FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 12943, 5 May 1908, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The Committee of the Otago Rugby Football Union held their weekly meeting last night; present—Messrs F. H. Campbell (in tho chair), V. Cavanagh, P. Priest, G. M’Laxen, J. Dunne, A. Dey, J. Duncan, H. Harris, W. J. Wilson, D. Munroo, G. Thomson, E. A. Hamel, G. Ross, and Dr Crawford. The Waipori Football Club wrote with regard to forming a sub-union between Lawrence, Waitahuna, and Waipori. The Lawrence and Waitahuna Clubs wrote on the same matter.—No objection raised, but the Lawrence Club would require to. pay their owing subscriptions to the South Otago Subunion. 0 South Otago Football Sub-union wrote lodging the Sub-union’s objection to the Lawrence Star Club being affiliated to the Union until they had paid the £1 Is due to the Sub-union,—Club to be informed. The Referees’ Association notified that they did not think that the idea of referees for school matches would be a success.—Referred to the Schools’ Association. The N.Z.RJF.U. wrote with regard to the British team’s tour that the offer for ground had been accepted, the ground charge beim* 25 per cent, of net gate. They asked the Union to report as soon as possible on the best available accommodation for tho British team at Dunedin, on the capacity of the ground for accommodating spectators, and on what the public would be charged for admission.—The Union to be informed that the ground would accommodate 20,000, and the present stands 300. The local Union were also negotiating for extra stands, and that the charge would be Is to enter the ground and another Is for the enclosure, and 2s 6d extra for reserved seats. The Friendly Societies’ Department acknowledged receipt of two copies of the rules of the 0.R.F.U., and stated that the amendment was not yet in order for acceptance, as the old rule must be formally rescinded.— Received. Mr W. Dey, referee, reported having had to caution one of the Ravensbourno third teams on Saturday last for misconduct.— Held over. Mr H. Lawrie reported liaving warned a member of the Dunedin third team for swearing on the field on Saturday.—Mr Lawrie to be written to regarding- the language, and the matter held over in the meantime. The Nort Otago Union asked to be remembered when tho Otago representative team was on tour.—Held ewer. The West Taieri team claimed a win against the Port Chalmers No. 2 by default, but asked that no fine ho imposed provided the referee’s expenses were paid.—Fine inflicted and explanation invited. Mr A. Wallace notified that the Union third grade team had defaulted in the match on April 25. —Fine inflicted, and the Union team to be asked for an explanation. With regard to the practice of betting on sperts grounds, tho Inspector of Police stated that the detective force had received instructions to give the matter special attention.— Received. The Traffic Superintendent notified that ho would recommend the issue of excursion fares on the occasion of the matches with the British football ream. The Union Football Club informed that Mr W. Paine had agreed to act as groundsman this season. The Caledonian Society wrote stating that the Press box would bo repaired, but they intended to replace it with a Press room. In regard to the matter of the wrongful use of members’ tickets, they were of the opinion that the matter was one for the O.R.F.U. to deal with. They would lend any assisfcance possible.—Received. A number of footballs were granted to country teams. The Finance Committee reported that they did not consider the issue of yearly membership tickets for Carisbrook advisable either for the public or for the Union. It was held that the twelve or fourteen matches to be seen for a guinea would not compensate ticket-holders,—Adopted. Tho referee in the Ravensbourne Second v. Southern Third match reported that after once warning D. Timlin (Ravensbourne) and W. Plum (Southern) for misconduct on the field, he had eventually to put them off the field. Tho young fellows were present last night, and admitted that they had been clinched together, but thoro were no blows passed.—After discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Dr Crawford, that the players slwuld be suspended for three weeks. The doctor considered that they should deal with this offence with a firm hand. Mr C. Eyre reported D. Boreham, of the Southern Second, for disputing his ruling and for illegally charging another player when he had not the ball. — Boreham was present, explained that in the first instance he had not heard the whistle blow, and in tbo second instance admitted the offence, but said that it was impossible to avoid the collision. — Suspended for three weeks. The Committee were of the opinion that it was a serious charge. The Boys' High School wrote requesting the Union to pay the train fares of five members of their team who had to travel from Port Chalmers every Saturday. The fare was Is return.—Mr Campbell said ho knew that this to these"boys to come to town every Saturday.—Dr Crawford moved that the fares bo paid.—Mr Wilson was of the opinion that were this done it would open up a big question. Tho Port team had several players who had to pay their own fares and who had to travel every Saturday to get a game.—Mr Campbell thought that on general lines the schoolboys, who were not wage-earners, should be granted their fares by the Rugby Union.—Mr Thomson thought that if the boys wanted tho Union to pay their fares tho sooner the boys knocked off playing the better. They could not be very enthusiastic. —lt was resolved that the School bo requested to send in the names of those players whose fares would be charged against the Union.