ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held at the MAY FAIR HOTEL, LONDON, W.l., on Friday, 24th June, 1949, at 5 p.rn.
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The following Clubs (285) were represented: Army RU. College of St. Mark and St. John Leicester Armament Wing R.E.l\LE. Cornwall Lensbury and Brit. House Depot and T.E., R.A.O.C. Coventry Leyland Motors RA.S.C. Aldershot Coventrians Lincoln College Ist Btn. Welsh Guards Davenport Liverpool University 64th T. Regt. R.A. Derby Tigers Lizards Ashtonians Devon County LloydsBank Aske's School Devonport Services London and Home Counties Bakelite, Dorset and Wilts. Schools Banb,ury Durham County London Irish Bancroft's School Ealing London School of Economics Bank of England Eastbourne London Scottish Barclays Bank East Midlands London University Barking Park Modern O.B.'s Eastern Counties Westminster College Barnet Esher London Welsh Bath Exeter Lyons ' Bebington Falmouth Maidstone Beckehham Falmouth Y.M.C.A. Manchester Y.M,C.A. Bedford. Finehley Metropolitan Police Berkshire' Firestone Metropolitan Police No. 2 District Birkenhead Park Five Ways O.E.'s Middlesbrough Birmingham Fylde' Middlesex Hospital, Birmingham City OfficiaIs GideaPark Moseley 'Blackburn Gloucester Nat. Provincial Bank Blackheath· Gloueestershire Newark Blackwell Gravesend ' New Brighton Brighton Guildford, Newbury Bristol Guys Hospital N ewbury Grammar School Bristol and District H.A.C. Newcastle-on-Tyne R Grànimar Broughton Park Haberdashers Aske's School School Cambridge T9wn , Hampshire Newport (Mon.) Downing College, Cambridge Handsworth Northampton Eng. College Pembroke Coll~ge Harlequins Northampton Grammar School ' ' St. John's College Harpenden Northern ' Trinity College Harrodians North Midlands Camp Hill O.E.'s Harrogate Northumberland Cassiopeians Harrow Notts. ' Chelsea Polytechnic Hastings andBexhill Nottingham Casuals Cheltenham Hertfordshire Notts., Lines and Derby Chiltern Hull and East Riding Notts Schoolboys Chingford , Ipswich Y.M.C.A. Nuneaton Christ's Hospital, Jersey Nuneaton O.E.'s Civil Service RU! KentCounty Old Alleynians CivüService ' Kingsbridge Anchorians Clifton Kirigs College Askeans CoHe Grammar School King's College (NIC) Augustinians Coll'egebf:Commerce ' K.CS. ~ldBoys Bancroftians Old Becchamians Pinner Shelford Birkonians Plymouth Albion . Sidcup Blues Polytechnic· Siemens Sports " Cantabrigians Port of London Authority Southern Railway Citizens Public Schools Wanderers Slough Colfeians Queen's Engr. Works Staffordshire Coopeiians Reading Sehool Stciine§ " Cranleighans Eedcar Standard Telephones " Croydonians Reigate (N. Southgate) Dartfordians Richmond S.T.C. Woolwich Dunstonians Rolls Royce . Sunderland Edwardians (B'ham) Rockcliff . Surrey County Elizabethans . Rosslyn Park Sussex County Emanuel Rotol (Glos.) Suttim Çoldfield Freemen's Rottingdean School Sutton Val~nce School Haberdashers RA.F. RU. Tamworth " Haileyburians and 1.S.c. Abingdon Tonbridge " Hertfordians ' Chessington ._ Trinity Guild. c .----;;--Jûddiah:' , . - Colerne Trojans Leysians 'Cranwell Twickenham . '" MerchanfTàylors Debden Tynedale .',! ,_1 Mitchamians Hornchurch . U.C.S. Old Boys " Northamptonians Lindholme United Hospitals " N6ttinghamians Locking United Services N ovocastrians Manby Universities Athletic Union Patesians Moreton-in-Marsh Upper Clapton Paulines Oakington Vauxhall Motors Paviors OldSarum Vickers Armstrongs (Newcastle) Raineians Padgate Vickers Sports " Reedonians Stafford Wanstead ;, .Rutlishians Stradishall . Warlingham " ,',. ' . Shootershillians Upper Heyford Warrington 5urbitonians West Raynham Wasps Tiffinians Wyton Waterloo Tottonians H.Q. Technical Training Welwyn W alcaun tians Command Westcliff High School Westcliffi;:ms " 90 Group Command Westcombe Park " Wheatleyians Royal Aircraft Establishment West Hartlepool Whitgiftians RN. College, Greenwich Westleigh " Wimbledonians RN:V.R Westminster School " . Wycombeionsians RoyaINavyRF.U. Westoe , Qstèrley, St. Erbyn:s School Whitgift School Oxford (Town) St. Ives :w.i,mb~~9qn .CQlleg~..... c . \ ' Oxford Exiles S't. Thomas' Hospltàl Wimpey-London Airport Oxfordshire Saracens Windsor . Jesus College, Oxford 'Seaside Rovers Woolwich ~olytechnic Paignton . Seghill Worcester Penzance and N ewlyn Selfridge Worksop College Percy Park Sheffield Worth Prep. School Peterborough " . (~
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~ The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 25th June, 1Q48, were confirmed and signed. .~ "'~\. :." 'The President (MT; L. G. Brown) extended a cordial welcome to aIl representatives'atte'nding'the' ~ . Meeting and to the Press: In presenting the Annual Report for Season 1948-49, he made particular reference ;:;i' to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's Special Appeal on behalf of the National Playing Fields Association. It was a worthy cause and he hoped aH Clubs would give it their full support. He would be sendingout a s. personal reminder early next season. . E'alance Sheet, 1948-49. The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. J. R Creasey) before presenting the Ascounts for Season 1948-49 expressed appreciation and thanks to Mr. Gillespie and his Assistant and to the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and staff at Twickenham for the valuable assistance ',received during the p'ast year, and in the preparation of the Accounts. The Accounts were then pre;>enteçl and the Meeting given an opportunity to make observations. It was proposed by Mr. Wharton (Notts.) secorided by Mr. Periton (Waterloo) thatthey be Accepted. Carried unanimously. '
Election of Officèrs. Mr. L. G. Brown, the retiring President, declared the Officers of the lJnion for Season 1949-50 elected; as follows :- . " , President ... Mr. E. Watts Moses. V ice-Presidents Sir Wavell Wakefield, M.P. H. Cleaver, J.P. (, Hon. Treasurer Mr. J. R. Creasèy:' Before vacating the Chair Mr. Brown thanked the Clubs for their loyal support and for the hospitality lle had received when ?-ttending their functions where he had made many new friendships and renewed old olles. He referred to Mr. E. Watts Moses' long association with the game as player and administrator and to his loyal and valued support to the Rugby Football Union Committee sin ce 1926; to Sir Wavell Wakefield, whose Rugby Football record speaks for itself ; and to Mr. H. Cleaver who had proved his value by his great experience in all matters. He gave praise to the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. J. R. Creasey) for the very able way he has conducted the financial affairs of the Union, and to the Secretary, for the great assistance given tel him during his term of office. On takingthe Chair Mr. Watts Mosesexpressed th~gratefulthanks of the Unïori tothe -tetiring. President, Mr. L. G. Brown, Jor all his good servicesduring the past year"despite aperiod of.serious ill-health. He then referred to the widespread anxiety felt as to thestate of Rugby Football in England, and while suggesting that all too many young players appeared ignorant of the very fundamentals of the Game, urged that our immediate task must be to convert " players in quantity " into " players of quality." He felt that full opportunity is not taken of the months of September and October for serious training, and coaching, and continued : ' ," Our,'Game can compete and m-ore than hüld its own with other winter games if it is played proper:l)<\ and l therefore urge all Constituent Bodies and Clubs to lay plans for an intensification of the, early' training so that players (including particularly the many youngsters who join in Club practices before'their return to boardingschool) may be'encouraged to think for themselves, t6 develop thkir own abilities, and to become attacking-minded. " . " We will deserve heavy censure in years to come if, with knowledge of the Game's present weakness, we do not now seek the r'emedy, and even if we seeÏ10 immediate results from oùr present , campaign, we can besure, of later dividends." :: " • Improved refereeing must a'lso play its part, especially in the controi of junior games, and the voluntary basis of the Game's organisation demanded the careful choice of the right men to fill the key positions of Club Chairman and $ecretary. \ ' , "We have in our keeping agame which meets the modern longing for adventure and loyal com- radeship, and forms an imperishable link with our kinsmel). and friends across the home seas, and .1lso the t' distant oceans, and whatevet our difficulties, we must set and follow the highest of standards."
Auditors, 1949-50. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that Messrs. Gillespie Bros & Co., 43 Chandos Place, London, W.C.2, be reappointed. ' Bye-Laws. Proposed by the Committee.
BYE-LAW 40-, _ Delete presen~ Bye~Law, and substitute-- " The Committee shall appoint three or four of its number to be Trustees; iil- whose names it may from time to time invest any funds and pro perty of the Union. Such investments and property shall be held by the said Trustees or by the Survivors or Survivor of them as directed by the Committee and lJsed solely for the furtherance of the interests of Rugby Union Football." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BYE-LAW 43., Add Note :- . Rugby Football Clubs which are sections of Sports Associations (e.g., Banks;Insurance Companies, Business Houses and Works) not having separate accounts· for their Rugby Union section, are exempt from the provisions of this Bye-Law. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. '~ •• '" '~_4 ~ "" .~~_.~" ",' '-,
Proposed by Paignton R.F.C., seconded by Exmouth R.F.C.- " That the Rugby Football Union be urged to incorporate within its Rules one which would en able Constituent'Bodies to take disciplinary action against any Club failing, without just and sufficient cause, to honour its fixtures." Motion lost.
Laws of the Game. AdmiraI Sir Percy Royds explained that thefollowing changes in wording are being considered by the International Board and asked for approval for any changes which inay be adopted by them. AGREED.
LAW 2. Grounding the ~al1-delete " he is able to exert" and substitute " he exerts ". LAW 10. Disputed .Try. Where game should be restarted after a kick at goal. LAW 14. Knock-on or throw-forward-2nd para. to read :- " If the baIl is passed correctly, but a,fter alighting on the ground bounee forward of the place from which it was passed, the pass is in order". . - LAW 15. Scrummage. Introduce" centre of the tunnel" or a hetter wording for" hnes of feet" in (g), (7:) and (i). . . ' . 15 (i) to commence" While the baIl is being put in ". LAW 16. 'Tackle-para. (a)-delete " brought into play" and substitute "played with the foot ". LAW 20. Charging and Obstruction-delete last para. but one; last paragraph to commence " If the ball alights in ingoal, touch in goal, or over or on the de ad baUrine ". LAW 22. Drop-out: change paragraphs (c) to (b) ; (e) to (c) ; (b) to (d) and (d) ta (e)., LAW 24. Penalty Kick. Penalty (1), second line :-After " mark" add "where the penalty was awarded ". LAW 26. Try. Add to last para. " the defending team having the right of putting in the baIl". LAW 27. Touch. Para. 7-delete " have both feet in touch " and substitute " not put either foot into the field of play."
LAW 16. Tackle~ Add an extra paragraph to read :- " If a player in posse~sion of the ball is not sufficiently held, so that his mom~ntum ,carries him into his opponents ingoal, and he there grounds it, he shall be awarded a try, even .though the ball has touched the ground in the field of play." Rules as to Professionalism. Proposed by the Committee- Add the following NOTE to gule 2 (l)m and Rule.z (2)m :- "The ground of a Northern Union, Rugby League or other professicmal.Rugby Football organisation includes any ground regularly used throughout the season by such organisation as a home ground irrespective of its ownership." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Rule 2 (I)h, line 2, after " against " add the folloWing words: "or being coached by". Rule 2 (2)h, line 2, after " against" add the following words: "or be coached by ". CARRIEDUNANIMOUSLY.
Foreign Tours (Page 116 of R.F.U. Handbook). Proposed by the Co-mmittee- 4dd f9llowing new p;:tragraph at end- Clubs wishing to invite -teams from ·outside the Four Home Unions must obtain the consent of the Emergency Committee of this Union. In applying for such consent they must corn ply with the following conditions :- - (1) Each application must be made at least four weeks in advance. (2) If the Club be situated in a County to whom powers are delegated under the Rules as to Professionalism, the application must be accompanied by a letter of approval from the Cou nty Union. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. .
Other matters.
On conclusion of the bu~iness on the Agenda the President asked if representatives had any questions to raise. ML O'Brien (Richmond) asked that copies of the President's speech at the Meeting might be printed and circulated to Clubs. IT WAS AGREED this should be done. i . The representative of Notts Casuals R.F.C. asked the R.F.U. to use pressure ta obtain an allocation of petrol for Rugby football clubs. Sir Wavell Wakefield, M.P., replied tha:t such action was being taken. The Meeting closed with a vote of thanks ta the Chairman.
. ,. ri .. /", .. ' -... RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION ANNUAL GENERAL M'EETING, 24th June, 1949
...... R.F.C. hereby appoints
PI'O:ry's Name
to be its proxy at the above Meeting and to vote on its behalf 'tn the manner in4ica.te.cl~ h~reunder,. "."" " " ....._~_
RESOLUT10N No. "FOR," "AGAINSt," or "AT HIS DISCRETION."
1
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,------_. ------Signature of Official of above Club ...... :......
NOTE.-Attention is drawn to Bye-Iaw 12 of the R.F.U., whereby it is provided that if a Proxy Representative is employed, he must be :-
(1) a member of a club in membersbip with the Union duly appointed by that club to attend the meeting, or
(2) the elected Representative on the Rugby Union Committee of the, Constituent Body to wbich the Club is affi.liated.
The Proxy Representative must be supplied with the above nomination paper, duly completed in every respect, together with the Admission Card issued to your Club.
On a vote being taken on any question, all Proxy voters will fust be called from the body of the Hall to tables at the end thereof, where. their nomination papers and the admission card for each Club they represent will be examined.
If in order, each-.Proxy will, at the table record :- (a) the name and vote of each club for wbich he acts; and (b) the name and vote of bis own club should he be representing one. Nolitination papers and admission cards will then be retumed to him~
While tbis is being done, and while all Proxy voters are absent, a vote will be taken from' the body of the Hall by a show of hands.
The combined result of votes recorded at the tables and in the Hall will be taken to the Chairman, whose announcement will be final.
Proxy voters will then be perrnitted to return to their seats.