RUGBY FLAG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1941, Page 6

RUGBY FLAG

TO BE KEPT FLYING DURING WAR WAIRARAPA UNION'S ANNUAL MEETING. SEASON OPENING ON MAY 3. ("Times-Age” Special.) The decision to keep the Rugby flag flying was made at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Union at Carterton on Saturday night. The president, Mr J. F. Thompson, presided over a large attendance of delegates.

An apology for absence was received from Mr K. Reid.

“The Empire faces the greatest crisis in its history. Nothing should be allowed to impede the war effort but at the same time I think we should follow the spirit of stricken London and carry on with chins up,” said Mr Thompson. "The annual report and balance sheet showed that the past year was not very successful financially,” said Mr Thompson. The union had carried on for a very long period. Its foundation year went back to 1882 which made the present year its 59th year of existence, quite the oldest union in the Dominion. Although it had had its ups and downs it had maintained an unbroken life and continued through war, depression and all manner of times. He considered any suggestion that the game be curtailed during the war quite wrong. In the shadow of the guns overseas the grand old game was being played. It was the duly .of those left here to keep the flag of Rugby flying in the Wairarapa. Mr Thompson referred to the spirit of England as quoted to him in a letter he had received from Home. The programme for a cricket match at Lords carried a note that in the event of a raid shelter from bomb blasts and shrapnel was available under the grandstand. The Union had decided to carry on as a duty to the younger and older players ineligible as yet for active service. The Union had won two representative matches, lost two and drawn one. With a shade of luck it might have been unbeaten.

Mr H. McPhee, treasurer, briefly outlined the financial position of the Union. The position had caused the management committee some concern. Expenses had been cut to a minimum but the revenue was not sufficient to meet outgoings. Gate takings from club matches had been £l7O 5s against £232 18s 6d the previous season. Representative matches had shown a decrease of £2Ol 4s. The patriotic match against the Army team had shown a satisfactory result. The sum of £4B 7s ltd had been handed to the patriotic fund. Mr S. Henson pointed out that the Memorial Park expenses were a heavy burden. All would agree that something had to be done in that connection.

Mr E. McKenzie (secretary) reported that the Masterton Trust Lands Trust had written off arrears of rent and had made proposals for the duration of the war.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Trust Lands Trust for its considerate treatment. Mr F. Morton asserted that the rates levied by the Masterton Borough Council for the Memorial Park grounds were out of all proportion to the value. It was decided to open the season on May 3 with a seven-a-side tournament at Carterton. An amendment that club games be held on that date in lieu of the seven-a-side matches was lost by a substantial margin.

A letter was received from the Hawke's Bay Union inviting a Wairarapa team to play a match at the Bay on June 3 and suggesting that the date of a return match be discussed later.

It was decided to accept the invitation.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society for a rebate of £35 which it had granted on rent owing for the use of the Carterton Showgrounds. “There is a prospect of some clubs having to use youths of immature development to make up teams in the senior competition,” said Mr H. J. McKenzie in suggesting that an age limit of 18 should be placed on youths entering the senior competition. He considered that every encouragement should be given junior players but no youth under 18 should be allowed to play as a senior. Mr R. Howard observed that there was little danger to be feared in that direction as youths became eligible for military, service at 19.

' “It is not a question of age. It is a matter of physical development,” said Mr D. Stewart. “The matter is one for the discretion of club coaches.”

Mr E. McKenzie pointed out that the introduction of an age limit in the last war had proved a mistake. Young men had been driven away from the game. “The mistake we made was also made by other unions. They don’t intend repeating it, nor should we,” he added.

It was decided that it be a recommendation to ail club coaches to use discretionary powers as to a youth’s physical development before admitting him to senior play. Mr H. J. McKenzie also raised the matter as to whether competition for trophies should be suspended for the duration of the war. In support of Mr McKenzie's remarks, Mr J. E. Tier considered that trophies served no useful purpose and if anything created feeling.

After some discussion it was decided to hold the competitions for trophies as usual. A motion that the Pearson and Redmond cups be the only trophies awarded this year was lost. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted:—Patron, .Mr W. Henry Booth (re-elected); president, Mr J. F. Thompson (re-elected); vicepresidents, Messrs J. B. Jury, A. E. Reid, Campbell Smith, S. Gilman, Q. Donald, Geo. Vincent, G. Wilson, E. B. Booth, W. G. Lamb (all re-elected); delegates to New Zealand Rugby Union, Messrs E. B. Booth and H, A. McPhee; hon. secretary, Mr H. A. McPhee: hon. treasurer. Mr K. Fairbrother; sole selector (senior), Mr K. Reid (re-elected); sole selector (junior), Mr G. Udy (re-elected); management committee. Messrs M. J. Parker, J. P. Scott, F. Brough, E. B. Booth, R. Howard, F. Morton. V. Welch, S. Henson, G. Udy; hon. auditor. Mr H. M. B. Trapp; hon. solicitor, Mr G. D. Wilson.

' The resignation of the secretary, Mr E. McKenzie, after 29 years of service

in that capacity was received with regret. The donation by Mr 11. M. B. Trapp of his auditor's fees amounting to £3 3s was received with thanks and it was decided to send Mr Trapp a letter of appreciation.

Votes of thanks were accorded outgoing officials and the Press. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the president for the manner in which he conducted the meeting.