FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2476, 15 April 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

POVERTY BAY RUGBY UNION.

The annual general meeting of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union was held last evening in the Masonic Hotel. Air. H. E. Maude (president) occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of football enthusiasts. The Secretary (Mr. H. E. Maude) read the annual report and balancesheet. The report of the committee congratulated footballers on the satisfactory position of the Union after such a strenuous season. After reviewing the results of representative matches played during the. year, the report went on to refer to the local championship matches, the triplo win. of the Kiriti-Crty 'Tub in the Saturday competition, and the Gisborne Club’s win in Ihuisday football. Reference was made to the satisfactory condition of Thursday football and also to the fact of four country clubs having been affiliated to the Union during the ; eaJ ■ In this comic •rt ... it was mentioned that, the Union might find it advisable to consider the uuestion of forming a (sub-union from, sav, Te Karaka outwards. Dealing wrJi school football.mention was made- of the 'great strides which had been made; and the number of private matches field under the auspices of the Union were +a: aiil;.. enormous increase

over former years. On the question of finance, it was stated that the Union had a credit of £346 8s 9d in the Post Office Savings Bank. As against this, the accident fund is in credit £8 3s, and a donation of £lO from tho New Zealand Rugby Union towards school football has also to bo deducted, leaving an actual balance of cash in. hand of J 328 os 9d. The credit balance for tho year was £l9 4s 3d less than the previous year, but it was estimated that the Union’s share of tho profits of the British team’s tom- would almost cover the deficiency. The sum expended on ground improvements last season was £l2O 15s sd, and in 1907 £27 16s lid, a difference of £92 18s 6d, and it was claimed that in view of the fact the results of the year’s working should be regarded as most satisfactory. After making reference to a probable tour of tho representatives of the district during tho coming season, the report concluded by expressing the thanks of the Union to the players, the Referees Association, and all who had helped to make football what it was" in the district last season. Special mention was made of the assistance of the Borough Council in forming the approach to tho Domain. , . „,, In moving the adoption of tho report and finance-sheet, the Chairman referred to tho satisfactory position of the Union. He mentioned the fact of the shield which was offered by Mr. Lane having been withdrawn, and said that the new Union would probably communicate with him to see. ii it v a-> correct that his offer.-.was withdrawn on account of the attitude of the Hawke’s Bay Rugbv Union. On the matter of finance, the chairman referred to the improvements on the ground, and the expenditure incurred thereby. Some ot the fixed improvements would revert to the public, but there were other improvements and plant: that would iemain the property of tho Union, and were well worth their face value. AYitli these taken in, the balance-sheet should really show a credit balance of £9 or £lo.' The improvements had considerably benefitted the appearance of the ground, and had been of great conveniepce to playc-rs and public alike. The gate receipts bad totalled £259 9s 3d. a satisfactory total, and indicative of ’the interest taken by the public in the sport. The visit of the British tea’i had been an education to them, but on the other band it had robbed the payers and public alike oi a great amoert of interest in the remaining matches of the season. Referring to the con ing season, the chairman said that it va.cintended to send a roprosc-MLtlive team on tour, and they wanted to tunic! a team which would do credit to itself and also to the «i :;Vict. ft!ey oM this their credit balance would be greatly encroached upon, and lie urged the now members of committtee to conserve tlieir funds to the best of their ability. Mr. AV. Johnston seconded the notion, which was carried unanimouslv. The election of .officers for the ensuing season was then proceeded wi.i, and’resulted as follows: —President, Mr E Murphy ;vice-presidonts (to be elected by the clubs); delegate to New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. G. B. Lusk; management committee, Messrs J. A Eaton, G. K. Pasley, 11. Begin, \. Johnston. L. 0. Ingram; treasurer, Air. J. S'. AVauchop; secretary, -Mr. E. L. Maude; vice-president to New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. tV. Mvlei ; auditors, Messrs 11. IX B. Robinson and C. AL Sargisson. -.'• . Referring to the.new constitution ol the managenientgc^mittee,, t ue. <ban - man said that he was'Tuve they wou:d consent to a monthly meeting of the Union, so that- other ..delegates ecvld become cognisant from time to tune oi the doings' of the committee. He m ed that the coming .season woiud *e even more successful than t.ie previous one. , , i A T otes of thanks to the enuirnno an 1 the press concluded the meeting. At a (subsequent meeting of the new management committee, Air. H. L Aland© was elected chairman.