FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16212, 15 May 1918, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL REPORT. The Canterbury Rugby Union have received a copy of tho annual report of tho New Zealand Rugby Union, to bo presented at the annual meeting in Wellington on Thursday, May 30th. Tho report 6tates that tho call for military purposes upon tho Dominion's young manhood has very considerably affected tho operations of the affiliated unions, with the result that in tho case oi tho more isolated unions and unions controlling scattered country- districts, it has been found impossible, to carry on regular competitions, and in some fow instances tho gamo was practically at a standstill last season. In most of tho larger centres, however, th© authorities wore rewarded by a gratifying measure of success, and this despite the fact that serious financial and other difficulties had to be faced. During tho year interest due and owing on mortgages had increased by £190 12a 10d, and now stood at £714 16a sd. Since the accounts were closed the Wellington Union had paid all interest due by it to date. Another matter noted is tho comparatively large amount owing for union subscriptions. Altogether the position •is such that, in tho opinion of the committee, tho remaining liquid funds of the union require to be carefully husbanded in order to prevent their further depletion. With regret the committee again comments on the fact that the .New South Wales and Queensland unions have not yet repaid the amount of £362 3s lid advanced in 1913.

Tho report records that tho following New Zealand representative players have made tho supreme sacrifice in the war:—J. Baird (1913 representative), R. S. Black (1914), H. Dewar (1913); A. J. Downing (1913-14), D. Gallagher (J903-01-05), E. T. Harper (1904-05), J. McNeeco (1913-14), G. Sellars (1913), R. Taylor (1913), F. Wilson (1910).

Dealing with the reinstatement of players question, the report states that a special general meeting of the delegates was held on Octobor 6tli • last, at Which a baro'quorum was present, to discuss certain matters brought forward by the Canterbury, -Otago, and Southland Unions, and the resolutions passed were duly forwarded to the English Union. Up to tho time of writing the- report no reply waa received. Five other proposals by the Auckland Union, which were ruled out of order by tho chairman, were by resolution of the meeting submitted to a postal vote of unions, and resulted in replies being. received from only six • unions. In these replies proposal No. 1 was rejected, Nos. 2, 3, and 5 carried, and No. 4 tied. In view of the paucity-of the replies and of tho nature of "tho communication received from the English Rugby Football' Union, the Management Committee decided to hold the matter in abeyance until tho next. annual meeting of delegates. The English Rugby Union's letter, which was signed by Mr G. Rowland Hill, ■ for tho Emergency Committee, reads as follows:— "Reinstating of players:—l hare consulted the members of our Emergency. Committee respecting the resolution passed at +he annual meeting of the delegates of your union. They feel that the time is iiot opportune to deal with the matter; they consider that it would be premature to do so until the war is over. Our committee will then be prepared to give tho most anxious and thoughtful consideration to tho subject. I think that your committee will approve of tho course we are taking." Commenting upon this, the report sayß: — "Your _ committee is emphatically of opinion that, in view of the conditions existing in New Zealand and also—but in a greatly aggravated degree—in other parts of the Empire, the time is not opportune for the formulation of proposals having for their object tho revision either of the laws of the game or the rules of professionalism, <xr, in fact, any proposals of far-reaching importance." The committeo rogret to record that at their last meeting Mr H. Gray tendered his resignation as a member of tho committeo on account of pressure of business. Tho . balance-sheet shows receipts £374 9s 83, expenditure £177 JJn 7d, assets £9348 0s 2d.

As_ on the occasion of the last annual meeting, tho Management Committee will recommend that no delegates' expenses be paid by tho Union. There are two motions by the Canterbury Union to bo dealt with by tho annual meeting, as follows:-—

"That in future the headquarters of the New Zealand Rugby Union shall not be stationary in Wellington as at present, but shall be located for a period of three years in each of the four centres in rotation; the transference of the headquarters from Wellington to somo other centro to tako effect this season."

(2) "That this meeting of delegates is strongly of the opinion that the New Zealand Rugby Union should have vested in it tho right to reinstate any player who may have broken his amateur status bymeans other than those of accepting monetary payment in connexion with the game; further, it strongly urges the incoming executivo to exercise the power of reinstatement during the current season, imd to inform the English Union of its intention in "the matter." CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION.' Tho committee of tho Canterbury Rugby Union met last evening, Mr' S. F. Wilson presiding. Tho Christ's College Club applied for permission to play members over ago in the Fourth Grade competition. Mr Dey said the Competitions Committee was making the age limit hard and fast. It was decided to reply to this effect, and refusing the application. Tho Little River Football Club wrote asking the committee to arrange matches between it and town, teams. They were prepared, they said, to play senior and third, grade combinations. Mr H. B. Gray wrote intimating that h® could not act as the Canterbury Union's representative on the New Zealand Rugby Union this year. It was decided to write thanking- Mr Gray for his past services, and regretting that bo was unable to see his way to continue holding tho position. It was decided to leave in tho hands of the Union's delegates the appointment of a successor to Mr Gray. The president (Mr 5\ T. Evazs), and Messrs F. D. K eater en and C. Buchanan, or A. Dey, were appointed the Union's delegates to the meeting. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Seniors—Maris ts v. Old Boys, Show Grounds, Mr H. C. "Watson; Linwood v. Albion-Addington, Sydenham Park, Mr Hortaan; Mcrivale v. Cnristchurch, Show Grounds, Mr L. Selwood. Second Grade—Old Boys v. 'Varsity, Old ■"Oya. ground, Mr H.' C. Wileon; Merivale v. Lincoln College, Polo' grounds, Mr A. Martin.

Third Grade—Albion-Addington v. 'Belfast, Polo grounds, Mr E. G. VTatkins; Sydenham v. Linwood. Lintoood Park, Mr J. Mercer; Christchurch v. Old Boys, west ground, Mr A. R. Blank.

Fourth Grade—Boys' H.S. v. Maruto: BJI.S. ground, Mx A. E* DssUi Baowzft

v. Technical, Merival<> ground, Mr E. LutFi'flh Grade —Sydenham v. Marists, Marist ground, Mr H. i\ Fuller.