FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5134, 2 June 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THAMES VALLEY UNION. MATCHES ARRANGED. The Thames Valley Rugby Union met at Paeroa. on Tuesday evening, Mr J. W. Silcock presiding over the following : Messrs P. R. Henry, H. L. Behney, and C. S. Foster, Hauraki Plains; F. Lockyer, Lindsay, and Roach, Piako); J. J. Callaghan, S. H. Walmsley, and W. Paul, Waihi; C. H. Potter, C. T. Mettam, and H. M. Shand’ Paeroa ; and W. D. Nicholas (secretary). FINANCE. The president reported that the treasurer’s balance at date was £lO7 9s sd. SECRETARYSHIP. Tne president reported that the local committee had been able to secure the services of Mr AV. D. Nicholas for the position of secretary. He had great pleasure in moving that Mr Nicholas be appointed secretary. This was seconded by Mr Walmsley and carried unanimously. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. The Bay of Plenty Rugby' Union' wrote seeking a mf’tc-h in its district. The president reported that the N.Z. Rugby Union had fixed the date of August 20 for a match at Rotorua. Mr Lockyer, delegate to the N.Z. Rugby Union, stated that he had made arrangements for the match on the understanding that the visitors would receive 50 per cent, of the gate receipts, with a minimum of £25. The arrangement was accepted. GATE RECEIPTS.

The*Paeroa Rugby Union forwarded a cheque for £1 9s 6d, being the balance of the gate receipts due from the past season. DISQUALIFIED PLAYERS.

The Paeroa Rugby Union wrote seeking the co-operation of the union in having the balance of the period of disqualification of C. McNeil and T. Johnson lifted.

The Paeroa delegates spoke recommending the lifting of the suspension. The president mentioned that the suspensions had not been reported to the N.Z. Rugby Union owing to an oversight of the late secretary. In this case the union could lift the suspension.

Mr Walmsley spoke against the principle of lifting suspensions after a short period, and was supported by Mr Henry.

The matter was discussed at length, delegates urging caution in remitting punishment for serious offences. A motion to lift the suspension was carried. KING COUNTRY MATCH. The King Country Rugby Union wrote confirming the arrangements made for a match with Thames Valley at Paeroa on August 13. RULE BOOKS. It was decided to order several dozen copies of the Referee’s Handbook for sale to the sub-unions. INTER-UNION MATCHES. The Waihi Union was granted permission to play friendly matches with the Morrinsville representatives on June 3. Similar permission was granted the Piako Union in respect of matches against Matamata. DELEGATE’S REPORT. Mr F. Lockyer, the union’s delegate to the N.Z. Rugby Union, reported on the recent meeting of that body. In regard to the boundary of the Thames Valley Union district, the Waikato and Morrinsville unions had promised to send their copies of the description of the territory. Fixtures had been arranged with Auckland on condition that it sent a really good team to Paeroa, and a guarantee of £3O had been given. Application had been made for a match with the Maori touring team, and as this would probably have to be played on a Wednesday he had suggested that it be played at Te Aroha. Arrangements had been made for a King Country match on August .13 on a £3O guarantee, and for the Bay of- Plenty match on August 20. The Dominion insurance scheme had been introduced, but the project was rejected as unworkable. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the N.Z. Rugby Union asking that the boundaries of the Thames Valley Union, be correctly stated in the official Annual. In regard to the match with Auckland, the secretary was instructed to ascertain what date would be suitable. With reference to the Maori team match, it was decided to leave- the matter in abeyance until further information was received. The president reported that on September 24 a team from the- Thames Valley, Waikato, and King Country unions would play a team from Auckland and North Auckland for the purpose of selecting the team to tour South Africa. PLAINS-PAEROA BOUNDARY. The president reported that he had looked into the question of the boundary between Hauraki Plains and Paeroa sub-unions and had found that legally it was Fisher’s Road, but there was an agreement between the two ' unions to the effect that the land between Fisher’s Road and Wharepoa Road was neutral ground, from which players could play for whichever union they preferred. So long as the two unions were satisfied with the agreement it could stand. POLAND CUP. The number of rounds to be played in the Poland Cup competition was then discussed. The president stated that Mrs Poland had not made any 7 conditions when donating the trophy, but the Goldfields Union had agreed that home and away matches should be played. Mr Lockyer said that the Piako Union desired two rounds, as it was the main source of revenue. Mr Henry said that Hauraki Plains desired one round, as there was not sufficient time to complete the club matches and the few representative matches before the difficulty of securing teams from dairy farmers. . Mr H. L. Berney pointed out that there need be no loss of revenue, as if time permitted, friendly matches could be- arrangd. The Paeroa delegates supported two

rounds and the Waihi delegates on« round on account of the cost of travelling considering the low financial state of the Waihi union. Football was fostered more by club fixtures than by representative matches, ifl” which only 15 players took part. Mr C. S. Foster stressed the matter of the interference caused in the inter-club competition. In dairying districts such as the Hauraki Plains it was useless attempting to have matches when the cows came in.

Mr Callaghan supported the Plains delegates, and pointed out that the Thames Valley Union had already arranged fixtures which, together with the Poland Cup matches, would cause a serious delay in the completion of the inter-club matches. In the interests of football it was essential to cater for as many players as possible. Mr Lockyer advocated that the clubs should continue their matches on the days that the representatives were awfly. This had been done by the Piako Union in past seasons.

Mr Shand criticised the actions of unions in playing outside matches, such as with Thames. He was of opinion that these should be discontinued in favour of matches within their own union. Mr Berney moved, .and Mr Henry seconded, that the Poland Cup competition be played in one round. On a show of hands being taken the delegates of Waihi and Plains voted for and the Paeroa and Piako delegates against. Before giving his casting vote the president said he was of the opinion that there were altogether too many so-called senior grade teams. Tn Hawera there was only one senior team, and in New Plymouth only two senior teams. Of course, there were numerous second a.nd third grade teams. This made really good football. It was a matter for the subunions, but he was of the opinion that the sub-unions would be well advised to consider reducing the number of senior teams. He would therefore give his casting vote in favour of two rounds. The Waihi delegates said that there was no ill-will about the matter, and their hearty co-operation could be relied upon. They had voted on instructions from their union, but personally they believed in the two rounds. Mentioning that Hauraki Plains had been "rapped over the knuckles” for playing matches with Thames, Mr Henry said that there was a growing feeling on the Plains towards affiliating with Thames. Mr Lockyer was of the opinion that the N.Z. Rugby Union favoured the Thames Union linking up with the Thames Valley Union.

COMPETITION DRAW. The draw for the first round of the Poland Cup competition resulted .as follows:—

June 18.—Waihi v. Paeroa, at Waihi, Plains v. Piako, at Te Aroha. July 2. —Waihi v. Piako, at Te Aroha, Plains v. Paeroa, at Ngatea. July 16. —Paeroa v. Piako, at Paeroa, Waihi v. Plains, at Waihi. The junior competition will be aS follows :— June- IS.—Waihi v. Paeroa, at Paeroa, Plains v. Piako, at Plains. July 2. —Waihi v. Piako, at Waihi, Plains v. Paeroa, at Paeroa. July 16.—Paeroa v. Piako, at Te Aroha, Waihi v. Plains, at Ngatea. z REFEREES. Referees were appointed for the Poland Cup matches as follows:— June 18, Waihi v. Paeroa, T. Davidson ; Plains v. Piako, G, McMillan. July 2, Waihi v. Piako. E. Smith ; Paeroa. v. Plains, A. W. Dunstan. July 16, Paeroa v. Piako, E. A. Mahoney: Waihi v. Plains, T. Turner.! For the junior matches a local referee will be appointed by the home union. SELECTORS. It was decided that there be- three selectors for the Thames Valley sehio’’ representative team, Messrs W. White (Paeroa), F. Lockyer (Piako), and CH. Dillimore (Waihi) being appointed. RULES. A new set of rules for the union were tabled, and notice of motion was given by the president that they be adopted at q general meeting to be held in a month’s time. TROPHY FOR SCHOOLBOYS. The president reported that Messrs W. Fleming and Son. Ltd.. Paeroa, had offered to donate a shield as a trophy for competition in the Primary Schools’ Union. The trophy was accepted with pleasure, and the secretary was instructed to write thanking the donors. PAEROA UNION’S RULES. The rules of the Paeroa Rugby Union, recently drawn up and submitted for approval, were approved on the- motion of the president. JERSEYS FOR SCHOOLS. Mr Mettam advocated making a grant towards the cost of providing the Thames Valley Primary Schools’ representatives with a set of jerseys. On the motion of Mr Foster it was decided to purchase the jerseys at a cost not exceeding £B. SCHOOL MATCHES. The Piako delegates drew attention to the fact that the Primary Schools’ representatives, winners of the Northern Roller Mills Shield, might be entitled to defend the trophy on their home ground. The matter was worthinvestigating, as there was no doubt that it would be good for the district to have the 160-odd hoys come to Te Aroha or Paeroa. Arrangements could be -made to billet them in Te Aroha, and possibly arrangements could be made in Paeroa if necessary. It was agreed that the subject should be investigated. PAEROA CLUB COMPETITIONS. NEXT SATURDAY’S GAMES. The following players will represent ' the West juniors against East at the domain on Saturday :— Overall, Conolly, Bailey, Wickliffe, Sinnett, Duffey, Rick. Insley, Taylor, Carrick, Pennell, Snow, Hargreaves, Currie. Helling. Emergencies : Gage and Nield. The following referees will control’ the Paeroa club games on Saturday: Mr E. Smith, East v. Suburbs seniors; Mr D. G. McMillan, East v. West juniors; Mr T. Arnold, Suburbs v. Netherton juniors.