FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 213, 2 June 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

FIRST TEST MATCH. THE CHARGE FOR ADMISSION. .. DISSATISFACTION AT DUNEDIN. (HY TEr.EGHAriI, —rRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedtn, Juno 1. Iho Mavor (Mr. J. M'Donald) this morning telefj.aphed to the Secretary of tho Now Zealand Rugby Union • protesting ■ against. a minimum charge of- 2s. -for admission to tho grounds next Saturday, and asking that the amount bo reduced to Is. His Worship intimated that in tho event of the request boing refused it was probablo that an indignation mooting of citizens would bo held. Yesterday tho Hon'. J. A. Millar sent a lengthy telegram to tho Otago delegates on tho Now Zealand Union (Messrs. R. D. Isaacs and Laurenson), and put tho position very strongly, urging that the public ought to have tho right.of admission for ono shilling. Lato this afternoon tho Minister received a joint reply from Messrs. Isaacs and Lauron.son as follows"Committeo recon-sidered-the matter. Canuot see their way to alter charges." At a _ meeting of tho Otago Rugby Football Union this evening tho question of tho chargo fixed by tho N.Z. Union for Saturday's test match camo up for consideration, and after a discussion, which Was unani-mous-as to the need for a protest, the following motion was moved by Mr. G. M'Laren and seconded by Mr. W. J. Wilson : —"That the Now Zealand Rugby Union be informed that tho -feeling' of both tho committeo and the public is so strong that unless tho Union reduccs the ground-en-trahce charges this committee will consider tho advisability of declining to tako control of tho match." The motion .• was carried, unanimously. : A special meeting of. the N!Z. Rugby Union was held yesterday to consider tho application of tho Otago Union for a reduction in the price of admission to tho first test match, which; charge had been fixed at 2s. Tho Southern Union consider that tho price fixed was exorbitant, and asked tho N.Z. Union to reconsider .its decision. After some discussion it was resolved to telegraph to the Otago Union that tho Management, Committeo still considered the charges reasonable in view of the importance of tho oc-. casion and tho additional expense tho Union was being put to. It was also pointed out that the chargo was tho same as for tho 1904 test match, and that scvoral - unions had suggested a chnrgo of. 2s. for their local' matches. Emphasis was also'laid on tho fact that profits Will bo divided amongst affiliated unions, tho N.Z. Union not sharing in them.,. In conclusion, ■ the. telegram pointed out that in fairness .to tlw other union 3 no alteration could be mado in tho chargo. . '

.The 1 Auckland members of the N.Z. team did not arrivo last night as expected,' and consequently the departure of the Wellington and Taranaki men has been delayed until to-riight. Mr. Humphries,' of Taranaki, will .be in chargo of tho team.,., WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. v :'r> • MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS.' ' A meeting of the Management Committco of the .Wellington- Rugby Union, was held last . evening. .Members present were:— Messrs. S. S. Brown (chairman),. J. G. Murray, G. ,V. Bogle, E. 0, Hales,'J. Sweeney, J. Burns, F. Alpo, and W. S. T?lbot, .secretary. . • ; The . Wangajiui Union ; .wrote suggesting. ■Mr. P. Maekio as rcfereo .-iri . the'- comingmatch., .The .Secretary, said nothing definite had. yet beoii done. It was decided to make the : appointment.. : A QUESTION OF PROFESSIONALISM. • The proprietors of the "Evening Post" nnhounced that Messrs: C. Green'an'cl A., Wilson had been awarded tho "Post" me dalsih th«_ recent English-Wellington match. The point had been raised by outsiders that acceptance of the medals would put ; tho recipients on a professional basis. " They asked'that tho neccssary permission bo given for ; the accoptanco of the' medals. ' '.Mr.—Bogle considered tho permission should, not bo given. The papers ciitiqised professionalism in football, and now or.o of thenv initiated a thing like this, .which , was undoubtedly ail attempt ;to increase tho. paper's circulation' out of a game; played on an arimteur basis. Judgment of tho players was also"'o'ri popular vote, and-the awards wore not necessarily to the best : playdrs. He moved that tho permission bo not given.' Tho motion was seconded by Mr. Murray pro forma. A member pointed out that tho Committee had already appointed a member to count tho votes, and at this stage; if thoy did.as suggested by Mr. Bogle, it.would bo a gross injustice'. . . r . .■ , Mr. Bogle.would not let.the matter drqp'.' Ho thought they, should object to the attitudo of the paper on the grounds of inconsistency. Tho motion was lost, and permission was given. Mr. J. C. Facho regretted that ho vould be unable t'o act as one of .tho' conimittQo appointed to go into the improvement of the game of Runby. , The Oriental Club asked that tho fkturo with Poneko next Saturday bo -held over owing to -the absence of Roberts and' Thomson. It was regretted that the application for a byo could not be granted owing to the inovitablo disarrangement of dates. : THE BASKIVILLE BENEFIT.

Mr. H. 31. Wright (captain pro tem. of tho professional football team) asked, by letter, if tlio Union , would : postpone its matches on Juno 13, 'the day of the proposed exhibition match, as a ■ benefit • for Mrs. Baskiville. Mr. Hales reported that ho had communicated with tho promoters of tho proposed match. Ho had pointed out it was not a question of professionalism, but they (tho Union) would'have difficulty in postponing their matches owing to shortage,of playing days. At the sumo timo they would liko to do what they could in this deserving case. The Chairman: If tho matter can bo arranged, I think it should be. . .. Mr. Bogle urged that, if a bonefit match was to bis given, the Union tako chargo of it themselves. The Chairman thought tho opportunity would bo a good one to witness the Northern' Union'game, in view of the suggestion'to improve tho New Zealand game. • Professionalism in Now Zealand need not trouble thorn very much —it was an unlikely proposition. , Mr. Hales said that Messonger, of Australia, intended playing. The' match would bo played at Athletic Park. In speaking of tho desorving objects of tho fixture tho Chairman said.that the expenses in connection with tho late Mr. Boskivillo's funeral had totalled £150.. This the team had paid. . Mr. Alpe moved: "That tho Union exceedingly regretted they could not see their way to declaro matchos off on tho day in question, as it would mean abandoning tho second round." This was not seconded.' Finally, on tho motion of Mr. Hales, it was resolved that the promoters of. the match bo informed that tho Union wero'sorry they could not see their way, owing to jacjk of timo, to postpone their fixturos on tho day of tho match, but that, with a viow of assisting, tho Union .fixtures had been rearranged, and everything possiblo would bo dono to help. ' THE WANGANUI MATCH. Arrangements wero rnado for tho match with Wauganui at Newtown Park on Wednesday, (to-morrow). - Tho Wanganui toam against Wellington on Wednesday will bo as follows:—Full back, R. Burns; three-quarters, H. L. Abbott, L. J. Soulhcombo, L. Mouli; five-eighths, Seeling, H. Roll: half-back, Dansoy; wing, T. Soutor-; forwards, P. Murray ' (I3st.), C. Stratford (13st.), Milne (list!), A. Guscott (13st. 61b.), J. Hogan (13st, 21b.), W. Dustin (llat. 81b.), Leahy. (13st).

REFEREES' ASSOCIATJOiN. ? WEEKLY Tho weekly mooting 'of " tho Referees' Association was held last" night, Mr. I l '. A. Laws presiding. The Wellington Rugby Unian.'.qtJrisedVthe Association that it had'at its"last'''meeting passed the following resolution with 1 reference to the ordering o(fl;of.ip]ayers:-mSVffhafc' tho statement of the a Jsofjereo t;gkee G , !{a fact, and the player iq. s makq' ; "'a' statement, and to call-"evidence'' to 1 provo• provocation in' mitigati6h I'of l soittin , c , e.' i . , l'''TlfQ v letter was received.- : *■.testis. A circular was rcceired,. from "-'thev ; Now- ■ Zealand Rugby Unionxinviting «suggestionsfor tho improvement of the-gqme. It-was. pointed out that suggestions .shoiild 'bo sent in at an'early date, as r ifc' forward them this season ."to" the 'English Rugby Union. Thfc 'Asso'tflatlon'- dKfaed c to' dofer discussion on thortstiljjeet^'ttiitjl''Sfdkt' meeting.. 5 !r,oc .i:IT ■ : A committee; consistntgiofrMessrs.', (J'C&n■nell, Card, and Jones; was set up to con-, sidnr and roport uponra proposal emanating from tho Now.Zoaiand Eeforccs' Association that, all Associations sMmldnis'e, every ,eifort; towards .securing, the , insortion i rof''a'i".by-law' in their local union's* club 'wmtcst* iuleS,'whereby ,the appointment:-6ff.rcferiosi.te«sifeh''i matches be left solely r-iit- tlifell4nis-ilf'--"thfeT local Referees' Ki r-r.« ,-jit The .secretary, of the ?Newi>:oe'iiland --Re-' ferees' Association wrote • theNew Zealand Rugby 'sUbinitM' the following stlggestio , n..> l \vitlf''yS.fer6fl^S• !; "t'6 , the payment of refereesf oxpb'risek i ? i - ,6 'TJiat il referees be allowed -actaial •iiepess'a'ry transiif' pxponsos and 15s. per "d : ay"'-foi f -'3TI ."dafs'luV;ing which they a» ''tiy.ieiif-'f home." The • executive. 6f''tliS' opinion that the snggoSfion" wal'-equlValcnt' to.the resolution passedl'kiWiS.anftuarTn'eot-' )ng, and the A s sociatif)i? l ' s wbllJfl the opinions of ai : to'. whether it should •bo , ¥doj)tedi :, ': lt'.wal .resolved that the' suggesti6ff"'lvas/ aKSejftatilo' to tho Wellington Assfidiiitioh. ,'-'l"*'The secretary, 011 iaoliaff-" o"f" snnfemiL: sub-committee, submitted? tho new by-law:—"As long as thel-e^'ar'#senior' bers of the Association^:„avajMl§i fj3r|geni6r; competition matches, iioy junior, -of the 'Association shall offic'lafe', 1 unless ilit'case, of cmprgency, - except '• trial' by the Classificat^n" 1 ptfjtlmi.ttee;!'", Jt was agreed to adopt 1 recommendation) 7'' y NEW ItULINRSi'i' ' 'Tho New Zealand m-" timated that the follownig by tho Australasian Coffirem I '' li'iad >: Tseon l from tlm English Urii'oh:—' ***.. Question 1: Tho'ball'-isi Tn'-td\iclr.'-' , 'i(- plSver prows it into the 1 Pmht ,: angles, and immediately. nsns r:^ff'''aTfd,, pia^ i t : ' the ball beforo it- has bbVrf"^jchbd' J by atf i; other player.- Is this pFo'cedufc.-allowaDlop.".'.' ; Answor: Yes, if the ball r is'.':faiHy tlirown'' in'and not bounded.' 'r -; - ; : Question 2: . The .ball is in touch: '-Is a ' player allowed to bound , the ball "into'-rthb ' hold .of play? •ff^ra:¥f Answer: Nq; not natf^ild^d: I '' Question 3: Tho bfsh ! liboled; I through tho scrum ! tween tho second -and* ihifa^cw'f An opposing.player fro'ffl ' keeping behind tho balj,; enters 1 - from the-;side.-for'ihe purpose of--playing itheball. Does ;this constitute enterilig'-tliojscruni ■ from the opponents' side,'''or ia ; it s'all6wablo? ■ :. ... .'■■■.' •■-■ . ■.V.jrt:':. Answer: Tho player must-enter'thb" sfcruta) l bejiind ti',o ball. ■ . • ■ A'suggestion .was alsoxifitworded; to law- 3, scotion (e) in the dircotibn of?.gildiTg:'Tti«s. I'oforco discrotionary powcrxßgarding-'ordpring' i a scrum whon a player withrthQ'ball toucliea . him, ; and pointing , out that'ia* reforeo.v;was": compelled to order,- a scrumuvhen -tli'e'' touch-.- . ing had 110 material cffect upon tho "game,- • ■and in which.case.it. would; be "fairer <toi.allow ■ the game to proceed, > " - .V; ■ Answer: Ball touching thp. referee must,:be .(lead.- Tho laiv. should -not-vbe.-altoredy; as->-it''-might givo rise to'trickery: It'wasy.notifljd also, that the Now Zoalan;d;;.Ui)ipn JraSrißuW coipt of a ruling from the Internationflj Board' to the effect that the l-ule did*not v apply in. case of a frpini, as--11l .law... 12, sectiop (a)., RUCBY FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY."

•• Senior.,S" ( . ■ ■ : ••• :'• . . : . Pct-onb v. Melrose. -Tetolid- FD"."'''-!;' t AY. O'Conitoll,' referee r;Orjtfttar% ' Pojt'oke,; . Miramar Park No.'l, F.>'Laws; : 1- lotic "y 1 . St. James, Mirttfnaf 3to'rk *<Ns. • %'■>&■ r Seivers, referee';"' SoutheiirV: mar Park No; 3, T. Quimi, rcfefrwy Vifctoria'' n College v. Wellington,' Miramar l Park No.-4j- ] J. Frauds, referee.. .■rr-r.: f • ' ' ... Junior.. . . v j .Athletic.jr. Sclwyn,.Polo.No.-J r G. M'Kav, , referee; Oriental v. Kia.Qn;, Hutt JSq,..l, J. 5 Pollock, referee; Poiiekd .W Victoria,' Cblldge, 3 Polo No. 2, J. Manning, refereo; Melrose v. St. James, Polo No. Brown, referee; ;• Potorie v...Southern', P<S®nlcKiJ)[S,TJ?3S&ith,-' 'f i'ofereo; Old' Boys v. JVellington, , -4, W.' Roberts, referee." . ST-r 3 Third . " A. I '—Johnsoiiyille' ;* v^!>''' . Johnsonvillo, J. : ' Burns;; l 'i-6fer€oj'jPotbne*','\ , 'i'' | Southern, Petono Nb. 3 ( --J.'G^nan,^referee;' ! Athletic ■v. Wellington': College, ■ Wellington; College, T. H. Jonea, ; 'Oriental v.t • 'j3t.. John's, i Easts; No.'"lJ. CVVAtkinsMi;' rifv \ ereo; St. 'James v. Easts.; No.' 2, P. .'Macki^froferep;-' 1 '' w ' M»y»| Third J ";B;|VBpun'i^? NoVj 3, I. Ishonybo'd, v. Pon'eke, Easts No. 3, W. M'Le.flijVrdfbreoj'Star.lJoit-. [ ing v.,.Wellington, EaSra'rNo. 4, W. Joyce, i'ofereo • Railways vi. Easts Np.' "5, - ,• A- Thompson, referee ;^S ! Ora,;a' : hyo..' . . Fourth.— v.- r, tY;ict6ria-College, Easts No. 6, J. Hannan'f-i"df qr«3!Sold!Boys . v. Melrose, Berhampofe;°3.. T , .• ereo; Oriental " A "'■?. $&ft6kb; J) 3fest!s J No"? 7; C. Church, 'Sft 1 , John's, Johnsonvillo, jy r lvo?sr'refdn»VPbl-' .hill v. Epuui, Epuni^G^. a St. v. roferoe; Petono v. Wclfmctoif, - PSfione . E-. Carmen, referee; Southern, a'byo. - *™;;- Fifth.—Athletic' " A "> v; Ebjim*TOlt' l No. ; 2,' H. Card, referee; • 1 College "''A,": Wellingfeh ,i; .dbl)6'js, 'J'i'rWoy- 1 .borno, refereo; St. JameS \'?'-W'enin'e;t®'Cisl- ,J lege " B,", Wellington' 3 '' Gftlltfitf oi l' 80. -JSi 1 Wylie, referee; St. Instituto,. Junction NoFlp (Jpn!jns;'°li r eferce'7' Athletic. "B v.' Selvfj-iii '3 >,^> nc£id»^" ; Np^~ v 2V'' J. Inkerscll, referee'; Southern,' a'-'bye; '' '' .• •'/