TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 20, 28 April 1916, Page 2

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Union was held in Smith's rooms, Stratford, last evening, when the following delegates were present:—Messrs .J. McLeod (Tukapa) in the chair, T. Buchanan (Clifton), W. B. Fearon (K<ipongal, R. Masters (Stratford), J. Garcia (Okato), E. Nalder and JGoodwin (Hawera), R. Morrison (Eastern Sub-union), and P. Skogluncl (secretary). ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was presented as follows:

Your committee has to report that (while the game was kept alive and fixjtures fulfilled so far as was reasonable, 'there was naturally bcking the usual 'enthusiasm for the game itself. The (ranks of all the senior and first junior teams were very heavily depleted, nrc*l some clubs were unable to see the |scroll through. As could only be expected, the season financially was not a Hon fishing one, but notwithstanding {the large falling-off in revenue, the ■expanses were kept sufficiently low to 'enable the Union to nearly pay its way.' The splendid response made by 'the football players of Taranaki to [the call to arms is a source of gratification to everyone who has been connected with the game of Rugby, and to our hundreds of Taranaki players now heroically upholding the honor of New Zealand, on the battlefields of Europe and Asia, we offer our gratitude and sincere wishes for their welfare, although certain tbat whatever their lot, they will play the game. To the relatives of the many who have made the supreme sacrifice the Union offers its sincere sympathy. The consolation is that they did their 'duty, and "How can man die better." So far as possible records of our footballers who have enlisted have been made, but complete lists can only he 'made by club secretaries interesting [themselves personally in the matter. J and it is hoped later, to isuue a complete Roll of Honor showing the thoroughness with which footballerr, answered the call. For 'the, coming season, the Committee has no recom- • mendation to make, as it is extremely !doubtful whether, .there are sufficient 'players left to enable any senior or ( first junior, teams to be found in the various club districts. Efforts should, bdv. ever, be made, to encourage the game amongst those not yet eligible for service, and also in the schools. 'During the past season, representative | matches were played against Wellington, Auckland (2), Wanganui (2), Taranaki being successful in one match against Wanganui. The senior club championship was won by Hawera. The first junior by Tukapa. The BaVly, scholarship was won by Webster, of New Plymouth. The holder : of the second Bayly Scholarship, the .late C. Crone, who laid down his life ■> at the Dardanelles, being ' mentioned lin Despatches for braveiy, worthily upheld the honour of the Union's scholarship to the last. * BALANCE-SHEET. The statement of receipts and expenditure to 31st March, 1916, was: Receipts.—Club subscriptions £l6 5s 6d, 10 per cent gate receipts 18s sd, N.Z.R.U. grant for schools £B. Club Matches. Kaponga v. Hawera, Ist match, £ls 3s 6d, 2nd rnatch £ls 10s, Hawera v. Tukapa £l9 Bs, change Jinal seniors £5. Representative !Matches. —Auckland Rugby Union refund of expenses 1914 trip £34 4s, Wanganui match at Hawera £sf 7s, Wellington match at Hawera £29 13s, Auckland match, New Plymouth, £33 Us G'd, part expenses Auckland trip £25. Voluntary Subscriptions.—Kaponga Football Club £5, Stratford £ls, Hawera £lO 10s, Waimate £ls, eiitt-m £10; J. McLeod £l, R. Mastors £l, B. Fearon 10s, Wanganui I Education Board (interest on investIment Bayly Scholarship £ll 55.—£330 14s lid. Expenditure.—Dr. Balance 28-2-15 £213 5s Id. Outstanding Accounts 1915, £sl 15s Bd. j Club Matches ; £27 (ss. i Representative Matches: £3B 14s 2d; sundries £27 16s 6d. j • Tours: Wanganui £2O, Auckland £SO 19s 6d. j N.Z.R.U.: £l3 4s. Referees' Association £ll lis, Bonus £2l, Bayly Scholarship £l6, Private Hospital on account Tamii £G 15s 'iid, wreath £1 ss, printing, etc. £7, Bank charges. interest, etc. £2 4's 3d, National Bank of New Zealand £6 4s 3d, less current outstanding £2 12s.—Total £330 14s lid.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the season had been a very slack one, and the Union endeavored to keep up the game, bnt.it was a very difficult matter under the circumstances, to make any decent showing. The financial position as disclosed by the [balance-sheet was on the whole, quite satisfactory. As regarded the actual playing of the game, there had been the war to contend with. All were proud of the number wbo bad gone to I the war, but were sorry that so many had laid down their lives for the country. The men had done their duty, which was no more than what had been expected' of them. Mr Buchanan seconded the motion. Ho said the Union were grateful for the donations from the various Clubs. Mr McLeod said the Sports Ground Committee, New Plymouth, owed £125, and he failed to see how the amount would be met. The Union's money, however, .was perfectly The action of the Clubs in coming to the assistance of the Union was very line indeed. ' The Secretary said that when in

Auckland he made application for the amount owing, but they said they wore not in a position to pay, but that when the Wellington Union paid their dues Auckland would remit. Still, there did not appear to be any chance at present of getting anything, especially in view of the position of football this ..season. If school football was run, something might be obtained through donations at the gates. There would not be any trouble, he considered, in arranging with the Union's bankers in regard to finance. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. .ELECTION OK OFFICERS. President— Mr T. Buchanan. Vice-Presidents—Messrs j). -I. Maione (North), and J. D. Crowley, (South). Secretary—Mr P. Skogluud (reelected). Treasurer—lur R. Masters (re-elect-ed). Auditor—Mr J. H. Thompson.

Management Committee—Messrs J. McLeod, T. Buchanan, .r. Garcia (north), J. Xalder, W. B. Fcaron, and the representative of the Eastern SubUnion. Delegate to the New "calami Rugby Union—Lett in the hands of the Management Committee.. _;, Vice-president of the New Zealand Rijgby Union—Mr 1 T. -Bhihaimn.

' TTIE iSfcASkJiS' S W 0011-Baj-»L.; - i • i i .■ f ' Mr McLeod said he agreed with what'bad been'jhme by Other Unions in regard to the season's football. Ho would on no account encourage the playing of eligible military men, but the Union should do what it could to the others in. form, and pay particular attention to school ■'football. An easy avenue for this would be to organise teams- among the senior cadets, .who were all under 18 years of age, and among the schools. There was absolutely no chance of club football as far as the Tukapa and Star clubs "in. Now'Plymouth were'coiicCrli'-' ed, The cadet system would also apply to'. Waitara, Ingle wood, and Stratford, and in fac,t throughout the

Union's district. •The ..meeting . was unanimous in suppitft of the suggestion, .and.. Mr McLeoiU then moved,- that it be .a. >re.commendijiion to ! ; the |l anagemont Committee to organise C'Mb '•fdothall for! players 19 years and: ; dmdcr and senior cadets. He would not like to see club football go but, preferring to sec even second grade competitions. Mr Buchanan seconded the motion. Mr Masters suggested confining the game to the military element. Par greater interest would be created under such circumstances; At any rate, the support of the officers of the boys would be sure to be with the Union. Commanding Officers could, and would do a great deal in impressing the boys with the idea suggested. He moved as an amendment, that the words "ID years and under," bo deleted; in other words, that the competitions be confined 'to senior cadets. Seconded by Mr Xalder. The* amendment was carried. On the suggestion of Mr Masters, the district representatives, it was decided, that reports he submitted to t|ie, next meeting of the Management Committee. REDUCED MEMBERSHIP PEE. Mr Garcia moved that the Clubs' membership fee Tie reduced this year to ss. Seconded by Mr Buchanan, and carried.

ROLL OF HONOR. Mr Masters moved that the matter of instituting a roll of honor for the Union be left in the hands of Mr Garcia with power to act. Seconded by 31r Fearon, and carried. EASTERN DISTRICT SU B-UNIOX. Mr Morrison reported on the position of the game under the Sub-Union, stating that they had managed to keep their fixtures, although very many, in fact, nearly all the players had gone to the front. He stated the circumstances attending the playing of the final for .the Masters' shield when there was an unfortunate dispute at the conclusion of the game, Owing to the referee baying blown the whistle before; the • bail went out of pjay. The Strktthmorc team claimed to' have won the match by scoring a try after their oi'iptmciffSS'Hiiid .ceased play aiu] were leaving the ground. Under the circumstances, they refused to give up the shield when requested. Hi' asked the Union what was to be done in the matter.

On the motion of Mr Buchanan, seconded by Mr Garcia, it was resolved that the Styi&tlimqrc Club be requostetUrto hand tlie shield to the Union.