LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19317, 23 May 1928, Page 12

LEAGUE.

BRITISH TEAM. (tntITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BT ELECTBIO MLEOBAPH—COPYRIGHT.) FREMANTLE, May 22. The English Rugby League team arrived by the mail-boat Cathay.—Australian Press Association. COST OF TOUR. (FHOlt OTTO OVl* COaaiSPOHMHT.) LONDON, April 18. - In the present number of the "Athletic News" some idea is given of the cost of the forthcoming Rngby League tour. Tours to Australia and New Zealand Involve a heavy initial outlay (says the writer), the estimated cost per man being from £420 to £430. This means that £12,000 must be secuted before income balances expenditure. Each member of the touring team receives £1 per week on board ship, and an allowance of £2 weekly on land. In addition, a grant of £lO per man will be made prior to leaving Australia and New Zealand for Home. Players dependents have compensation from the date of departure to the time of return at the rate of £2 per week for the wife, with 7s 6d per week for each child under the age of 14. Other dependents of the players have had their cases considered individually, and suitable allowances have been made by the Council. One-third share of the profits of the tour will be divided amongst the 26 players on the profits shown by the official auditors. A successful tour, as in 1924, will mean that each player may reoeive a bonus of £9O to £IOO. The, bonus is subject to fines for misconduct, ami is provided for in each player's agreement. The First Match. From Tilbury to Liverpool, the round journey, inclusive of travel in Australia and New Zealand, will approximately be 29,000 miles, Melbourne will be reached on May 28th, and Sydney on May S Ist. Oertain players will disembark at Melbourne, for the first match of the tour Is to be played at Cootamunda on May 30th, and the first big clash is fixed for Saturday, June 2nd, when the English players face New South Wales at Sydney. The players thus have very little time for preparation and the finding of their "land legs" before the serious business of the tour commences, but in this respect the 1928 combination is similarly situated to previous touring teams.