FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3198, 20 April 1911, Page 3

FOOTBALL

i. ■ POVERTY BAY RVOBY VMiQNi annuatTmeetixg. The annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union was held at the ‘Masonic Hotel last evening. Mr H. Maude presided and there was a large ‘attendance of delegates. The annual report stated that though certain features of the season’s .work was disappointing, dt was felt that they still might be congratulated upon the standard of football in the district. In connection with the representative matches, the year was one of disappointment, Hawke’s Bay, Hastings and Wanganui failing to keep their engagements do visit Gisborne. Waiapu sub-union journeyed down on August sth. and a most interesting game resulted in a draw, each side scoring six points. A week later Bush Union arrived, and were defated by 17 to 3, our team proving altogether too strong. A Maori team from Opoutama also proved easy victims, and 29 points to 3*. were scored against them. A Thursday rep. team journeyed to Whatatutu, and after an exciting game, won by 17 do ni1.;,.,, Kaipara Moana, Paratene and Ryland were selected to form part of the' Maori team to visit Australia, . and Kaipara also had the proud distinction of being selected to play for the North Island, in the interisland match at Christchurch. The union’s funds had during the past season been lessened by £36 T2s 6d. The whole of this amount, however, was not a fair charge on the season’s operations, for two liabilities of tlie 1909 season v/cro discharged—viz., share of gates to the P.B. Hockey Association, andlabour cutting hedge, a tofcal of £2l 13s 9d. Thus the actual reverse for 1910 amounts to some £ls, and taking into consideration these factors tha/t tended to diminish the revenue, the result, whilst not satisfactory, was rather better than had been anticipated. Players were to be congratulated upon the fact that' few serious accidents occurred during the season, and practically for the first time since its inauguration, the accident fund shows a balance —£13 7s 6d. Regarding the prospects of the coming season, the committee was disposed to feel sanguine. Hawke’s Bay had promised an early visit and Hastings sub-union also would endeavour to play at Gisborne. Wanganui, owing to West Coast engagements, could not visit Gisborne last season, but promise to make the journey when they play Hawke’s Bay this year. These facts should prove stimulating to all branches of the sport. The Chairman congratulated the union on having had the honour of having Kaipara, one of the Poverty Bay representatives, included in the North Island team, and felt sure that Poverty Bay only wanted opportunities to show that they had players that could worthily uphold Rugby. football in the Dominion. He explained the expense the union had been put to in securing grounds at Makauri and the Park and the manner -in which the finances had decreased compared with previous years. This was due to two liabilities of 1909 having to be met and the fact that certain interprovincial fixtures did not eventuate. The accident fund was in a satisfactory state, and he paid a 'high tribute to the action of the West End Club in handing over /their funds towards the fund. Mr H. De Costa had offered a trophy for school football and the conditions were left to the union to arrange. Mr De Costa was deserving of the heartiest thanks of the union. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected: President, Mr E. Murphy; vice-presi-dents, appointed by the clubs; delegates to New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr G. B. Lusk (another to be appointed by the Management. Committee); hon. terasurer, Mr W. S. McCredie; hon. secretary, Mr E. L. Maude; vice-presi-dent New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr W. Miller; auditors, Messrs C. O. Hansen and H. M. Puflett; management committee, Messrs W. Howard, J. A. Eaton, W. S. Coleman, A. R. Gatland and R. Somervell. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Collie and Kirk lor their offer to present a shield for competition. The Chairman informed the delegates that Mr Wauchop had declined to take office this season, and it was decided to place on record the excellent services he had rendered to the union.