FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 10391, 12 August 1897, Page 4

FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION

At a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, held at Wellington last night, a letter was rend from the English Union stating that the communication of the Otago Union in reference to the dispute in the Canterbury - Otago match last year was not even placed before the English Union's Committee, who gave their decision ou the statements sent by the New Zealand Union. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the Canterbury Union. The Union removed the disqualification from D. Gage. A report was received from Mr Hyams, manager of the New Zealand team, denying that there had been any disgraceful conduct oa the part of three players, but he reported three of. the teamtwo from Wellington and one from Otago—for drunkenness and bad language in the Metropolitan Hotel, Auckland. The Committee decided to suspend the three players in question pending an inquiry to be held on Friday week. A copy of the charges is to be sent to each of the men, and the unions concerned are to be notified of their suspension. Mr Hyams denied that his communication to the Tarauaki Union in reference to the selection of a certaiu gentleman, whom he wished to be placed on the New Zealand Selection Committee, was official. It was decided that he should make a written report on the subject.

The annual match between the Post Office and Telegraph Uepartments v. Railway Officers was played on the Caledonian Ground yesterday afternooD. The teams were very evenly matched, and a fast, exciting encounter was witnessed, the " penny stamps" eventually being returned the winners by 5 points to 3. For the winners M'Millau scored a try, which Beck converted : while M'Kellar scored for the losers, crossing the line near the corner flag. Finnegan, Crawshaw, and Bain (backs), Beck and Dunne (forwards), played well for the combined team; while Connor, M'Kellar, Conn, and Isaacs (backs), M 'Pherson and Matthewson (forwards), were the most conspicuous on the Railway side. Mr J. R. M'Connochie acted as referee.

The special correspondent of the Wullington ' Post,' writing of the second match against Queensland, says: "As the local forwards were afraid of Pauling and M'Kenzie on the line out and 'dumped' them whether they had the ball or not, the ball was not thrown to them, and Harris was made use of instead, and he did some splendid work, at least three of the tries being virtually secured by him, though he did not in any one instance touch down himself. Armit, who got more work than usual to do, was in great form, his 'bumping' of the local men astonishing them as much as it amused the crowd. Humphries stood all the rushes in gallant style, and on almost every occasion Harris came to his assistance and started a forward rush."

As the outcome of an argument between a player and a referee at the conclusion of a recent match in Invercargill, and the consequent submitting of the matter to the Southland Rugby Union Committee as a test case, it has beeu decided by that body that in future " every effort will be made to protect referees from interference by players, both on and off the field of play." "Ex-forward," in the Wellington ' Post,' writes:—" The lateßt move of the Taranaki Union in regard to the. annual contest with Wellington suggests a desiro to shuttle out of a meetinn for this season. To speak plainly, tho Taranaki Union, recognising its weakness this season, as evidenced in tho Wairarapa match, is afraid to risk defeat Tho rasulfc is a strong probability that the fixture will fall through this year. Why does not Taranaki Union toe. the mark, and not seek shelter behind a hedge of flimsy excuses ?"