FOOTBALL.

Otaki Mail, 6 November 1922, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY AMALGAMATION. j NO PROSPECT OF LINKING UP ( WITH MANAWATU. f A meeting of the Manawatu Rugby L Union, attended by .10 delegates, was - hold last week to consider the question or the proposed amalgamation with Horowhenua. Mr A. M. Ongley presided, and referred to the advantages' of the proposal. The .Manawatu Union had used every means to effect Iho union, and had drawn up what seemed a perfectly fair scheme, bul tlic amendment proposed by the Horo- I whenua executive would make it al- | most impossible for the amalgamation • lo take place. Manawatu had offered I to put. in its profits and stipulated that the funds of the combined-union should comprise the sum of £SOO now standing to the credit of the local I union, the net proceeds .of all repreI sentative matches whenever played, ! and of all inter-club matches conducted [by the M.R.F.U, committee. It was I suggested that , the Horowhenua DisI triot Rugby Committee should not be called upon to contribute any amount towards the funds of the union and should have the right to retain the proceeds of all inter-club matches. In the matter of control, the M.F.U. had suggested that the officers of the union I should consist of officers and management committee, for the time being, of the Manawatu District Rugby Commit-

tee, together with two vice-presidents j and three members of the management committee to be appointed by the Horowhenua District . Rugby Committee." However, as against this, the Horowhenua Union had drawn up counterproposals asking that the common fund comprise the credit balance of both unions after paying liabilities ai the end of the season, and uiey also asked that they institute a Horowhenua district committee and a general

union. Both these clauses, said me chairman, put the possibility of amalgamation further away than ever. Horowlienua had not even indicated what iis credit balance was, or was likely in be, whereas the local union had openly'staled the amount or ils balance. Tf that was the final ruling of the Horowhenua Union ii would apparently be impossible to form the union .and it would be necessary for (be M.F.R.U. to trust a good'deal in trie N.Z. Rugby Union. Mr .1. Duthic (BnnnythorpeT tool< iho view that amalgamation would prove 100 cumbersome, in the face of the amendment- r,r Horowhenua, ii would only mean they would have Iwo /governing bodies. Ml was desirable that (be standard of football be maintained, as it was a few years aero. and the suggested scheme would have Hie ultimate effect of lowering the standard Mr A. Hannay moved thai Ihe original scheme as submitted by the M.R.F.U. be the only one in which they would be prepared to enter upon amalgamation.—Carried.