RUGBY CONTROL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 111, 12 May 1911, Page 4

RUGBY CONTROL.

NEW ZEALAND UNION. ANNUAL MEETING, APPLICATIONS FOR REINSTATEMENT. The annual meeting of the New Zeauland Rugby Union commenced at the Chamber of Commerce Room at 3 p : m. yesterday and lasted until 12.35 a.m. to-day. The president (Mr. R. Galbraith) occupied the chair. The following delegates were present ;"— Auckland Union (five votes), Dr. M'Evedy and G. H. Dixon; Buller (two votes), H. W. Kelly and L. Deverej Bush District (two votes), E. Darley ; Canterbury (five votes), F. G. Wallburton, G. f H. Mason, F. T. Evane, and W. G. Garrard ; Hawkes Bay (five votes), W. J. M'Grith and F. 'Laws; Horowhenua (one vote), «T. S. Fowler j Manawatu (three votea), F. Pirani and H. P. Muller; Marlborough (two votes), J. H. Morrison and J. F. O'Sullivai*; Nelson (three votes), N. Gaibraith and A. G. Shrimplin.; Otago (fiv* votes), A. Day, H. Harris> J. Brodie, and R. M. Isaacs; Poverty Bay (four votes), H. Parata and 'G< Luck; South Canterbury (three votes), H. Amoe, E. Wyllie, and W. Mabenj South Aucklanad (five votes), Field, Matthews, % and M'lrrt-yre; Southland (five votes), R. Galbraith, J. Jenkins, R. Pyle, J. Laughton,; Taranaki (four votes), W. J. Crombie, W. C. Cargill, and the Rev. Scott; Wanganui (five votes), G. Spriggens and L. Craig ; Wellington (five votes), J. Lybskey, E., O. Hales, D. D. Weir, and S. S. Brown; West Coast (three votes), W. Perry, G. C. Clarke, J. Stenhouee. The Wairarapa Union was not represented. "Before commencing business the chairman referred to the loss Rugby had. sustained by the death of Air. 'W. Coffey, who was a staunch supporter of the game. The adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet, already published, was moved by the chairman, who briefly referred to the visit of the American Universities team, which, he considered, marked an epoch in: the history of the game. Mr. W. G. Garrard wanted to know why the item " American Universities team tour expenses, £513 2s 2d " figured^ on the balance-sheet as an asset. Or*' the motion of Mr. Kelly, it was decided that the explanation be given in committee. When the meeting resumed, Mr. Wyllie desired to move a motion in regard to the matter, but it was pointed out that publicity was not desirable at the present moment, and he did not prees the point. QUESTION OF APPEALS. Mr. Pirani mentioned the matter of appeals to the Management Committee of the union. He stated that last year the committee was asked by the Manawatu Union to give a ruling in a case connected with a dub match. The committee had referred the matter , back with an attached memo, that it was purely a matter for the Manawatu Union. The speaker considered, that in. the interest of the game 'the Management Committee should endeavour to elnddate all points put forward by affiliated unions. Mr. G. H. Dixon wae of the opinion that added power should be given the Management Committee to deal with all appeals, whether on club contests or not. Messrs. Isaacs and Harris differed. They thought it would be inadvisable for the committee to interfere in local union matters. AMENDED 1 RULES. On the motion of Mr. E. O. 'Hales, rule 26 was amended to read as follows : — '"From the decision of the Management Committee- on all matters coming 'within 'its powers, or referred to it, there shall be the right of appeal to an Appeal Council (to be appointed by the delegates at the annual meeting), whose decision shall he final. ' Members of such Appeal Council shall not be members of the Management Committee, officio or ex-officio, of any union affiliated to the New; Zealand Rugby Football Union." Rule 12 was also amended by i<he inclusion of the word "amateur" before the words ( "club, union/ or organisation." - ' ' ELECTION OF OFFICERS. . The election of officers resulted as follows : — Patron, His Excellency Lord Islington ; president^ ' Mri Oeorge H. Dixon (Auckland). At this stag© (5.40 o'clock) the meetin* adjourned until 7.30. ' Thfr , newly-elected president (Mr. Bixou'j presided when the meeting resumed. - The following additional bffi'Cetfs were elected : — Vice-presidente, •Mess'rsl' 'A. DevoTe (Auckland), J. Colfin (Buller), M. Vance (Bush Dis--fcrici^'G. B.i Mason (Canterbury), F. Logan (Hawkes Bay), J. Proctor (Horowhenua), J. Manning (Manawatu), 0. ■H. Mills (Marlborough), R. W. Stiles (Nelson), F. H. Campbell (Ofcago), W. B. . Milter (Poverty, Bay), T. Clarken (South Auckland), A. Shirtcliffe (South Canterbury), A. Geddis (Southland), >F. T. Bellringer (Taranaki), D. K. Logan (Wairarapa), G. Spriggens (Wanganui), G. F. C. Campbell (Wellington),' J. ] Stenhouse (West Coast) ; hon. treasurer, Mr. H. W. Kelly; management committee, Messrs. N. Galbraith, M. J. Cromtie, R. M. Isaacs, J. H. Laughton, A. Laurenson, F. G. Wallburton, and Df. M'Evedy; appeal council, Messrs. G. C. Fache, A.. Campbell, and F. Pirani; auditor, Mr. O. G. -Kember; secretary, Mr. J. D. Avery; representative on English Union, Mr. C. .Wray Palliser. . TO ASSIST COUNTRY PLAYERS. _ The sub-committee appointed to consider a scheme to give players outside of the main centres more opportunities for consideration in the selection, of New Zealand and inter-island teams, forwarded the following suggestions :: — • That the unions of South Auckland, ■ Poverty Bay, ,- Hawkes Bay, Bush, Manawatu, Horowhenua, and Wairarapa should contribute, say, each three men, making twenty-one in all, to form a North Island country team, and play matches at Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wellington; that the unions of Marlborough, 'Nelson, Buller, West Coast, and South Canterbury contribute, say, four men, making twenty in all, to form a South Island country team, and play matches at Invercargill, Dunedin, and Christchurch. The matches' to be against the local unions, and after the games had. been completed, a final game to' bo played in one of the centi*!s prior to the seleetkni»;of the inter-island teams. ' The. sub-committee considered that ■ this scheme would enable the selectors of the New Zealand team to make a selection fully representative of the Dominion, and would also do full justice to the players as a whole. Jt was also recommended that the whole of the pr-oceeds be pooled, -towards payment of the travelling expeiises of both, teams. The financial, risk to be on account of the New 2fea,land Union. ■ Mr. Perry favoured the general principle of the scheme, bub considered several minor „ alterations shpukl be ' made. , Messrs. M'lntyre-, Pirani. It. Galbraith^ Stenhouse, Craig, Fowkr. N. Galbraibh, Morrison, and SprL'geiiß all spoko in favour of the scheme. After further discu..Mon Hie ui.it U-r was reexred to the 'iliuuiymmiii. Cti:u mjttggt

The Manawatu Union was given permission to alter its boundaries. The alteration will allow of Foxton playing in the Horowheuua Union's competition, and of Linton playing under the jurisdiction of the Manawatu Union. INTER-ISLAND AND OTHER GAMES. Mr. W. G. Garrard moved that the North v. South Island game be played on the 3rd June. Mr. Pirani expressed the hope that the game would be played in PaJmerston North. After some discussion the date and location of the match were left in the hands of the Management Committee. A resolution of the New Zealand Referees' Association, that in the event of captains of teams failing to agree as to the number of spells to be played, four spells be decided, was received. The Bay of Plenty Union was affiliated to the New Zealand Union, and on the motion of Mr. PiTani was admitted as a separate union. The question of boundaries was left to the Management Committee. THE FIFE YARD THROW-IN. The Wellington Union moved: — "That the resolution of the Management Committee adopting the recommendation of the English Union regarding penalty for breach of amended Law 12 be rescinded," and "That the recommendation of the English Union in connection with the alteration allowed in Law 12, that in the event of the ball not alighting at right angles five yards -from the touch-line a scrum be allowed, be not agreed with, and that the Eenalty where the ball does not alight ye yards from the touch-line be a free kick." After some discussion the chairman ruled the motion out of order, on the ground that under the constitution of the New Zealand Union there was no authority or right to alter the rules without the consent of the English Union. ~ northern unionism and a petition: A petition from about 120 residents of | the Bluff was received, asking that the disqualification imposed on a number of Southland players for taking part in a Northern Union game, be removed. A letter was received with the petition, stating that the disqualified men had taken part in Northern games purely as amateurs. Mr. R. Galbraith hoped that the J petition would receive the favourable consideration of the union. He moved that it be a recommendation to the committee that the case be reviewed, with a view to reinstating the players. i Mr. Dixon explained that the committee had made an exhaustive enquiry into the matter, and was satisfied that due punishment had been meted out." If the. Southland Union had fresh evidence bearing on the case, no doubt the Committee would again go into the matter. Mr. Mintyre said the union was creating a body of outcasts, which was a bad thing for Rugby. He thotight that the disqualified players should- be" given every opportunity, to re-open their cases. Mr. Mason observed that if professional football had been a success in Southland the application for reinstatement would • not have been . received. The players went into the game with their eyes open, and they fully deserved their punishment. He.- thought, the union should act very , carefully in, the matter. ' ' . Mr. Jenkins. said that, Northern. Union football would, be killed in) Southland if the union reinstated the disqualified players^ ._ The whole trouble aroae out of a, decision of the Southland Union in disqualifying" two .teams for, refusing to play *n a ground which they considered was' not in a fit condition 'for football. 'After-be ing disqualified the teams had played, games under 'the Northern Union. rules, and had also played a match with a'.Timaru team. In the* interest of the , game, he urged the union to reinstate the players. At present, he continued, th&y were playing soccer, and lt^'waai undeniable that soccer -^as get 1 T;ing a hold in Southland. , ;.'i f l?he-' motion was carried on the voice*. , In reply to a question by Mr. Sprig- < gens the chairman said it did neceissarj y ily mean disqualification if amateurs ! practised with. Northern Union players. [ SCHOOL FOOTBALL. Mr. Cargill brought up the question | of school football, referring, to the attitude of the Wellington Schools Union. Mr. Perry immediately took up the cudgels and outlined the position of the Wellington Uaion in legard to the control of school football. The v chairman thought that the matter was out of order, but Mr. M'Grath pro- ■ tested that it was one of the most important questions of the evening. ,He considered they were fostering a hot 'bed of professionalism.' He had heard that the Northern Union League had asked, the Marist Bros, schools to affiliate with the league. The Now Zealand Union, he considered, should take some , action. Mr O'Sullivan condemned the action of the Wellington' Public Schools- Union, a» did3fr.. Weir, who said it was well known 1 that Wellington did noi have as many Rugby players as it should have. The Soccer people had' worked Tufcrd, and they had gained their 1 point. The' Rugby people had been sleeping too long. ' ' k Mr. O'Snllivan moved that the action, of the Schools' Union in Wellington be condemned, 'and that it be a recommendation, to the Management Committee of the "New Zealand Union that it make .further enquiry into the matter. 'Ay* _ amendment was moved by 1 . Mr. Pirani that thi6 meeting congratulates the Wellington Rugby, Union on the steps it is taking to prevent any teams being excluded fro"m ' schools' competitions,'and trusts that they will not relax their efforts until they are crowned with Buccees. ' ' • Mr. Lynskey eaid the Wellington teachers had done a great amount of good work for football, and he thought the Wellington Union had made a mistake in . trying to . bounce, them. Mr. Hales explained that the union had not attempted any bounce. The union fully realised the good work of the teachers.' • . ■ ' The Rev.. Scott, said that, after; listen-, 'ing to the discussion he was' quite sure that the danger to Rugby was not to be looked for in Northern Union circles but .from "Soccer." He_ thought the action; of the Schools' Union was very ill-ad-vised. In the country people were saying that Rugby now had no chance inWellington ' as "Soccer" was the' chief game there. ' Mr. O'Sullivan withdrew his motion in ' favour of the amendment which was carried. The usual vote wae made for the encouragement of school football. . Votes of thanks to the retiring president and chairman concluded the busi-n-ees.

The claim against tho Government for dredging again came up for discussion at the. Nelßon. Harbour Board meeting on Monday. Mr. Lock asked for information with regard io the board's claim against the Government for dredging at iho wharf. . The chtunTiaJi replied that ho did not know anything about tho posi-^ tion. Mr. l<lranklynl <l ranklyn ofkod if «. reply had been received from tho Government ns to tho board's clnini for the payment of tho balance owing ou account of the dredging. Tho secretary stated .that no^ rpply had boon received. Mr. JFranklyn : v Tlio Government is playing with us ! Mr. L.'clc oaked whether tho chairman would accept v motion at llu- next meeting to Inp cffci'fc tlmh tho Go\prji>m>iit bo iigain Ji'Ulhl Io linnd ovi'i thi> coiiriol of the uluwf to rhf tu>.'r<!. The ohdii'iniMi n>pliucl tli.it iir. Luck coulri gtvo uotico of i motion,