RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 454, 12 March 1909, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND RUCBY UNION. PROPOSED ALTERATION OF RTJLES. Tho report of tho Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union upon proposed alterations in thejlaws of tho gamo in terms of resolutions passed at a special meeting of delegates, in October last, will bo considered at anothor conference of delegates to bo held at 'Wellington next Thursday afternoon. Notico has been given by the Otago Union of intention to niovo the following resolutions bearing upon'the proposals:— 1. That tho constitution of this union be amended by the addition to rule , 2 of Ihe words, "subject always to such modifications as the union may introduce." 2. That a copy of tho amendments in tbe laws of tho game, as approved, bo _ transmitted to th'o English Union with an intimation that it is tho intention of this union to bring tho amendments into force in tho coming season, and with the request that the English Union will sanction the modification in New Zealand of tho laws in the manner that is contemplated by this union. 3. That copies of the last preceding resolution be forwarded to the New South Wal'js and Queensland Rugby Unions for their information. At the conferenco the following proposal made by the Wellington Union will bo discussed :— "That the alterations to the laws of tho gamo of Rugby football, as decided by the delegates of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union at a special meeting of the said union, held on October 8, 1808, be not carried into forco until such alterations have been adopted by tho other Australasian Rugby Unions." : It is anticipated that tho various resolutions which aro presented will be warmly debated. On tho occasion of the previous conferenco the proceedings did not conclude until after 1 o'clock next morning. The conference promises to bo one of the most important ever held under the auspices of tho unions MELROSE CLUB. ( The annual report of the Melrose Football CJub states that last season the club's teams maintained their reputation for consistent play. Both tho senior and third class' championships were secured—a just reward for continued h.ird training and good football. Vast improvement was shown by juniors and teams in their attention to training, and their efforts in their respective classes wero worthy of better results. During the season the clnb was represented in representative matches by Messrs.. G. Spencer, Beavis, Church, C. Murphy, , ' Hamilton, J. W. Murphy, Cameron, and Dowar in tho senior ranks, and Messrs. M'lunis, Sullivan, and Tivomey amongst the juniors, and their standard of play was a credit to the club. The senior fifteen made a creditable showing throughout the season, and well earned tho proud position of champions. Their record of eleven matches played, ten won, and one drawn, scoring 154 points, and only 17 against, reflected the highest credit on the team. Apart from tho championship matches, they became the holders of the Charity Cup, after a match against Petone, which waß one of the finest games of Rugby football ever played on-Athletic 1 Park. Tho junior fifteen wero the ruimcrs-urj in their class. Failure, of players to fulfil'their engirgements on several Saturdays was a great drawback to tho team. Tho third fifteen (like the seniors) were returned champions, and displayed fine football throughout the season, their record standing at 13 matches played, 11 won, 1 drawn, 1 lost —points for 142, against 34.' Credit was due to these players for their strict attention to training. The fourth class occupied third position in their grade, and judging by tho good form shown by such youthful players a better regard this season was anticipated for them. Analysing the positions held by the four teams (two champions, a second, and a third), the,committee had reason to be proud of tho records, and great hopes wero entertained that further championships would be ■added to the credit of the club this season. Various socials held during the season had proved unqualified successes. Presentations

liad been made to tho patron (Mr. A. H. Fiillford) :nd tho secretary (Mr. A. G. Warwick). The , committee regretted to chronicle the death of one of tho most promising lads in the club, Bedo O'Donoghue. Best thanks were due to those officers of tho club, who kindly forwarded donations to tho working expenses. ' » ORIENTAL CLUB. Tho Oriental Football Club held their annual meeting at Armit's rooms on Wednesday night. Mr. W. H. Nimmo occupied the chair. The report and balance-sheet, which havo already been published, were read and unanimously adopted. Twenty new members' were elected. The following officers'were elected for the ensuing season: —President, Mr. W. H. Nimmo; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. H. Price, l<l Parata, T. Bush, G. Goldstein, A. A. Corrigan, A. Wylie, E. Wylie, G. A. Hill, L. B. Jordan, A. M. Samuels; club captain, Mr. M. Matheson; vice-captain, Mr. F. Roberts; secretary, Mr. N. A. Vercoe; treasurer, Mr. 11. W. Hornig; management committee: Messrs. H. M'Lcod, D. Turrock, Sinclair, J. T. Collerton, M'Kcown; match committee, Messrs. F. Roberts, T. J. Collerton, and Matheson; delegates to W.R.F.TJ.. Messrs J. H. Price, W. W. Hornig, W. H. Nimmo, and R. Sievers; auditors, Messrs. F. Allan, and G. A. Wilkes. It was decided to begin practice on Saturday, March 27. OLD BOYS' FOOTBALL CLUB. Tho thirteenth annual report of tho Wellington Collogo Old Boys' Football Club states that the total .number of members on tho roll is:—2 life, 62 active, and "33 honorary. Tho thanks of the committee aro extended to Messrs. J. P. , Firth, M. C. Barnett, W. E. Bethunc, and Dr. Young.and the Old Bovs' Association for donations; also to Mr. H. Avery for tho use of his office for committee meetings. The club'was represented last year in the senior, junior, and fourth-class competitions with the following results:—The first fifteen played 11 matches, of which 3 were won, and 8 were lost. Points for, 39; against, 162. "Tho second fifteen played 11 matches, of which 4 were won and 7 woro lost. Points for, 34; against, 165. The fourth fifteen played 13 matches, of which 9 were won, 2 were lost, and 2 drawn. Points for, 166; against, 63. A pleasing feature in connection with the season was tho success of the fourth fifteen, who trained and kept together well.

Tho initial tournament in connection with the Old Boys' champion football shield, presented by Mr. W. Dcvenisli, of Nelson, was held in Wellington, at Easter, and proved a preat success. Teams representing Nelson College Old Boys' Football Club, Christchurch High School Old Boys' Football Club, and Wellington Old Boys' Club competed. The shield was won by tho High School team, with tho Wellington team as runners up. Owing to tho Wanganui Old Boys' Club being unab'le to send a team to take part in the tournament at Easter, tho annual match was played at the end of the season, and after a good game Wanganui wcro defeated hv 12 to nil. The committee recommends that the club again secure tho Athletic Football Qlnb gymnasium, Taranaki Street, on Wednesday nights. Also, it is suggested to the incoming committee to again arrange for a dressing room in the pavilion at the Basin Reserve" This affords members an excellent opportunity for training any evening in tho \yoek. Representative honours wero gained by W. Alexander and IT. E. Avery.

Tho balance-sheet shows receipts amounting to £73 12s. 10(1., and expenditure amounting to £65 9s. 7d., leaving a credit balance of £8 3s. 3d. The association undertook the cost of entertaining tho Wanganui team, and havo also undertaken to take charge in future of all entertaining of visiting teams at any tournament that may bo hold in Wellington in connection with "The Old Boys' " champion football shield. This means a considerable help to the club financially, as the cost of entertaining teams was always a big item.