VISIT OF AN ENGLISH TEAM. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 42

VISIT OF AN ENGLISH TEAM. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, September 5. At the meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union Committee to-night the quesi tion of getting the English team that is coming to New South Wales to visit the colony was considered. A cable had appeared in ■ New Zealand papers staling that owing to the

shortness of time the team could not come here. The New , Zealand Rugby Union thereupon wrote again to the New South • Wales Union asking for further particulars. The secretary of the New South Wales Union has now written stating that the English team's manager had heard that little or no I money could be made by taking the team to I IN'cw Zealand, and he had, unfortunately, to back him up in that seeing that the New Zealand Union had stated its unwillingness to have the team, except on the terms that New Zealand paid all expenses to and from Sydney, but would give nothing towards the heavy expenditure which the New South Wales Union had 5 undertaken in bringing the team to Australia. All the matches to be played were, he paid, 1 eft in the hands of the New South Wales Union, and if the New Zealand Union was prepared to submit a proposal his , union would consider it. The reagon' assigned 111 the newspapers as to shortness of time was given by him "in consideration of your union." A circular letter stating the facts of the case is to be sent to the various New Zealand unions. As the team is not a representative all England one, it is doubtful whether the New Zealand Union would be justified in taking any- financial risk on its shoulders beyond tho payment ot actual expenses to and from and through New Zealand. The New South Wales Union want something more ' than this, so it is -\ cry doubtful if the present English team will come to this colony.