Football.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 332, 3 April 1930, Page 8

Football.

WAIKATO RUGBY UNION. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Waikato Rugby Union was held on Frinight, the president, Mr. F. Quin, occupying the chair. The delegates present were: Messrs. B. Chapman (Putaruru), C. M. McDavitt and L. Pole (Morrinsville), J. E. Cummings and A. G. Yardley (Matamata), V. 'G. Boulton and J. Gardner (Cambidge), J. Rawlinson and T. Clarkin (Raglan), H. T. Haselden (Waipa), W. Farrelly, W. Fraser, P. A. Sayers, F. Udy, Mathieson, E. Whiting (Hamilton), F. Harris (Taupiri), H. Vause (Referees’ Association). The secretary, Mr. T. W. Thompson, and the treasurer, Mr. C. Speight, were also present. The annual report referred to the success of the previous season, and gave the list of games played and results as follows:—Waikato 17 v. Auckland 25, at Hamilton; Waikato 27 v. King Country 8, at Te Awamutu; Waikato 11 v. Hawke’s Bay, 11, at Hastings; Waikato 6 v. Wairoa 8, at Wairoa; Waikato 15 v. East Coast 11, at Ruatoria; Waikato 3 v. Poverty Bay 16, at Gisborne; Waikato 8 v. Bay of Plenty 21, at Whakatane; Waikato 0 v. Auckland 30, at Auckland; Waikato 3, v. Hawke’s Bay 11, at Hamilton; Waikato 12 v. Thames Valley 11, at Paeroa; Waikato 21 v. Canterbury 17, at Hamilton; Waikato 6, v. Wellington 22, at Hamilton; Points for 129; against 191. Won, 4; lost 7; drawn, 1. Reference was made in the report to the resignation of the selector, Mr. T. A. Cooper, after several years’ service in that position. The Union’s principal trophies, Finlay Senior representative Cup and Junior Clark Cup, had been won by Cambridge and Matamata respectively. The balance-sheet showed the union to be in credit to the extent of ’ £169, with liabilities nil. The total receipts for the year were £940 4s 6d. The main items of expenditure were travelling expenses £466 15a 9d, and representative matches expenses £139 6s 6d. Election of Officers. Officers for the year were elected as follows:—President, Mr. A. G. Yardley; selector, Mr. R. J. McKenzie; management committee, Messrs. B. Chapman, C. M. McDavitt, R: J. Rawlinson, V. G. Boulton, A. G. Yardley, H. T. Haselden, W. Fraser, F. Udy, E, Whiting, H. Vause and the secretary and treasurer; delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union, Messrs B. Chapman and C. M. McDavitt ; auditor, Mr. R. English. General. The retiring chairman, Mr. Quin, referred to the resignation of Mr. T. A. Cooper, who had been selector and a member of the management committee for several years. Mr. Cooper was in ill health and could no longer participate in the union’s affairs. Mr. Quin, Mr. Chapman and the newly-elected president also referred to the retirement of Mr. T. B. Booth, who had been chairman of committee. The speakers complimented Mr. Booth on his impartiality and his ability as chairman and hoped that he would again stand for office in coming years. Mr. Cooper was unanimously elected a life member of the union. There was a general discussion regarding a remit to the New Zealand Rugby Union by the Wellington Union referring to the old kick into touch rule. The general opinion was that there should be no fixed instructions to the unions to revert to the old rules. The delegates were instructed to oppose a general reintroduction of the old 'rule, but to vote to allow any union which desired to adopt the rule to do so. The question of the reservation of seats for Test matches for country union patrons was brought up by Messrs. Boulton and Cummings. It was decided that if no mention is made of the matter at the annual 1 meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union the Waikato delegates shall interview the delegates of the Auckland union on the question. It was explained that each union will manage its home match against the British team.

Insurances. Mr. Haselden said he had been instructed by the Waipa Union to enquire as to whether the Waikato union could institute a scheme for the the insurance of players participating in representative matches. Several sub-unions had insurance schemes, he said, but these were not strong enough to guarantee payment for injuries in representative matches. His sub-union would be prepared to pay an addition to the affiliation fee, say, £2 2s, to get its players covered. The president (Mr. Yardley) said the total increased revenue would be £l6 16s under Mr. Haselden’s scheme. It was out of the question to try to cover the representative players for that amount. The union had frequently discussed the matter of insurance, and was honest in its endeavour to provide or find a sound scheme. Mr. Chapman said one player had cost the union £4O for medical and hospital expenses. It could easily be seen that such a scheme as suggested by Mr. Haselden was unsound. The question had been frequently discussed by the New Zealand Union, and that body had been unable to provide a workable scheme. It was decided that it be a recommendation to the management committee to endeavour to provide a scheme for insurance of representaI tive players. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, i Subsequent to the annual meeting the management committee met. Mr. 1 W. Fraser was elected chairman. It was decided to meet on the first Friday of each month, commencing bn May 2. The secretary was instructed to investigate as to whether any insurance companies had a policy covering football accidents. Matters in connection with the forthcoming visit of the British team were discussed, and the Hamilton delegates were asked to submit a report on the capacity of Rugby Park as regards spectators.

WAIKATO’S NEW SELECTOR. Brilliant Football Career. The appointment of Mr. R. J. McKenzie as selector for the Waikato Rugby Union will doubtless be hailed with approbation by players and public. Jack McKenzie has had a brilliant football career, and in addition experience as selector. He learned his football in the hard Petone school under the tuition of that great coach, Joe Lynskey. Round about 1906 McKenzie was a phenomenal schoolboy player. He then graduated into the Wellington representative team as second five-eighths, and gained the proud distinction of donning the All Black jersey on the Californian tour in 1913. In 1914 he played for Auckland and was again given All Black honours, being included in the eighth New Zealand team to visit Australia —in 1914. Incidentally, Mr. J. O’Brien, of Morrinsville, was also a member of the latter team. Mr. McKenzie later enlisted for service in the Great War, and severe wounds stopped his playing career—one full of brilliancy. After the war Mr. McKenzie came to Hamilton and became the licensee of the Hamilton Hotel. In 1924 he was co-selector of Waikato with Mr. C. M. McDavitt. Of recent years Mr. McKenzie has been farming between Hamilton and Matangi. MATAMATA RUGBY UNION. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Matamata Rugby Union was held in the Farmers’ Hall on Thursday, Mr. J. E. Cummings, president, being in the chair. The following delegates attended, there being numerous supporters of the game also present:— Messrs. Roigard, Mehrtens and Sarah (Matamata), Howes (High School), P. Cotter (Hinuera), Fitzgerald (Old Boys), Clover (Referees’ Association), Kuhtz, O’Brien and Falcke (Walton), Barker (Wardville), Stewart, Wilson and Hetherington (Tirau), Morrow (treasurer) and Barry (secretary). Apologies for absence

were received from Messrs. J. Bu- I chanan and W. J. Connor. The report and balance-sheet were adopted as read, the chairman remarking that from the published report the name of Mr. J. Stevenson, winner of the press medal for the best forward in the tight, had been inadvertently omitted. Officers. The election of officers and officials resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr. J. W. Anderson; president, Mr. J. E. Cummings; vice-presidents, Rev. A. C. Hampton and Mr. J. Keane; treasurer, Mr. Morrow; secretary, Mr. C. E. Barry; auditor, Mr. L. Mehrtens; selectors, senior Mr. Hollis, juniors Mr. McCready, thirds Mr. Beagrie; management committee, Messrs. Cummings, Wilson, Kuhtz, Roigard, Cotter and Barker; hon. surgeons, Drs. Laurenson and Palmer; timekeeper, Mr. Morrow, i Donations. Donations were received from the following supporters:—Mr. J. Keane, £3 3s, Rev. A. C. Hampton 10s. Medals were also promised as folio vrs: Mr. J. Buchanan, most improved senior back; Mr. Coulter, most improved senior forward; press, best senior forward in tight play. Club Finances. Financial statements submitted by affiliated clubs showed the following credit balances in round figures: Tirau, £l3; Wardville, £6 19s 3d; Matamata, £6 17s 6d; Walton, £l7; Old Boys, £1 6s. General Business. On the motion of Mr. Roigard, it was decided to issue challenges for the Peace and Finlay Cups immediately. ‘