THE RUGBY UNION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 20 April 1907, Page 4

THE RUGBY UNION.

THE ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. THE SPREAD OF RUGBY. WELLINGTON, Friday. The annual report of the New Zealand Rugby Union says : "Never before has the interest in football been so marked. The committee for some timo past been communicating with the Rugby Union authorities in London to secure a visit of a representative team, and negotiations are still pending. It is hoped that the English Union will send a team in 1908. Special thanks are given to A. E. G. Rhodes and C. Wray Paliser for assisting in the negotiations. The Committee had also invited the South African Union to send a team at an early date. The Stanford University authorities had been in comunication with the Exhibition authorities with a view to sending a University team, and the New Zealand Union had replied suggesting a visit later in the season, but nothing definite had resulted so far. The Committee expresses gratification at the spread of Rugby in America. It has learned that there was a desire on the Pacific Coast for the visit of a New Zealand team to America, and. expected a definite proposal by an early mail. The Committeo has under consideration a proposal for encouraging Rugby in public schools. The balance-sheet shows a sound financial position. The year's working gives a profit of £302. Loans have betn granted to :— Auckland £1000, Taranaki £400, Wanganui jj/50, and Southland £1300. Further loans have been allotted to: Hawke's Bay £750, and Welington £1000. The former is in course of arrangement, but the Wellington Union did not avail itself of the allotment. It will be necessary for thc incoming Committee to arrange for an interchange visit with Australia.