RUGBY UNION LOANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1943, Page 2

RUGBY UNION LOANS

WAIRARAPA INDEBTEDNESS difficult year. SERIOUS LOSS OF REVENUE. (“Times-Age” Special.) . At the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Union, Mr R. Ward, Masterton Club delegate, referring to the financial statement for 1942, drew attention to a statement reported in the Press, by Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the 'New Zealand Rugby Union, at a recent meeting of that body, to the effect that some unions near Wellington, who owed considerable sums to the parent body on loan, had made no effort to help themselves in recent war years, notwithstanding that there were soldiers in their districts. Mi Ward stated that Wairarapa had made repeated efforts io secuie tne co-operation of the military in running a senior competition, which was the only grade to draw finance, but without avail. Mr Dean, he said, seemed to be out of touch with conditions in country districts and the varying military circumstances. Mr Hugh McPhee, secretary (Greytown) stated that the management committee had made repeated efforts to secure the assistance of the military in continuing a senior grade during the absence of players overseas and in camp, and had provided a seat on the management committee for an officer from Headquarters Staff, but they preferred to confine themselves to inter-unit competition, often in opposition to Rugby Union fixtures. Almost the whole of last season's loss of £62 17s 6d was incurred in connection with Memorial Park, Master - ton. There were fixed charges such as rates, insurances, interest, etc., which had to be met, principally, to safeguard the union’s mortgage to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The sum of £BBO was owing to the parent body on mortgage for the erection of a grandstand, etc., while another £2OO was owing to other unions for visits paid them. The union so far had received no revenue from the authorities for the use of Memorial Park. The Wairarapa Union’s expenditure on improvements to Memorial Park amounted to £B5O.

The president, Mr J. F. Thompson (Greytown) stated that from his experience on another sporting body, the authorities would no doubt deal generously with Wairarapa Union later. The loss of earnings from senior competitions was serious to the union last season, but with an Army team, an Air Force team, Carterton seniors, and the possibility of a combined Masterton senior team, the prospects were considerably brighter this year. In the meantime he could assure the union that the Masterton Trust Lands Trust was negotiating with the proper authorities for an equitable arrangement in connection with Memorial Park.