TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 63, 19 March 1913, Page 8

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL REPORT. The following report is to bo presented to the annual meeting of the Union, to be held in the Municipal buildings, Stratford, on Friday, i'bch inst.:—

The Committee has pleasure in presenting its annual report for the season 1912, which, while not as successful as had been anticipated from the financial standpoint, was nevertheless strenuous and enjoyable for players and public. No less than nine representative games were played, eight being homo matches, while a specially arranged game also eventuated with Wellington. Of the nine representative games, those against Wanganui (2), Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury, South Island Teams, were won. and against Otago, Auckland, and Wairarapa, lost. The friendly game with Wellington, was lost. The Kanfurly Shield Challenge game was lost by the narrowest of margins after a \ cry keen struggle. Financial.—ln common .with the sister unions, the season was not a good one financially, the weather on the occasion of the majority of matches militating against largo attendances. Notwithstanding the comparatively small average gates, arid the increasing cost of playing these matches, the debit balance of £2l at the commencement of the : eason has been reduced to £7. While players as a rule are not uuminc.ini of the non-buoyant state of the Uraor. finances, the fact that the travelling expenses of players in rep. matches, selectors, and the committee amounted to £l-16 for home matches alone, and the cost of entertaining visiting teams to £46, should serve to show one of the disabilities the Taranaki Union labours .under, compared with the metropolitan unions, whose players are placed on the field at the cost of virtually a tram fare. The touring account (to Auckland and Wanganui) absorbed £ll7. There is a possibility that this season a proposal will inforthcoming from Auckland in the direction of improving the financial positions of the respective unions and Wellington. Chib Football. —The standard of play during the past season showed no evidences of deterioration,- alt -ough in the northern division clubs suffered severely from the divided and other local reasons. Unfortunate. two old-established clubs (Eltham and Inglewood) found it impossible to pul Senior teams iu the field, : but it is hoped that this season they will resume their senior status. There va a noticeable absence of rou h play during the season, and the Commit tee had fewer eases of this mis-dea-meanour to deal with than for some years past. School Football.—lt had been hoped, had the finances permitted, to nave instituted a comprehensive scheme of graded school football embracing the whole of the province. 4he encouragement of the Rugby game in the schools is of the most vital importance, and it is recommended that the incoming Committee go fully into the question with a view of devising some means whereby the various clubs may be induced to take an active interest in the schools within 'ho l r several districts.

Half-holiday.—An effort is be.ng made to bring about uniformity in the matter of the half-holiday in •he province, wherein no less than threeseparate days are observed. I have i-4 more than a reasonable possibility that New Plymouth, Waitara, lug'.e-

wood, Stratford, Eltham, and Hawcra

will take a poll on the question next month, and it is to be hoped that footballers, as a body, will make tlmr votes felt on the question. Representative Teams. —The past season made heavy demands on too time of representative players, ami it will bo well to consider the a Ivisability of regularly placing an A and i.i team on the field, the former to

play only, say, Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Canterbury and Otago, the B team to play the other unions v.ith which we have engagements. By this means there would bo greater inducement for players to excel in their chib games, more pi ;yers would retain their form till the conclusion cf the season, and the public would be henefitted in witnessing a more even standard of play in the representative matches. Gates suffer when a “soft thing” is anticipated. Club Championships.—The provincial championships were won as follows :—First' grade, Wiaimate; second grade, Waimate ; third grade, Clifton.

Old Flayers.—Your Committee decided during the season to revise the Roll of Honour, and to issue Hon Life Member’s tickets to all past »lavers who have represented the province on the field, and to those who have been prominent in the managem vnt of the affairs of the Union in past years. A life membership carries with it the privileges of the Union and we are sure this recognition of the .ervicos of our old players has the er. dorsement of Rugby followers of today.

In concluding this somewhat lengthy review of the past season, your Committee has to thank the Press for the prominence given to the game, the Referees’ Association for its assistance

and co-operation, and players for flie worthy manner in which they upheld the good name of Taranaki footbul. “Alf. Bayly” Scholarship, --The 1912 Scholarship was won by Master Ernest Coutts, of the Stratford District High School.