PROJECTED N.Z.F.A. TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 8

PROJECTED N.Z.F.A. TOUR

THROUGH AUSTRALIA

PRIMARY SCHOOLS' ELEVEN

Suggestions for the,selection and transport of a team of New Zealand primary schoolboys to Australia were set out in a circular from the New Zealand Foolbail Association to the main centres which came under discussion at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Association. The circular, which' was signed by. Messrs. S. C. Sheddon, F. Mackie, and J. Lothian, set out in detail all points which might conceivably develop, and .suggested means by which some of the difficulties might be pvercome. The matter of leave of absence and its effect on.tlie grading aud salaries of the teachers concerned had presented litttt difficulty on previous tours, the circular stated, and doubtless could be arranged without-'detriment ;to those concerned. In the event of a manager being selected who taught in a North Island school, a vice-. manager from the South would be nominated. l The manager would act as selector. , ~ ' .-. ■■..•■ All team members, to be eligible for selection, must 'be bona fide pupils of primary schools, or of the primary departments of secondary schools, junior hign schools, or intermediate schools, and must be in no class higher thpn Form II (Standard 6). All boys must be undo; 15 years of age on August 3, and must weigh Bst 7lb or under. A guarantee from Australia along the same lines would, of course, be necessary. The sailing data would, probably be August 3, the boys assembling at Wellington on the preceding Monday or Tuesday, and the tour would List six weeks, including two weeks oi the term holidays'. Five players each would be allotted to Auckland (including North and South Auckland, Hawke's Bay, and Poverty Bay) and Wellington (including Manawatu, Wanganui, Wairarapa, and Taranaki), while Canterbury (with Westland and South Canterbury) and Otago (with Southland) would provide four.each. The manager could most economically travel to Auckland, Wanganui, and Christcliurcli on succeeding weekends; Trials'at Auckland or Hunlly, and ,at'.Wellington Dr

Palmerston North in the North Inland, and at Christchurcli iv the South Island could bo arranged. It was suggested that Mr. Godbcr, ■ tha manager of the New Zealand team about ; to tour Australia, should 'be furnished with full data concerning the proposed primary tour, and that he should interview the Australian body at the first opportunity. Much was ■to be arranged, but there was yet time. It was essential that the Australian attitude should .be known, aud the amount of monetary assistance the Australian bodies were prepared to give should be ascertained. The cost of the tour, estimated on tljo report of the 1020 trip had been estimated at.£43o, after careful study by Mr. Harrison.' '.Hence,'iiv the circular, the. suggestion was made that the association responsible should guarantee £20 per player, and that a reserve fund of £50 to £100 should be made available. s ' The Wellington Association decided to reply that it .was in favour of the torn, but that: it could not possibly , bear the. .expense. .-'.• Various methods of obtaining the money were mentioned in discussion, but the matter, was. held over until a t later date. ' : '.■'.' v