FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2623, 4 October 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL

POVERTY BAY RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL RE-UNION. Unfortunately the footballers of Poverty Bay, . and more especially the senior footballers, did not accord to the Rugby Union’s first annual re-union the support which it undoubtedly deserved, but the gathering held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday night made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in point of numbers. Mr. W. B. Miller, vice-president, occupied the chair, and on hi s right was His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), Mr H. E. Maude (chairman of the Management Committee) being on his left. After the toast of “The King” had been loyally honored, the chairman proposed the toast of “His Worship the Mayor.” In responding, Mr. Lysnar said that he took a great interest in football, and the Rugby Union had his best wishes for its future success. He v'as glad A,-, to have the opportunity of saying that as far as his knowledge went, the Union had done nothing that any person could take exception to. They had had had a difficult row to hoe ag regards the question of the ground, and ./; accommodation. The ground was not «half big enough for the size of the town, and perhaps in this direction the Union might have .been adversely criticised. He hopedihat something would be done soon to increase the sports grounds of the town. It should have been done long ago, and it was the clear duty of the Borough Council to do so. Not alone sports grounds but practice grounds should he provided, and lie hoped that with the assistance of the footballers and the Rugby Union that the loan proposals, shortly to he submitted, would be carried, and that the Council •would be enabled to expend the money for this object. His Worship then presented the trophies won during the year. In doing so, he cqngratulated the Union, and also the individual clubs and members 1.0 n tleir loyalty to the Union. It was essential for the good government of sport that it bo controlled by some jeuperior conVaait-oe. Ho refe.*e*. to fife v

the g;ood feeling betvveen the players and th Union, expressing the opinion that as long as such a spirit existed football must, prosper. The prizes were then presented as follows: Hon. J. Carroll’s cup (senior competition), KaithCity Club; Rugby Union banner, KaituCity juniors; junior cup, Y.M.C.A.. -Club; West End cup’ (third grade), Defence Cadets’ Club; Lysnar banner- (Thursday competition), City Club; touring team medals (presented by Messrs Douglas Bros): J. Beach (best forward), W. Fitzgerald (best back), H. Tocker (best all-round player); seven-a-side tournament, 1906: Wi Friday, Wepiha, Heke, Brown Turei, Weka Roderick. J. Stuart, G. Rowe.

His Worship rpoposed the toast of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union. In response to the toast, Mr, H. E. Maude outlined the policy of the Union in connection with the administration of the Victoria Domain. Ho said that prior to the acquisition of th© lease the ground was in a terrible state, overgrown with weeds, and intersected by a largo drain. When the Union had taken over the ground they had to face a stupendous task, but thanks to the loyal support of sympathisers and players, a sports ground was eventually formed. At this time football was the only game played on the ground. A considerable sum of money was spent on the ground, and those interested had also put in a lot of practical and useful assistance in manual labor for the future benefit of the ground. Under the lease they were liable to spend £315 for ground rent, but as it was at least between' £BOO and £9OO had already been spent in imprbvements. Tbi s was proof that the Rugby Union was conserving the interests of sport, .and the interests of the residents of Gisborne. The public bad bad a willing servant in the Poverty Bay Rugby Union. It had been compulsory in the past to conserve the funds of the Union, ris otherwise they could not have had a ground fit to ask visiting teams to play oil. The Union had been subjected to invidious remarks concerning their treatment of other sports bodies, but ho felt that these remarks were made in ignorance, and without a knowledge of the true position, and as such they carried no sting. The Union had always met other sports bodies in a fair manner, and proof of this was to be found in the fact that letters of thanks and appreciation had been received from every other body that used the ground. Mr. Maude concluded by referring to several necessary improvements, and mentioned the need of a training shed or gymnasium. • He congratulated the winners of the trophies, thanked the referees for their assistance, and expressed the hope that the re-union would become an annual fixture.

Other toasts honored were: “The AVinners,” proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Messrs J. J. Martin, D. Miller, G. Sceats, H. M. Puflett, and H. Tocker: “The New Zealand Rugby Union,” proposed by Air. J. S. AVauchop, and responded to b v Air. Miller (vice-president); “The Referees’ Association,” proposed by Mr. H. Bright, and responded to by Messrs AAV Hay and L. F. Williams; “Kindred Sports,” proposed by. Mr. D. Cowan, and responded to by Messrs AA r . Gibson (cricket), Scroggie (Association football), Doyle (hockey), and Zachariah (rowing);“The Sub-Unions,” proposed by Air. G. K. Pasley, and “The •'Press,” proposed by Air. E. L. Maude, and responded to by representatives present. During tlie evening vocal items were given b v Alessrs A. Zachariah, D. Miller, and A. Stenner, Air. AV. Gibson contributed a recitation. Alessrs J. H. Gittos, Goldsmith, and H. E. Alaude acted as accompanists. The gathering terminated shortly before midnight, with cheers for' the Alayor, the chairman, Messrs H. EAlaude and E. L. Alaude, and Air. R. Arnst, the world’s champion sculler, who arrived late in the evening.

AUCKLAND MATCHES fPicu Pni'.ss Association.! AUCKLAND, October 2. The Auckland Rugby Union formally closed the season this afternoon with a sports meeting, and seven a-side tournament There was an attendance of about 2000 persons. The pricipal event (the seven a-side tournament) was won by University, who defeated City in the final by 11 points to 6.