ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 802, 27 April 1910, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. BULES OF RUGBY. ALTERATIONS NOW IN FOECE. On Monday evening tho Wellington 'Referees' Association adopted certain amendments in tkb rules of Rugby, approved'by the International Board and adopted by the English Eugby Union as the outcome of suggestions from the New Zealand and other colonial unions. The definition of a tackle is now to read: "A tackle is when the holder of the ball is held by one or. more players of the opposite side so that he cannot pass the ball." If the ball pitch in touch. from a kickoff the- opposite side may have it kicked off again, or may have a scrummage at the centre of the field of play. It the ball go into touch from a drop-out, the opposing side has the option; of ordering another kick or having a scrum in the centre of the twenty-five yard line; The rule holds only when the ball goes straight. into touch, and not when it bounces out. The ball may not be picked up when, after a player has been tackled, he puts the ball down, or when the player holding the ball has been thrown and the ball touches the ground.

Rule 12, dealing with the putting of the ball into touch has altered so that if a player carry a'ball into touch ■without being touched by an opponent, the ball then belongs to the side opposite to that last touching it in the field of play. ■ . .

The referee under an amended rule is allowed to award a goal, if he reckons a goal wou.d have been scored but for illegal obstruction. In the caee of "no charge" the referee may either allow another kick or, if he thinks the first kick would have been successful, award a goal. The new rule applies only to placed kicks and not to dropped kicks from the field during play. There are also one or two minor alterations. Several oJ the most vital amendments proposed last year have not been adopted. -.'•'.

MANAWATO RUGBY UNION. , . The weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the , Manawatu. .Rugby Union was held this week, Mr. B. D. Hoben (president) being in the chair. The Kia Ora Club wrote mJring permission to withdraw its third-class team. It was pointed out that this could' not conveniently be permitted while the club played a. fourth-class team. It was d&. tided not to sanction the' withdrawal of the third-class team in question, but to give that team the first bye, the object being to allow'the club time to organise its members. :-.-.■ •'; ■ .■'

The secretary of the Oroua Sub-Union wrote asking for information regarding the accident insurance scheme. It was decided to reply that the sub-union in question could be admitted on the same terms as the Foxton Sub-Union provided that it secured the services of a. medical man to examine players. ' The Referees' Association were allowed a grant of £& towards expenses. F. Cootes was reinstated as a member, of the Linton Club, and K. Eglinton was reinstated as a junior of the Palmerston Club..- ■.. • , - ■ , ... '... -.-

The Rongotea and Sandon Clubs wrote intimating that they had joined the Foxton SubrUnion.

Messrs. F. D. Whitley and P. Eobinson attended as a deputation from the Foxton Sub-Union to ask ■ that the Carroll brothers should be prevented from play- , ing . for Feilding, as they lived within *the boundaries of the Foxton Sub-Union. The committee decided to adhere to the boundaries already adopted, but pointed out to the deputation that this only applied to clubs, and not to individuals. The deputation thereupon' lodged an appeal, with a request that it be forwarded to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The request was granted. The fixtures for the championship competitions, as \ drawn un by, Messrs. F. Pirani and W. H. Hankins, irere adopted, and grounds'- allotted for next Saturday's junior competitions.

PETONE FOOTBALL' GEOTJNDS. The much-discussed question of the 'allotment of the football , grounds on Petone Eecreation Reserve came up again at last nighfs meeting of the Petone! .Borough Council. •

Councillor List moved, in accordance with notice given, that the council should' rescind its resolution granting the use) of No. 3 ground to St. David's Football Club, with a view to granting it to the Petone Eugby Football,dub (together with,the other- ground previously allotted' to..the club), at, a .total.'rental'of £\2 for the season. . • . •

A deputation, headed by the Kev. A. Thomson, came from St. David's Club protesting against any such recision as was proposed by Councillor List. •■ '■•

After perusing the list of outward correspondence, Councillor E. J. Southgate asked the Mayor if no letter had been sent to St. David's Club, in accordance with the resolution passed by the council, notifying the club that it waa to have the use of the ground. The Mayor (Mr. J. M. M'Ewan) said that Councillor List's notice of motion had come in before the letter had been sent out, and, at the request of Councillor List, he had directed that the letter »aould not be sent, seeing that the proposal was to rescind the resolution granting; the ground. , . ,

Councillor Harding: A point which the council had already settled. Councillor Southgate: I think that, as a matter 'of courtesy, you should have seen that-the letter was senti If this kind of thing is to be allowed, it means that a councillor can hold up the business of tho council simply by handing in a notice , of motion. X think it is a very high-handed piece' of business. The Mayor replied that the whole council might change its mind oa a matter, and, in view of that fact, he had used, and always would use,'a. certain; amount of discretion.

Councillor Southgate: I could understand your action if you had received a notice of motion signed by five members of the counoil. I don't see why you took such a course in the present case. The Mayor: I wish you would kindly refrain from using such words as "highhanded conduct," Councillor Southgate. You mean to say that I have been guilty of high-handed conduct in this matter. Councillor Southgate: I say so. The Mayor: I have to inform you, then, that you are fuilty, to some extent, of ignoring the ruling of the chairman in' this matter. ' ' - ■

Councillor Southgate: Well, I ignore it The Mayor: And I will ask the clerk to make a note of that statement Councillor Southgate: Let him make a note of it. . ..

Councillor List remarked that it had been his request that the letter should not be sent out until his notice of motion had been discussed, because' St. David's Club might have made arrangements for matches, which would be interfered with if the council's former resolution were rescinded.

After further discussion, Councillor List's motion was lost, and the arrangements are therefore unaltered, St David's Club having the use of one ground •

ASSOCIATION FIXTURES. The • following are the Association grounds and referees for Saturday's fixtures. The numbers in parentheses are the numbers of the grounds at Miramar, to which, the games will be transferred in. the event of city reserves not being available. ; First Division.—Swifts v. Ramblers, Basin Beserve (No. 6), Mr. J. B. Paton; T.M.CX v. Rovers, Newtown Park (No' 9), Mr. J. Davidson ; Diamonds v. Thistlo Kelburne (No. 8), Mr. H. Yeoman. Second Division. —Hospital v. T.M.C A at Porirna, Mr. B. I..Salmon; Porrrua Toa v. Wanderers, Porirua, Mr. E. Windloy; St. Angustinov. Brooklyn, Petone (MaMnientfe), Mr. E. H. Home; Petono v.. Diamonds, Petone No. i, Rev Mr Rwssell; Webb Street P.M. v. Marist Old Boys, Miramax No. 3, Mr. A. F. Newbold; Berhampore v. St. John's, 'Miramar No. 1, Mi. E. C. Hayton. Third Division.—Diamonds v. T.M.C.A., Miramar No. 2, Mr. J. Thomson; St. David's v. St. John's, Petone No. 3, Mr. F. Waddell; Wadestown v. Brooklyn, Seatoun, Mr. S. Guy.

Fourth Division.—Petone v. Khandallah, Petone No. *, 2 pjn., Rev. J. D. Russell; St. David's v. Brooklyn, Petone No. 3, 2 pjn., Mr. F. Waddell; Swifts A v. Marist B, Miramar No. i, Mr. A. Ferguson; Swifts B v. Rangers, Miramar No. 7, Mr. A. P. Levin; Marfst A v. Y.M.C.A. B Miramar, No. 5, Mr. H. Smith; Y.M.C.A. B v. Diamonds, Miramar No. 9 (No. 11), Mr. S. M'Lean; St. John's v. Ramblers, Miramar No. 8 (No. 10), Mr.:S. Fisher.

Fifth Division, A Bay v. .Marist A, Island Bayi 3'p.m., Mr. S. Woods; South Wellington v. Bangers, Miramar No. 9 (2 p.mj, Mr. S. M'Lean; Pelone v. Brooklyn, Petone (Maidinenfs), 2 p.m., Mr. E. H. Home.

Fifth Division, B Grade.-Swifts v. Newtown Cong., Miramar No. 2. (2 p.m.), Mr. J. Thomson; Wadostown v. Y.M.C.A. B, Miramar No. 4, 2 p.m., Mr. A. Ferguson; Institute v. Ramblers, Basin Reserve, 2 pjn., Mr; J. B. Paton. ■

Sixth Division.—Porirua v.. Institute A, Porirua, Mr. J. Windloy; Peatoun v. Institute B, Seatoun, 2 p.m.-, Mr. S. Guy; Marist B v. T.M.C.A., Kelburne, 2 p.m., Mr. T. H. Jones; Island Bay v. Brooklyn, Island Bay, 2 p.m., Mr. S. Woods; Bangers v. Marist A, Miramar No. 5, 2 p.m., Mr. H. Smith.

HOCKEY. THE GAMES FOE SATUBDAY. The following hockey fixtures have' been drawn for nest Saturday:— Senior: Karori v. Victoria College, at Da/e Bay, No. 3; Metropolitan v. Wellington, at Kelburne; United v. Wesley, at Day's Bay, No 2. Junior: United v. St. Patrick's Old Boys, at Day's Bay, No. 5; Wesley v Victoria Colege.B, at Duppa Street; Y.M.C.A. v. Victoria College ; t, at Day's Bay No. 4; Gregg's v. Petone, at Petone; Metropolitan v. Government Life Insurance, at Karori No. 2; Wellington v. Karori, at Karori No. I. ' Third-class: Victoria College B v. Metropolitan; at Wesley Grosnd, Miramar; Government Insurance v. Petone, at Pβtene; Gregg's v. Karori, at Vivian Ground, Miramar; Victoria College A v. Wellington, at Y.M.C.A. Ground, Miramar. . '■■-■■. The following will represent Karori in their match with Hui Mai B this afternoon at Karori (3), Dunkley, Atkin, Henderson, Needham, li'Kelvie, Colo, Picot, and Dyer. The fixtures for the remainder of the first round in , each grade have also been dr'awn, but. will not be published till .iiext week, as the grounds .cannot yet be definitely allotted. TEAMS FOE TO-DAY. The" following will represent the Paheka Hockey Club against Petone on the Kelburne Park this afternoon:— Shipton, Jackson, M'Eldowney, Harrop, iiiison, J. Smith, A. Smith, Gracey, Osbqrne, Mollison and Haase.