RUGBY MATTERS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 34, 12 March 1930, Page 5

RUGBY MATTERS

HASTINGS SUB-UNION MEETS. MATTERS' OF INTEREST. The annual meeting of the Hastings Rugby Sub-union was lield last night, Mr J. A. Fraser presiding over a full attendance of delegates representing the various clubs. In moving the adoption of the annual report, which has already been published, the presideut said that las^ season's competitions were undoubtedly good, but they fell off towards tlie end of the season. He was glad to note that the Celtic Club had enrolled 20 new members, and he hope'] this year this club would he able to carry on through tlie season. Mr Fraser referred to the loss of many honorary members. No doubt the absence of the Ranfurly Shield was the main cause of this, and with many it was a question of what return lionorary members would get in return for their subscription. This was the wrong way to look at it. and the more tliat could he done to sink the financial side and lieighten the moral side, the better it. would be for all concerned. The president expressed the opinion that the visit of the British team would stimulate interest and make for anotber very successful season. Mr Fraser explained that the financial position of the sub-union was excepfcionally good, and tlianks were due to all who had assisted to secure this position. Referriug to the financial position Ihe president referred to small attendances at outside sub-union matches, niid urged that members of the subunion should do all in their power to increase the interest and attendances at such matches. The report and balance-sheet were tlien adopted. ELECTION OF OFFTCERS. Tlie election of officers resulted as follows : — Patron : Mr E. A. Grenside ; presirjent: Mr J. A. Fraser (re-e!ected) ; vice-presidents : Messrs W. E. Hyslop, G. A. Maddison, W. E. A. Mackenzie ; pianagement committee : Messrs 11. M. Hewitt, G. J. Baker, C. H. Bunker, R. L. McGaffin, A. Kirkpatrick, 11. P. Hodge, R. Haldane, I. Robin ; hon. secretary : Mr H. Brown ; hon. treasurer; Mr F. Corbin; hon. auditors : Messrs Rainbow, Hobbs and Nesbitt ; hon. solicitor: Mr L. J. Mackersey ; 5enior selector: Mr W. O'Neill : .iunior selector: Mr R. M. Hewitt; representative on Hawke's Bav Rugby Union Management Committee: Mr H. Brown; representatives at Hawke's Bay Rugby Union' s annual meeting: Messrs H. Brown, A. Kirkpatrick, J. A. Fraser. SERVICES RECOGNISED. Mr G. A. Maddison in referring to the excellent financial position of the sub-union, spoke highly of tlie services rendered by the secretary, Mr H. Brown, and in appreciation, _ he raoved that the secretary' s honorarium ; be increased to £15 15s. The motion was seconded by Mr Fraser and carried unanimously. The treasurer, Mr F. Corbin, was also spoken of in high terms of praise, and his honorarium was also increased to a similar amount. Mr C. J. Baker referred to the question of honorary members tickels and said that rt would be a mistake not to allow this privilege to .cohtinue. Mr Brown pointed out tliat a motion was before the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union te drop tliese tickets, and really. the sub-union could not do much untO the union had discussed the matter. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the executive. THIRD GRADE AGE LIMIT. The question of the age limit for third grade players was brought up by Mr H. A. Insull, who .pointed out that with the age limit at 22 as at present it meant teams in this {yade being somewhat even, and many parents ohjected to High School nlaying against men 22 years of age. He moved that tlie matter be considered by the executive, with a reconimendation that the age limit he 20. Mr Hewitt seconded the mo.tion. but pomted out that it was a hard matter to decide. and if tlie age was reduced to 20, it would mean many tliird grade players would be too light for junior and they jyould lose their play. Tlie ouestion of weight would ako have to be considered. Mr Maddison suggested that a 'we.igjit limit would meet tbe position. Tt was decided that tbe matter be considered bv tbe executive. RESTRICTION OF PLAYERS. Mr G. Hook brouglit up the question of local restriction of players He pointed out that places sucii as Havelock North often had players taken from their ranks, with the result that the clubs wero unable to carry on. He referred generally to junior and third grade players. Alreadv five Havelock players had been approaclied by clubs in Napier, and this was no good to Havelock or Hastings either. This taking of players was the reason Havelock fell through last year. The president agreed that some such scheme was desirabie and tliouglit that in clubs wbere there was an overflow of players, they should be drafted to otber clubs wliich might need their services. The matter was refeived to the cotni mittee. The chairman also moved that only oue team in each grade from each club, other than school clubs and fourth grade be eligible in the competition. This was secouded by Mr R. M. Hewitt and carried.