ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15932, 1 June 1915, Page 11

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. THE LEAGUE CAME. .MEET] OF THE COUNCIL. The council of the New Zealand Rugby League met last evening. Present: Messrs. J Burlaw, chairman, A. E. Powell (Auckland). P. Gladdinit (Hawke's Bay), N. B. Levien (Nelson). W. T. Wynyard (Cantetbury), P. 8. Dsaher (Wancanui). D. W. McLean (Wellington), and H. Oakley, secretary. Mr. W. A. Knox wrote statinc that the council had recently considered the Question of removing his disqualification. He had never applied for the removal of his suspension, nor did he intend to do so. Mr. Powell stated that the Sunnyside Club wanted to appoint Mr Knot as auditor, and had applied for the removal of the suspension. The matter was referred to the Auckland League. Mr. A. Seccombe. nominated by the Auckland League, and Mr. J. Piper, nominated by the Hawke's Bay League, were elected vice-presidents. The chairman was ap pointed a trustee. Mr W. 0. Carlnw. who has gone to Whangarei. informed the council he would have to resign from the position of treasurer. The resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr. D. W. McLean was appointed to the position. Permission was granted to the Cantor bury League to play Greymouth, at revmouth, on June 3; Blackball, at Blackball, on June 4; and West Const, at Hokitika, on June 5, Mr Powell moved thai Rule 5 of l'\c northern Union Inter-provincial Challenge Cap rules bo altered-and amended so as to coincide with Rule 2-1 of the Auckland Rugby League rules. The effect of this would be that vice-presidents of affiliated clubs who had donated 10s 6d to their respective clubs would receive one po"3 to challenge cup matches, md those who donated £1 Is would receive two passes. After discussion the motion was lost.

ACCIDENTS TO PLAYERS.

QUESTION' OF INSURANCE.

The council of the New Zealand Rugby League has recently had under consideration the question of establishing on insurance fund to cover players who meet with accidents on the football fi<-M. It decided to ask Mr. J. Stanton,' the city solicitor, for an opinion regarding its liability for accidents, and it was read at the council's meeting lost evening. Mr. Stanton staled that he did not think that either the league or any branch league affiliated with it would be legally liable to pay compensation if any player was injured while playing a match under its auspices. It seemed to him that it could not be said that a person who voluntarily became a member of a football team, who might at any time ceafu to bo a member or gave up playing, and who had no legal obligation to play for the league, and received no remuneration for his, playing, had entered into a contract of service with the league; nor did it make any difference that when on tour the members of the team were allowed a payment of 10s per day to cover the loss to them while they were away from their homes. In England the judges had considered the matter and appeared to be of opinion thai a voluntary or amateur player would not be entitled to compensation. Further, lie did not think the parent body would bo responsible for insurance schemes inaugurated by affiliated blanches if they could not meet their obligations. He understood that it had been suggested that the league should establish an accident insurance fund for playerß who were injured by accident when playing. There was apparently nothing to prevent the league carrying out such a scheme and the best way to do it would probably be by appointing trustees and formulating rules. The Canterbury League wrote stating that in their opinion in three years its insurance scheme would become self-supporting. Under its rules no player could compete unless ho was a financial member of- his club. Therefore, every player who paid his insurance money had already paid his subscription to his club. On payment of is Gd the player, if injured, was insured for six months, and received £1 Is per week in coranetition matches onlv. The league insured tboir players for other matches at Is per member per name. It suggested that the council' should set aside £25 as the nucleus ot an insurance fund. The council decided to defer consideri.ion | of tlio matter until Mr. N. B. Levien presented his report regarding a Dominion insurance scheme. THE RUGBY GAME. FARQUHAR CUP. The first football match for the F&rquhar Cup took place at Te Aroha on Saturday between Waihou ond Manawfiro, the. result rising a win for Waihou. . The scores *■««- Waihou 17.points, Manawaru 8 points MORRINSVILLE MATCHES. Tin first round of the cup matches of the Moninsville Union was concluded on Saturday. Motumaoho defeating City by 9 points tio 6 after a fast game. J. Baker and McIntyre scored tries, and Baker kicked a penalty goal for the winneis. For City Dow , and Edwards crossed th? line. The Motumaoho backs showed to better advantage than the City players, but in the forward divisidn City more than held their own. Allen, for City, played the best game jen the ground, and Halley <ilotumaoho) and Edwards (City) showed to good advantage. Mr Campbell controlled the same. The result of the first, round is as follows: —Motumaoho 4 noints. City 1 point, Kiwitahi (Maori team) 1 point.