RUGBY UNION MEETS.

Shannon News, 20 April 1923, Page 3

RUGBY UNION MEETS.

VARIOUS MATTERS DEALT WITH

Tbe first meeting of the.newly-elect-ed Management Committee of the Horowhenua Rugby Union, was held last night, there being present Messrs J. Procter, Grim stone, Hutchins, sjciascia, W. Bevan, McMillan, Austin, E. Nash, J. Casey, and the secretary, Mr L. Carmichael. Mr Proctor was elected chairman.

Mr Proctor briefly* addressed the delegates, thanking them for his nomination to the position of chairman, and hoped that members of the Management Club AA*ould work in harmony throughout the season in the best, interests of football and sink their identities as representatives of the different clubs for the good of the game.

OPENING OF SEASON. It was decided that the season open on May 5. Four new clubs sent notifications of intention to play during the coming season, and asking that colours be awarded, which Avas done as follows: Moutoa, black and white; Mangahao, sky-bluie; Koputaroa, red and white: Otaki, which is an amalgamation of Old Boys and Otaki Club, green jerseys and white shorts. THE SHANNON ASSAULT CASE. A loiter was received-from the Shannon Football Club'-’protesting against the disqualification of .T. and H. McDonald for assaulting a referee: during a match at Shanon, and stating that these men had been Avrongly blamed for the trouble. The chairman stated ihat hie did not see that anything could he done in this case. As for the Avrong men having been blamed, the evidence must have been pretty strong when they Avere disqualified by the N.Z. Rugby Union, as had been, done, whilst the evidence in the Court proceedings was conclusive on the point. Mr Grim stone protested against the Court proceedings being allowed to influence the Committee's- decision. After considerable discussion the Committee decided that they consider, ed the disqualification should be upheld. FOXTON GATE ARRANGEMENTS. The secretary* of the Foxton Club wrote in connection with the suspension of that Club for failure to account for its gate arrangements, and stated that t-lie Foxton Club failed to see eye to -eye with the Union in this matter. They considered that ihe Union was also to blame as; Mr Whibley, AA*ho was responsible for the gale arrangements, was a member of the Management Committee and therefore the representative of that body. In regard to players suspended for not playing in a Rep. match when picked, they stated that the men had not received notice that they* were expected to play.

The secretary- explained that the trouble arose from Mr Whibliey stating that Foxton had its own gatekeeper, and on that account the-mat-ter was left to them, as had been done the previous season, Avith satisfactory* results. Mr Whibley had not been appointed to represent the Management JCornitlee; it Avas as representative of the Foxton Club that, he stated they had a satisfactory way of attending to the matter, which had been loft to the club.

After a, lengthy discussion it.was resolved, on the ; motion of Mr Hutchins, seconded by Mr Sciascia “That no blame be attached to the Foxton Club which was doing all in its power to arrange the matter.” This Avas carried.

Mr Hutchins asked how the Foxton men who were suspended for failing to play were notified that they* Avere included in the team.

The secretary* explained that he had got in touch with the Foxton secretary who told him that no Foxton men would play. The trouble appeared to be that Foxton had been disappointed at not being allocated a Rep. game, and was piqued in consequence. Mr Sciascia asked if these men’s names had been published in the papers as being included hi the team.

The secretary said that a& soon as lhe.se men were selected he had got in (ouch withi the Foxton Club, asking why Mr Desmond, the selector, did not. attend to pick the team, which had been picked in his absence, and was told the Foxton men would not play. Other men had then been brought in to All the. team and the amended list of players published. Mr Hutchins said that Mr Desmond expected the team to be picked after a game which w r as held in Levin just before the matter came up for decision. He had waited on in Levin for the purpose and finding that nothing was being done, had gone back to Foxton and taken no further interest in the proceedings. Mr W. Bevan said that he and the other selector had picked tine, team in the absence of Mr Desmond, and that when speaking to Mr Desmond after thie selection he had expressed himself as perfectly satisfied wdth the team picked. Mr McMillan asked if there was any regulation way of notifying men that

tlifey.: were picked to play in a rep match.

The secretary: Only through the Press.

Mr Hutchins: That hardly seems right as some men may not get the paper.

Mr Bievan said he had spoken with the secretary of the Foxton Club, who had told him that these men would be available.

The chairman: That puts a different complexion on the matter. If Mr Bevan received this asurrance from the secretary, the blame must rest on the men.

Mr Bevan said that fchis sort of thing could not. be allowed to go unchecked. If it were they would be in the position that any club which disagreed with thj© Union over any point could refuse to play. Mi- Proctor moved that the players be suspended until such time as they appear before the Management Committee to explain their failure to play. This wag seconded by Mr Sciaseia and carried.

SHANNON’S SUSPENSION. Tn the case of the Shannon Club which was also suspended for having failed through the omission of the seeretairy to account for gate-money, it was decided that as all moneys had now been received title suspension be raised.

An account amounting to £3 3s for marking out grounds was received from Shannon. The chairman said that this seemed to be a lot of money to pay for one club. If every club in the Union cost them as much as this there would be no money left over for any other pui’pose.

Mr Bevan expressed the opinion that clubs should keep their own grounds in order. This would make them take more care of things than was done at present when goal posts and other fixings were left out all winter to rot. The chairman asked, by whose authority this money had 1 been spent.

Mr Grim stone: The club authorised the work.

The chairman moved that- the account be referred back to the Shannon Club, and- that in future no money shall be §pent on any grounds without the Union’s authority. Mr Bevan said that they should go further than this and notify clubs that they should provide, their own goal posts and mark out grounds at their own expense, and he moved an amendment to this, effect, which was seconded by Mr Sciaseia. .

Mr Hutchins asked if this applied lo mowing. In Foxton last year they had spent two days mowing grounds and pulling lupins. They had three grounds to attend to and the expense was a consideration. Mr Bevan said: that the aim of every club should be to save the Union as much expense as possible. He was sure there were enough good sports in Foxton to look after the grounds. The amendment was carried on a show of hands. FUND-RAISING SCHEME. The secretory said that he had been asked at last meeting to draw up a money-raising scheme. As they were going on at present there was no chance of getting ahead financially. It would be necessary to travel to return matches from other Unions and they had no money in hand to meet these obligations. There was also the question of getting Rep. learns together for 1 a few days before matches which was an important one. He proposed that an art union should he got up, and suggested that a prize to the value of about £SO should be offered. The district should be divided up into groups of clubs of perhaps two to each group. To these groups the Union would supply tickets, each group to endeavour to sell as many tickets as possible, the winning group lo receive 10 per cent, of the takings. 'Hie effort should finish up with a gymkhana, and worked right should bring in £2OO to £3OO. The N.Z Rugby Union was talking of breaking up some of the smaller Unions, and without doubt the ones that would go under were the less financial ones, so it behoved the Union to do all it could to get such a scheme going After discussion it was moved bv Mr Sciaseia that the scheme as outlined by the secretary be proceeded with, with the amendment that the winning group*receive % per cent, and the runners-up 21 per cent.' This was carried and a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Proctor, McMillan and Carmichael was set up to draw out the details of the scheme. CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE.

Mr Sciascia suggested that referees should act a s Classification Committee. It was impossible ofor a couple of men to attend all the matches played in the Union during the time allowed for classification. If referees picked out die men they thought most suitable for advancement to senior grade and submitted the names to the Management Committee, the difficulty would be overcome. > ' Mr Proctor moved accm’db.g v and suggested that referee-! IH-nfirnd to forward to. the Managin' nt Committee after each match names of men su.table for class ifirati-m. - Mr Bevan moved an amendment that the matter he left in the hands of

the management committee, two men to be appointed as a Classification Committee, one' for the northern end of the Union and one for the southern. If such men went about and got in touch with the selectors for the different clubs, there would be the best possible ehanee.. of . getting the right men. Sometimes a man whose, ordinary Work was very good played •a poor game and it might be on such a showing that he was classified. The selector, however, would know his average form and there would be less chance of error. The amendment was carried, and the following were elected a Classification Committee: Messrs Grimstone (northern), and W. Bevan (southern). REFEREES APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE. The chairman moved that, the appointment of referees be left in the hands of Mr McMillan and the secretary .--Carried. The secretary expained that there was a recommendation from the general meeting to the effect that country clubs be circularised asking them to" support better representation for country clubs on New Zealand rep. teams. It was decided that time did not allow of this being done effectively. BEBBINGTON SHIELD. The chairman moved that a challenge should be sent to the Rangitikei Club in this connection.—Carried. NASH CUP. Mr E. Nash said that, on behalf of Mrs Nash, he wished to present this cup to the Union, and would like to make it a straight knock-out competition. Mr Proctor, on behalf of the Union, expressed thanks to Mrs Nash for the splendid trophy.' A committee consisting of Messrs McMillan, Proctor, and Carmichael was appointed to consult with Mr Nash regarding conditions. GATE-KEEPERS.

It was decided t,o appoint the following to be in charge of gate-money for the different clubs: Tokomaru, Mr M. Parr; Shannon, Mr J. H. Taylor; Moutoa, Mr S. Austin; Foxton, Mr H. p. Hutchins; Levin, Mr J. Proctor; Kuku, Mr T. Rowland; Manakau. Mr R. Creed; Otaki. Father Vibaud; Te Horo, Mr G. Burnard; Paraparaumu, Mr W. Mowbray. For Koputaroa. which will hold home matches in. Levin, and Mangahao which will play at Shannon, no appointments were made. CLASSIFICATION.

The secretary of the Paraparaumu Club wrote advising the committee that it was the intention to play, one junior and one third grade team in the coming season. Mr Grimstone said that this raised the question of classification, and ask* ed whlen the committee was going to appoint a Classification Committee. The chairman said that all they

could do was to classify players. He

did not think they had the power to classify whole teams. It really opened up the whole question again. The .secretary said the trouble in the appointing of a Classification Cornmitteie was that men might be appointed who were not in touch with teams.. The Committee could not classify until after the first! couple of matches as until then thfcy would not know which men were playing. One thing, however, which should be insisted on was the matter of clubs sending in proper presentations of learns before matches, and he thought it would be a good tiling if eviery club was notified that teams should be entered on the regulation slip. He had had teams sent in on the backs of cigariette boxes and old bills and it was impossible to work under such conditions. The chairman said that the best thing to do was to notify clubs wishing to play only junior teams that there was a danger of some of their best men being lost through classification.

Mr Grim,stone said that a Classiflca--lion Committee should he appointed to attend matches for the purpose of classifying men'i There was no u'se leaving this master to the ‘indefinite somebody.’ idle chairman moved that Paraparaumu he notified that they were at liberty to play junior teams, but pointing out that all junior players were subject to classification after the first two games.

This was seconded by Mr Sciascia and carried.

The Moutoa Club wrote asking that two sienior players be reinstated to junior status. Mr Austin explained that when the team was started it was Intended to play senior, but it was found after playing one or two matches that, the strength was not uip to senior standard. There were only about 17 men available in the district, and these two men were the only ones who : really knew anything about the game, and they were absolutely necessary in order to keep the team together. The chairman asked If these men could not act as coaches to the team. It seemed that if they were going to classify other teams, and allow these men to revert, it would not be fair.

Mr Austin protested that the case was exceptional. Mofutoa. was a new

team 7 "which - should be encouraged, and to take these men away meant that they, would have the greatest difficulty in getting a team. The chairman said that whilst the Union desired to give Moutoa all the help possible, Ihey could not in tliis case be treated! differently from other teams.

The Secretary pointed out that the difficulty was that a precedent would be established and a perpetual soorce of trouble laid up for the future. The chairman stated that tliis had been, a sonei point for a long time, and a. definite decision had been shirked from year to year. The best thing they could do was for the committee to put its foot, down firmly at the beginning and refuse to allow such reversion at all.

A lengthy discussion followed, Mr Proctor'finally moving “That no senior player be reinstated to junior status.’’—Seconded by Mr \V. Be van and curried. COMPETITION HOUNDS. , It was decided to play two senior round: nil other grades, three rounds.