FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3648, 26 January 1899, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

REVISION OF THE RULES. A few months ago Mr W. C. Marter (lion secretary , of the Wellington Rugby Union), forwarded the following circular to the bestknown referees and authorities on football in the colony : . , ■ ■' V' ; “ Feeling convinced that 'theßngbj game is capable of a groat deal of improvement from many points of view, I have, alter con-’ sulfation with Messrs J. P/ Firth and G. C. Faohe and others, decided to obtain opinions' ' from prominent authorities on the game, with the object of drawing up suggestions for submission to tbe English Rugby Union. Thera. are two objects in view: the simplification of the rules and the improvement of the game by making it more open and faster, and, consequently, increasing the interest of the; public. It is the latter which makes or*marsany sport, and this must bo so with any game claiming to bo national. It cannot ba claimed that,the play is so skilful as it was years ago." or that the public interest in it has increased the contrary; is the icaso x in both instances. : The rules themselves are to blame in a great measure. For instance, a great many games) which otherwise would have been interesting.* have been spoilod\by the referee’s whistle : yet tbe referee is not altogether'to blame,. The rules are so complicated that it is ex*, tvemely difficult t> get a body of referees,' however competent, to interpret them ih the same. way. This should not be, or at all events the risk of totally different decisions being so frequently given on important points of the game’ahould be minimised. The fault lies with the framers of the rules, and the objeot I have in view is to forcibly point out this to the English Union. That the game can be altered—revolutionised, ! might say—in tho direction of making it more open and faster (which will carry with, it the in- ; creased interest of the public) there is little doubt, and this is the main point I ask you to, observe in making ypnr suggestions. All the referees and authorities upon the game I have spoken to agrea upon this.” A large number of suggestions haye_ been' received from such well-known.authoritios as Motors Ohlson (Auckland), Garrard' (Christ--church), Logan (Hawke’s BAy), Campbell (Dunedin). Torrance (Dunedin) and ■ many others. The snb-oommittee,' consisting of Messrs Firth, Faohe, Ellison and Msrtqr, will meet this evening for tho-purpoaoiof sidering the suggestions. /The revised rules will then be submitted through the Wellington Union to the New Zealand Union for consideration and subsequent submission to' the English Union.