RUGBY CONTROL.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 391, 24 March 1937, Page 4

RUGBY CONTROL.

TARANAKI UNION. Review at Annual Meeting of Delegates. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held at Stratford last night, Mr. J. S. Hickey presiding. Club football for the first half of last season was mainly successful, but in the second half it had “fizzled out,” due to the weather and to the interference of representative games, said Mr. Hickey in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. The interference with club fixtures had given the management committee some concern, but it was unavoidable. Another matter that was giving South Taranaki clubs dissatisfaction was the state of junior football in that area. However, he felt that it was entirely in the hands of th«>j South Taranaki clubs, as they were in contact with the players. A new ground was being established at New Plymouth and he felt that it would be a great asset to Rugby in that town. Mr. Hickey referred to the services of Mr. S. E Neilson as secretary to the Union for the past 13 years. In conclusion he appealed, for greater tclerance towards the Union and asked that matters concerning the interests of football generally should not be approached in any carping spii.it.

Profit on Season. Hon. J. McJLeod, chairman of the management committee, in seconding the motion, said that despite the wet season the Union, for the first time since 1930, had made a profit. He said that what was wanted in the southern division junior football was more teams. He hoped that delegates would realise that the Union was just as concerned with the question as they were. A meeting had been held in Hawera last night and it was hoped that as a result something •would eventuate.

The b>'q matter before the Union this year was the visit of the Springboks, and he agreed with the president that Wednesday, May 12, should be used for club fixtures, so as to avoid any undue interference. On account of the change in the date of the King’s Birthday, the home-and-home matches with Wanganui would have to be rearranged. It was also hoped that a match with Auckland would be arranged. Referring to the insurance fund, Mr McLeod said that there was now no reason to ask clubs for contributions, and he was pleased to state that a sum of £lOO would be available next year for redistribution to clubs. Complimentary Passes. The issue of complimentary passes was discussed at length, and it was resolved to continue with the arrangement existing last year. Complaints of unseemly behaviour at dinners held after play-offs, as mentioned in the report, were considered. The decision of the management committee to eliminate all Rugby functions after playoffs, and that “the teams be reimbursed for the cost of the meals, and the Union’s responsibility finish at that item,’’ was confirmed. Election of Officers. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. E. R. Coutts; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs. J. J. Goodwin and F. J. Nolan; hon. treasurer. Mr. J. B. Rowe; management committee, Messrs J. S. Hickey, J. O'Sullivan, A. G. Whiting (South), Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C., Hon. R. Masters, M.L.C., and Mr. L. H. Sampson (North); Maori football representative, Mr. J. Martin; auditor, Mr. C. H. Wynyard; resident delegate N.Z.R.F.U., Mr. G. W. Slade; selectors, Mr. C. Brown (North), Mr. L. Hunt. (South).

Remits from the Inglewood and Tukapa clubs in regard to the appointment of selectors evoked considerable discussion. It was finally decided that the annual meeting appoint two selectors and that a third be appointed by the management committee, the three selectors to appoint their own chairman. A remit from the Tukapa Club, that in the coming season the Union revert to the 23 —2 scrummage formation with the wing-forward was supported. Mr. McLeod doubted whether clubs could be forced to play any particuj lar formation, and his suggestion that the matter be referred to the New Zealand Union was agreed to. The Kaponga Club’s remit, that “On days that a representative match is being played in the province all senior matches be postponed,” was supported. On the motion of Mr. McLeod, the management committee was recommended to discontinue the levy on club’s gates this season for the insurance fund. Stratford clubs were represented by Hon. R. Masters, Messrs. C. Massey, F. J. Nolan (Stratford)-, A. H. R. Amess, J. Henry, and J. Robson (United Old"*Boys). Mr. L. J. Furrie represented the referees, and Mr. V. J. Henderson the primary schools.