RUGBY IN AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 7

RUGBY IN AUCKLAND

43RD ANNUAL MEETING EDEN PARK IMPROVEMENT The 43rd annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union was held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening. The president, -Mr. J. arncil, occupied the chair. In the annual report of the union submitted to the meeting by the chairman, Mr. Harry Frost, it was stated that the concluded year had been considered successful in every way, save financially. According to the statement of accounts, the expenditure had exceeded receipts, a condition attributable to the absence of visiting teams and to the cost of sending our own teams away on tour. The excellent standard r, f play, and the increased number of junior grade and school teams were prominent features of the game that promise well for its future. Even the financial position, reads the repoit, is better than appears, as the union made cesh donations exceeding £3OO. REPORT DISCUSSED. In commenting on the report. Mr. Arneil said that, regarding the senior football of the union, he thought that the Ponsonby Club well deserved their win in the Gallalier Shield competition, for they had always paid Considerable attention to the fostering of junior football, and this was the reason of their success. He also made mention of the fact that on the completion of the improvements at Eden Park hot showers would be supplied to all players. Mr. P. McElwain said chat the Eden Park job was not only a shame, but a deliberate waste of time and money. “Had it been given to contractors, it would have been finished long ago,” he concluded. Mr. W. A Gray, in reply, said that he could prove everything was in order, and the scheme of working was being carried out on the correct lines and at the right cost. This argument was brought to an end by an explaration from the chairman, who pointed cut that the work was not in any way connected with them now, as it was in the hands of the Board of Control. Furthermore, they could not criticise the Board of Control. In seconding the motion, Mr. IT Frost, chairman of the Management Committee, stressed the necessity oi physical fitness among the teams. He said that it was not always the coach to blame for the losing of a game, but very often the lack of real physical fitness among the players prevented them from carrying the game to a successful issue NEW CLUBS ELECTED. Numerous delegates from clubs outside the Rugby Union attended the meeting last evening for ’•he election of their clubs into the union. The following new clubs were elected: Otahuhu, as senior club; technical College Old Boys, as senior club Waitemata (which included Henderson, Swanson, and Hobsonville Clubs), as a junior club; at\d City as a senior club. Takapuna was elected as a club, but the particular <rrade in which they were to play was not specified. TOO MANY CLUBS? Mr. Casey said he was of the opinion, regarding the multiplicity of the clubs, that it would tend to lower the standard of play of senior football in Auckland unless >orie investigation was made into the actual strength of the teams. Much time was also spent in the discussing of the most suitable way of dividing the senior grade into sections. Finally it was decided Lhat, when the number of entries in ihe senior grade exceeded nine, the competition would be played in at least two sections; while the Management Committee is to have the power to decide what teams are to be added "o or taken out of the A grade. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Regarding the question of the selection committee, Mr. Lucas (University) moved that one selector should be chosen, and only one. Three men on this committee had never been a success. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. V. R. Meredith was elected. The following officers were elected: Patron, his Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson; president, Mr. J. Arneil; vice-presidents, Sir James Gunson, Messrs. T. Aitken, P. R. Fraser, M. J. Sheahan, F. J. Ohlson, and A. Twiname; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. C. O’Brien; Management Committee, Messrs. H. Frost, W. A. Gray, A. St. C. Belcher, A. A. Baker, C. W. Oram, C. Anderson, T. Courtney, and R. Cooper; resident delegate to the New Zealand Union, Wellington, Mr. J. Roche; hon. auditors, Messrs. A. L. Bayliss and A. A. Lucas; hon. solicitor, Mr. J. L. Conlan; official country adviser, Mr. T. H. Patterson; hon. Press representative, Mr. T. Buchanan. Mr. T. Macky, -who had been one of the union’s auditors for 40 years, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on his retirement.