ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1224, 5 September 1911, Page 9

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

—_> —_— RUGBY FOOTBALL. STRIKING RESOLUTION PASSED. WHAT STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO • IMPROVE THE GAME? (By Telecraph.—Press Association.) Wanganui, September I. At a meeting of the Rugby Union Management Committee this evening tho following resolution was carried with only one dissentient: "That a letter bo writtea -to tho New Zealand Union asking what steps it intends taking with o viewto improving the game- ot Rugby and bringing the same more in favour with tho /general public from a spectacular standpoint so as to meet the growing competition of tho Northern Union game, and, at tho sarao time, reduce players' risks; also that copies of this resolution be sent to tho various unions." Tho speakers generally were of opinion that, if tho English Union would not agree , with the New Zealand Union's suggestions for improving the game, New Zealand should cut the painter. THE REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. Replying to a' lettor from tho Referees' Association asking for a special evening, to consider matters of difference between them, the Wellington Rugby Union wTOte intimating that it would he pleased to confer with the association members any Wednesday at 8 p.m. "As far as the association ■ i 3 concerned,", continued the letter, "this will be a special evening, as the committee is prepared to givo you as much timo as you desire." It was decided to meet the union next Wednesday evening. . ' ■ . Messrs. E. and J. Reed .were elected members. ' j Mr. SKnes complained that ho had gone to Duppa Street on .Saturday to act as referee in a sixth-class match between St. Patrick's College and Athletic, and had found the. ground occupied by tho Athletic-Kia Toa (Paimerston North) game. Tho association decided to write to the Wellington Rugby Union asking en explanation. •'.. REFEREES' TEAM. The "Wellington Referees' team to play the Horowhonua-Manawatu combined team next Saturday is as follows:—Fullback, J. Russell; three-quarters, H. Card, E. Tregear, K. l'OTdyco; five-eighths, F. Laws, C. Akinson; half-back, W. Roberts; wing forward, VV. Hpencer; forwards, A. Bott and S. Standen (front), R. Evenson, A. Connell (lock), J. Manning; L. Keys and AV. Taplin (baci).. Emergencies: A. Neilson, J. MJahoney, and W. Church. . MESSENGER IN GOOD FORM. ■ By Telegraph—Pressa Association— Copyright ,\ ' Sydney, September I. Out of twenty-three points Eastern suburbs made against South Sydney at League football on Saturday, Messenger Ecored seven goals and two tries. ASSOCIATION. DOMINION COUNCIL MEETS. A.meeting of tho New Zealand Foottall Association was held last evening. Mr. J.'J. Roberts presided.Permission was granted to Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay to play a match on September 23. ' .' It was' decided that the secretary be instructed to write to all affiliated associations 'in regard to a visit from a New South Wales team to New Zealand in 1912. . - ' , - The 'appointment of a referee, for tho Canterbury-Wellington Brown Shield ■ match (to be played at Christchurch on September- 1G) was referred. to the New Zealand Referees' Association to deal with. It was decided that CaivterLury's suggestion—that an Otago referee bs appointed —bo forwarded on to the N.Z.R.A., and that his .expenses bo paid ont of the. gross ; gate takings at. tho match. A letter was received from the Wellington.. Football Association, pointing out that.as they have a rule stating ihat no player be allowed to sit on the committee it v>cs held that a similar rule should be embodied in the council's by-laws. Tho letter, also stated that a certain player was now n delegate sitting on the New Zealand Council. It was decided that the Wellington _Association bo written to to .the effect th'at this matter should bo ; brought up at the annual general meeting of the N.Z.F.A. ' " A communication was received from the Auckland Football Association in which it was asked why that association had not been informed by the secretary of the N.Z.F.A. of the appointment of Messrs. Sale, Heighway, and M'Nair as local examiners for candidates for New Zealand referees' badges. The Auckland Referees' Association had notifiol the Auckland Football Association that the N.Z.F.A. had agreed to the appointment, and in vi-sw of tho fact that tho A.R.A. was under the jurisdiction of the A.F.A., it was hold that the parent body should have been notified. The secretary (Mr. B. L. Salmon) statwl that it was solely a matter for tho N.Z.R.A. to deal with— not for • the N.Z.F.A. Tho Wellington Football Association wrote asking tho council to give its support by playing all interprovincial. Brown Shield, and intercolonial matches on the new Association ground at South Kilbrrnio. A motion that all possible support be given was carried unanimously. Arising out of the above, it was decided that all affiliated associations bo written tn asking if it was agreeable , to. them that tite New Zealand Council shouM take 25 riuires in tho new company which is being formed for the purposes of advancing Association football.