FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5067, 20 December 1926, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THAMES VALLEY UNION.

SPECIAL MEETING OF DELEGATES.

A special meeting of .the Thames Valley Rugby Union was held on Friday night, the president, Mr J. W. Silcock, presiding over the tollowing. Messrs E. L. Shajw and R. Hodson, Paeroa ; M. Ryan and J. Callaghan, Waihi; J. M. W. Thompson and JNicholson, Hauraki Plains.

The president explained that the meeting had been called to consider the position of the union financially. Mr Ryan moved that the Press be excluded on account of insinuations made by the Paeroa Press. Mr Callaghan objected, to Mr Ryan's remarks, and said that the local Press had been specially invited, afnd he moved that the Press remain at the meeting. Mr Thompson seconded. The president stated that the Paeroa Press had been invited to attend the meeting. The amendment was carried. Mr R. Hodson wasi appointed secretary for the meeting. FINANCES. In presenting a statement of accounts the president stated that the season could be regarded as very satisfactory. The credit balance of £lO7 13s, 'sd was satisfactory, especially when it was considered that the union had started off the season with a debit balance. The tour of the Valley team had been estimated at £250, but the expenses of the whole tour only amounted to £217 17s sd, being nearly £3O below 1 ' the estimate. At t.he same time the team had' had a thoroughly enjoyable ‘time, and there was no lack of money. The experience gained by the players during the tour had been invaluable, and should give football an impetus in the Thames Valley. The players who had toured had learned confidence, which, combined with the experience gained, was invaluable.

The president expressed, keen disappointment. with the result of the Hawke’s Bay match at The expenses of the visiting team had been heavy, and the union was in duty bound to stand-by its agreement. The hotel expenses alone were over £45, and the total expenses approximated £7O, whereas the gate receipts were only £55. Had the match been played at Te Aroha, the president said, the Hawke’s Bay members, would have been billeted out, and boarding expenses would have- been reduced. Further, when t,he match was arranged it had not been anticipated that the team would arrive at Paeroa on the Thursday and stay until Monday ■morning.

The president expressed thanks and appreciation for the support accorded the union. Several individuals had contributed £5 each, and the ..subunions had been most liberal. The Waihi sub-union, for instance, had commenced the season without any funds, and y©t it had paid affiliation fees, and given” a donation of £5, in addition to contributing £9 towards the touring fund.” , Mr Callaghan complimented the president, who had acted as manager of the touring team. He eulogised Mr Silcbck’s management of th© team, and complimented him on the report, he ha<j brought forward in connection with the tour.

Although Waihi had been well represented in the team, said Mr Callaghan, the sub-union was in a bad way and required fresh blood to revive interest in Rugby matters, in Waihi. It was to be much regretted that Mr Silcock’s health had broken down during the tour, and it was hoped that he would enjoy better health in the foture. Mr Callaghan paid a tribute on behalf of the'Waihi union, and thanked the Thames Valley union and the other sub-unions, for assistance rendered.

On behalf of the Paeroa union Mr Shaw 'ajso expressed thanks and appreciation for the services rendered to stimulate football. Mr Thompson, bn behalf 02 the Hauraki Plains union, added his quota of appreciation to Mr Silcock as manager, and to Mr Nicholson, w’ho carried on as manager after Mr Silcock was taken ill. The tour had been an undoubted success. It was not, desirable to look upon the tour from a financial viewpoint only. The experience gained was invaluable. Mr Nicholson also paid a tribute to Mr Silcock, and said that the touring team as a whole was exceedingly grieved when it became- known that Mr Silcock had b©en forced to relinquish the mojnagership and enter hospital. He had been a splendid manager, and had done much to encourage the team to do its best and be gentlemen' always. So far as the speaker was, concerned, he had been privileged to assist th© team in humble w'ay, and it had given him pleasure to do so. PRESENTATION OF PHOTOS. The action of th© president in securing photographs of the touring team and presenting them to the members was endorsed. RECORD OF PLAYERS.

The president said that although the union was a young one he was d©sirous of keeping a record of all the players who took part in representative matches. ' This view was agreed to by the meeting, and it was resolvqd to procure a book for record purposes. ' It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Callaghan,, to record .the thanks of the union to Mr Nicholson for the yeoman services rendered to the union during th© season. In conclusion the president wished the members and the Pre'sg the compliments of the season.

The greetings were heartily reciprocated.