NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION,

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 107, 7 May 1909, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION,

THE SOUTH AFRICAN- TEAM'S VISIT. Last night the council of the New .^Zealand Football Association met at the V.M.C.A. rooms. Mr. J. J. Roberts piesided. It was resolved that the Wanganui Football Association be affiliated to the New Zealand Council, the Wellington boundaries, however, to include PalmerEton North on the north and Woodyille on the east. The following was presented by the Wellington Association :—: — "That negotiations be entered into with the Football Association (England) through Mr. A. E. Gibbs, to see if it is not possible for that body to invest some of its surplus funds in New Zealand." The secretary stated that the suggestion had reference to grounds. A communication was received from the Blenheim Association intimating that no difficulty was anticipated in guaranteeing £25 for a match with a South African team. The , council considered this satisfactory. The Auckland Football Association stated that Messrs. H. Mayer and J. M. Oilier had been appointed its delegates to the New Zealand Council. Intimation was also received from the Otag.> Association that its delegates were Messrs. C. R. Martin and L. Whi^e. Permission was granted the Welling ton Football Association to play representative matches with Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay, Masterton, and Canterbury. A letter was received from the South African Football Association, intimating that the invitation from New Zealand to tour the Dominion and part of Australia had been accepted. The contents of this letter were published on the 21st April. An estimate of receipts and expenditure ii> connection with the tour was laid before the coun-cil-by Mr. B. L. Salmon (secretary). Receipts were estimated at £2030 (£1350 from guarantees, £250 contributed by local centres towards expenses, and £150 from Australia). Expenditure was estimated at £1803 (£720 for steamer fares, £120 tor railway fares to and from the coast of Sonth Africa, £120 for fares in New Zealand, and £578 for .match expenses). It was suggested that matches be played at Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Dunedin, and Taranaki (two each), Southland, Timaru, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Na pier, Masterton, Blenheim, and Nelson. Considerable discussion ensued as to whether the 'tour could be financed on the basis proposed. The chairman thought that Australia's suggested contribution (£150) was mi^ch too small. It was ultimately resolved that the New South Wales Association be informed that the cost of fares to Australia would be £810, and that with the consent of the New Zealand Association the team would play in Australia or not, as instructed. Two matches in each centre might be played, and it was thought that a fair proportion for Australia to pay would be one-third, or £270. It would further be pointed out that the liability of the New Zealand Associa tion would cease on the arrival of the team in Australia.