FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15924, 9 May 1912, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

ELLESMERE SUB-UNION. A meeting of the Ellesmere Rugby Sub-Union was held at Loeston on n " day ' evening-; present—l)r Withers (president, Southbrdige), Messrs >' * M Millan (Dunsandel), T. Strong (Doyleston), J. F. Donald (Leeston), and 11. T. M’Millan (Dwell). In® president said that Mr F. L. Murray, of the Canterbury Rugby Union, had expressed a wish to address the members of the sub-union in reference to amending one of tho Union’s compoti--tion rules, which prevented players in sub-union districts taking part in the Canterbury Rugby Union’s competitions. A letter nad been received'from the. secretary of the Canterbury Rugby Union, stating that a deputation from that body wished to meet the members of tho sub-union. The secretary had invited the deputation to be present at tho meeting. Mr' Murray refused to address the meeting while the members of the Union were present. It was then arranged that Mr Murray should he heard first, and the deputation retired. _ Mr Murray said that he could lay his case before the meeting more clearly if he attended than he could by letter. The rule which ho wished to have altered read as follows:—“No player shall he allowed to play in any _ Canterbury Rugby Union competition if he resides in a sub-union district.” He considered that the change would be for the good of the game. There was no doubting tho fact that football bad gone back in recent years, and it was recognised that something must be done to improve matters. Mr F. T. Evans had stated at the annual meeting of the Union that he did not know what was to be done to improve Canterbury football. An amendment to the rule he had mentioned, which was in the direction of allowing Canterbury College students to play in competition matches had been moved, and his amendpaent was that any player in a sub-union district should bo allowed to take part in a Christchurch competition provided that permission was first obtained from the sub-union. If they prevontod a man playing where he liked, they would not get tho best out of him. Ho had been a solector for five years previous to the present season, and considered that country play-ors-who had not the same chance as the town players of getting the extra hit of “polish” were overshadowed by town men and the only chance of them getting into tho representative teams was when they happened to catch the eye of a selector. He had voted for the_ Canterbury College motion because it was one step towards the object he was aiming at. The chairman said that lie was glad there was a move in the direction of recognising country players.. Mr W. M’Millan said that if the few good men they had in the district were allowed to go to town to play football, the district would suffer considerably. Mr Murray withdrew after thanking the meeting for according him a hearing. Messrs G. H. Mason, W. M. Allardyce, and G. Scott, members of tho Canterbury Rugby Union then entered, the room. _ Mr Mason said that it had been decided by the Union that deputations should visit the different sub-unions and confer with them on football matters generally. The Union recognised that the sub-unions were not fulfilling the lobject for which they had been formed, which was to get country players into the representative teams. His Union looked upon representative football as a secondary consideration. Its first consideration was to improve tho standard of play in the different clubs and success in representative matches would follow.

Mr Allardyce said ho believed that country football would be greatly improved if they could have frequent matches between country and town clubs. The country men would pick up many of the points practised by the town players. Ho suggested that the Union might frequently send out one of its junior teams, as it had a bye. every Saturday in the junior competition. The president then placed before the deputatiou the arguments advanced byMr Murray, iu support of his proposed amendment. It was stated that the team in town that could offer the best financial assistance would be the most- likely to gat the country men if they allowed them to play in town. If they were going to get the . best players from the country to win tho representative matches .they would be winning them at a dear price. The man who went out to play football for the love of the game would play just as well tor his own club in the country as be would before an audience in town. If they allowed men who lived just inside the boundary of the district to go to town to play they would be opening a wide gate for other players. Mr Mason replied to Mr Murray’s arguments' to the satisfaction of the sub-union.

The chairman said the sub-union was greatly indebted to the deputation for coming out to discuss football matters. Ho thought it would be for the benefit of sub-unions if they could have oiie of their members at some of the Union meetings. Mr Mason said that it might be. a good. thing if his union held a. special meeting once a year to confer with subunion representatives. Tho Canterbury Rugby Union would be glad to do anything to help country football. After the deputation had withdrawn the matter brought un by Mr Murray was discussed, and the following resolution was carried: “That this Union does not see that doing: away with the rule referred to would benefit local fotball, and that the sub-union’s delegate to the Canterbury. Rugby Union be informed of tho decision.’’

RAKAIA CLUB. There was a largo attendance at tho annual general meeting of tho Rakaia Football Club. Tho report and balance sheet, the latter showing a credit of £1 4s sd, were adopted. Officers were elected as follow: —Patron, Mr L. White; president, Mr W. J- Dickie, M.P.; vice-presidents, Messrs E. box, A. Hills, L. Sheriffs, C. May, J. Penny, G. Hardy. H. J. Harrison, fe. G. Holmes, W. Iluret, A. D. M’llraith, J. Magson, J. Davison and J. Milmiino; captain, Mr J. Cromio; vice-captain, Mr J. M’Lean; secretary, Mr J. Pollard ; treasurer, Mr H. Smith ;c<>mniittee, Messrs T. Monson, T. M-Lean, P. Cohden, A. Shannon, L. Marshall, T. Cromie and E. Roulston; custodian, Mr J. M’Lean; delegate to Union, Mr T. Cromie. Mr J. D. M’Kechmo was appointed referee for home matches.

A well-attended meeting of the Southern Cross Fotball Club was held at'Ashburton on Tuesday evening, Mr M Roonev presiding. It "as resolved to enter ‘seven toams-three Senior too Junior and two Third the seven-rv-side tournament Tu enty-three new members wore A letto of thanks was received from the Ashburton'county Rugby. Union for the club’s j +?•„A r>Q The secretary was autooHsed to arrange for selectors for tho throo grades. '

r p,, R Press Association.! [P WELLINGTON, May 8. Th« Wellington Rugby Union’s maucommittee this evening susagoment commjon of the Athletic twelve months for striking toaril > *" n t in tho match against Pcan oppono j Rapson denied K WSWU™

stated he did. and characterised the in- | cident as a very deliberate and foul j one. Rapson said that . whilst the I player Was forcing his way through other players after a line-out ho (Rapson) placed oc of his hands on the mans chin and shoved him back. Ro--grot was expressed that the management committee members in .Wellington had not power to report cases of roughnoss as could ho done in Otago. The chairman (Air E. A. Hales) said the New Zealand Union had absolutely upset tho rule. Last year a man was reported by tho Otago Union for roughness, but the decision was overruled by the New Zealand Union, also by tho Appeal Committee. It was resolved to write to tho clubs requesting their assistance in suppressing rough play. COUNTRY PLAYERS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As usual, that fossilized body known- to the football public as the Canterbury Rugby Union, is in no desperate hurry, to evolve a scheme whereby country players will have tho benefit of playing in or against city teams. A fortnight lias elapsed since this close corporation affirmed that country players ought to be'permitted, to join town clubs, and I suppose the aforesaid corporation, having delivered itself of this chunk of wisdom, has again resumed its Rip Van Winkle sleep, from which it had been so rudely disturbed. The treatment meted out to the Rugby enthusiasts in the country is a- standing disgrace to the controlling body of our great winter sport. The Union Las practically killed country football, and is doing its level best to finish the job in the city. Rugby in Canterbury has been going back for years. The Union is entirely to blame for this state of affairs, and now, when the position is brought right home to them, they cannot rise to the occasion. If the collective brains of the Canterbury Rugby Union cannot evolve a scheme why not give tlie suggestion of your correspondent in the “ Times " of Monday last a trial? His idea is practical. It is up to the controlling body to be sports and act at once, if they have the interests .of Rugby a,t heart.—l am, etc., ONE OF THE CROWD. ’ TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your report of the special meeting of the Rugby Union in regard to country football," Air Hiddlestone, the Alalvern sub-Union’s delegate, is reported to hnvo said that his subUnion was totally against the motion of Air Alurray. This I wish to contradict, as a meeting of Malvern » subUnion delegates was held at Darfield on May 2, and it was carried by five votes to four that the sub-Union’s secretary, Alr D. M’Alcekan, he instructed to inform. Air Hiddlestone to vote for the motion, with the addition that country players had to get a permit from their Union.—l am, etc., R. BURGESS, President Kirjvec Football Club.