attention before the next union meeting. The recommendation, ofc the management committee of lasit season that the system whereby aflaliated clubs pay the union one-third of their gate receipts be abolished, . and in lieu thereof cj.ubs> pay the sum of £5 annually as,/affiliation fee, was discuss- ■ ed at length. Most of the delegates supported the recommendation, but it was freely admitted that some hardship would be imposed on the smaller clubs. Finally the amount was, reduced to £4 and the recommendation . was, adopted. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. ►- A great deal of discussion also took place on the subject o'f the harm done by the interference to inter-club matches by representative fixture#. The following recommendation was brought down by last season’s man- ' agement commitbee:— “That in view/ of the fact that tne interference ofc the club competition by representative matches is .tending., to ruin foothall in the district by! causing playef-s and public alike to j lose interest, ’it is the opinion of this] union that no representative matches ! should be played until, all club fixtures are completed.” This recommendation, had been carried unanimously in August l,a§t, but . the same delegates -were now of opinion that it was too drastic, although •►the underlying idea on the right i-dines. It was pointed!. out that the, "paeroa* Waihi, and Pi:ako unions had

three or four foams in their competitions and the Hauraki Plains had six. Thus; the other unions were anxious, to commence representative matches" When the Plains competition was- only half completed. A big fight had been made to have the Poland Cup competition altered to a challenge competition or to have the play reduced to one round. However, the Plains delegates to the Thames Valley Union had been outvoted. It was agreed that the delegates make another fight .this season, and it was pointed out that unlesfe some change was made the only solution would be to drop out df the Poland Cup competition. Mr Foster stated .that he understood the Thames Valley Union proposed having more matches than ever this year. He did not see why the club matches on the Plains could not be played on the same dates. In previous seasons the cl,ub matches had been postponed to allow.players to attend 'the big matches and so that no team would be penalised by having its best members taken to. represent the Thames Valley.

On the motion of Mr Cowdrey, seconded by Mr Thompson, it was decided that inter-club matches be played on the dates of the Thames Valley representative matches. ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION.

In accordance with hisi notice of motion Mr Foster moved that the constitution of the union be altered to provide that it comprise five independent men appointed at a general meeting.

Speaking to his motion, Mr Foster s-aid it seemed to him that the constitution of the union ati present was wrong. Delegates were appointed to state the "case on behalf of their clubs; and then had to. sit in judgment on their own case. He thought the Hauraki Plains Union was the only one so constituted, and it should be altered so thaj the control, would be in the hands- ofe men who were above the influence of .any club. The delegates should state, their club’s case, but should not have a vote. The. five men could be appointed from any district, for if they were fair-minded men all parties would get a fair deal. He would not say that it had been do*ne, but it was quite possible 'for delegates, at present to conspire to get a motion through the union. Mr Cowdrey thought that footballers were too democratic to- stand such a proposition. They would not favour such autocracy. . Mr Foster said that all other unions were so constituted.)

In seconding the motion Mr H. Dun-, can said that in his'opinion t,he rules of the N-Z. Rugby Union provided that a union should be comprised of five independent men,, irrespective of the delegates. It was .not right for delegates to sit in judgment on. matters that affected their own clubs, as the way was left open for abusje. Mr Costello said that there were always some delegates who were disinterested. in some subjects brought before the union. ~In most casies these, were sufficient to over-ride, those'w.ho were perhaps biased. There had been no complaints in the past that the union had not given everyone a fair spin, and he did not think a change in the constitution was warranted. The motion was defeated by nine votes, to six. CHALLENGE' MATCHES. The secretary reported that a challenge had, been entered for the Peace Cup, but not for the Birch Cup. The secretary was instructed to forward a challenge immediately for the Birch Cup. CAPS FOR TEAMS. Mr Foster’ said that he would like the union to keep in mind the idea of providing the teams' winning the senior and junior grade inter-club competitions with caps or some other memento. Mr Thompson said that the representatives! should have something, and moved that they be given a cap or a photograph of the team. After 1 discussion it was finally 'decided by 14 votes to 3 that a photograph of the Peace Cup team be given to each player taking part. SCHOOL COMPETITION. ir

The secretary reported that Mr J. Terrill, hairdresser, Ngatea, had presented a very handsome trophy for the encouragement of Rugby among schoolboys and boys who had jus't left school but who were not big enough to play in the junior teams. To save such boys from “marking time” the donor suggested that they should be permitted to play for 'their school for one year. The cup was for competition between the schools within the union’s territory, and wasi to become the property ot the school winning it three times in succession or four times at intervals. The donor had made certain conditions, and had suggested that he would agree to others that the union might make. In moving a vote of thanks to Ml' Terrill the president, Mr Costello, said the union sihould be thankful \th>t there were such fine-spirited men in its district. The idea was a splendid one, and the .competition would do much to encourage football among the boys.

The secretary' was instructed to write Mr Terrill a letter of appreciation.

It was decided that a. committee comprising the president, Mr, Foster, arid Mr A. McClean go into the matter of arranging a suitable competition and report to a later meeting. In the (meantime the Cup was to be sent to the headmasters of the various schools (for exhibition. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. After the general, meeting a meeting of the management committee was held. In response to an appeal for a donation towards a suitable memorial to the memory of the late “Dick” McGregor, one time Thames, Auckland, and New Zealand represetnative footballer, and also to ass,lst his widow and children, the sum of £3 3s was voted. OFFICERS. The following officers, were appointed : Delegates to the Thames Valley Rugby Union, Messrs C. S. Foster, W.

Thompson, and J. H. Nicholson ; appeal board, Messrs C. S. Foster, J. H. Nicholson, and C. Lawrence; postponement committee, one delegate from each club ; senior selectors, Messrs E. Ryan, T. A. McClean, A. H. McClean ; junior selectors, Messrs R. Gibbons, J. Christie, and J. McPhiei'Sbn; managers, senior team Mr C. S. Foster, junior team Mr J. McPherson.