THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13131, 2 June 1908, Page 7

THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

ADMISSION CHARGES.

OTAGO UNION TAKES A FIRM STAND. U*RESS ASSOCIATION TEL-GRAMA.." WELLINGTON, June 1. Tho Management Committee of th© Now ZeaJaml i-ugby Union has replied as follows to the Utago Union's protest against th© charge of two shillings at tho test-, match next Saturday :—■ "After fully considering, committee still contddors charges reasonable, in view importance of o-cu-iu_ aud additional expenses. Test matches charges same as test match 1004. On suggestion several Unions charges tlioir local matches been fixed two shillings." DUNEDIN, Ju.no 1. Tho Mayor (Mr J. McDonald) this morning telegraphed to the secretary of tho New Zealand Rugby Unioro, protesting against the minimum charge of two shillings for admission to tho ground next Saturday, and asking that tli© amount bo reduced to ono shilling. His Worship intimated that in the event of the request being refused, it was probable that an indignation mooting of citizens would bo held. Tho Hon. J. A. Millar sent a lengthy telegram to the Otago delegates on tho New Zealand Union (Messrs R. D. Isaacs and A. Lau-ren_on) and put tho position very strongly, urging that the public ought to have the right of admission for one shilling. Late this afternoon tho Minister received a joint reply from Messrs Isaacs and Laurenson :—"Committee re-considered matter; cannot see their way to alter charges." At a meeting of tho Otago Union this evening tho question of the charge fixed by the New Zealand Union for Saturday's test match came up for consideration, and after a discussion, unanimous as to tho need for protest, the following motion was moved by MrG. McLaren and seconded by Mr W. J. Wilson:—"Tliat the New" Zealand Rugby Union be informed that the feeling of both the committee amd the public is so strong that unless the Union reduces tho ground entrance charge, this committee will consider tho advisability of declining to take control of th© match." Th© motion was carried unanimously. PENINSULA v. NORTH CANTERBURY. Th© Peninsula Sub-Union held a trial match on Saturday, with a view of selecting a team to play the North Canterbury Si-b-Union at the Canterbury Rugby Union "Country Day" on Juno 4th, at La_caster Pork. Tho selectors havo chosen the following:—Full back, C. Mason; threequarters, R. Spoon-er, R. Mason, C. Moore; five-eighth 6, L. Mcintosh, E. Mason; half, H. Hemingway; forwards, A. Moore, A. Ware, A. McKay, E. Williams, W. Jacobson, D. Barwiok, J. Fiynn, P. Wilkiiis (wing). Emergencies, V. Craw (forward), liarnett (back). Mr D. Cunningham was appointed! manager of the team. NORTH CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. The following will re-present the N.C.R.U. against th© Peninsula Union at Christchurch on Thursday, J un© 4th: —Blewitt, Pachnatz, Vaughan, Haanilton, Cressweil, Feary, Rhodes, Blunden, Tipping, W. Barrett, Nielsen. Bryce, Jordan, Blackwc-1; and C Barrett. REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. A meeting of tho Aesooiatiotn was held last evening. Mr H. E. Hiddles_one was in tho chair, anther© was a good' attendance. The Executive recommended tho election of Messrs A. H. NoaJl and W. C. Templeton, and the reoamonendation waa agreed to. Mr R. W. Barry, the Association's represen tativo at the annual meeting, of the Now Zealand) Reforees' Association, forwarded a report of the proceedings, and it was decided to thank him. Three now members were nominated for election. A general discussion on tho rules followed . The return match, Cheviot v. Waiau, will be played on the McKenzie Domain next Saturday. The last game ended in a draw, and os the two tearms aro fairly even, a splendid game is expected. The Waiau players are to bo ontertained at dinner, and later in the evening at a smoke concert. Tho following havo l>een selected to represent Cheviot:—F. Wilkinson, Latt, MoAdam. Madden. B. Wilkinson, Tweedio, T. Wilkinson, T. Loa.man, M. Oostelo, Poulteney, Arnst, W. Castello, B. Leaman, McLeodi, and Payne. Mr S. Baird will be referee.

(I>RESS ASSOCIATION TE__GRA_t_.j WELLINGTON, June 1. Tho Management Committee of the Now Zealaml itugby Union has replied as lollows to tho Utago Union's protest against the charge ot two shilluigs at tho test match next Saturday : —■ ••After fully considering, committee still con_ddors charges reasonable, in view importance of occasion- ami additional expenses. Test matches charges same as test match 1004. On suggestion several Unions charges tlieir local matches been fixed two shillings." DUNEDIN, June 1. Tho Mayor (Mr J. McDonald) this morning telegraphed to the secretary of tho New Zealand Rugby Unioro, protesting against the minimum charge of two shillings for admission to the ground next Saturday, and asking that tlie amount bo reduced to ono shilling. His Worship intimated that i.r> tho event of the request being refused, it was probable- that an indignation mooting of citizens would bo held. Tho Hon. J. A. Millar sent a lengthy telegram to the Otago delegates on the New Zealand Union (Messrs It. D. Isaacs and A. Laurenson) and put tho position very strongly, urging that the public ought to havo tho right of admission for one shilling. Late this afternoon tho Minister received a joint reply from Messrs Isaacs and Laurenson :—"Committee re-considered matter; cannot see their way to alter charges." At a meeting of tho Otago Union this evening the qu-estion of the charge fixed by the New Zealand Union for Saturday's test match came up for consideration, and after a discussion, unanimous as to the need for protest, the following motion was moved by MrG. McLaren and seoond-ed by Mr W. J. Wilson:—"That the New" Zealand Rugby Union be informed that the feeling of both the committee and the public is so strong that unless the Union reduces tho ground entrance charge, this committee will consider tho advisability of declining to take control of the match.'' The motion was carried unanimously.