RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3771, 24 March 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

FOXTON CLUB AND UNION OFFICIALS CONFER

A special mooting of the Foxton Rugby Football Club was held in the Town Hall supp»r-room last evening to meet the committee of the Ilorowhenua Rugby Council, on the Club’s suggestion, to discuss various matters in connection with the welfare of rugby locally. Mr. H. Hutchins (President), presided, and there was a large attendance. Messrs J.. J. O’iConnor (chairman), J. Proctor, Ryder and W. Neville represented the committee,.

The President welcomed the representatives of the committee and outlined the object of the meeting. He then called on Mr. J. K. Hornblow to place the Club’s views before the Union representatives.

Mr. J. K. Hornblow thanked the representatives for attending the meeting on such, short notice and said the Club realised that as an outgoing committee they were powerless to commit the incoming Council to anything that night. The Club had deemned it advisable, however, to discuss certain matters with them prior to the annual meeting of the governing body, as a better understanding between the Club and Horowbenua Council would possibly promote the ■Club’s affiliation again this year. Any past grievances would not be brought up but the Club desired the Council to see and to know that it was not merely a club in name, but a real live body with a financial membership of 81, and having the backing of the majority of the people of Foxton. The Club had secured a ground on the racecourse and had carried out certain work there. It was absolutely necessary, however, that a shelter shed be erected for the convenience of the players and the Club desired the assistance of the Council in this matter. Practically all the other towns in the district had proper conveniences for the players provided on I heir playing areas, and the Club thought it only fair that they should receive some assistance from the Union in the special circumstances, either as a donation or by a percentage of gate charges. The estimated cost of such a buildingwas £BO. The Club, on its part was prepared to do its share and if another ■Club existed in Foxton it was expected that it would assist in the erection of such a building if put in hand. The Club was also of opinion that it should receive some assistance in regard to travelling expenses of its delegates. Delegates to the Union gave their services and attendance at executive meetings and their expenses should be paid by the Union. Foxton was also desirous of having both a seinor and junior rep. match played locally. Mr. Hornblow also touched on the classification of players which, he said, had not been of ; a very satisfactory nature in the past. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perreau) endorsed, the previous speaker’s remarks and said the people of Foxton were entitled to see classical football locally each year. He thought it only a fair thing that the Union should assist the Club financially in the erection of a dressing shed at the racecourse as it received all the revenue from the games. Mr. F. A. Mason also spoke and touched on the spirit of play that had prevailed in the past in the district. There had been too much “playing the man” and he was sorry to say that there had also been a certain amount of. misconduct both on the part of players and certain officials. More care and consideration was required py Union officials in this connection. Good clean sport would always attract a good clean following, and the game should be encouraged because it was one of the biggest factors in building up a race of virile manhood. The higher example should be set by those who governed.

The President said that last year the Club had received £5 from the Racing Club, which had been expended on ground improvements since the end of the season.

Mi-. J. J. O’Connor thanked the club and speakers for remarks and said the committee was unable to commit itself in any way and all they could do was to make recommendations to the incoming committee. The election of a Council, lie said, was in the hands of the Clubs themselves, who really ruled football in the district. Personally, as far as he had been connected with rugby in the Horowhenua district, asd those associated with him, he had, done ■ his best for the game, and there was not a man on the Council who had an axe to grind. They were, for the most part, old players following up the game. With reference to the erection of a shelter shed. ’ These are usually provided by the municipal:jity, and arrangements made for the use of the building each year by the Union and the controlling body. There was a rule on the of the N.Z.R.U. that no grants be made to Clubs, but loans could be obtained by clubs for such purposes. In this way the N.Z.R.U. had £IO,OOO out to different Unions at a nominal rate of interest. There was no reason why the Horowhenua Rugby Council should not consider any reasonable request for a loan from any club in the district. Mr O’Connor touched on the Easton Park, question, and said he thought the park the most central ground in Foxton. He was glad to hear, that the Club had spent money on the No. 1 ground on the racecourse, ground in the Union, if properly however, as this area was the best

drained. With regard tp classification. This had been a sore point -- in the past, and he had known of cases where seniors were playing as low as third grade. There was no set rule for classifying, and' this year the selector had decided that there would be no re-classification. All teams would remain the same as last year. The question of alocating rep. matches to Foxton would have to be decided at the annual meeting. He was sure the committee would favourably ’ recommend the Club’s request. In reference to ’ tre conduct of players and spectators, Mr O’iConnor said that the most trouble in this connection was experienced where spectators were not kept off the line. Mr Alexander asked if there was a rule on the Union’s books stating that the Clubs had to find the grounds and the Union maintain them. Mr O’Connor: That is so. Mr Alexander: Then why does the Club have to do all the work on the ground? It even has to erect a fence for a rep. match.

Mr Mason: What does the term actually mean? Mr O’Connor: The Club gets the ground in order at its own expense at the beginning of the season. Mr Mason: Yes, and then maintains it. Mr O’iConnor: Well, there is practically no maintenance at all. Mr. Alexander: The rule is useless, then. Mr O’Connor: No; it compels the clubs to provide suitable and safe playing areas. Mr J. K. Hornlblow said that the Foxton Club had been granted the use of No. 1 ground, and had spent certain money on it. If another Club existed in the town and did not prepare a ground, would the Union step in and demand that the other club play on No. 1 ground in preference to the Foxton Club team. Mr O’Connor: Well, that’s a ticklish question. The Union sees to it that each Club prepares a ground. It would be hard to play an important match on an inferior ground while an unimportant fixture was played on a better ground. The matter would have to be decided by the annual meeting. The club should, however, have prior claim to its own ground. Mi 1 . O’iConnor said he did not think it would be possible to borrow money from the Union to erect a building on a municipally controlled ground. The Union had always recognised the difficulty of dressing accommodation locally, and he was sure the Union would he prepared to help the Club in some way. With regard to delegates’ expenses. Thej Union had tried paying them once* arid had become almost bankrupt as a result. Mi’ Hornblow: Are the delegates travelling expenses to the Combined meetings paid?—Yes. Mr. Hornblow: Then the same thing applies to Clubs. He was of opinion that delegates needed to attend meetings only once a month and that a central committee could carry out ordinary business in the meantime. The President: It cost this elub £l9 for delegates travelling expenses one year. Mr. O’Connor: It’s hard, all right. / Mr. Hornblow pointed out that Levin Clubs were not faced with -this expenditure, and it was hardly fair that outside clubs should go unassisted. .'Y Mr. o‘Connor said the matter would have to be discussed at the annual meeting. Various other matters were discussed and a vote of thanks to the committee concluded the meeting.