FOXTON FOOTBALL CLUB

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3533, 4 September 1926, Page 3

FOXTON FOOTBALL CLUB

DEPUTATION WAITS ON THE COMBINED COUNCIL.

CHANGE OF VENUE ASKED FOR

ATTEMPT TO BLOCK DEPUTATION FAILS.

At a special general meeting of the Foxton Rugby Football Club, held on Monday evening last a resolution was unanimously carried, asking the Combined Union to have the present boundaries' altered between the Horowhenua and Manawatu Unions by making the Manawatu River the boundary between the two Unions.

The object of the motion was to allpw Foxton to play in the Manawatu section of the combined area instead of the southern end. A deputation (consisting of Messrs H. Hutchins (Club President, D. R. Barron (secretary) and J. K. Hornblow (vicepresident) were appointed a deputation to lay the matter before the Combined Union.

A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the Horowhenua Rugby Union, which, has jurisdiction over the southern end, and the club’s delegate (Mr Neville) was instructed to support it before that body. The (Club secretary communicated with, the secretary of the Combined Union and was informed that the deputation would be received by that body at a meeting to be held in Palmerston N. on Thursday evening.

The Club’s resolution was received by the Horowhenua Union’s Management Committee on Tuesday evening, was discussed fully, adversely criticised and the following resolution was reported as being carried unanimously (although the Foxton. Club’s delegate states he voted against):—“That this Council will not countenance any alteration in the boundaries as defined by the rules of the Combined Unions.” The motion was moved by Mr Casey. Mr Bimmer, in supporting the motion, made the somewhat contradictory. comment that boundaries could not be altered unless the Union said: “We don’t want Foxton!” REFUSED A HEARING.

When the Club’s deputation waited upon the Combined Unions at Palmerston N. on Thursday night, Mr ,J. Casey excitedly asked who had told the deputation to 'come to the meeting. He stated that when the Combined Union had been formed he was told that no club could deal direct with the Union. “We, the Horowhenua Council, have been slighted by the Foxton Club and just like a dog they threw lis a bone, practically ignoring us.” He pointed out that the Club had sent the Council a (copy of the resolution and added that a deputation intended waiting on the Combined Union. He then moved that the deputation be not received. Mr W. Moynihan thought that in common decency the Union should receive the deputation. He was sure they had been ignorant in the matter of procedure. Mr K. S.-Eglinton seconded the motion, provided that it was made clear that the wrong procedure had been’ adopted in the matter. Mr Casey: “If Foxton came to the Horowhenua Council we might have. a remedy.” Mr T. Collins was in favour of hearing the deputation. The motion was carried, there being no dissentient. Mr' Eglington: “It’s a matter for the two Councils to bring to the Union.”

Mr J. R. Hardie pointed out that unofficially the Manawatu Council had decided to take no action until the Horowhenua Council has made representations on the matter.

THE CRACKER PROVES A DUD.

The deputation was then invited to come inside and the chairman (Mr J. J. O’Connor) then explained the position to the deputation. Mr J. K. Hornblow stated that a special meeting of the iclub had been called to discuss whether the club was prepared to play in the 1 Manawatu, and a resolution of approval was passed unanimously. A copy of the resolution was immediately sent to the Horowhenua Council and was discussed by that body. According to the press report of the Horowhenua Union, the Combined Union had been compromised by a statement that the matter had been finalised by the Horowhenua Union. Mr Casey: “It has not been so!” Mr Hornblow then produced press copies of reports of the meeting giving the discussion regarding the Club’s resolution. “You say we have not adopted the right procedure. What is the proper procedure if we have not followed it? We were given permission to icome to this meeting,” he stated.

Mi- Casey: “Who told you to?” The secretary (Mr Proud) explained that Mr Barron (secretary of the Foxton Club) had asked his advice and after being told what the Club had done, he contended that the deputation was entitled .to a hearing. The chairman explained that the Horowhenua Council should be asked to make application for the deputation to wait on the Union. “We are denied the right to state our case yet this is the supreme body?” stated Mr Hornblow.

In view of the situation as explained l»y the deputation, Mr Hardie contended that the Club had adopted the correct steps and were in order. Mr Eglington: “When 1 seconded the motion proposed by Mr Casey, I was unaware of the full circumstances.” Mr Barron stated that so far as

lie was concerned, he had carried out his duties as he was told by the secretary of the Union.

Mr J. K. Hornblow stated that the club had no intention of slighting the Horowhenua Council in any way. Horowhenua had decided not to favour the alteration of the boundaries and this decision was arrived at without thevFoxlon Club being.allowed to state its case!

Mr W. Anderson: “The resolution was passed unanimously at the Council meeting. Even your own delegate voted in favour.” *

The deputation was then asked to retire, while the matter was reopened.

DECISION REVERSED AND DEPUTATION RECEIVED.

The chairman (Horowhenua) stated that the deputation had placed its case-very well. However, he still contended that the motion should stand, even the re-opening of the question would not plaice Foxton in the right. Mr W. Carruthers also thought the motion was in order.

Replying to -Mr Hardie (Manawatu) itf’wasspointed out by Mr Casey (secretary of the'Horowhenua Union) that the Club bad only sent a copy of its resolution with the addition that a deputation was going to wait on the Union. The rules stated that the Club should only deal with the Councils, except in the case of an appeal. The Horowhenua Council was considering the possibility of dividing the district into two divisions, and if that was agreed upon, Foxton would only have to travel 12 miles at the most. With regard to some of the Saturdays lost, as alleged by the Club, Mr Casey pointed out that the Council played no fixtures when the Combined team was playing so as to keep faith with the Union. Mr Hardie: Did Foxton suggest that they wished to sever from you or not? Mr F. Robinson: Yes!

The secretary pointed out that the rules provided for any club to appeal to the Union, and the deputation was pra. ically appealing agninst the decision of the Horowhenua Council.

Mr W. Moynihan (Horowhenua) thought it advisable to explain the scheme under review by the Horowhenua Council. “They certainly have had a bad spin this year,” he stated.

Mr Proud: “In a nutshell, they ask the Union to- alter the boundaries. The decision of the Council left them no other course but to approach this Union.” Mr Casey: “But they said they were going to send a deputation before we passed the resolution.” Mr J. B. Proud: “You forced them to come here.”

Mr Casey : “I resent the action of the secretary in taking upon himself the work of the Union.” Mr Hardie contended that the Foxton Club had taken the proper steps and thought the secretary was correct when he told Mr Barron that the deputation should wait on the Union.

“You 'can’t alter the boundaries, but you can receive the deputation, stated Mr Proud.

On the motion of Mr'Moynihan, it was decided that the deputation be received, although they had not adopted the correct procedure. “No one is in favour of the scheme, anyhow!” he added.

The motion was withdrawn and the deputation once again were invited to come inside. THE CLUB’S CASE.

On behalf of the Club, Mr Hornblow explained that years ago Foxton was 'practically the home of Rugby in this district, and at that time Foxton was linked up with Palmerston N. Geographically, Foxton came under the heading of “Manawatu,” as much as Te Kawau did and the . Club wished a change of playing venue, from the south to the north end of the combined district, for reasons of convenience of locomotion, economy to players and further to promote the best interests of the gallic. Further, it could not be denied that there was more community of interest between Foxton and the northern end. Foxton was the only centre in the Horowhenua area which was not served by the railway. A 'change of venue for Foxton would not be prejudicial to any other club in the Horowhenua. The Horowhenua Council’s attitude towards Foxton had undergone a change since this request was made. During this season it had been stated by a Horowhenua official that Horowhenua could do very well without Foxton. About three years ago a public indignation meeting had been held in Foxton as a protest, against Horowhenua’s treatment of Foxton and as a result the League game was started. “We are not here to bring discord in the Combined Union—we only you to consider the matter as it affects the best interests of the game,” he explained. Continuing, lie said that there were really two clubs in Foxton, one-under the charge of Mr Robinson, and it was the other club that wished the change. There were 75 players connccted.with this club, which had also taken in hand the District High School players. Apart from the serious inconvenience to the players as regards travelling, it was hardly fail' to expect the minor grade teams of the Foxton Club to have to play much bigger and heavier teams, and the Club hoped that by joining up with the Manawatu, it would be able to take part in the fifth grade competition. Mr Hutchins corrected a statement made at the Horowhenua meeting re matches reported to have been placed, which were abandonee owing to tlood conditions, and of which the secretary (Mr Casey) was aware. He also referred to oth-

er disabilities to players if the existing conditions obtained. The chairman then explained that the Union had decided to refer the matter to the Horowhenua Council, and assured the deputation that (he matter would be given a sympathetic hearing by that body.

ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES FOR TE KAWAU.

Strange as it may appeal’, a deputation from the Te Kawau subdivision which waited upon the union, was granted a request for an alteration of boundaries. The alteration asked for and granted was the inclusion of portion of Horowhenua’s district in the sub-union area as many of the players in the subunion were living four or five miles out of Foxton and unless the boundary was’ altered the sub-union would lose these players.

Mr F. Robinson reported on the Combined team’s tour, of which he was manager, and stated that the players had been accorded a great welcome, and so far as the team was (concerned, the selectors had blade a good job of the business. — He was: accorded a vote of thanks for his stewardship, whilst the selectors were' congratulated •on the success of their choice, , .

It was decided to make application to the New Zealand Union to have the combined colours maroon and white.

The selectors were asked to pick the team to play ’Wellington by today and it was decided that the team go into camp next Thursday. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th. No Senior or Junior games owing to the rep. match in Palmerston N. THIRDS: Miranui v. Weraroa, at Miranui, 2.50 p.m. Shannon v. Wanderers at Shannon at 2.50 p.m. ' FOURTHS. Foxton D. 11.5. v. Shannon, at Shannon, at 1.30 p.m. Levin D.H.S. v. FoXton ,at Levin, at 1.30 p.m.