FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6492, 11 April 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

(By ''Shinpad.")

The time has com© when the buttoned boote have been taken from their summer resting place and the jersey has been donned by those who intend doing battle for their respective clubs on the local football grounds during the season which ie now commencing. The season willyo a heavy one, and it is pleasing to see that this fact is fully recognised by players, as already they are taking every precaution possible to fit them for the opening matches of the competitions, and they should not be long in getting into good form. The visit of the English team is the outstanding feature of the season's programme and a winter of more than ordinary interest can be confidently looked forward to by enthusiasts. The visitors are looked upon as one of the best Engby combinations which has yet left Old England’s shores, and, it is not unlikely, before the last is seen of them, that they will give our champions a good shake-up all round, iheir methods are bound to have improved, the experience gained by_ thorn as the result of the memorable visit of the All Black team is certain to stand them in good stead, while the Dominion will be without the services of some of those who fought so valiantly for her in the past, but are now under the ban of out-and-out professionalism. Thisshould not, however, be a serious drawback to New Zealand, as only a small proportion, of the best threw in their lots with the "pros.”, and there are any amount of first rat© exponents of the game left to take their places in battles that are to be.

The programme of the tour of the English team as drawn up by the New-. Zealand Union has not given universal satisfaction in consequcnse of only one test match having been provided for. No doubt those* who drafted the itinerary had very good grounds for what they have done, but it is not going to be allowed to pass unchallenged. Ihe matter will come up for discussion at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union in consequence of a motion, notice of which has been suggesting the substitution of two additional test Rjamcfs in place of the matches against the South and North Island teams, these to be played at JDunedm on June 6th and Auckland on July 2Gtn respectively. Evidently the southerners feel pretty strongly on the subject, and, as they are sure to get support from Auckland, it will be interesting' to see how things will go •

Tho meeting of the governing b?dy promises to be particularly interestimc on -account of the discussion whieh is bound to ensue over the well-meant attempt by the Wellington Rugby Uhion to purge the ranks of players of the Dominion from the professional element. The gloves were taken off in real earnest by the delegates who discussed the matter, and, in boxing parlance, there was a lot of hitting from the shoulder alternated with a judicious sprinkling of "dirty lefts," in which football officialdom suffered as much as anybody. f Gpen confession is good for the soul, and it is just as well that It should he. I don t know on what grounds footballers, or their delegates, can lay claim to salvation, but the frank manner in which the majority of them admitted that the present rules controlling professionalism were absolutely unworkable must have been convincing enough to the most obstinate that there was urgent necessity for radical change. When governing bodies are responsible for covert acts of professionalism it cannot be expected that clubs will refrain from following their lead, and, when such occurs, the officials have, in order to squelch all appearances of inconsistency, to overlook matters which are brought under their notice end which they could justifiably strictly deal with but for the compromising position their own indiscreet actions have placed them m. The path is beset with difficulties in dealing with the question, but the sooner an attempt is made to traverse it the better, and, no matter what decision is com© to, ict it be a straight out declaration, for pure amateurism or out-and-out professionalism, and then players would know where they were.

Tho return of the professional team to the Dominion has had the inevitable result. The New Zealand Union has been approached to remove a disqualification, and it is not too much to presume that more requests of- a similar nature will follow. The_ player was E. Wrigley, and the application was made on his behalf by the Bed Star Football Club of Mastorton, but, apart altogether from the merits of the application, it had not come through the proper channel and was promptly referred back without the pros and cons being discussed. The application, however, provided the means of explaining away a misapprehension which exists in connection with the case of Mr A. H. Baskerville. Many people -were of the opinion that ho had been effectively white-washed by tbe head body but the only thing which has been done in bis case is to remove the embargo which prohibited him from attending playing grounds under the union’s control. This, it was discovered, they had no right to do, hence their action.

The cards have been in a continual process of shuffling in the ranks of the various clubs for some weeks past, and at last a little definiteness is assuming shape in the construction and personnel of the diffrent teams. The different clubs have all more or less had their ranks strengthened by the inclusion of new blood, and it will be interesting to see how the newcomers shape on the field..

Worgen. who played for St. James juniors a couple of seasons,, ago and afterwards went to Dunedin, will be playing again for his old club this / year. While in the Scots city he played in the Dunedin senior club's three-quarter line and earned good praise for his work. E. Perry, a senior forward from Port Chalmers Club, is nmongst-the new members of St. James Club.

Amongst the new members of Melrose Club are C. Murphy, the ex-Athletio wine three-quarter, and a brother 61 “Paddy” Murphy, of Melrose forward and Wellington representative fame.

Poneks Club intend sending a team to Christchurch at Easter to try conclusions with Albion Club, and an effort will be made in future to make the fixture an annual affair.

G. Slater, who has filled the position of "guardian of the posts” for Poneke Club for some years past, has expressed his intention to retire from the field this season. . The idea of Wallace in filling the vacancy is to train up a junior who will be always available. In the event of a suitable one not being forthcoming it is understood that Slater will fill any breach when wanted.

Mr W. Coffey, an ardent enthusiast and who acts as one of the Poneke Club’s delegates on the Wellington Rugby Union, is now the oldest member of that body, having been connected with the management of its affairs for well over twenty years.

With such an ardent supporter as Dr A. K. Newman and the other gentlemen Who take a keen interest in the welfare of the Poneke Club, the members should hove little difficulty in bringing to a successful issue their scheme for the acquirement of land and the erection of a building for a gymnasium. .That there is urgent need for a training place of their own admit* of no gainsaying. About JCS O annually hae been paid in the peat for the use of the Athletic Club’s *gym," aad tbs saving thus eOeoted

will in time alone pay for the expenditure now contemplated. Those at the bend, of affairs are capable business men, and if members of the club show the necessary independence and do t a bit for themselves in addition to enlisting the sympathies (and the coin) of their supporters. the gymnasium should be an accomplished fact ore long.

M. Hogan, who acted last year in the capacity of coach for the Athletic Club, has this season rejoined his old love — the Southerns, .who are blossoming out into the senior ranks. With genial Mick as their mentor the club should offer a good front to their more experienced opponents.

William Wallace—one of the most versatile backs New Zealand has ever seen is losing his enthusiasm in the game—at least so he declared at the annual meeting of the Poneke Club in protesting against his re-election £y9 club captain. The meeting would not hear of any other member than the popular William being elected to the position, and despite his protestations he was unanimously appointed. It 10 hard to believe that the hero of many a " 1 ™ fought battle is beginning to let his ardour cool—probably his assertion was made only with the object of giving somebody ,else a show—and when the time rolls round he i® eextairi to l>o found once more in the forefront nghting for the honour of his club and tne Dominion.

The Athletic Club is said to be in a bad way as compared with its status of last season. The club Is reported to have suffered the loss fof nine of its best players, and, so far the prospects of satisfactorily filling the depleted ranks are not so good a© they might be. An attempt was made to get J. O Leary to come to the city and throw in his lot with the club, but the overtures made proved abortive, and the Athletics will as far as present indications point have to battle along under adverse circumstances as best they can.

Supporters of the Wellington Club are more enamoured of its prospects this year than of any since 1901, when, it carried off championship honours. Reinforcements have strengthened its ranks, and the team is considered to be about its best. The forwards are practically all new men, and include MoKay, a Southland representative; A. Wilson, the Chirstohurch Club centre forward and Canterbury representative; "Smiler Smythe, of the Old Boys' Club; Mills, who hails from Westport; and Carr, who donned'the jersey at Hastings last season. Barclay, who has returned the country, will be again found in the ring. The back division has not undergone any material alteration. Wellington Club also has an Raster match, ite opponents being the Christchurch Club. The game will be played on tho No. 1 ground at the Athletic Park,

The Oriental Club, which has not yet got to the top of the senior championship since playing in the first grade, will have a much more formidable front to show its opponents this season, the club having been strengthened by several new and promising members. Amongst tho new faces in the forwards will be Isaacs, an ex-Alhambra man; Lambert and Payne, who played in the Wednesday grade last year; and King, a forward from Dannevirke. Hamilton, Heenan and Warbrick will be found in their old places in the vanguard. The team has obtained the services of'two new five-eighths, McLeod, of Alhambra-Club, Dunedin, and Gibbons, of Palmerston North, who ifi said to be a very good boy, being tho place-fillers directly behind I . Roberts. Thompson, of Old Boys, will .play op •'P® wing, Matheson will be in his old place, while Sturnick, who shone in the third or fourth grade last (season, will be given a chance to distinguish himself at centre threequarter. Scobl© McKenzie, the Auckland rep, is working on the, railway staff in this city, and it is probable that he may, be. induced to throw in his lot with the club. The position of full-back .will b© occupied either by Highet or Yoncoe, a Nelson College player, whose credentials are said to bo of the beet. The club has an engagement at Palmerston North on Easter Saturday.

The Southerns, Who have left their knickers for the long trousers of manhood, hope to bo able to put a strong fifteen in the field for the senior competition this season. Included amongst the forwards will be P. Hale* a Western Suburbs (Sydney) player of last year, a 13 stone man, who is said to be a capable grafter. The othera of the front rank division will consist of Naylor, Cheeseman, Campbell (lock), Templeton (a Wairarapa representative), Crowley (a Taranaki representative), Houlihan and Huston, the two latter hailing from South Canterbury, the former harms played in the rep. grade, ihe wingers will be Bramley (one of the best lorwards in the Wellington juniors last season) and Rodgers (an Auckland goldfields representative). T. and J. Churnside, O'Plaherty and A. Murray, four juniors, who showed capital form last season, all have claims to inclusion in the final selection. The backs will be well up to senior standard, but the strength of too biae wii probably depend upon the forward Armstrong, from the. Otago country districts ,will play half, Reed, the Wellington rep, and L. Uye, a prominent back also from the Otago district, will occupy the positions of five-eighths. Hunt, the Wednesday rep, half of last season, will play centre threequarter, and is expected to make a name for himself in Saturday football. The other threequarter decided’upon,is Perkins, of Leicester Coupty, England, who is said to be very heat in his work, and is expected to turn out a good man. The fullback has not yet been selected. Amongst the other promising members of the club are Pooley, J. Bussell, D. Organ and H. Hunt, the last named being an ex-Wanganm College boy, who will probably gain senior honours before the curtain is rung down.

P. F. McEvedy, of Guy’s Hospital, and the Kent three-quarter, is vipecaptain of the British Rugby team fox New Zealand. He was a member of Bedell-Sivwright’s team in 1901.

The council of the New South Wales Rugby Union has arranged the following matches against the British footballers : —August Bth. New South Wales, at Newcastle; August 15th, New South Wales, at Sydney; August 18th, Western Union, at Bathurst; August 22nd, Metropolitan Union, at Sydney.

Per the last few year# football in Napier has been plqyed under the district system, and it must be admitted that it had a good effect in reviving interest in the game there. This season, however, it has been decided to revert to the old system of clubs, and it will be interesting to see how the old order of things pans out.

The Belwyn Club has three Easter engagements to fulfil. On Easier Saturday, at Wellington, they play a match with the Rovers team from Hastings, and one at Nelson with the Albion Club. On Monday a fifteen will proceed to Maisterton to meet the Albion team belonging to that place.

*D. Bush, one of Wellington's best forwards of last year, is at present undecided as to his movements this season. There is a prospect of his proceeding to the South Island to work on the Arthur's Pass tunnel cqptract on the Midland railway. If he does not he will probably again throw in his lot with Poneke Club.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union takas place at Wellington an May U&.

B. B. Booth, of Otago, who was one of the famous "All Blacks," and showed very good form for Now Zealand in Australia last year, is now resident ifl Now South Wales,

J. Bussell, the Otago full-back in 1881 and 18SS, is reported to bo about to settle in/Wellington.

Eugby Unionists in the metropolis (says the "Yorkshire Post”) have been wondering what was the object in bringing the New Zealanders into our midst. If the venture was merely a financial one it may be allowed to pass. On the other hand, if the idea was to spread professionalism the Northern Union will have to bo fought with the same keenness as has characterised the struggle in the north. Qur own opinion is that there is very little chance Of professionalism meeting with favour in London.

Amongst the new players who have reinforced the ranks of Poucke Club this season are F. Gardiner, of Old Boys; 'W. Albertson, a back from Zingari Club, Dunedin; and C. Mitohinson, a brother of the well-known representative, who is said to be a player of more than average merit. He played football in the Hawke’s Bay district last season, and will probably bo found in Poneke’s three-quarter line. There are also a couple of new forwards in Beasley, formerly of the Christchurch Club, and McLean, from Thames. The vanguard is considered to be stronger than last' year, but the bhfkp, it is expected, will be without the services of tho doughty F. Mitchinson in the opening contests. It appears that while practising he ricked one of his knees and is said to be suffering from water on the knee. If so the injury might prove more troublesome than is at present anticipated. The other backs, will be practically the same as. Just year.

It is on tho cards that tho Victoria College team will be .able to put a stronger senior fifteen in the field this season than for some years oast, and it is to be, hoped that the sportsmanlike spirit they have always manifested in the past in spite of adversity will meet with its due reward. Amongst tho new men who have joined are Hatchings, of the Wanganui College, who should prove a valuable addition to the backs i Brosnan, late of Wellington -Club; and Robertson, who played senior football for Hawero last year. In addition to the two last-named players amongst the forwards will also be found Arthur Lynch, O’Leary, W, Tudhopo, Thomas, Ourtayne, Fathers, and ' Short. Ulrich, late of Otago University, is also expected to reinforce the College team. The Bogle; brothers will take the field again, while Goodbehere, Inder, and Prendeville 'will also be found in the rearguard. The team are at present without a half-back, but when this important (position has been filled satisfactorily the collegians should prove worthy opponents of any fifteen.

With matches against Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, two against tho British team, to say nothing of interunion games and the possibilities of challenges for the Eanfurly Shield, the Auckland season promises to be a particularly busy oue.

E. W. McDuff, a Thames and Auckland representative forward of a few seasons ago, leaves for America shortly.

"Engby” writes,:—Contradictory rumours have been current ns to George Tyler’s intentions this season, but I understand that the New Zealand representative hooker, wlio now resides at Ponsonby, has no intention of coming out, but contemplates: joining the Referees’ Association. We shall See.”

To the question: "Is Auckland foot hall on the up grade? I there is but one unfortunate negative by way of reply,” says a northern scribe, "and since stagnation spells, retrogression we must improve, and that without delay. Tho means by which this improvement could be effected is suggested by tho holding of 'a country week,’ the same as in Sydney, when the calibre of the ‘bucolics' could bo ascertained."

"The Otago- Rugby Union, decided to recommend the delegates to the, New Zealand Rugby Union to move in the direction of equally dividing the profits accruing from the Ranfurlyi Shield matches between the opposing teams (says ‘Rugby'). If this refers to special challenge matches, there is something—a very little —to say in its support. If to ordinary challenge matches, then it is -a preposterous proposal, which, if carried, would lead to the immediate return of the shield to the N.Z.R.U."

Evidently the English Rugby Union is a very effete body ! and one which evidently leases its superstructure upon the unsatisfactory foundation of procrastination. At least that is the only conclusion one could come to After hearing the views of delegates of the Rugby Union upon the unbusinesslike and. discourteous manner in which they have dealt in the past with communications from this Dominion. One speaker gave an instance—and it was no exaggeration —where it had taken two years to obtain an answer to a communication, and when it was received it was pencilled on the back of a telegram form. It would not surprise many if steps were taken in the direction of seceding from the English union—such, a step vtsa openly and strongly advocated at the meeting—and establishing an international scheme of control, or failing that, then New Zealand should take the solo control Of the game in this part of the world in her own hands.

The new home of Rugby, the B.R.TJ. s ground at Twickenham, will cost .£1.6,000 to prepare, including the cost of the erection of stands. A sum of J2BOOO is being raised by debentures, _ of which J 55000 was taken up in a week.

J. C. M. Dyke (of the British team) accomplished a fine goal-kicking performance for Coventry against Stroud. He converted four tries in succession, and then added a penalty goal with a dropkick.

In a recent match between Cornwall and Devon, B. J. Jackett (who is a member of the British team) dropped a goal from a penalty kick almost ii®on the half-way line.

Donald Stnart, ono of the finest forwards Otago ever produced, and who missed the famous All Black team for England on a medical certificate, has decided to play again this season, after standing down for three years.

It is reported that more than one prominent footballer at this end. if asked to accompany the Otago team on its northern tour this season, will request payment for lose of time (says “Pullback," in the “Witness"). It is a question which is certain to engage the attention .of the Rugby legislators this year, .

Among the propoeed new laws which will be considered, at the New Zealand Referees' Conference at Auckland ate the following:—lf an opponent secures the ball from a free-kick taken behind their goal lino by the: defending side, and puts it down in their in-goal, a try must be awarded, "even though the ball has not crossed the goal line. In the event of a kicker kicking from his cwn in-goal and one of hi© icd© being penalised for offside, the opposing side electing to take a scrum, such scrum •hall take place five yards from the goal line, opposite to the spot from which it was fast played/' In the event ef a player marking in his own in-goal 1., aay a yard from tb© d©ad ball Lin© - and his opponents lino tip to the and ©bar*© tbo kick down orer the dead ball line* "the bell becomes dead.

A young New Zealander who found himself stranded in London last year thought he would turn New Zealand e national game to account. \ He made the acquaintance on tho homeword voyage of one of the Northern Union players, and, despairing of getting work after six weeks’ search for it, he accepted a trial engagement from the secretary at Leigh; Lancashire, to join the, professional team. They paid his pueeago to Leigh and he remained there nine days, board being also provided, lie thus describes his experiences in a letter to a Fielding resident: "Talk about, rain and talk about cold. X was shivering all the time L was there. The first match I played in you could not see th© goalposts for fog, and in the second and last match tho ground was coveted in mud and water to such an ©stent that football was an impossibility. I could not strike a job any whore t in Leigh so, after tho' second match, I told th© secretary that I could not stop any longer in the place, and he presented mo with d&l—and so ended j Wy flret experience of professional football r

The move in the direction of nxolo* sionolism, or "cash amateurism" (wo® there ever such a misnomer P) which ha® set in in the South lias apparently not shown itself here, although there are plenty of players in Auckland who would support e policy of payment for time lost when teams go on tour (says the "Herald"). The position in the city re* quires extremely delicate handling, and it would be advisable for the local union to tret into more sympathetic touch with the players and to show a little moje liberality in their policy. There Is a fixed impression in the minds of inany players, whether it be erroneous or not* that they are being offered up as sacrifices to the god of Mammon,- and arc getting nothing in return. When tht professional "All Blacks'* return with / their bags of gold it will not take an ordinary player long, when he glances up at th© crowded stands at Alexandra Park, to make a calculation, as to > what his share of tho gate might be if he were a professional. But professionalism in sport is not good, therefore it bohovea the Bugby Union to conciliate the mass of players,, and’ to # show practical sympathy with their desires,

H. H. Vaseall (one of the i threenuartore in the British team) was a great sm> cess for England against Ireland. He was, says an eminent critic, n eMitre of real class, with great gifts of paoo, resource, and skill. Long may he play for England! He aided and _abetted Hudson very considerably; his international debut was most promising in every respect. Says tho "Sportsman": Thai Oxford was a leading factor in England’s win must have been apparent to all, for Williamson and H. H. Vnssall were the predominant partners in All England’s actual scores and in a great number of her attacking movements amongst) ths backs.

The headmaster of the Cardiff Wood street Board Schools, where Percy Bush, the famous Cardiff and Welsh international half-back, is an assistant, wrote to the Cardiff Schools Management Committee recently complaining of tho international's absence sfrom school. “Mr Bush,’’ wrote the master, "is constantly unable to attend owing to illness and injuries received while playing, football. This makes the seventh occasion on which Mr Bush has been absent through illness or injuries since September Ist last, and his absences have been equal to forty-two days.” Mr I, Jackson, a director ,of education,, said that during the last eighteen months Bush had been absent fifty-eight days and a half, eaual to eleven week and throe days, in addition to his holidays. It WaO resolved, after some discussion, to write to Mr Bush, calling his attention to his absences, and pointing out that thecommitteo cannot allow it to continue.