NOTES BY HALF BACK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 30

NOTES BY HALF BACK.

The Championship matches next Saturday will be—Wellington v. Petone, and Poneke v. Melrose. There seems to be an impression that the Wellingtons have no show at all, but they will be able to put a very fail* team into the field on Saturday, and I think they can about win. The Ponekes should win the other match. I have received a copy of the Otago Rugby Union's Annual for 1803. It is neatly got up, and contains a vast amount of information. The Annual in every way reflects the greatest credit on the editor, Mr W. D. Milne, who contributes a very readable article on 1 Amateur Football.' Amongst tbe contents of the Annual me ppeoial accounts oC the Rep. matches played by U e Otago team last year, and a photo of ttie licps.

Milne, who rendered such great service to the Petone team last year, has given the game best. Milne was one of the best all-round forwards in Wellington, and will be missed both by bis Club aud in the Rep. matohee.

The newly-formed Horowhonua Union have asked the New Zealand Union for a decision as to whether (1) it is not considered off-side for a player to intercept a pass from one of the opposite side; and (2) is it permissible to pick up a dead ball? It is understood that a reply will be sent stating in answer to the first question that it depends upon circumstances, the referee,' of course, being the best judge. A quick player might intercept a puss ucross the field without breaking the off side rule, or a player might get clean away, followed by a fast man on the opposing side; the holder might pass the ball back, and if the chaser toot the ball, the latter could not bo considered offside. The question, therefore, would depend upon whether or not the intercepting player is on or offside. As to the second question, Law 6 provides that a ball can be picked up except under the circumstances otated (t>) and (e). Davy Gage has returned from the wilds of the Wairarapa, and wiil be available for the Ponekes next Saturday. Davy looks in splendid trim, aud he means to make a big bid for the New Zealand team. Oi course,

it will be very difficult to keep him out of the team if be shows anything like his old form, but from what I can hear his inclusion would have been a certainty if he had remained in the Wairarapa. There are several good backs in Wellington worthy of a place in the team, but they can't all get in.

I hear that James, the well-known native player, is coming to Wellington, and will play for the Wellington Club. If the report is f rue the Wellingtons will secure a really good man.

The Otago Eugby Union Football Annual states that the match between Wellington and Canterbury last year was played in wind and rain. The writer must have been dreaming. The weather, was simply lovely.

Astall, the Poneke player, has joined the Masterton Club. A local paper considers that he will be a valuable acquisition to the Club.

A letter from Mr J. U. Chapman, on the. subject of the N.Z. Union, will appear in next week's issue. The communication, unfortunately, arrived too late for this week's issue.

The Junior matches to be played to-mor-row are not of a very important character. Tlie Poneke Carlton heat is the principal fixture for the afternoon, and I expect the Ponekes' knowledge of the game will pull them through.

The Melrose, Selwyn, and Epuni teams Bhould win against the Rugbys, St. Patrick's College, and Wellington respectively.

The local correspondent of the Weekly Press never losob an opportunity of saying something spiteful about the Wellington Union. Last year he referred to the Wellington Union as ' the laughing stock of the Colony.' ; He should be the last person in the world to say that, for if the Union really was a laughing stock he did ' his little bit' to make it so. This bilious correspondent now gives vent to his spleen by stating that the Annual published by the Union is not up to 'previous publications, and is teeming with errors.' It is the general opinion that the Annual is a much better production than any previously published by the .Union. There may be a few typographical errors—the best of regulated publications are subject to that sort of thing —but to assert that it is teeming with errors is absolutely untrue. . Perhaps this correspondent will point out some of the errors.

A Dunedin paper thus straightforwardly deals with the New Zealand Union and its opponents:—There is a regular howl of consternation issuing just now from ourpromi. nent football ' lights' and press contributors, caused by the docided action of the New Zealand Rugby Union in again bringing forward the rule about playing nonaffiliated unions, which was temporarily withdrawn so that outside unions might not be able to say that they were compelled in any way to throw in their lot with the N.Z.ftU. The aot of the N.Z.R.U. in declaring themselves independent has raised such yells of 'boycott,' ' coercion,' that it is dearly evident Otago is not in the position to be so indifferent to the doings of that body as our Eugby Union officials would have every one to believe. The fact is now patent that Otago cannot afford to be ignored by the N.Z.R.U., she cannot prosper as a unit opposed to a composite body, and the Otago officials are beginning to realise this Somebody warned them at the - outset this season what would happen if the suicidal course urged by the O.R.F.U, committee were adopted. The then treasurer, Mr Chapman, boasted at his club's meeting that whether or not Otago joined the IS.Z.R.U. an Otago team would be welcomed at Auckland this year. This was questioned by someone better informed. The instructions given to Mr Coupland, the Auckland delegate, must have been felt by Mr Chapman as a severe Blap in the • face. How humiliating it must have been for the Star to publish accounts which showed its football editor to have been so shortsighted. The footballers of Otago ought now to see who was talking the nonsense to them. They will be better convinced yet that the essence of the knowledge of what is best for the advancement of our national pastime is not concentrated in the heads or our blind guides. It is not yet too late for Otago to reconsider the position she has been led into through blind prejudice. She has been taught that the N.Z.R.U. is strong enough to prosper and can exert a powerful | influence in the Colony without her assistance. Why should Otago rather place her neck under the heel of the N.Z.R.U. than enjoy a place in its councils? The N.Z.R.U. is to be congratulated on its prosperity in spite of the base and underhand attacks made on it. It is to be, hoped that it will have no hesitation in re-adopting the rule in question.

The mOBt childish and ridiculous reason for the application of the ' boycott' by the New Zealand Union is supplied by ' Referee ' in the Dunedin Star, who says !—' Can the reason of this "boycott" be that the Welling, ton Union are afraid to meet the Otago players on their own soil? Certainly if the latter were to make their tour of the colony and defeat most of the Northern unions the prestige of the N.Z R.U. would be gone. That's probably where the shoe pinches.'

I am rather surprised at an authority like 1 Referee ' rakitg up such a paltry excuse as that. Why should Wellington be afraid to meet the Otago men? After last season's brilliant victories there in every reason to suppose that the Wellington men Would b 8 quite a match for these southern * blowhards.' For out and out skite Otago footballers and their supporters cannot be beaten. The failure of the last Otago team that toured the North Island should make • Beferee' careful in hi« tißgerttpue »e

to what his pets can do when they are away from home.

The March general meeting of the Rugby Union was to be held in London on March 29, a few days after the last mail left. A number of proposals with regard to the rules were to come up, amongst them the following : —Law 11 ' Being in a scrummage, lifts a foot from the ground before the ball has been put into such scrummage. In this case the referee must allow a free kick to the opposite side without any appeal.' A numbsr of delegates had motions to propose on the method of scoring, fiom which I take the following:—(1) 'That the mode of scoring shall be altered to read as follows : A penalty gaol equals 2 points, a try equals 3 points, a gaol from a try (in which case the try shall not count) 5 points, any other gaol equals 4 points.' (2) 'That in future the mode of scoring be as follows: A try equals 3 points, a penalty gaol equals 3 points, a gaol from a try, &c, equals 5 points, a dropped gaol equals 4 points.' (3) ' That a dropped goal count 2 points.' Another proposal was: ' That when a scrummage is formed the ball shall be placed in the scrummage from the side on which the referee is standing.'

In answer to a correspondent a Dunedin paper says :—Mr Chapman has never, on any occasion, brought forward a scheme for the formation of a New Zealand Eugby Union. It is understood, as you say, that he had something of the sort in hand when Mr Hoben took the wind out of his sails. Such a thing mav account for his bitter hostility to theN.Z.RU. . ...

A Christchurch writer says:—'l noticed a considerable amount of opeti and undisguised betting transactions at Lancaster Park on Saturday, and would like to call the attention of the Rugby Union to the faot.'

It is improbable that the Wairarapa reps will travel beyond Wellington this year.

Thus ' Referee ' in the Dunedin Star : ' Promoter Hoben has, I fear, been misled in being informed that Mr Chapman has written (or caused to be written) to England letters defaming the New Zealand Rugby Union and their Exeoutive and here lies the secret of the whole trouble. If Mr Hoben's information could be supported by facts the central body would have been amply justified in resorting to the extreme measures contemplated by Mr Ellison's proposal. It is not my intention to take up the role of apologist for the "father of football in Otago"—Mr Chapman is quite capable of defending himself, and will doubtless do so—but I maj be permitted to say that the statement that he caused very damaging letters to be sent to England has no foundation in fact.'

I may say that the statement that a Dunedin gentleman who is about to visit England was the bearer of letters from the most bitter opponent of the New Zealand Union that would cook the latter's goose in England, was first published in the Mail, and was afterwards re-produced in a Dunodin paper, but the statement was never denied.

Whiteside made his re-appearance on the field in a practice match in Auckland recently, and a local paper says he greatly surprised everyone by his activity. He reminded one of the old days when ' Bob ' was in his prime. He ran, dodged, and kicked as if he had Inever known what a ' cronk' leg was, and lam pleased to state the ' leg' did not interfere with his actions in the least.

'Actseon' thus refers to the much-talked-I of' boycott':—'The news that the Auckland delegate at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union had supported Mr Ellison's motion, " That no union affiliated with the New Zealand Union play any union or club not affiliated, unless such non-affi-liated union or olub has first obtained permission from the New Zealand Union," no doubt cime as a surprise to a certain Dunedinite, who is leaving "no stone unturned " to prevent the Otago Union from affiliating with the New Zealand Union. It is well-known in Auckland'that this individual was makicg capital out of information (evidently supplied by a near relative in this city), that Auckland would not support the motion. It is about time the New Zealand Rugby Union asserted its position, and I fully agree with the motion, but perhaps it might be advisable to defer it till after the northern tour of the Otago reps. Many of the Ohristchurch players altered their opinions about the New Zealand Union during their tour last year, and I know that at the present time two of Canterbury's best footballers are trying to find openings in this citj.'

Darby Ryan has been distinguishing himself in the Rugby game in Paris. According to the reports of the matches, the old crack has evidently regained his kicking powers, for he has been drop-kicking and place-kicking goals from the half-way flag. One of the French writers says that Ryan's kicking is the best that has ever been seen in France.

Stoddart's play in the International match, England v. Scotland, was a great disappointment. The Athletic News says:—The player who was expected to turn out the most reliable of the team proved to be the weakest. Stoddart has been the hero of many struggles, but on this occasion he was, without doubt, the absolute worst man on the field. His failure, in the light of his great experience, was unaccountable, and there" was no denying the fact that his lamentable display was responsible, in a measure, for the defeat of England. Had he taken the chances offered him and given his men a taste qf his ability, he might havo inspired them to greater effort, but his failure appeared to influence the conduct of others, and the demoralisation was complete. This was, in all probability, last Interna* tional, and it is greatly to be regretted that such a brilliant football career Bhould hare ended £9 disastrously,

The Cup matches were started in Blenheim last Saturday, when the Wairau's defeated the Unions by 7 points to 4 points. Ching and Knight scored for the winners, Redwood placing a goal from the latter's try. For the losers Stratford potted a goal.

Newton is the most fancied team for the Championship in Auckland this season, Grafton and City being next in favour.

The New South Wales Rugby Union has a credit balance of £550 14s sd.

' Milo,' in the Sporting Review, says : ' Sufficient trial has now been given the " one referee system " to show that it is not the unqualified success predicted.' ' Milo' is evidently not aware that under the new rules the umpires disappear altogether. A referee and touchline judges are now compulsory.

An important question as to the removal of the headquarters of the Taranaki Union was considered at the annual meeting of the Union, and it was really decided by the votes of the secretary and treasurer. The Stratfoid Union appealed to the N.Z. Union on the ground that the secretary and treasurer were not delegates, and therefore had no right to vote. The Appeal Committee of the Union has decided that as the secretary and treasurer were appointed under the same rule as the President of the Taranaki Union, and that as the latter was entitled to a rote ex officio at a meeting of delegates, and that os there was nothing in the bye-laws to show that it was not intended that the secretary and treasurer should have a vote, they should accordingly be allowed to vote.

A player named Siddel has been disqualified in Auckfand for the rest of the season for evading the qualification rules. The Rugby Union committee were not satisfied with Siddel's qualification for the Ponsonby team. The decision has caused quite a stir in Auckland.

Moulton, a Sydney Rep., played for the Ponoonby team recently, and showed up well.

The Championship matohes were started in Napier last Saturday, when the Napier Club beat Te Aute by two tries to on 3. Donnelly and Elliott scored tries for the winners, and Tieu for the losers.

A meeting of the Wellington Junior Football Association was held at Messrs Davis and Clater'a rooms on Monday. The secretary was requested to write to the public schools, asking (shem to join the association. The following gentlemen were eleoted : President, Mr Gihbs; vice-presidents, Messrs Davis and Henderson.

The Wellington Club will be represented by the following in the rnatoh against the Petoue first fifteen for the championship next Saturday :—Erskino, Johnston, Stuart, Harley, Gillon, Ward, Flowers, McCormack, Roe, Rawson, Smithers, McLean, Forsyth, Murray and Thomson.

Mr D. McKay has been elected vice captain of the Selwyn Club, vice R. Drumtnond, who was recently appelated to the Te Horo School.

The members of the Selwyn Club met at the Club Hotel on Monday to bid farewell to one of their most popular members. Mr E, D. Barber, who left for the Old Country on Wednesday. Mr J. M. Earle, the Selwyn oaptain, in a few appropriate words, eulogised the departing member for the active interest he bad taken in the club's doings since he became a member, and, on behalf of his club, presented Mr Barber with a handsome gold mounted acacia walking ntiok which bore a suitable inscription, The recipient thanked the members for their habdsomo gift, and urged on bis colleagues that they should pay far more attention to their training than they did last year, and hoped that the olub would have a successful season. The ceremony terminated with the singing of 'He is a jolly good fellow,' and three ringing cheers for' Teddy ' as he is called by his fellow members.

The Athletic Club are about to lose the services of Hanna, one of their best forwards, on account of the ex-Invercargill player obtaining a situation in the country.

At a meeting of the junior members of the Wellington Football Club on Tuesday Mr N. Galbraith was elected captain of the second fifteen and Messrs C. Reeves and F. Harley and the captain a match committee.

H. Scoullar, late of the Pirate Club, has been instrumental informing a club at Bunny thorpe, Palmerston North. The ex-Pirate player is a member of the second fifteen of the Palmerston North Club.

The members of the Palmerston North fifteen are reported to be training very hard for their engagement with the Poneke Club on the 24th inst.

The following names in order have been selected by the Taranaki Union for submission to the New Zealand as suitable men for the New Zsaland team to visit Australia i —Backs. Ist A. Bayly, Stratford; 2nd, A. Good, Waimate. Forwards—lst, J. Lambie, Waimate; 2nd, H. M. Good, Waimate.

Owing to the wet weather on Saturday all football matches were postponed. The matches fixed for Saturday, according to the arrangement made by the management committee, will not be played until the other heats of the first round have been played off, The matches arranged for last Saturday will therefore, provided there are no more wet Saturdays, take place on the 10th June. The senior fixtures for next Saturday are i— Petone v. Wellington, Melrose v. Poneke.

Howard, who represented Hawke's Bay last year as a forward, is expected here shortly. Howard will play for his old club the Athletic, and he Bhould prove n great acquisition to Hi

The following clubs have arranged fixtures for the 24th instant (Queen's Birthday) : Poneke first v. Palmerston North, at Palmerston North; Poneke second v. Palmerston North second, at Palmerston North ; Melrose first v. Red Star first, at Masterton ; Melrose second v. Grey town second (late Fire Brigade), at Greytovvn ; Rugby v. Carterton, at Carterton ; Selwyn v. Featherston, at Featherston ; Athletic first v. Greytown first, at Wellington. The last mentioned match will be played at Petone if the local club can make arrangements for one of the union grounds.

H. Edwards has been elected captain of the Melrose second fifteen this season.

C. H. Ridding, one of the original members of the Melrose Club, has decided not to don the jersey again. During his playing term Ridding has proved on more than one occasion a very serviceable member.

Mr Robert Seymour, one of the vice-pre-sidents of the Carlton Club, has presented the club with a handsome silver cup, which is to be given to the most useful member of the first fifteen during this sesson. The cup was on view at Mr .King's, the jeweller, of Cuba street, last Saturday night, and excited considerable attention from the passers-by.

G. Millward and M. Beck, late members of the defunct Pirate Club, have thrown in their with the liugbys.

The members of the Selwyn Club will be pleased to learn that two of their late colleagues, Snow and C. Marchant, have been showing up well down South. Snow's form at a recent practice of the Dunedin Club is expected to place him in the first fifteen, and Marchant, who is a young player, was conspicuous in the Ohristchurch fifteen when playing against Canterbury College recently.

Tancred Cooper, late of the Athletic Club, is acting as captain of the Featherston Club, which possesses several good players.

The Masterton Club will not this season have the services of K. Duncan, late of the Wellington and Palmerston North Clubs, as was expected. Duncan is under orders to proceed to Waipawa, but we learn on excellent authority that the ex-Wellington player is to be transferred to one of the towns on the West Coast of this Island, which will allow him to play for one of the clubs affiliated to the Taranaki Union. Duncan is at present in town on a holiday jaunt.

Mr Charles Earle (Selwyn) has been elected a member of the Management Committee of the Wellington Union, vice Mr E. D. Barber resigned.

When the cup matches are postponed, the postponement applies to all matches irrespective of class, and the games which are drawn for that day are to be played at the conclusion of the present drawings.

The grounds for the first round of the Senioi Championship have been drawn as follow : May 13—Poneke-Melrose, No. 1; PetoneWellington, No. 2. May 20—Melrose-Wel-lington, No. 1; Petone-Athletic, No. 2. May 27 Poneke-Wellington, No. 1 ; MelroseAthletic, No. 2. June 3—Athletic-Welling-ton, No. 1; Poneke-Petone, No. 2 June 10— Poneke-Athletic, No. 1 ; Petone-Melrose, No. 2.

At the meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union on Wednesday a letter was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union, asking the local union to nominate players for the Selection Cummittee to pick from. The local Match Committee have been deputed to furnish the N.Z.R.U. with a list of names, weights, &c,

The Management Committee of the union have granted the use of No. 1 ground, Petone, to the Athletic Club, free of charge, on the 24th instant, when they meet the Greytown fifteen. The union will have control of the gates, and will make all arrangements for the match.

(press association; J Dunedin, May 4. The committee of the Rugby Union had under consideration statements lately made concerning the attitude of the union to the New Zealand Union. It was decided that the president should put the views of the committee before the public through the press and communicate the same to the Canterbury and Southland Unions. The president publishes the correspondence which ha,* passed between the English and New South Wales Unions on the New Zealand Union.

(liY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Christchurch, May G. East Christchurch beat Canterbury College by 2 goals and 1 try (12 points) to nothing, Kaiapoi beat Sydenham by 2 goals and 2 tries (14 points) to 1 goal (5 points),' Merivale beat Christchurch by 2 goals and 3 tries (16 points) to 1 goal (5 points).