FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7904, 24 March 1887, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

PROPOSAL FOR A NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO VISIT NEW SOUTH WALES. The acting-secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union (Mr. Sibbin) has received the following letter from Mr. Arnold (secretary of the Southern Rugby Union, Sydney) inviting a second New Zealand team to visit the colony during the coming season. As Otago, and probably Canterbury, will have teams travelling over the oolony this season, it is hardly likely that the New South Wales trip will be undertaken till the following football season at any rate :— Southern Rugby Football Union. Legislative Assembly Office, Sydney, 14ih March. 1537. Sir,—We are extremely desirous that a football team from your colony should visit us during th« coming season, and should be glad of an early intimation, if there is a prospect of the visit taking place. Your team ought to arrivo hero about tho Ist July, and play In Sydnojr on three Saturdays, the Intervening dates to be Oiled up by country matches, as was dona during the last tour. The attendance of the public has vastly increased since your last visit, and 1 foul sure that, with ordinary hick, your expenses would he more than paid. I nan offer you the following terms: —You receive 70 per cent, of tho gross takings and dolr,iy your own expenses, including advertising, men at gates. &c. : or, we will pay all expenses, except steamer and hotel expenses, and give you half the grogs (kings, my Union guaranteeing that your half .hall not bo less than £300. The last proposal Is based upon the terms given by Otago to our team last year, nanioly, " £75. or half gross takings " This is multiplied by four, to represent your four principal unions. Wo believe that half the gross takings would amount to at least £450, and your trip, if you bring only 18 men, could be managed for £100. I hope you will make a »trnmg effort to organise a team, because unlets ynu come this noason, you will probably not be able to como for two yo.rs, <s it would be undesirable for you to clash with the Queensland visit. Kindly communicate with the other Unions and let me know definitely as early as possible—l am, &c, VV, M. Arnold, Hon. Sic. J. M. Sibbin, Hon. Treasurer Auckland Rugby Union.