FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 169, 17 July 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

A NEW ZEALAND PLAYER. IN TIIK BNGI.iSn TEAM. - AX EXPLANATION. fomment havlnir been made upon the ia.-t that S. lliruKlrton. a Hawkcs ltaj player, and a son of Mr Houghton, the manager of tue ISritish tourln» tea«i. was allowed to piny for the Englishmen asaiust Wellington last .Saturday, the matter was explained .ta a meeting of the ('oiinell of Management of the New Zealand Leajrue last evening.

The president (Mr J. Carlaw). and the chairman ot committee Olr I>. W. McLean), who visited Wellington to welcome the visitors, explained that Houghton was allowed to play purely out of a spirit or sportsmanship. When the proposal was first mooted objection was raised, but when it was poluted out that the Englishmen's injured list was so formidable that they could only put twelve men in the Held, they .consented to lloughtou playing.

The Canterbury League, which had declir.pd to undertake the proposed mid-week natch at Christehureh on the plea that It would not be Ununclolly sneeessful. wrote to the Council, pointing out thnit as the fllrllish tpam was not due in Melbourne until August 1.-, th. It would be possible to arrange a Saturday match for Christclmrell. The letter suggested that a sufficient number of visitors tr/Ehi remain in ?.>»• 7.\nland. play on the Sth. and then depart from the TilufT.

Tbe sturirestion was left In the bands of the president and Mr tsieeson, the Canterbury delegate, who will interview the English managers.

Arising out of a rllrsensslon on tho forthcoming ninf.li between New Zetland and the Englishmen at Auckland, the Council decided to endeavour to get alt tbe New KcaTand players in Auckland by Monday niorninft. July 2Ttb. for a week's training, to employ a trainer, ami. If possible, to arrange a mid-week scratch game. Mr A. Ferguson was appointed referee fflr the match.