FOOTBALL.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 271, 21 May 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

.___-— o THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM FOR ENGLAND. [PBB PBBBS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, May 20. A motion expressing emphatic disapproval of the proposal to send a professional Rugby football team to England was lost at a meeting of the Otago , Rugby Union committee to-night, it being decided to igmore into the matter altogether. According to an English paper of 28th March, the suggested visit of the professional New Zoalanders has been considered by most of the olubs, and also by the committee of the Northern Union. The latter were wishful of speedily finding out the opinions of tne clubs, and with that object in viow they sent out the following circular, which explains itself:— "The committee have had this matter under consideration, and they are very favoroubly disposed to the visit providing— -(1) They receive satisfactory assurance as to strength of team; (2) Sufficient support in guarantees from clubs in membership with our union. The committee suggest that the New Zealand team be paid 70 per cent, of the gross gate, with a guarantee from the union that their share for the tour be not less than £3000. To meet this guarantee it is suggested that each club or combination having a match with the" New Zealand team shall guarantee the New Zealand share of gate to be : —(a) For a Saturday or holiday match, £100; (b) for a mid-week match, £50. The amounts guaranteed to be deposited in the bank to tho credit of "New Zealand Guarantee Fund" not later than lst June next. It^s estimated that the guarantees irom clubs will amount to bteween £2000 and £2500, and the Union Committee will be. prepared to make up balance of guarantee. As there is only a short time to make the necessary arrangements for the visit, clubs and combinations desirous of having matches upon the terms suggested should notify me of such desire as early as possible." The football matches played at Wanganui on Saturday resulted as followß : — Senior : Wanganui (17) beat Pirates (3), Kairau (13) beat Waverley (3). Juniors : Pirates (13) beat Turakina (3). Third-class; Wanganui (8) beat Waverley (3).