RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 May 1925, Page 3

RUGBY.

“ALL BLACKS." NAMiL NOT FOR FUTURE RUGBY TEAMS.

The term “All Blacks," as applied to New Zealand Riigby teams, is not likely to he iised officially in connection' With future teams:’ There has been no decision to this effect, hut delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union last week were generally agreed that for the future Rugby combinations representing Ibis Dominion should be known as New Zealand Rugby teams: In bringing the matter to the notice of the delegates, Mr, J. Prendeville, chairman of the Wellington Rugby Union, said that the name “All Blacks" originated with the 1905 team. The recent New Zealand team was also called the “All Blacks," and since its return the question had been raised whether it was a iwoper name for New Zealand teams. “I think it is not," he added. “The 1905 team adopted- that name, and the last team followed it. Let it rest at that.” “PIRACY" UP UNIFORM.

The all black jersey with the fern leaf has been the emblem of New Zealand Rugby for over thirty years, and it is considered in Rugby football circles that the sole right should be held for its use. The subject was .discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, but on the question of obtaining a yopyrigpu there was a diversity of opinion among delegates. It was generally considered, however, that the uniform belonged to the New Zealand Rugby Union and to nobody else. R , “Oyf emblem has been pjfated—l think we hail safely, cal! it pirated, remarked Mr. J. Pretxlevil.le. chairman of the Wellington Rugby Union. “I think that if we have no other power we should go to the Legislature and have it copyrighted." ft was pointed out in discussion that there were difficulties in regard t° obtaining a copyright, but a decision was made that the Management Committee be authorised to take steps, through ilie Legi slat-rive if necessary, to hsxte the New Zealand Rugby Union football uniform protected.

A GREAT FOOTBALLER. PASSING OF MR. A. WILLIAMS. The death of Mr. George Albert MilHams, who in the early days was a member of the Armed Constabulary, and later joined the New Zealand police force, removed a yell-known Rugby enthusiast, says a Wellington paper. The late Mr. Williams came to Wellington iii the late ’seventies, and joined the armed constabulary. When the Te Whiti trouble broke bht, lie was one of the large force' of armed'constabulary and volunteers Which Was sent to I’ariliaka to quell the rising'. Mr M ilHams, being a ma n of splendid physique, was selected as one pi the force sent into the Maori stronghold to arrest Te Whiti, the Native chief, and also to effect the arrest of a Maori murderer, who had killed a surveyor. The small force were armed with revolvers, and expected a resistance, but, fortunately, Te Whiti and the murderer submitted quietly to arrest. . . After the Maori disturbance had been quelled at Parihaka, a force of constabulary was left in the district to e its life that the sihdulcleririg embers did not break into flame, again, and Vfr. Williams was one of those left beliind to keep the peace. While here he acquired a knowledge of the Maori language, and ho doubt this led to his being selected as a memib'er of the New Zealand Native Rugby team which went to England in 1888.