RUGBY DELEGATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 13

RUGBY DELEGATES.

DISCOURTESY ALLEGED. MR. MEREDITH AXD N.Z.R.U. \lsy Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") "WELLINGTON"", this day. "Many Rug-by enthusiasts in the Dominion are wondering why Mr. V. R. Meredith, the well-known Auckland selector and conch, and a prominent figure some years ago in Wellington football, both as player and .in official, has not been more prominently associated witli important events of this senson," says the Wellington ''Post.'' "At the outset of the Season he was freely mentioned as a probable selector of the New Zealand team. The time came lor 1 lie appointment of selectors, live were chosen, anil Mr. Meredith was not among the number. Subsequent events led to nn increase in the number of selectors. Two more were appointed, and again Mr. Meredith was not among the elect. His capabilities as football manager were next under notice in view of the appointment of a manager for the All Blacks, and his claims to that position I were put forward—not by himself, but | by people who recognised Air. Meredith j as a highly suitable man for the important post" The Xew Zealand Rugby Union Management Committee made no call for nominees for the position of manager of the Xew Zealand team, hut it is understood the view was held by the committee that Mr. Meredith was not available. It is known, however, that he wa3 available and that had he been approached from the right quarter he might have consented to act. "If chosen, again, for the position of delegate to the Imperial Rugby Conference to be held in London at the end of the year. Mr. Meredith was available, hut at the last moment, before the appointment of a delegate was made, he withdrew his name from the list of candidates." Correspondence which the "Post" publishes explains the reason. On May 20 Mr. Meredith wrote to the secretary of the X.Z.R.U. asking for information regarding the approximate date of departure of tho delegate. Following a mere acknowledgment from the union, Mr. Meredith wrote on June 20, again asking for particulars. There was no reply, and on July 2 Mr. Meredith wired: "Auckland Union kindly nominated mc as delegate. In view of no details of dates given mc, in reply to my two letters, impossible mc say I am available or not. Please withdraw my name from consideration." Eight days after the appointment the X.Z.R.U. secretary wrote to Mr. Meredith explaining that the committee had only vague details, and that delay in replying to his request for information was due to no intentional discourtesy, but solely to a desire to give full information when the reply was sent. Mr. Meredith this week sent a letter, in the course of which he stated: "I am not prepared to accept any such explanation as bona fide. The only explanation open is one of deliberate discourtesy, or an absolute disregard of attention to correspondence which one •would hardly expect from a body controlling our national game. The matter is closed as far as I am concerned, and I merely write this letter so that it may he definitely understood I do not for one moment accept your explanation."