MANAWHENUA RUGBY UNION.

Shannon News, 1 June 1926, Page 4

MANAWHENUA RUGBY UNION.

INITIAL MEETING OF SEASON. representative matches ARRANGED. The initial meeting of the season of the Manawatu Rugby Union was held at Palmerston North last evening, when the President (Mr J. J. O’Connor, Levin), occupied the chair. Other members present were' Messrs K. Eglinton, A. Hannay, H. Crawford, W. Carrauthers, J. R. Hardie, W. Dustin (Manawatu), and W. Winiata, F. Robinson, W. N. Andrews, W. Moynihan, and J. Casey (Horowhenua).. Suggested Representative Games. The Marlborough Rugby Union asked whether the combined'team would play at Blenheim this season. It was pointed out that the visit, if made, would be a return match, as the Marlborough representatives visited Palmerston North in 1923.— The southern union to be advised that it was impwssible to arrange a game In Blenheim this season.

The Poverty Bay Union wrote confirming the tentative arrangements made if the Manawatu team played at Napier.—Manawhenua would' be unable to visit Gisborne owing to the Taranaki tour.

The Wairarapa Union advised that its team would not bo touring until next season, when Manawatu would be included in the itinerary.—lt was decided to point out that there was a possibility of Manawatu touring next season, and that a game against Wairarapa might not be arranged. In the meantime the letter was held over pending negotiations for a game this season.

The King Country Union asked for a game versus the Manawhenua team this season.—The request was not acceded.

The Hawke’s Bay Union wrote confirming August.7th as a date of the match against Manawhenua. The Union’s representative at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union advised that he had made tentative arrangements for the'following representative matches: —

August 7 v. Hawke’s Bay, at Palmerston North; August IS v. Taranaki, at Stratford; August 21 v. Wanganui, at \sanganui. He also advised s lhat there was a proposal of the combined Seddon Shield Unions to send a team on a tour of the North Island. It was stated also that the Poverty Bay Union was subsidising visits by Unions to Poverty Bay.—The dates were confirmed, and enquiries are to be made regarding the proposed combined Shield Union’s tour,the members being in favour of a game at Palmerston North.

Maori Rose Bowl. The secretary of the Maori Advisory Board advised that it was contemplated playing of the Maori Rose Bowl match in Palmerston North, and asked whether the Union was agreeable. —lt was decided to ask for the game on a Wednesday. It was decided/that the Wellington Union be written to, asking that a match, Manawhenua v. Wellington A, be arranged this season. The arrangement for Horowhenua to play Bush or Dannevirke subUnion on July 14th, for the Bebington Shield, was confirmed. The first match between Manawatu and Horowhenua was fixed for June 19, at Levin. Advice was received that the North v. South match would be played at Wellington on June 12.—Received. General.

The next meeting of the Union x\ ill take place on Juno 19, at Levin. The Horowhenua District Council forwarded the application of E. R. Pratt for re-instatement to the Rugby code. The applicant had played for League in Wellington, and was now desirous of playing with the Miranul team. —To be forwarded to the New Zealand Union.

The governing body adviseef that a grant of £ls had been made for school fottball in the district. A further letter asked that remits or suggestions for inclusion in the agenda paper of the Imperial Conference, be forwarded as soon as possible. A list of referees qualified to control Interprovincial matches was also requested.—Received. Mr Hannay reported that the Messrs Rowland Brothers, of Taiakitahuna, had presented a cup for competition between the champion junior teams of the Manawatu and Horowhenua competitions. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the donors. Travelling Expenses.

Regarding travelling expenses of representative players, it was decided that each man be allowed second class train fares plus four shillings per match. The chairman stated that the Horowhenua District Council was very anxious to have the Hawke's Bay v. Horowhenua match played. He pointed out that the Council had expected to make up the deficit caused by its tour to Hawke’s Bay. Unfortunately, at the last minute of the season, the Shield holders were unable to fulfil the arrangement. He merely asked that the Union allow the 'Council to make arrangements for the return match to be played, not necessarily this season.—Granted.