Successful Year

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 35, 13 March 1930, Page 6

Successful Year

RUGBY IN THE BAY South jsland Tour This Season UNION'S ANNUAL REPORT. "A successful season from every point of view," is how the annual report of tlie Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, for presentation to the annual meeting of delegates, describes last year. Reviewing the season the report says : — The club fixtures sustained interest xhrougbout the season and drew each week a very fair attendance. The representative fixtures, as far as hoine matches were concerned, were very successful. The, travelling tearn, due tcf many defections through inability to obtain leave, was nPt really representative of the province, but gave a good exhibition of the game in the centres wliere they played. There was an exceptionally heavy programme -of home representative fixtures, which will adversely affect the ensuing season. the rep programme. Every effort was made at -the annual meeting of tlie.N.Z. Rugby 'Union to put this matter on a better basis, so that 'the home representative fixtures each year would be more equitably distributed, but owing to the attitude of one particular union no satis'factory result was arrived at. ' The committ'ee of delegates appointed to go into this matter had spent much' ' time and tllought in devising a suitable scheme, and it was unfortunate, to say the least, that the attitude of some unions preyentod their recommedations being brought into effect. The standard of play during the past season was well wovtbv of the province, and in view of the "retirement of '.so many of the old players the selector is to he congratulated on fielding a successful side. There is every prospect that the ensuing season will 6ee this union field a young and successful team. The attendance at club games was very satisfactory, but owing to the multiplicity of representative fixtures, as far as these games weie concerned there was a distinct falling off towards the end of the season. the financial aspect. Accounts, after allowing for depr6Sjation, show a profit on. tlie year's working of £542 4s, and, in addition, tjie . sum of £115 was distributed amongst the various sub-unions in accmdanco with the agreement _ arrived at during the season. This is very satisfactory, but .'t must be recognised that the southern tour in 1930 will be lieavy drain on the resources of the union. The accuniulated funds of the union now stand at £4143 16s ld, a good portion of w'lich is liquid assets. The amount of £1661 is on Ioan to the Gentral Hawke's Bay Union for grounds and stand at Waipukurau, and your committee consider this is a good investment and should be a valuable football asset in the future. Although claims ngainst tlie insurqjice f und are still heavy, there is a considerable improvement shown on the previous year. The ac-tual premiums received amounted to £137 5s and the amount disbursed was £198. Claims were much more strictly dealt with during the past season, and our thanks are due to the sub-unions for the attention they have given to this matter. At the same time there is still a certain amount of laxity shown a6 regards this matter, the details furnishfd often heing very meagre. In addition to the above amount, special grants were allowed totalling £31 8s. club competitions. _ During the past year club competitions were very. keen and interesting, but tlie withdrawal of one senior team, upset the fixtures to some extent. The actual .takings for the games amounted to £379 18s 6d, against £501 in the previous year, and, in addition to this, Lane Cup fixtures,' yielded' £100 2s 6d, which ' was 'donated t'o the -insuran'ce fu'nd. ' A special charity niatch on beh'alf " of ;' the Napier Hospital and Union's insurance fund yielded a gate of £64 19s. _ Tlie experiment of an intermediate grade was not a success, partly due to opposition from some clubs who considered it _was adversely affecting their membership. to the benefit of other clubs. The question of the continuance of this competition will be a matter for diseussion at the annual meeting. As usual, competitions were. attended to by the Primary Schools Association, and on- this occasion Napier team won the Ross. Shield. In this connection, a word of thanks is due to Mr Bissell for coaching and training the team. c The sum of £128 17s 10d was spent encouraging football in the province. thanks extended. Our thanks are again due to the two junior selectors, R. M. Hewitt and F. Tyne. A home-and-home game was played against Wairarapa during the year, each 'side securing one win. ,A home representative fixture was also arranged with Poverty Bay, resulting in. a. win for the visitors by 16 points to six. We have to thank the Referees' Association for providing referees for all matches and the keep interest they have taken in' tlie game. Obituary. We regret to record tbe decease of one of our life members, Mr F. C. Williams.^ This gentleman was over a long pferiod a keen supporter, and was always out to help the game in every way. Thanks. — The committee wish to extend their thanks to the press for the verv full aiid impartial reports of football matters ; to Mr Corner and his staff for the splendid grounds prepared during the season ; to our honorary surgeons and St. Jobn's Ambulance Brigade for gratuitous services ; to J. R. Ross and Co. and L. Fail for gratuitous booking services ; and to the varions donors of trophies and those who contributed donations. We have to also thank • tlie _ Napier Borough Council -for the spirit in which they have met our requests i'n connection with grounds. Maddison Trophy.— The trophy was competed for®in Napier on June 1 and was won by H.S.O.B. .Horne Cup. — This was competed for on. the same day and was- won by N.T.C.O.B. In conclusion the retirihg commit,tee wish to thank the players, the various clubs and sub-unions for the Ioyal wa-v they have supported the committ'ee. '