RUGBY UNION.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8544, 26 July 1893, Page 6

RUGBY UNION.

A special meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union was held at the Clarendon Hotel last night. Mr G. Harris presided, and there were over thirty delegates present. c The Secretary read the letter from the Otago Union respecting their proposed northern tour and the contest between North Otago and South Canterbury, and said he had received no reply; The Chairman read a private letter he had received, endorsed by Mr Wyinka, in which the writer (Mr Milne) approved of the idea of a Conference of the three South Island Unions not affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union. He did not share the view of a South Island Union, as such a body would be open to every objection that was raised against the New Zealand Rugby Union, and if there.were a central Board of Appeal the very things objected to would be duplicated. If other Unions desired to treat with Canterbury or Otago they could do so, recognising them as independent ', Unions and vice versa.

After some discussion on the subject generally of Canterbury's position and the North Otago-South Canterbury match, Mr Jack moved—" That should the Otago Rugby Union and the Southland Union agree to a conference of delegates, this Union send at the earliest possible date two delegates to meet two delegates from each of the other two free Unions to consider the position and decide upon some concerted course of action to be pursued in the future."

Mr Mason seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mr J. Marshall took objection to the motion passed by the Union prohibiting its affiliated Clubs from playing Clubs affiliated to the N.Z.R.U.

Mr Mason considered there was room for a Union to control South Island football.

Mr Forbes took Mr Marshall's view of the position, and gave notice to move for the rescinding of the motion prohibiting Clubs affiliated to the Canterbury Union playing those affiliated to the N.Z.R.U. Mr T. S. Marshall also gave notice to move for the rescinding of the motion in accordance with which Canterbury could not play the annual match with South Canterbury.

After some discussion it was resolved that Messrs Harris and Cresswell be appointed delegates to attend the Conference at Dunedinon Saturday, the 29th inst., to discuss the position of South IslanH football

Mr Harris said he hoped the delegates would be able at the conference to come to some satisfactory plan. Canterbury had been blamed by the public, aud particularly by the New Zealand Union, it having been asserted that Canterbury had followed the Otago Union right through. He stated what had occurred respecting the formation of the N.Z.R.U. as affecting Canterbury, and expressed the hope that while Canterbury would not blindly follow Otago, she would not hesitate to support her if Otago were in the right in any proposals made by her representatives. Ou the motion of Mr Mason, seconded by Mr T. S. Marshall, Dr. Jennings was appointed a Vice-President, in the place of Dr. Moorhouse resigued. The meeting afterwards terminated.