FOXTON CLUB’S REQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3540, 21 September 1926, Page 3

FOXTON CLUB’S REQUEST.

PREFERS MANAWATU TO HOR 0 WTIENU A. DEPUTATION WAITS ON UNION Last night a deputation from the Foxton Football Club, consisting of Messrs H. Hutchins, G. Alexander, A. Stevenson, and D. R. Barron, waited on the Horowhenua Rugby Union Management Committee, in furtherance of their application to sever connection with Horowhenua and join up with Manawatu. The matter had previously been placed before the Combined Council and referred back to the Horowhenua Union. Members of the Union present were: Messrs J. O’Connor (chairman), J. Proctor, Rimmer, W. Neville, S. Austin, F. Robinson, Anderson, Emmett (Referees’ Association), Hannan, Winiata, McDonald,. Leach, and the secretary (Mr J. Casey). The deputation was introduced by Mr Neville. Mr Ilutcljins outlined the arguments in favour of the change-over, which were similar to those presented to the Combined Council, and previously published. Messrs Barron and Alexander endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks. Mr Robinson said that one of the arguments presented was the helping of young players. He had two boys in the school team and their expenses to Otaki had amounted to 2/- per head. It would,.cost considerably more than that to travel by train to Palmerston N. It would be very unfair toj expect schoolboys to have to travel to Palmerston N. to play. Their games were got off early in the day and that would mean that they would have to leave Foxton by the first train, spend the whole day there, costing them two meals, and return at night.

The deputation pointed out that at present the Foxton was assisting school players and paid out for conveyances.

Mr Rimmer said the) Foxton public would suffer from the changeover. They would only get three games out of ten played locally.

Mr Robinson said that under the same circumstances as Foxton, the Awahou team had fulfilled all its fixtures and had one home game owing. The Foxton Thirds had also fulfilled all engagements.

Mr Hutchins said the Thirds had not fulfilled afi engagements. They ( had been barred from playing on two occasions by floods. Mir Casey said the winners of the Senior •competition played-11 games, and Foxton had played 8. They had missed only three games and he did not see how that would break up a team. Continuing, Mr Casey said that Foxton gates had improved this year. Last year they totalled £sl with a rep. game and this year, with , no rep. game, they totalled £57. Foxton was a good centre for the Council and they did not want to lose them. The Union now stood £139 in credit,,, as against £lO5 in I debt last year, and also had an in- ■ surance fund in credit £SO. In the future all centres in the Union would get a rep. match now that the Union was in a sound financial position. The people would now receive the benefit and the Union would expect the people in) the centres to do their best to make the games successful. He asked the deputation to give the ITorowhenua Union another trial and they would find that they were on a good wicket. This year the Union had assisted school football in the various centres. Mr Hannan: This application is the thin end of the wedge. The boundaries are fixed and must not be altered. Mr Hutchins: The' boundaries were altered at the last, Combined meeting. The Chairman: That is not correct. An error was rectified, that was all. Mr Barron: Perhaps our boundary is a mistake, too! - Mr Alexander said the deputation was not present to criticise the management of the Union. Their complaint was due to things over which no one had control. Mx- Hutchins: It is the wish of the Foxton Club that this matter go before the supreme council. Mr Casey: \\'e have a proposal io place before the delegates of all clubs next week which may alter things. He again urged Foxton to give them} another year's trial. The chairman thanked the depu1 tation for the way in which it had placed its views before the Union and assured them of a fair hearing when the matter came before the Combined Council. He held out no hope that the . request would be granted, however, and considered it a blow at their birthright. If Foxton was allowed to break away, then Shannon would go on its first grievance, and also probably a team in Levin itself. This year, he said, the Foxton Club had been specially looked after and they hoped in future years to do more and help with the - travelling arrangements. If the Government was putting the lorries oft; the road they should provide some other means of conveyance and possibly, in a few years f ' some conveyance may be running between Foxton and Shannon and elsewhere. Foxton would be a long way worse off by joining up with Manawatu, he considered. He was also of opinion that there was more enthusiasm in football in the Horowhenua than Manawatu. Anyhow, he concluded, better the devil you know to the one you don’t (Laughter). Mr Hutchins said that Shannon was not in the same position as Foxton. It had no river to contend with and had a good train service. JJ(r Stevenson asked why another

round was put on the Thirds this year? Mr Casey said that correspondence in the early part of the season said that the Thirds would play four rounds. It had been quite definite at the beginning of the season. The deputation then returned thanks and withdrew.

Mr Austin said that he thought Foxton’s views would be changed after the meeting of delegates next week. Travelling expenses appeared to be the main bone of contention. Mr Rimmer said that if Clubs were assisted there would not be so much defaulting and the Union would make up anything it granted by the extra games. Levin should be taken as a centre and travelling expenses fixed on that basis.

Mr Casey moved that the matter be referred to the Manawatu-lioro.-whenua Rugby Union with the recommendation that there be no alteration to the boundaries. This was seconded by Mr Proctor and carried, Mr Neville being the only dissentient.