FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19691, 7 August 1929, Page 16

FOOTBALL.

- ■ ■■ ♦ THE RUGBY GAME. KOTOS AND COMMENTS. [By OuNwuMi.; Yfct Canterbury Hugby Union is to be <>n thv «ui'cmii of its which, commencing M July 24th, were brought to a con•lailoii on hnCimluy evening last. The Union dill It* beit to r«jr<,guise (he ef fort* of nil who have »"-»i'«t.ed in ti.nl.i g tl» gnim in pi.q>iilnr flit it in to-day. It •Mt#rt.>m-"t (.Irivrix unci ulhci.-fs •1 • Mnoke .concert en July 21th, and •It the iN'riiaioit of the 1'.1.V n v. < oiln Iry match, three Int« later, pn vided JweuU it lid tin evening lit the Opera llou* to the Maori* who had partici]«trd In ili«> curtain rai-ier mutch, and in haka* and p«i On Saturday ■ I'ttmmtf la,ml a Minokr concert was given te put and prenenr referees. The J übi !c>' ii**rr ill the Winter Oarden was a great imiTd, repriwentiitivea being pre e*«t from the New Zealand, Auckland, Wellington, and Or ago I'ltions, all of *rbum Joia«-d in cotigrnUi'iitim; the fsatertiury 11 a to a pon what it has done for tli» furtherance hi the game since • he Union's establishment in IH7i>. It was fitting that the Jubilee year should lav* •ecu the ottirril epennig of Kisgbv I'ark, Ht. Alba Hi, where no doubt many •Hiring (HtMta will b«t ntaged in the Iwtur#. The mo a luipresutive ceremony •f all, howaver, wti the church parade an fittaday, July 2Mti, when more than 19(0 ami aad lad* rmr lied to King Ed ward Barrack.* to hear appropriate clo MMlit B.i<lr<-iiH« delivered by ltishop West-Wstiion and the Kcvs. N. L. I> WebeUr, L, II N'«« le, and J. K. Archer. Mratlm must itltto be made of the .J übi lea Ball in the Winter lia-den ori Thursday avcuing lust, whieli was as big a •KMtMia a» the other events, and of the invitation extended to e* representative plamce and lady friend* to attend the Mia Lancaster I'ark match on Hatur 4*y aad partake of afternoon tea. It b* said of the officials responsible thai tboy carried out the whole of the eelabraiiena in a manner fitting to the dlfity of the oldest Union in New Baalaarl sou trolling the national game. Om of tan bear* it said of a defeated team, "If »o and »o had been playing tar them they would not have been A good example of this is to be Man la the record of Meriva'e this aaaena. At the end of the timt round tltti team wa» definitely In the running fat the Senior A tirade competition, befasf level, with 7 points, with Old Bajra, the next on the list being Albion •■4 Chrlatehureh, with 5 points each. Tim •err lees of t'. Oliver were available la Mat of the matches in the first round, bat la none of them no far in the •seea< round, and it im from this point thai the team fell from grace, being dafeated la the second round to date •• ao fewer than three occasions. On Jeljr oth 'Varsity defeated them by i points to 7, and on July 20th Albion fc«t (Iwm by 11 points to 3, the climax •earing when Went <'hristchurch Old Bays accounted for them on Saturday ■net by 11 points to 9. The only two wmsUsi tin which Merivale have won lt» tba aeeond round were on July 13th, Wfceat they defeated Lin wood by 20 patnis to 11, and on July 20th, when ifcay Wat Technical Old Boys by 20 patata to mil. High Sehool Old Boys art •aw a elaar point in the leau froui tJl»ri»tehar«-li, although the former have played a match leaa, and are a point and • half ah aad of Albion and Merivale llMai, however, have still to play f mill ia the irst round against 'Var •itjr. Tfce report that Bouthland, which la aaftad for Us robust forwards, is to ba represented by a formidable pack ia Ik* ft rat representative game at Lan•aefter Park this season against Cantorbarjr, will no doubt recall memories of Mm Mtch between the two provinces at Cfcrklmitnreit la 11>25. At half-time tba ecor* was 13 to 3 in favour of Cantarbary, thanks largely to the good ■bowing of the Eed and Black rearguard. la the second spell, however, MM Marooaa displayed a remarkable ••varaal of form, their forwards, a partMterljr baavy paek, including Geoff .Alley, who la now a member of the taaal 'Vanity team, dominating the (MM, and playing with great vigour. Ia this spoil Bouthland scored nine ■Miiata, while Canterbury could not add I* febalr score, and were fortunate in wtealag. So many Canterbury playara war# injured in this Miab that when the side lined out agpiaat liawka's Bay in the northern ■Mviaa# a few days later to do battle fat tba Banfurly Bhield they were de aarlbad as being a lot of "crocks." Mavartbalasa, the Canterbury team made a btara showing in the circumstances, Ma* b«aten only by 84 points to 18. Vttltoa was very sound at full back far Ohrutchurch on Saturday, and a player of his experience must stand a rat ehaaea of being among the fifteen go la (jaest of the Shield. Daaadia has a great competition this faa.r, Kaikormi and University A still •baura the top rang on the ladder, and tba play off is set down for Snturday. Bath teams won their matches on •stsWUjr, University A overwhelming (hniharn. by 27 points to S, and Kaikorai defeating Pirates, 13 1).. Thtf latter put ■f » fairly good game, but the display •f football wan not very interesting. 1* waa mostly hard forward work, with a abort passing bout now and again amongst the back*. Fataaa are making a bid for the Wei ttagtoa shampionship, and are now only points behind University, the lawlarii. Old Boys went down to Fetone •a. Saturday at Athletic Park, the score lying M-17 in favour of the latter. Mark Xhhvllm was the genius of the Pstoae «ld« at centre, and his dazzling •Mo-stepping and dummying made open tags for scores which practically won tb« watch for Petone in the first spell. Ita ricked a knee and was replaced by My ia the second spell. It mm Takarangi, one of the ffcrawdMt judges of a footballer Rugby ia* «*er known, who brought Nepia Mlt wa full-back, and made the daze■tag Maori player's name a byword in •♦•ry eonatry where ttugby is played. It happened like this: In one of the •wwy trial matches which were pin ved Iwfora the li>24 All Blacks left for Engmmd on tba tour which proved triumphant, Napla was selected to play fiveaighth*. Ra played and played poorly. A«lor tba game, Takarangi said: "Nepia ■■■•*• i*o-olghths, his place is fullJaai." <to selectors were astounded. Ifayla a f»ll-ba«kf The idea was too alumni Bat Takarangi won his point, MM la tba next trial match, George Mapta ulayed full-back and gave a brilnaat display. He wa* chosen to go to SMftaad, and Takarangi smiled. fWl«w*trs of Rugby are wondering Wbat I* going to happen to New Z a laad s scrum formation. Nothing at all •lay happen, for those in authority may «aaai4*r that New Zealand s own inven♦loa, the 2-3-2 serum, will prevail against tie Kaghshmen next year as it 414 in Wti. but we have had sharp lease as from Houth Africa and Aus'ivatta since then fhange must not lie Md« lightly, and It should be made at tba proper time. It will b« little use •'yittg (o alter t e ics half-way hrough tba Saglish tour if our scrum lets fai'ed, tNMtaaso constant practice is needed in •ay formation to obtain efficiency. Tha

teat of this efficiency must be ability to get the ball, for, without it dominance is lost, but it has not yet been proved that the 2 3-2 scrum fails in this reapert. There have been disconcerting signs, but nothing more. It would appear that eight men would have more command in a scrum than seven, because of the preponderance in weight, but this is not universally true for more important than mere weight is the way it is applied. How often have a team of light forwards been seen to outplay he:i.iiT opponents in the tight because they pack better ami use their weight properly. J low often too, have a pack of proviu eial or even international forwards been Been, whose serum formation is painful to watch. Their packing is ill-balanced, the players do not get down quickly enough, and do not apply their wtight when or where they should, with the result that the factors on which the --.'5-2 scrum depends for its effect are missing. These faults, not the formation itself, have been largely responsible for the itiftieultios which recent All H'ack teams have encountered. The whole idea behind our scrum formation is that of a wedge, but if that wedge lacks thrust then it is usel ss. The 2-3-2 scrum is a formation whero all the t'orc-e applied is designed to converge at one I point, but it is very easy to upset this arrangement. Then such a scrum develop i into a rabble. The 3-2-3 scrum,, at its best, is a much more cumbers ni.; instrument, but it lias the advantage of brute strength which, if the ball is not hooked, can combine to push the other side off it and thus obtain possession. This also obtains in tight play generally where there are no set serums, for the extra forward will make his presence felt there. Then there is the question of the wing-forward who, sooner or later, seems doomed. When this tune comes the logical place for him seems to be in the scrum. The wedge formation, on which New Zealand forwards have made their reputation, is sound in principle, but if our forwards have lost or have failed to perfect the art of using it, then it would lie better to try some other where the weight of our lusty New Zealand scruminagers would have more effect. The efficiency of the wedge cannot he doubted if it is used sensibly, but to do that every unit in that wedge must be a specialist in his job, just as much as every link in the rearguard. There has been a tendency to think that a good footballer {(laying at the back of the scrum can straightway be transferred to the front, and there do justice to the task demanded of him. Morivalo were clearly not up to their usual form in their game against West Old Hoys on the west ground at Lam-aster Park, although in the coneluding stagey of the match it looked as if they might turn the tables on their opponents. Indeed, had they commenced their spurt earlier in the game they might nave proved victortous, for they were attacking strongly when the final whistle blew. Rhodes had bad luck in his penalty kick just before the conclusion. It was hik« r from a very difficult angle and only just failed to clear the bar, otherwise Merivale would have won by a point. It was not until the last quarter ot an hour that the Merivale backs found themselves, and when they did they played well. Howe made a few good attempts, but had no opportunities t<> speak of. Norrie, Davies, and Broanan were also playing a useful game. For West Old Bovs Chinnery was a valuable man on the wing and F.de (centre) was a shining light. Roberts, the full-back, was always sound. The five-eitrhths were not going too well West Old Boys' strength lay in the open loose rushes of the forwards, among whom Blyth was prominent.

THE ALL BLACKS.

TEAM'S CONDUCT PRAISED. MANAGER'S REVIEW OF TOUR. [THB PRESS Bpeclal Service.] AUCKLAND, August 6. New Zealand have won the Rugby Tests in Australia if it had been able to field the best team available from the players on tour. That is the opinion of the manager of the 1929 All lilacks (Mr J. MeLeod), who arrived back with the team by the Ulimaroa trom Sydney this afternoon. Sickness and an exceptional number of injuries made the team travel with a tremendous handicap. Mr MeLeod said there might have been a very different story in the Test matches if Nepia, Carleton, Oliver, Lilburae, Dalley, and Porter hat) been able to play in the whole series. "Rugby has improved tremendously over in New Soutn Wales," said Mr MeLeod. "The backs were clever and they had fast breaking forwards. Our main trouble was that we lost our star players from the key positions. Dalley, Nepia. Porter, and Oliver were great losses." Asked about his reported statement in Australia that the 1929 All Blacks compared with any team that had ever left New Zealand, Mr MeLeod said he contended that the best fifteen that could have been chosen would have comjpared favourablv with any New Zealand team, but that fifteen had never taken the field. He still maintained that. He said the Australians have shown distinct improvement and the New Zealand selectors will have to rea'ise that this team was chosen without trial matches. The tour took place at the psychological moment as far as Rugby in Australia was concerned, Mr MeLeod continued Their Ru«by was hard, but clean, and the team were given a great reception by the crowd. While the team were touring they made a good impression everywhere they went. In fact, when in Queensland the whole of the Warrington district changed over from the League to the Rugby Union game. That was a wonderful tribute in itself. Mr MeLeod went on to talk about the individual plavers. He said that Lilburne, who played wonderful football, was as good a five-eighth as New Zealand had seen for a long time. Hte was really magnificent. Oliver was very clever and was full of tricks. Dallev was the real star in the only gnme he played, but the whole trouble with the team was the fact that, after losing Dalley, they had no half-back of real class Tuck was quite a good plaver. but he was not a half-back, and f.evs was not tin to standard. The main cause of the loss of the Tests was that the team had no safety link between the forwards and the barks. Stringfellow made a very fine job of the full-back position, said the manager. He played well all through Hook, as usual, was very erratic. MoWilliams played fine football and was very popular with the crowd. Palmer and Snow also did well. The most improved and most promising player wns Oottrell, th« Canterbury hooker. Mahoney, the youngest of the team, a real iriant, had creat possibilities. Mr \lcLeod could not say too much of the hospitality extended to the team. He also spoke highly of the team itself, saving that nobody oould ever have travelled from New Zealand with a better lot of men. They were gentlemanly and "good mixers." "1 did not have to do any managing, in fact they almost managed me," he said with a smile. "It was said in New Zealand," Mr MeLeod remarked, "that Oliver had no defence. He stopped everything that came his way in Australia, but the real hero of the tour was Lilburne. In my opinion, he ia just starting to

be a New Zealand captain. Porter was splendid and had a great influ ence with the boys. We missed him Imdiy in the big ma^es." It was a pitv. Mr .\lei>eod said, that the team had h;:d to travel the long .journey to Melbourne after the firsi Test, then go l)aek to Brisbane for the second, and plav the third at Sydney on Saturday. That was a great mistake. It was the only tiling about the whole tour that was badly arranged, but experiment had to be tricxi. Mr MeLeod said that Tommy Lawton, old as he is, played wonderful football He was well served by a clever liali-back. "It is a great pity that we can't play a match against a Maori team as was suggested.said Mr MeLeod, f 'but there are too many injuries among the players. Luckily, most of them have shown a great improvement on the trip across. Unfortunately, Da Hey may not he able to play again this season." The team was officially welcomed home by the Auckland Rugby Union and a telegram was received from the New Zealand Rugby Union. "There is -ine thinn I would like to <--ay." said the Hon Mr Farrar. Minister for Labour. Industries, and Commerce, in New South Wales, when he arrived by the Uliniaroa, "and that is about your footballers who have just completed an Australian tour. They are a very fine, manlv lot of men, and in addition to meeting them on hoard on tiiis trip I saw them plav in all throe matches. They are as fine a team as 1 have ever seen and have done much credit to New Zealand both on and off the field." CANTERBURY UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. Tlio Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union met last night, when there were present: Messrs A. E. McPhail (.chairman), A. Duggan, E. V Phillips, W. Maxwell, V. Ij. Jensen, W. Britten, St. J. J. Dunne, A E. Flower, C. S. McCully, A. Barrett, S. F. Wilson, L. Thomson, R. W. Britton, J. K. Moloney, and Dr. W. S. Seed. The Canterbury Rugby League wrote congratulating the Union on the attainment of its jubileo. The letter was received The Peninsula Rujjby Union wrote a&iee ing to the representative match against a Senior B Canterbury team being played at Little River on August 2-lth. The Town Clerk (Mr J 8. Neville) wrote complaining of matches being played on water-lodged grounds. 'file letter was received. Mr T. R. Burns, representative of the Kin;,' Country Rugby Union, wrote requesting that the Canterbury representative team play against that Rugby Union on the northern tour Mr Wilson said the team might manage a match on a Tuesday, but such a procedure might mean playing four matches in a week. The chairman: You have no idea how pleased the King Country people would be to see a Canterbury team there. The secretary was instructed to get in touch with the Tourist Department in order to see if travelling arrangements co-ild be made to enable the match to be played The North Canterbury Sub-Union wrote agreeing to play a match, North Canterbury junior v. president's representatives, at Loburn on August '24 th, the proceeds of the match to go to the Plunket Society. On behalf of the Competitions Committee, Mr W Britten reported that it had been necessary to do a certain amount of shuffling of matches so as to make it easier to find *he winner of the Senioi A grade competition. Accordingly, three teams, Chriatchurcli. West Old Boys, and Sydenham. had been given byes. Only two Saturdays were left in -vhich to complete the competition. The committee might have to declare a winner without playing the match between Albion and 'Varsity, held over from the first round. Mr Wi'son: What about the Payne trophy match? We will have to find a date for that. Mr Britten said that if Old Boys beat Meriyale on Saturday the committee would probably be able to come to a decision in the matter; if. however, Merivale won, the position would be complicated. It waa decided to suggest to the Otago Union that the Payne trophy match be plared on August 21st. Mr W Britten undertook to see whether the Sydenham or West Old Boys team would bo ab'e to play a match at Glentunnel on Saturday next. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was decided to make a grant of £3 3s to the Sydenham Club in con ncxion with its night training ground. It was decided to re uest the Referees' Association to set up a sub-committee of three to confer with three representatives of the Union to go into questions affecting the relationship of the two bodies. It was decided to make nrrangements for an athletic meeting of Rugby Clubs, to be held at Lancaster Park on August 31st Draw for Saturday. Senior A —Menvale v. High School Old Lancaster i'ark Oval, A. H. Henderson; Aluion v. Lmwooa, Lancaster .tar* 6outh, J. K. Murpfty; Technical Old Boys v. Varbity, liaucaster Park West, A. J. Masou; a bye; West Old Boys, a bye; Sydenham, a bye. Senior B —High School Old Boys v. Linnood, Wooiston i'ark, K. W. Biazey; Merivale v. t>unuyt.ide, Sunnyaide, O. Schmidt; Old Collegians v. Kuiapoi, Kaiapoi No. 1, A. F. Ko.linson; Training College v. North Canterbury, 'Kangiora No. 1, J. Clarkson; St. Andrew's Old Boys v. Albion, Albion No South Park, E. E. Mayes; Christchurch v. 'Varsity, Show Grounds No. 1, W. Smythe. Junior I. —Sydenham v. Christchurch, Sydenham Park, C. W. Beattie; Albion v. Merivale, St. Albans Park No. 1, R. Duncan; Varsity v. Linwood, Linwood Park, M. L. Higgins; Technical Old Boys v. High School Old Boys, High School Old Boys' ground. No. 12, North Park, J. T. Gwynne; West Old Boys, a bye. Junior 11.—Merivale v. Technical O'd Boys, Ensor's road, S. Hollander; North Canterbury v. Old Collegians, Polo No. 1, South Park, R. Kennedy; High School Old Boys v. 'Varsity, Lancaster Park Oval, 1.15 sharp, J. HamptonAranui v. y.M.C.A., Y At.C.A. No. 23, North Park, L. Heap, Christchurch v. Linwood, Christchurch ground, Beckenham Park, C. Crozier. Junior lll.—Kaiapoi v. Sydenham, Show Oronnds No. 2. J. Gordon; Hieh School Old Boys v. Christchurch, Christchur-h No. 27. North Park, E. Rudkin; Albion v. Richmond, Richmond Park. A. Smale; West Old Boys v. Aranui, 215 Wainoni road. R. Spooner; St. Andrew's Old Boys v. Papanui, St. Andrew's College No. 2, L. A. Keys; New Brighton v. Training College, New Brighton, E. Empson. I President's I.—Technical Old Boys v. I Chris'chnrch. Christchurch No. 7, North Park. R. K. Hawkings; 'Varsity v. Christ's Ool'ejte. Christ's Co'lesre. R. T. Bailey; Merivale v. Bovs' Hi<*h S hoo\ Straven road No. 1. K. H. Perrin: St. Bede's v. St. Andrew's rVltpgiv St Androw's College. A. Thompson; Hi<rh School Old Boys, a bye. Prosidpnt's Tl.—Alb : on v. Merivale, Albion ground, Beckenham Park, N. Steel; I T?iccnrton v. Bromley. Polo No. 2, South I Pn-k. W MrLan"M»n: Richmond v. H'erh School Old Boys, School Old Roys No. ?*5. North PurTc. S. f l . Mnmv: Halswell v. Christohnrch. Polo No. 3. South Pprk, J. McOnrmn k: T»chnic«l v. Christ's Collesre, Techn''cM Old Boys No. 13 North Park, A._ E. Ludfcke. President's TTl.—Boys' H'rh School v. I No»th Canterbury. Rin" : ori No. 2. Tj. C. I Hnhbs: Rnmner v. H : ;rh School Old Boys, | Sumner. E. E LuttrMl: Srd°nham v. Lin"•ood Opnwn Park No. 2, H. E. Radley; a bve. Under 17—Hi~h School Old Boys v. Technical Old O'd Bovs" eronnd. Barrington street C. : Bovr' Hisrh Schoo' v. Merivale, Merivnle No. 14. North Park. •T. Menries: Chr'stchnr~li v. Sydenham. Polo No 4. South Pnrk. W. Harman; Linwood A ▼. West Old Bovs. West Old Boys. Barrinsrtnn street. C. Hegarty; North Canterbnrv v. Papanni. Rangiora No. 3. F. Sinclair; Linwood B v. Kaiapoi, Polo No. 5, South Park, .T. TI Kin-i. Undfr 16—Linwood v. Sydenham, Linwood No. 24 North Park. S. Turnlmll: Boys' High School v. Richmond 'Varsity No. 5, North Park. D. Bnrrett; Merivale v. Technical, Opawa Park No. 1, J. Bradshaw; Sumner, a bye. Under 15—Technical Old Boys B v. West Old Boys, Christchurch No. 7. North Park. 1.30 p.m., C. G. Crawford: Technical Old Boys A v. Merivale. Merivale No. 6. North Park. 1.30 p.m., M. Campbell: Boys' Hi?h School A v. Boys' Hisrh School B, Hich School Old Boys' ground. No. 12 North Park. 1.30 p.m.. W. S. Baverstock.

ELLESMERE V. PENINSULA.

The following is the Ellesmere team to defend a challenge from the Peninsula SubUnion for possession of the Southhridge Shield next Saturday. at Southhridge:— Win? forward. D. Robb; hookers. R. Ander son N. Withell; lock, K. Johnston; supports, M. Ryan, G. Thompson; back row, L. Ebert, J. Hutchison; half, V. Mason; five-eighths. L. Payne. R. J. Carleton; three-quarters, G. Ridden. J. Williamson. T. Wheeler full-back, T. Howatson. Emergencies: Forwards, P. Burkett, P. Davies, C. G'lbert; backs. J. Loader, J. Coop. Mr W. C. Beamsley is manager of the team, and Mr W. S. McLaughlin will referee.

malvern sub-union. Th« following are the results of Saturday's senior matches: —Hororata 3, Glen tunnel 3 • Kirwee won by default from Sheffield A; Springfield XI, Sheffield B 0; Darfield • b vp. *Th« following the position of th» teams:— p w D L pts Glentunnel .. 12 9 2 X 20 Hororata .. 11 7 22 X 6 Springfield . . 11 8 Sheffield A '"??■? T 5 Kirwee ' * f * £ ■ Darfield .. 11 1 X 9 8 Sheffield B .. 11 X The following are games for next Saturdav:—■ Seniors —Darfield v. Kirwee (Rev. Theo Paterson). Sheffield B v. Hororata (Mr Hisht); Springfield v. Sheffield A (Mr Bergh), Glentunnel a bye. NORTH CANTERBURY SUB-UNION The following are the results of matches played last Saturday:— Seniors —Oxford 9 beat Woodend 6; Oust 22 beat Loburn 14; Glenmark 10 beat Tuahiwi j ti; Kowai beat Ohoka by default. j Positions of teams —Oxford 22 points. Glenmark 15, Cust 14, Woodend 11, Tuahiwi i 10. Loburn 9, Kowai 9. and Ohoka 2. Juniors —Oxford 14 beat Amberley 0. The draw for Saturday is:— Seniors —Oxford v. Tuahiwi, Mr C. : Feary; Glenmark v. Cust, Mr G. W. Rhodes; Woodend v. Kowai, Mr Ward; Ohoka v. Loburn. Mr Rouse. I Juniors—Play-off for the cup. As Oxford and Glenmark have the same number of points they will again meet to decide the competition. Ground. Sefton; referee, Mr P. J. Lindsay. ASSOCIATION. EXECUTIVE MEETING. The executive of the C.F A. met lastnight, those present being: Messrs C. H. Bascand (chairman), J. Stout, R. B. Bunt, J. A. Robb, D. Thomson, G. Buist. The sports officer of H.M.S. Diomede wrote seeking matches on August 10th and August 17th, when the ship visits Lyttelton. It was decided to ask the Thistle team to play the Diomede team as a curtain-raiser at 1.30 p.m., next Saturday. The report of the Schools' Committee stated that West Christchurch had won the A gra-da six-a-side competition. It was resolved that an Association, to be called the C.F.A. Boys' Association, be formed, embodying fifth and sixth grade and all school plavers, with an age limit of 16$ years. Mr Parry was elected chairman. Mr Yates was appointed manager of the teams to visit Dunedin, and Mr McJjeod was appointed one of the delegates. Matches for Saturday. Seniors —Sumner v. Rangers, English Park (Mr Cawtheray); Kaiapoi v. Brighton, Kaiapoi (Mr Dore); St Albans v. iSomads, Richmond (Mr Wilson); Western v. Technical, Spreydon (Mr Jennings). Juniors —Lyttelton v. Nomads, Xjyttelton (Mr Horsley); St. Albans v. Thistle A, Hagley No. 2 (Mr Craggs); Marist v. Western, Hagley No 3 (Mr Mcrritt); Y.M.C.A., a bye. Junior B—Air Force v. Technical, Sockburn (Mr Parks); Spreydon v. Thistle B, Haglev No. 1 (Mr Johnston); Brighton v. Sumner, Hagley No. 4 (Mr Thompson). Fourth Grade, 1.15 p.m.—Western v. Marists B, Hagley No. 1 (Mr O'Brien); St. Albans v. Marist A, Hagley No. 2 (Mr Brown); Nomads, a bye. Fifth Grade 1.15 p.m.—Technical v. St. Albans, Spreydon (Mr Phelpa);. Y.M.C.A., a bye. Sixth Grade 1.15 p.m.—Nomads v. Spreydon, Haglev No. 3 (Mr Sharr, jun); St. Albans v. Marist, Richmond (Mr Cullen); St. Bedes v. Brighton. Hatrlev No. 4 (Mr A'tkenl: Technical v. Thistle, Ensor'B road (Mr Donaldson); Technical v. Thistle, Fnaor's No. 1 (Mr Donaldson). The School matche3 for to-<lay are a« follow:—St Marv's Av. "East Christchurch, ?t. Mary's B v. AddinTton Convent, St. Albans v. West ChHstohurch

SERIES OF THEFTS. * CLERK'S ADMISSION. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TBL3UBAM.) PALMERSTON NORTH, August 6. A married man, aged 24, whose name was suppressed in the meantime, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court to theft on various dates between June Ist and July 29th, of the sum of £2B 10s, the property of Combined Motors, Ltd. The Senior-Detective explained that accused, a clerk, had been employed by the firm for some months. On July 29th it was reported to the police that the firm's premises had been broken into and the sum of £2B 10s stolen. Some doubt was felt and further investigations resulted in accused admitting having taken the money in small sums. Accused had a wife and child, and had experienced a good deal of sickness. Accused was remanded till Saturday to enable the Probation Officer to furnish a report. Bail was allowed.