ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

[Br "Centre-Half."] THE HOSPITAL & THE PLAYEH. Complaint Against the Porirua Hospital, Some discussion took place "in. committee" at the weekly meeting of the Management Committeo of the Wellington l'ootball Association on Wednesday last, with reference to a complaint that tho Porirua Mental Hospital authorities had refused to treat a playor who had broken his collar-bone while playing in a match in tho vicinity. It was alleged that the player in question had to wait till ho arrived back in tho city, four hours later, before his injury could be attended to. The upshot of the discussion, it was gathered, was tliat tho committee decided to write to Dr. Hassell with reference to the matter. According to a statement which has since been mado by Dr. Hassoll to a representative of The Dominion, the above allegation is not supported by fact. Dr. Hassell states that the player in question was attended to by a member of the medical staff of tho hospital,.and the injury fixed up so that the journey back to town could be performed without danger or suffering, Wellington v. Canterbury. With a view to selecting tho strongest team to represent Canterbury iu the match for tne Drown Shield against Wellington, at Lancaster Park, on September 11, tho Selection Committee of the Canterbury Football Association liavo asked the following players k> go into "strict" training:—May, M'Farlane, Cornish, Forl'est, Wardell, Watson, W. Fullerton,- D. Fullerton, Newall, Scriven, Ensor, Ward, Bissett, Taylor, Grant, Norman, Carey, Woods, Noakes, Baxter. Training takes placo twice a. week, and it commenced last Tuesday. "What has Wellington done in this connection? The answer is: "Practically nothing." True it is that the selectors are playing a trial match at Duppa Street this afternoon, but that goes very little towards getting a team of players together and having them lit and well for September li. The "powers that be" should have done what their southern brethren have done a couple of weeks ago. We have our new ground to be opened next year, and wo want money, so it behoves those responsible for our representative matches to see that no stone is left unturned to get that shield here for next season. Canterbury is a.hqrd nut,to crack,, and havo shown their prowess against 1 two challenging associations already this season with excellent results. If the Wellington men imagine that they have only to walk aboard tho south boat on the evening of Thursday, September 12, aud walk on to Lancaster Park on tho afternoon of Saturday, September 14, beat Canterbury easily, and come home again on Sunday, September 15, with the shield in their possession they aro somewhat mistaken. Wo were taught a really good lesson by Canterbury last season, and if something is not done in connection with getting tho team together for training the lesson will be repeated again this year. Corinthians and Sydenham. Corinthians have been the chosen ones to meet tho Sydenham Club (Christchurch) when they visit Wellington. Tho date of tho match has not been 'definitely fixed as yet, but it is very likely to bo next Saturday, September 7. , Each succeeding Saturday this team have played, Corinthians havo been demonstrating that they aro composed of men of the stuff of which champion teams aro made. The opinion is held in tho "soccer" realm of Wellington that had tho senior division championship been continued, Corinthians would havo occupied a place very near the second rung of the ladder. Prom tho outset it was a foregone conclusion that Hospital would, occupy the top rung. ■ However, iu tho Charity Cup match against the senior champions last Saturday, Corinthians showed what they could do, and, although again beaten, they wero by no means disgraced. At half-time they had the distinction of being tho first team in the League this season to be in a leading position against tho clever men from Porirua, and it was unfortunato that they could not have kept that position until tho final whistle blew. As it is, the Black and Whites, although out of all competitions for this season, will have a final opportunity of showing tho Association football public what they can do against a strong club from tho centre which at present holds the coveted Brown Shield. These interchanges of- visits from clubs in the various affiliated associations is a good one, and is well worth encouraging. It brings tlie players together, tests club strength, and does a lot of good for tho game generally. 1 It is to bo hoped that onr visitors will be favoured with good weather during their brief visit, and that their stay in Wellington will bo a memorable one. Stray Notes. Tho Otago Association has .written to tho Canterbury Association, asking for September 21 as tho date of the Brown Shield match between these two districts. The only two senior fixtures "on the board" for this afternoon 'are the Charity Cup match, to be replayed by Swifts and St. John's (who drew last Saturday), at Duppa Street, and the first division representative trial match, A Team v. B Team, also at Duppa Street. On the form shown in the latter fixture will be decided tho team to. represent Wellington in the Brown Shield match against Canterbury. Tho fourth and fifth division "rep." matches, Manawatu-Wcllington and Auck-land-Wellington respectively, will be played at Newtown Park this afternoon. A friend at Port Elizabeth, signing himself "Springbok," sends to the "Athletic News" the following extract from the "Eastern Province Herald":—"A native 'soccer' team from Senekal visited Ventersburg the other day, having previously sent a notice round town to the following amusing effect: 'On May IB second team of native hoys will staTt' to Ventersburg, and we kindly ask supply to you our masters. Be so kind to supply your sen-ants with collection of money, and we leavo this few lines to you with a great trusting.' They left in a watrou for Ventersburg on Wednesday. The wagon, however, broko down a short distance from Senekal. Nothing daunted, they continued their journey on foot, and beat Ventersburg by two goals to none, and walked back again. Thirty-five miles! This is an example of tho hardihood of players—and not Englishmen."