FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14416, 5 July 1907, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM. PROGRESS OP ARRANGEMENTS. In conversation yesterday with a gentleman who is an enthusiastic follower of football, a reporter learnt something of the arrangements for the departure of a professional Rugby football team to play a series of matches in the United Kingdom. It-was stated that, in spite of the efforts of the New Zealand Rugby Union to safeguard the amateur 6tatus of its players, the organiser or organisers of the professional team have made such progress that the selection is practically completed. It was stated some time ago that fhe names of the selected players would be published this week, but in view of the fact that tho date'of departure ie not likely to-be earlier than the.middle of August, the immediate publication of the names is improbable. Eight of the playerra who have been chosen by the New Zealand Rugby Union for the Australian tour, which is to begin on Saturday, are mentioned as selected members of the professional team, and if their names were published either before or during the progress of the Australian tour, they would be ineligible to retain their places as amateurs. Inquiries have been made in some quarters as to the action likely to be taken by the Union in the event of the declaration of some members of its team as professionals, but, so far as can bo ascertained, no move has been made in the way of providing for vacancies in the amateur team. So far as the professional organisers are concerned, they have had no difficulty in securing a strong team of backs, in spite of the many prophecies that they would fail miserably in that department, and their forwards are a thoroughly representative lot. Canterbury wiU contribute two players to the professional team, but the other large centres will be more fully represented. Otago will contribute three or four forwards ; the Wellington province a similar number of forwards, and probably more backs; and Auckland two or three forwards and a fairly large proportion of the backs. There is a probability of the West Coast of the South Island rinding representation in the team. It in expected that the team will leave about the middle of August, and almost immediately after the return of the Rugby Union's representatives from Australia.

NORTH CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION.

A meeting of the North Canterbury Rugby Union was held at Rangiara on Wednesday evoning. Mr I). W. M'Gill (vice-president) was in the chair. The Oxford Club withdrew its appeal against tho Union Committee's decision that the Senior match against the Amberley Club, claimed as a forfeit, should be played, and in consequence the match will be played on a convenient date. The Amberiey Club appealed against the committee's decision that the match, played by its Senior team against North Canterbury should be played over again, owing to J. Mason, one of the players in the team, having been ineligible. The Union decided to uphold the committee's decision, and dismissed the appeal. The Amberley delegate intimated that his club would appeal to the Canterbury Rugby Union. The Tu Ahuriri Club gave notice that its Senior team would not be able to meet Oxford on Saturday owing to the disablement of several of its players and others having left the district. An application from F. C. Bailey, of the Tu Ahuriri Club, to be placed on the accident insurance, was refused, on the. ground of Rule 6, requiring members Fo be financial before being placed on the funds. Mr H. C. Wilson, referee iu the Junior matoh between the North Canterbury and Oxford teams on Saturday, reported R. Garlick, of tho latter team, for making insulting remarks towards the referee and disputing his decisions. The offender was disqualified for three years. Strong comment was made on the bad language used by some players, and by spectators inciting players to rough play, and it was resolved to deal severely with offenders. It was decided to hold Senior and Junior eeven-a-sido tournaments if sufficient ontries are forthcoming; also to communicate with tho Ellesmere and Aehburton Unions with a view to arranging representative matches. It was resolved to take up collections at the Flag and Cup matches to provide funds for sending a representative team on tour.

The following team has been selected to represent Wellington Leaguo Australian Football against Chriatchurch, at St Albans Park on Saturday:—Robinson, Cromie, M'Whae J Bond, Gow, Patrick, Saunders, Mathieson, Garside, Ward, Nathan, Heathorn. Home wood, Sanaford, Reid, Meates, Westwood and Moncur; emergencies—Howgate and Neville.. ■ ■.■' ]>-. ■• - ■ ■■■ - . •