PAEROA RUGBY UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5114, 13 April 1927, Page 3

PAEROA RUGBY UNION.

adjourned annual meeting. preparations for the season. The adjourned annual meeting of the Paeroa Rugby Union was held at the Soldiers’ Club last night, the president (Mr W. Marshall) presiding over a large and representative attendance. THE MISSING MINUTES. In opening the meeting the president expressed his appreciation at th® large attendance. There were many who had come a long distance, and ne took it as a compliment to the management committee and himself. He said that a diligent search had failed to locate the missing minutes. The secretary had moved his residence several times, in the course of which the book was. lost. The president said he thought it was unwise to use an exercise book in which to keep minutes. , Such a book could be very easily lost, whereas if a properly bound minute book was used it would not be so easy to lose. it. The union was placed in an unfortunate position. In over 25 years" active experience of public matters he had neverexperienced a similar happening. It appeared that the minutes of the 1926 annual meeting were irretrievably lost. No one felt the position more keenly than did the secretary (Mr J. M. Crosby), the president said, and he asked the meeting to be generous and do what it could to assist. The loss of the minutes would not affect the -football. Extracts of the annual meeting had been taken from the “Gazette,” but there was no record of Mr C. H. Potter’s notice of motion in the repoort. The motion, however, had been advertised, and the report showed that the principle had been followed in the election of officers. In order to clear the decks and start out afresh the president then moved: "That this meeting, being satisfied that the minutes of the last annual meeting have been lost, adopts the extract of the renort from the ‘Gazette’ of the proceedings of the meeting, and that it be confirmed as correct.” In seconding Mr E. Edwards thanked the president for his remarks, and said that he considered the resolution was the only reasonable way of getting over the difficulty. The resolution was then carried unanimously. The president explained that it would be necessary to rescind certain rules in order to make the amendment as moved by Mr Potter workable, He suggested that a small committee be set up to revise and amend the rules and submit a i eport at an extraordinary general meeting to be called for May 17, the committee to consist of Messrs J. W. Silcock, E. Edwards, J. H. Walmsley, and, if the speaker could be of any service to tne committee he would be willing to assist. The resolution' was seconded by Mr W. P. Pennell and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tiie. following officers were elected -for the 1927 seaspii: Patron, Mill. Poland ; president, Mr W. Marshall: vice-presidents, Mrs J. Corbett, Messrs J. A. Young, E. Edwards. T. P. Vuglar, and P. E. Brenan ; secretary, Mr R. Hodson; auditor, Mr W. L. Lawrence; management committee, Messrs T. Royal and C. T. Mettam (Suburbs), E. P. Fathers and J. Pinder (East), C. H. Potter and H. Goble (Netherton), also two delegates from West club and one from. Karangahake to be elected. COMMENCEMENT iOF SEASON. A recommendation was made to the incoming committee that the season commence on April 30. HONORARY MEMBERS. Mr Edwards drew attention to the fact that there were business men who were not interested in any particular club, but who were supporters of football ’generally. Such persons had no standing, yet were willing to do what they could to help Rugby along. He, thought some method should be adopted so that such men could be appointed honorary members. The suggestion would tend to give additional support, augment the funds, and give the persons concernbed some standing. The. matter was referred to the special committee.' TRAINING OF TEAMS. As the advancement of football depended largely on efficient training, an increase in facilities for players was desirable, was the contention of ’ Mr K. L. Slyfield. He suggested that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to consider ways and means of lighting the Paeroa Domain, so as to enable players to train at night. Mr E. J. Shaw pointed out that three times last year the drill-shed had beep taken for the purpose of night training, hut only one player had turned up on two occasions. The players did not appear to appreciate the value of training. Mr J. Wqjmsley said that there was no comparison between the drill-shed and the domain. He. believed that the players would turn out if facilities were provided. Mr W. J. Moore said that the selectors might consider standing players on the line if they would not go into training. Mr Edwards drew attention to the large number of outstanding subscriptions in the various clubs. He thought that all players should oc compelled to pay their subscriptions, and that a levy of one shilling on every player in the various clubs should be made and handed to the union to be set aside as a lighting fund. The matter was referred to the incoming committee. DONATION TO HOCKEY CLUB. Mr Walmsley drew attention to the arrangement made with the Ladies’ Hockey Club with reference to the. payment of the ground rental, under which the hockey club did not participate in the gate takings during the season. He saijj that many people visited the domain for the purpose of seeing the hockey matches, but the Rugby union got the benefit of the

admission charge. The union was “on a win” in every way, and he moved

that the sum of £5 be handed to the hockey club to assist it with travelling expenses.

In seconding, Mr Shaw said he thought it was a sporting thing to do. He also thought that the young men should interest themselves in the club and give the members a hand to prepare the ground. The resolution was carried unanimously. PAYMENT OF SECRETARY.

After several years’ experience as secretary Mr Crosby said that he thought anyone holding that position should receive some definite remuneration for his services. Tire secretarial work entailed a lot of time and sacrifice, and it was only a fair thing that the. services should be recognised in some tangible form.. It was flecided to recommend to the incoming committee that a bonus not exceeding £7 7s be paid to the secretary at the end.of the season, the motion being seconded by Mr E. P. Fathers and supported by Mr Edwards. SERVICES ACKNOWLEDGED. In eulogising the services rendered by the secretary the president pointed put that his duties had been arduous and manifold. In his capacity Mr Crosby had carried out the work with diligence, enthusiasm, and courtesy, and he moved that the union record its sincere thanks and appreciation of the services rendered. In referring to the sterling work performed by Mr W. P. Pennell, who had ably filled the position of chairman for two, years, and who was not seeking re-election, the president said that under Mr Pennell’s able and tactful guidance much had been done. The position was one that required firmness, tact, and impartiality, and it was safe to say that Mr Pennell possessed those attributes. He moved that the union also record its thanks and appreciation of the services rendered by the outgoing chairman and committee. Both resolutions were carried with acclamation. Messrs Pennell and Crosby returned thanks for the help and support accorded them in their respective offices. Mr Pennell paid a tribute to the country members on the committee, and ' said that the co-operation of the whole committee had made his duties a pleasure. He had always tried to do his best not only for individual clubs, but for the betterment of Rugby generally. Mr Pennell then moved that the union record its thanks to the Referees’ Association, to Mr W. Bain for the use of his rooms, and to all others who had assisted in various ways.

On the motion of Mr Edwards a vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded the president and carried with acclamation. Mr Edwards pointed out that Mr Marshall had not oniy presided at the meeting with considerable inconvenience to himself, but he had also given a good deal pf time preparing for the meeting so that the business should be transacted satisfactorily and promptly.