FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 1 April 1926, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

- - RUGBY UNION. \ - ’ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Rugby Union, was held evening. There were present—Messrs H. H. Eraser (president), J. Wilson and G. Eairbrother (Zingari), C. Clarkson and E. Firkin (Star), J. Murphy and D. Hertnon (Celtic), W. Watson and W. Carlton (Old Boys), G. Lawson (Boys’ High School), D. Walton (Washdyke), T. H. Langford and J. O.’ South (Waihi), M, Houlihan (Geraldine), G. W. Wakefield (Pleasant Point), F. Davey (St. Andrews), MeKcllar and J. Scott (Mackenzie), H. J. Washer (Waimatc), G. Caklcr ' (South' Canterbury Schools’ Association), N. Wootton (Y.M.C.A.), D. McInnes (Temuka). ... , In moving the adoption of tlve. annual report and balance sheet (as. already published), the chairman statcd’that ho noticed that evening quite a lot of now members, and it gave him great pleasure to welcome them to the meeting. Since the last meeting of the Union, Rugby had suffered a severe loss in tho death of Mr N. L. Thomas, of Waimatc, a gentleman who had performed great service to the game, over a period covering many years, and h®

would ask them to . record their sympathv and condolence"with the relations of the deceased in the usual manner. Ho would also take that opportunity of welcoming Air J. O’Leary back to the Union. Mr O’Leary had always pro-, vided valuable service to football, and lie W’as glad" to see that these services would again be available. During the past season the Union had experienced a very strenuous time. Although no really outstanding games' had been witnessed, he considered that the average of senior football had been well up to standard. The lower grades had given, every satisfaction; and he considered that if these grades were lookol after and due attention given to training, great benefit to South Canterbury football -would later result. Some trouble had' been, experienced at the commencement'of the season in regard to tlio weight of fifth grade teams, but for the ensuing season precautions were being taken .in order to ensure against a repetition of the trouble. A representative tour to tho West Coast had been arranged, but some difficulty bad been experienced sin- getting players, away. However, Ire felt sure that those who made the trip considerably benefitted as- a result. Matches had been arranged with Sub-Unions, and several promising players bad been unearthed. Considerable expense was incurred in bringing country players into representative matches, but tho management committee did not begrudge the expense as long as the players also played their part in imparting the experience gained to their fe’low-plavers in their respective districts. Tlie seven-a-sido tournament

bad again proved a great success, and lie bad been pleased to hear the very complimentary remarks passed by outside footballers on the management of that tournament. The schools’ and secondary schools’ football bad again maintained the high standard set in previous years, and as long as the gentlemen concerned in both departments still maintained an active interest in the game, be considered the same state of affairs would continue. Last season the grounds committee had closed tile No. 2 ground, and if the members could see that ground at the present time they would agree that the action of the committee bad been fu'ly justified. During the year a fire bad occurred at the Caledonian Grounds, and three sets of representative jerseys had been destroyed. That was certainly unfortunate, but it could not be helped. A contract bad been entered into for tlie erection of a suitable grandstand at the' Athletic Grounds, which was now practically completed, and would be ready for use at the •commonceincnt of the season. He considered the Union had been wise ip erecting the stand, and also considered that all takings from the stand should be paid into a separate fund to provide for the extinction of the debt incurred. The insurance fund was running the Union on very dangerous ground, and clubs should very seriously consider the question. If a heavy year was experienced tho Union would incur liabilities which would seriously inconvenience their financial resources. He would particularly ask delegates to take that question up with their clubs, and if possible bring forward suggestions which might prove of assistance to the Union. It was their intention to convert the old grandstand into up-to-date dressing rooms, and that won d be a move which would be very much appreciated by players, especially country players. In conclusion, bo wish—t to thank all who had assist'"! the Union during the year, especially the referees, who had provided very valuable assistance during the season. It, was hocomnr a difficult matter every yoar to obtain referees, and lie thought it was a matter for the clubs to take up and endeavour to get old players to take an active interest in that department of tho game. He wished to thank the outgoing committee, for the splendid service rendered, especially Messrs Hugh Fraser, S. Williams, J. Harley, J. Connor, and S. D. Mason, who had all taken a very keen interest in the affairs of the Union, and who, for various reasons, had unfortunately been unnblo to see their way clear to accept nomination from then respective organisations for tL-- ensuing year. i’lio report was seconded by Mr E. Firkin.

J n regard to insurance, Mr South paid that it would be advisable to try and get clubs to arrange for the individual insurance of their members. The Union was laying itself open to a very big liability, which in some seasons it might not bo able to meet. In reply to Mr Langford, the secretary stated that £lO7 had been paid out in insurance, while £6B os had boon received from the clubs. : The report and balance sheet were then adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of. officers resulted as follows :—Patron, Dr. Hrydcn ; president, Mr H; H. Eraser; vice-presidents, Messrs \V. Thomas, J. O’Leary, Dr. Usslicr; lion .treasurer. Mr F. Davey; management committee, Messrs W. Watson, D. Hertnon, 0. Clarkson, J. Wilson, G. Fuirbro.thor, 11. J. Washer, and the Rev.. Father Kerley; lion, auditor, Mr A; C. Martin; lion, solicitors, Messrs Tripp and Rolleston. KKPRESEN'J'AT rVE SELECTION. The chairman said it was for thatmeeting to decide upon t-lie system to be adopted during the ensuing season in the selection .of-representative teams. Air Cummings had. notified the Union that lie would be- unable to accept nomination for -apposition on the selection committee, or as sole selector during the coming season. In filling that position they wou'd again have to deeido whether three selectors or one be appointed, Mr Houlihan considered that as it was becoming increasingly difficult to find a suitable sole selector it would be advisable to go back to the system of throe selectors. He moved that three selectors be appointed. To test the feeling of the meeting, Mr Hertnon said he would move as an amendment that a soio selector be appointed. Mr Langford considered that the appointment of three’selectors was the, only solution of the difficulty, but he would not like to see any two men appointed from one club. He moved ns a further ..amendment that three selectors be appointed, but that not more than one representative from any ■'no club bo appointed to the selection committee. Mr Langford’s amendment was carried. Messrs J. Wilson, D. Hertnon, and T. Langford were unanimously elected n selection committee. In moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr W. Gumming for his services as selector during tho past season, the

chairman said that Mr Cumming had put a great deal of time and work into his task and was deserving of the best thanks of tlie Union. Tho motion was unanimously carried. GENERAL. Reverting to the question of accident insurance, All* J. Scott said that the principle was undoubtedly a good one, but the Union were constantly incurring a big liability, and tac season might arrive when the Union could not meet the demands made upon thorn. 'There were insurance companies who dealt with that class of business, and be did not think that the Union was strong enough to compete with them. Mr ,J. Wilson considered that something should he done in regard to medical treatment, which was one of the nvist expensive items incurred by injuries. Mr Langford considered that personal insurance was tho only way out of the difficulty. On the motion of Air Scott, it was I'osolvcd that tho question of insurance ho referred by tho delegates to their respective c'ubs, and that it he discussed at a further general meeting to be held prior to the'commencement of the season.

Afr South moved as a recommendation to the Management Committee that the season he commenced in tlie first week in Alay. He considered that with the late harvest it would be verv inconvenient for country clubs to field teams before that date. Air Watson moved as an amendment that April 17 bo recommended to the committee as a suitable date, that date conforming to the opening days in Canterbury and Otago.

It was resolved that the first week in Alay be recommended tb the Union as a date for the opening of tho competitions.

An application for affiliation from tho Power Board Pirates Club was referred to the Alanagoment Committee. Air Langford asked whether the affiliation of the Old Boys' Club was not granted so'ely on tlie understanding that their members he ex-pupils of the Timaru High School. Air Lawson said that that, was the case at the outset, but owing to the difficulty experienced in putting a senior team on the field, the permission of the Union was obtained to play expupils from other secondary schools, such permission being granted at a full meeting of delegates. The chairman said that the question would he gone into by tho Alanagenrent Committee. Mr Lawson moved that r»hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the president, Mr H. H. Fraser. Afr Fraser, ho ’mW. had put in a great deal of work to tho benefit of football in South Canterbury, and had also been appointed during, tho year to the highest position possib’e in New Zealand football, nanicTy, president of the Now Zealand Rugby Union. The motion was carried unanimously, votes of thanks being also carried to iptir'ing members of the Management Commtitee, tlie secretary, and tho Press.