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Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 722, 2 May 1914, Page 21

Heard on the Street. I hear that P. J. Ryan and Prussing, of the University team, are showing fine form at five-eighths—so good ' that, if they keep on the up-grade as they should, they will take some beating for the five-eighths position in the representative team. This is looking. ahead with a vengeance, but still I am one of those who think that P. J. Ryan has not received a fair measure of justice in the past. This reminds me that it is nearly time the Rugby Union appointed the selectors, for the season. Time is getting on, and surely it should not be a hard- matter to find three suitable .men to select, our representative teams for the season. Names that suggest themselves to me are C. Campbell, W. J. Hardham, and F. Roberts. If they could be prevailed upon to take charge of this onerous duty they would have the full confidence-of the players. Again last Saturday the first-aid men at the Athletic Park were asked to carry out their duties without the necessary paraphernalia. Surely these fellows, who do much good; work in attending to injured players, are entitled to fair consideration . My. worry is that they, may get weary, which would be in the nature of a disaster. Just one word for a zealous officer. Arthur. Fenton, the caretaker of. the Athletic Park, has the ground in splendid order this season. As a matter of fact, it is a long day since the turf was in such fine playing order as it is at the present time. By the, way, Fen ton is an expert at preparing wickets for cricket matches, judging by the good work he did while he was in Napier. This would be an opportune time for the Rugby Union to approach the Cricket Association to play matches on .their ground during the summer season. The more they can popularise th.e Park—and the playing of cricket matches will help to .that end —the easier will they find it to meet their financial obligations in the future. I don't know who is responsible for the programme that has been distributed at the Athletic Park the last two Saturdays. But_ the party in question was in trouble with the Wellington team last week. He set out to giye all the players' initials, but be couldn't have known those of the yellow-and-black ierseyed brigade, for not less than eight of them were named wrong. : Gordon Kinvig, the Oriental captain and five-eighth, is leaving for Melbourne in a fortnight's time. As it .means his advancement in business life, one is loth to complain thereat, but he has been such a power in 'local football that there are bound to be many regrets at the departure of, .such a fine young fellow and good footballer. May he have the best of luck in the capital city of Victoria. have some casual footballers out in Porirua. Last Saturday, when a town team journeyed out there to play the local side, there was only one goal-post erected, and the suggestion was made that the game be : played, all kicks • at. goal, whether from free-kicks or tries, to be taken at one. end. Makeshift goalposts, however, were fotind, and then a of sheep had to be driven off the playing field before a start oould be made. The Rugby Union should) inspect this ground before declaring it fit to olay matches on. The Referees' Association is shorty of members, and an appeal is being made to old pla,yers to join the whistling brigade. Meetings are held every Monday night in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, and any who feel inclined to help the old game along are invited to attend these meet-' ings. « * * » From Near and Far. _ Dave Gallaher, the captain of the original "All Blacks," has been again appointed sole selector of Auckland's representative teams. One Northern writer sums the matter up thus:—"He will have an anxious time this season, as the Ranfurly Shield has to be brought back from Taranaki." But I thought they were_ tired of that shield in football circles in Auckland. Duncan McGregor is this year a member of i)he triumvirate that will select the Canterbury League's representative team. This "All Black" is also one of the leading referees in the professional game in Christchurch. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Referees' Association is to be held next week. I hear that R.. M. Isaacs, who has been President of the Association since its inception, is desirous of retiring from that position. But . "Dick" has been a good man, and has rendered such excellent service, that strong overtures should be made to him to retain office. Evidently some people don't like the way the interests of many Rugby Unions are looked after by delegates of the New Zealand Rugby Union resident in Wel-

lington. A motion is to be tabled at the annual meeting restricting the voting powers of Associations to delegates sent by the various Rugby Unions from their own districts. It is not likely to be carried, but a better way surely would be for the Unions to instruct their delegates how to vote. It seems so to me, at any rate