FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 204, 22 May 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

THE ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS. 1 ' i .. ANOTHER PRACTICE. 1 The members of t-lio English football team held another hour's practice on the Athletic 1 Park yesterday morning. Tho forwards were taken in hand by their captain and given a general drilling. Tho backs wcro not callcd upon, they, in tho opinion of the skipper, being in sufficiently good nick. The forwards wero given somo sprinting and punting practice. Harding and Jnekett put in some serviceable place-kicking, being far superior to tho others who tried their foot in this direction. Tho visitors aro to leavo for Masfcerton this morning, and will commence tho first match of tho tour at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon, when they will meet the combined Wairarapa and Bush representatives. Mr. Neil Galhrnith, hon. treasurer of the New Zealand Union, is accompanying the Englishmen to tho Wairarapa to-day. Mr. J. D. Avery, secretary of the Union, will also mako tho trip. Mrs. G. P. C. Campbell, wife-of tho president of tho New Zealand Union, is issuing invitations to tho members of the British team to afternoon tea at Day's Bay next Tuesday afternoon. It was stated at last night's meeting of the New Zealand Union that Mr. August Campbell, of Auckland, has been appointed to act as referee in the match between 'Wellington and tho Britishers on tho Athletic Park next Wednesday. It was reso-lvcd at last night's meeting of tho New Zealand Union to inform tho Now Zealand Natives' Association that tho Union oould not sanction a match between a Maori team and tho Englishmen at- Wellington or Auckland, but was agreeablo to a match being played at Rotoru.-i on July 21. It was also decided that tho Union could not guarantee expenses incurred in taking players to Rotorua. Tho Wanganui Union is making arrangements to show the visitors tho attractions of tho Wanganui River during their stay there. - The team will bo taken for a two days''trip up tho river to Pipiriki, and then on to tho upper reaches. Tho Otago Union has telegraphed to the New Zealand Union complaining of what it terms tho exorbitant of admission to tho Otago-English match. It has been resolved to adhoro to the original cliargo of ss. to the stand,- but to meet the Southern Union in their suggestion that the charge to the enclosure should bo made 25., instead of' 3s. Tho selectors of tho team .to represent New Zealand in tho first test match against tho Britishers will assemblo in Wellington on Saturday,, for tho purpose of choosing tho players. THE MAORI TEAM. ' [BT TELEGRAPH.—ritESS ASSOCIATION.] Ounodin, May 21. / Tho Maori team to meet the British fifteen will _be thoroughly representative of the Dominion. Tho promoters are urging tho New Zealand Union to change .tho ' venile. from 'Rotorua to Wellington or Auckland. THE MATCH WITH AUCKLAND. Auckland, May 21. Tho Auckland Rugby Union approves tho proposal to hold an intcrprovincial football match, Auckland v. Wellington. on August 15, the Mayor having stated lie would endeavour to a'rrango with tho Admiral of tho American 1 fleet to • delay departure till tlio evening of that dato. ■ . It is stated that Mr. T. Leslie, will bo able to mako . the tour witli tho visitors, and attend them in their training,. the necessary leave having, been granted. ' i,, Tho principals of the visiting team are thoroughly satisfied. with,. tho.., present; [qoridir tion of tho men, and look forward- -to seeing them -giyo a g6od exhibition on Saturday. Most, of the backs took their,exe'reiso on; tho golf links yesterday*- ■' .- •- ' -s • Tho' various Rugby Unions throughout the Dominion-aro being advised by the New Zealand Union to extend invitations to all exNew Zealand representative players in their districts to the British matches played under the jurisdiction of the Union. While the Britishersare on tour in the. south, a representative of tho New Zealand Union will accompany thorn to control the financial and; other arrangements. Tho Otago Union will take chargc of tho tour from Dunedin to' Invereargill and back to Dmicdin, and the Canterbury Union will take charge from Christclmrch to tho West Co?,st and on to Wellington. Tho northern arrangements havo not yet' been made. . A meeting of tho Management Committeo of tho New Zealand Rugby Union was held last evening,- Mr. G. li. Dixon presiding. Thcro wore also present: Messrs. H; M. Isaacs, F. K. Wallburtcn, J. H. Laughton, H. Kelly, A.: Laurenson, N. Galbraitn,. and J. D. Avery (secretary). Mr. George Dixon was re-elected to tho position of permanent chairman of the committeo for tho year. Practically tho whole of the evening was devoted to business in connection with the tour of the English team. It was decided at the annual meeting of delegates last week to-delete, rule 35, tho effect of which resolution is .that tho Union is bound to withdraw from the Sports Federation and tho reciprocal arrangement withithe Now Zealand-Foot-ball Association. Tho secretary was instruct-, "od to notify both bodies to tho abovo effect, and to inform tho Otago Union that disqualifications already existing shall not bo removed.