TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 343, 19 March 1910, Page 8

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL MEETIXG. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held in Stratford Hotel last night. There were present: Messrs F. T. Bellringer (president) in the chair. J. McLeod and W. D. Webster (Tukapa), J. Clarke, L. Hill (Star), T. Buchanan (Clifton), W. Ogier, F. Brown (Inglewood), D. Malone, R. Masters (Stratford), H. Xuttall, W. Perritt (Eltham), J. O'Sullivan, J. Crawley (Okaiawa), W. C. Cargill (Patea), J. Christie and S. McKay (Waimate), Rev. W. B. Scoit and E. Mills (Kaponga), J. Young (Opunake), H. R. I-I. Chalmers (Hawera). The President 'welcomed tlie delegates. The fact that representatives of clubs travelled such long- distances t to the annual meeting, he said, showed that interest in the old game was not waning, as some presumed to believe. The minutes of the last annual report were read and confirmed. REPORT AXD BALANCE-SHEET. The president moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which nas already been published. The chairman of the Management Committee (Mr Cargill) seconded. The motion was carried alter a short discussion. HEADQUARTERS. Mr Bell ringer proposed that the headquarters remain at Stratford as at present. Mr Buchann seconded.—Carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President.—Mr Bellringer said he considered the office should be a rolling one. He had not had the time to devote to football during the past two orthree years that he might have wished, and would like to see someone else in the position. Mr Buchanan moved that Mr Bellringer be re-elected. Seconded by Mv ■ Perret and carried unanimous'/. Secretary.—Mr P. Seojrlund was re- . elected on the motion of Messrs Bellringer and Cargill, at the usual honorarium. 7 Hon. Treasurer.—Mr D Malone (reelected). Vice-President to N.Z. Rugby Union. T —Mr F. Bellringer. Delegates to N.Z. Rugby Union. Messrs J. M. Crombie and C. Cargill were appointed. Auditor.—Mr A. Coleman. The Western Division. —Before proceeding with the election of the Management Committee, the position of the ■ Western Division was discussed. No information was available respecting the reported demise 01 the division. Mr J. Young, representing Opunake, said Opunake desired to revert to its old position in the Southern Division. The old Opunake boundary had been cut up - into so many club districts that it had been found impossible to form strong clubs. A recommendation to a general meeting of delegates to be called, that the old Ounake boundaries be reverted to and Opunake play in the Southern Division, in the event of the Western Division not materialising was carried. Mr J. O'Sullivan indicated that he would move a notice of motion for the s next meeting, that the whole of the r southern boundaries be revic;v<.d, as 5 they were anything I>ut satisfactory at > present. Waimate, for instance, had I practically a monopoly or the best disr trict. " MAXAGEMEXT COMMITTEE. Northern Division.—Messrs Clark, Mc- . Leod, Nuttall, Masters and Buchanan [ 'were nominated, and Messrs Clark, Bu- , ehanan and McLeod elected. Southern Division. Rev. Scott, [ Messrs Christie, Cargill. and Chalmers were nominated; and Messrs Chalmers, Cargill and Scott wore elected. i Western Division.—Mr J. Young. BAYLY MEMORIAL. ' Mr J. McLeod submitted the report of the committee, suggesting that ' memorial gates, designs of which - were submitted, he erected in the Recreation Sports Ground at New Plymouth, as r decided at the last annual meeting of . the Union. The Union had £75 in J hand, and he had no doubt that the t additional £25 required would be raised j in Xew Plymouth. t Mr Malone considered it would be. better to arrang* a memorial scholarship. Mr Buchanan considered a fountain shoufd be erected in the Recreation Grounds. The chairman held that the discussion regarding scholarship was out of ' order, as last annual meeting decided in favour of a memorial in the Recreation Grounds. Mr Buchanan moved an amendment that a drinking fountain be erected. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr Malone gave notice of motion that the whole matter be reopened, a trial motion in this direction being ear- • ried. The matter will be considered at a special general meeting. GENERAL. A letter from the Kaponga Club drawing attention to the unsatisfactory nrrangements made by the Alton Club for visiting teams was referred to the Management Committee. Rev. Scott moved that it be a recommendation to the Management Committee that all plays-off, where practicable, I be played on neutral ground. Seconded by Mr McKay. The motion was lost. Permission was granted Star and Tukapa players to take part in seven-a-side tournaments at Eltham and Manga toki Permission was also granted the Star and Hawera Clubs to play matches with outside clubs during Easter. Mr Nuttall moved that it be a recommendation to the Reierees' Association that, if possible, Southern Division referees be appointed to control matches played at Eltham on account of the expense.—Carried. Mr Bellringer intimated that during the meeting Mr Masters, one of the delegates, had been called away to the

deathbed of his sister, who, he heard, had just passed away. He moved that a vote of sympathy bo passed to Mr Masters in his bereavement. The motion was carried, the menrbers standing. Votes of thanks to the retiring committee, the scrutineers and the chairman concluded the meeting.