FOOTBALL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 9903, 17 May 1893, Page 4

FOOTBALL NOTES

(Br ‘ Half-Back.’) (N . 7,. Mall.) The local correspondent of tko Weekly Press never loses an opportunity of saying something spiteful about the Wellington

Union. Last year be referred to the Wellington Union as ‘the laughing stock of the Colony.’ lie should be tho last person in the world to say that, for if the Union really was a laughing stock ho did ‘ his little bit ‘to make it so. This bilious correspondent now gives vent to his spleen by stating that tho Annual published by tho 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 bo 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 tho New Zealand Union and its opponents ; —There is a regular howl of con•tarnation issuing just now from our promt, nent football • lights ’ and press contributors, caused by tho decided action of the Now Zealand Rugby Union in again bringing forward the rule about playing non affiliated unions, which was temporarily withdrawn so that outside unions might not be able to say that they were compelled in any way to throw in their lot-with the N.Z.B.U. Tho act of the N.Z.R.U. in declaring themselves independent has raised such yells of 'boycott,’ •coercion,’ that it is clearly orident Otago is not in the position to bo so indifferent to the doings of that body as our Rugby Union officials would hare every one to believe. The fact is now patent that Otago cannot afford to bo 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. Tho then treasurer, Mr Chapman, boasted at his club’s meeting that whether or not Otago joined tho N.Z.R.U. an Otago team would bo welcomed at Auckland this year. This was questioned by someone better informed. The instructions given to Mr Coupland, tho Auckland delegate, must have been felt by Mr Chapman as a severe slap in the face. How humiliating it must have been for tho Star to publish accounts which showed its football editor to have boon ■o short-sighted. The footballers of Otago ouebt now to see who was talking tho nonsense to them. They will be better convinced yet that thoessenceoftho 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 nook under the heel of tho N.Z.R.U. than enjoy a place in its councils? Tho 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 quesThe March general meeting of tho 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 wore to come up. amongst them the follow. i„g ; —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 u free kick to the opposite side without any appeal.’ A number of delegates had motions to propose on tho method of scoring, Lorn which I take tho following(1) ‘That tho 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 cose tho try shall not count) 5 points, any other gaol e mala 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 bo placed in the scrummage from the side on which the referee is standing.’ In answer to o correspondent a Dunedin paper says : —Mr Chapman has never, on any occasion, brought forward a scheme for the formation of a New Zealand Rugby Union. It is understood, as you say, that ho bad 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 the N.Z.R.U. A Christchurch writer saysl noticed a considerable amount of open and undisguised betting transactions at Lancaster Park on Saturday, and would like to call the attention of the Rugby Union to the fact.' Thus ‘ Referee ’ in the Dunedin Star: — • Promoter Hoben has, I fear, been misled in being informed that Mr Chapman has writ, ten (or caused to be written) to England letters defaming the New Zealand Rugby Union and their Executive and here lies the secret of tho whole trouble.. If Mr Hobon'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'e proposal. It is not ray intention to take up the role of apologist for the "father of football in Otago"—Ur Chapman is quite capable of defending himself, and will doubtless do so—but I may bo permitted to say that tho statement that be caused very damaging letters to be sent io England has no foundation in fact.’ i may say that the statement that a Dunedin gentleman who is about to visit England was tho bearer of letters from the most bitter opponent of the Now Zealand Union that would oook the latter’s goose in England, was first published in the Mail, end was afterwards re-produced in a Dunedin paper, but tho 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 tho old days when ‘ Bob ’ was in his prime. He ran, dodged, and kicked as if be had (never known what a ‘ cronk ' leg was, and lam pleased to state the ’ leg ’ did not interfere with bis actions in the least. • Aolseon ’ thus refers to the muohtalledof ‘ boycott ’:—‘ The news that the Auckland delegate at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Kugby 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 nan-affi-liated anion or olub has first obtained permission from the New Zealand Union,” no doubt cimo 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 making 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 Us position, and I fully agree with tho motion, but perhaps it might bo advisable to defer it till after the northern tour of the Otago reps. Many of the Christchurch 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 city.’ Darby Ryan has been distinguishing himself in the Rugby game in Faria. According to tho reports of the matches, the old crack has evidently regained his kicking powers, for ho 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 over been seen in France. Stoddarl’s play in the International match, England v. Scotland, was a great disappointment. The Atblelio 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 bis men a taste of his ability, be might hare inspired them to greater effort, but bis failure appeared (o influence the conduct of others, and tho demoralisation was complete. This was, in all probability, Stoddart’s last International, and it is greatly to be regretted that ■ucli a brilliant football career should hare ended so disastrously.