RUGBY PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 3

RUGBY PARLIAMENT.

THE HAMILTON UNION. SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL MEETING. SEASON’S BRIGHT PROSPECTS. There was a large and enthusiastic attendance at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Rugby Union last evening. Mr T. B. Booth presided in the ■absence of the president, Mr W. T. G. ® Christie. ; The following local club delegates 1 were present:— c Old Boys—Messrfe A. E. Gibbons, 1 V. St. George, J. Hepburn. 1 Technical Old Boys—Messrs E. J. L. Whiting, W. Fraser, T. A. Crump. t Frankton—Messrs W. Udy. 0. t Castles, P. A. Syers. 1 Marist Old Boys—Brother Clemens t and Messrs H. P. Farrelly and J. £ Mills. i City—Messrs I. W. W. St. Clair, J. s 11. Hindman, and 11. Bateman. In moving the adoption of the re- < port and balance-sheet Mr Booth i said on the whole the Union could ] 'congratulate itself on?a successful , year from both the financial and play- ] ing standpoints. Tlie Peace Cup, which ■ meant a good deal to Ihe Union, had been regained, largely owing to the efforts of Mr W. Fraser, the coacli to the representative team. (Hear, hear.) The Union had been very much alive during the year in improving the ' playing areas, while training facilities had also not been neglected. It was ‘ a matter for regret that it had been impossible io start building a new grandstand, especially in view of the visit of the English team this seasonHowever, the Union had no choice until it had security of tenure over (he grounds. It v,as hoped that this matter would be finalised in the near ' future. Satisfactory Finances. There had been a 'considerable drain on the funds of the Union during the year, added Mr Booth, and all had not yet been done to improve ; the appointments. In spite of this, the finances were in a satisfactory condition. The insurance scheme : had resulted in a loss, but the Union , would be satisfied If it had paid Its way, as no profit'ln this 'connection ( was sought. The method of collect- ■ ing subscriptions was in need of re- j form. Mr E. J. L. Whiting said the in- . surance committee had not been alto- , gether satisfied with the operation of , the scheme in the Taupiri Union. Un- ; less some source of revenue could be found by the Taupiri Union another loss would have to be borne by the Hamilton Union this season. Mr F. Jones expressed the opinion that the Taupiri Union should he further assisted, despite any loss. _ He ■ thought the cost to the Hamilton Union had been well justified by the results shown by the Taupiri Union. The chairman agreed that this expense was a regrettable feature of the Union’s operations, and pointed out that the New Zealand Union possessed a fund for this purpose, but could not sec its way clear to offer ianv assistance. He suggested that , the matter he left to the incoming committee. ; The report, which has been pub- . : lished in the Waikato Times, was adopted. Negotiations for Lease. The negotiations which had been proceeding with the Domain Board and the Borough Council in connection with the. tenure of and rates on Rugby Park were outlined by Mr Speight. He stated that it was proposed that the Union sign a 21 years’ lease with the Domain Board. The Union could then so ahead with the erection of the. new grandstand, which would cost about £3OOO, with the knowledge that it would have plenty of time to repay its indebtedness. Mr Speight added that a deputation from the Union had waited on the Borough Council in committee on Wednesday night, recommending a fixed basis for the payment of rates. The deputation believed that the recommendations made would be acceptable to the council. Improving Training Facilities. A review of the efforts made by the Management Committee to improve training facilities was given by Mr Whiting, who said that a site for the new sheds had been agreed upon at the corner of Hinemoa and Mill ■Streets. In addition to the provision to be made for training there would be two dressing rooms, hot and cold showers, and other com eniences. When the site had been settled with the Domain Board and a permit secured the building would he Proceeded with. Reference to the late Mr L. W. W. Brown, who had been an ardent worker for football, particularly among tho juniors, was made by Mr Booth. Ilis demise had left a gap which would indeed be hard to fill. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr Brown was passed, the meeting standing in Silence. Management Committee’s Work. . In proposing a vote of thank's to the chairman, secretary, and management committee, Mr .Tones said this body had very capably controlled Rusbv in Hamilton during the last, season, and had devoted a great deal j of trouble to looking after the Union’s i affairs. The motion was carried amid acclamation. In reply 'Mr W. Udy said the committee had had the loyal co-opera-tion of all branches of the football community. Speaking of the proposed new training sheds, he expressed the hope that there would he a hearty response to the appeal for voluntary labour for erecting the structure. He assured the meeting that the incoming committee would work as enthusiastically, and, he trusted, as successfully as the old committee had done. Mr Nelson ' drew attention to the fact that the junior grades were not as strong as they should be. It had been the custom for some teams entered to drop out of the competitions ■during tlie season, and he hoped better fields would be seen during the coming season. Blazers for Representative Players. The matter of providing ihe Hamilton senior representatives with some memento of their successful seasons was brought forward by Mr Jones. On the motion of Mr P. A. Byers, it was decided lo recommend to the Management Cornmill.ee I hat blazers be purchased for the senior representative learn. Appreciative reference to several gentlemen who had materially assisted the cause of local Rugby was made by Mr Whiting. He moved hearty votes of thanks to Messrs T. A. Cooper. 11. D. Tail. H. "Mats, and T. B. Booth, which were carried by acclamation. (Continued in next column.)

In replying, Mr Booth mentioned that although he would be retiring from active ' participation in 'Rugby matters this year, he would still retain his keen interest in the code. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr T. Clarkin; president, Mr W. T. C- Christie; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs T. B. Booth and C. J. Parlanc; treasurer, Mr Colin Speight; auditor, Mr Alec Beangc; lion, solicitor, Mr F. A. de la Mare; j lion, surgeon, Dr. T. A. Milroy; man- j agement committee, Messrs A. Gib- ] bons, W. Udy, 11. P. Farrelly, H. V. | Bateman, E. J. L. Whiting, and W. i Fraser: junior advisory board, Messrs A. J. Cross, J. Adams, 0. Castles, - J. ! Hepburn, B. Hindman, jun„ A. P. j Nelson, Avison, G. Turner, L- Day, C. ; 11. Taiawa; secretary, Mr E. J. L. j Whiting. A successful meeting closed with a ; vote of thanks to the press. TE AROHA FOOTBAL. HOT SPRINGS CLUB. Arr .T. C. Carroll presided over a large attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Hot Springs Club al. Te Aroha on Wednesday evening. The balance-sheet showed a slight eredll. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: Patron, Rev. Fa I her Forde; president, Mr .1. G. Car--1 roll; vice-presidents, Messrs J. llep- | burn, F. T. llalligan, 1L L. Somers, I’. Baine, F. L. Board, J. Wallace, 11. E. j Willcox, J. Loughlin, T. M. Curran, J. J Rive It, J. L. Roache, N. Quirk, and F. j Clarkin: executive committee, Messrs Loveridgc, Childei’liouse, P. O'Doni ogbue, F. Flynn, and W. Stewart; secretary and treasurer, Mr Loveridge. The election of club captain and. selector was held over until the next meeting.