SPORTS & PASTIMES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7419, 22 April 1911, Page 7

SPORTS & PASTIMES.

THE BUGBY SEASON 1911

PEOIIPECTS or COMPETING CLUBS. (By "Wing Forward.") Tiio cry of the Larrncker will be heard in tho land onoo again, first of nil this nftorn>D*on and continuing for tho next bix or seven- months wherever tho football is kicked about. Locally our cars will bo assailed with “Xday up, Athletics/' "Bung it in, Orics," * f Go it. Blues," “'Follow up. I’onekes," and all tho othjer similar cries peculiar to Wellington football grounds. A remarkable thing about tho playing of our principal winter pastime is the enthusiasm of tho supporters of tho different clubs, fro matter how badly or how well thou* particular team may have .fared during the previous season tho barrackor is bound to bo optimistic. The champions of tho year, of (Course, cannot do any better than win the champiomthix’. but still their friends hope to them get through tho incoming season without a solitary defeat against thtfin. As to the other competing teams, wc.J, if rumour is to bo relied upon, more* than ono of them will crow over last year’s champions when the coming semes of 'matches under tho Wellington Kugby Union have been played to a conclusion. Apart from tho actual playing ot tho gomes. Kugby football went out -under a very big snsuluw last season, mainly because “tho Kugby rough'' again reared his head. Many times in the past ho occupied a prominent place in the news column of rhJs paper, and it is up to tho management committeo of the Wellington Kugby Union to como down with A heavy hand ou this kind of undesirable during tho weeks and months ot placing tnat are to come. There muse be no more broken jaws. And ono way of preventing anything of tho kind is to hand out suspensions a little more ireely, regardless of tho standing of the players concerned in any rutiianly conduct on tho held. . llegarding , tho prospects eft the individual duos to attain to senior championship status the following information has been gleaned from various sources, and is given for what it is worth as a guide to those who view tho game as a healthy pastime, and not merely through the coloured •spectacles of a dub partisan. • - • • •• •

Oriental—last year's champions—are feeling in u good humour, mainly because "All Black" Huberts is not talking about retiring thin season. On the contrary. he is eager for another struggle on the Athletic Bark and other convincing grounds. Kinvig, also, has informed n. Curistchuroh friend that ho will bo playing again this Benson, which should bo good hearing to his club-mutes, who had definitely understood from him that ho intended retiring for this season. This pair is the backbone of last year’s champion team, and associated with them will bo Chant, Carrad, Matheson, McLeod and Pyle. Stnrrock is said to bo retiring, mainly because ho has gone and got married, out he filled a vacancy in tno Christchurch High School Old Boys' team_ last Monday, which may mean anything. ' Allan Cameron’s knee won’t permit of his taking the field this season; Murray and Gillespio have both retired definitely, but Bunckenburg, Perry, Tyrrell, Manning, Murphy and Mcßean are as eager as they were last year. Barber has lett Poueke and" joined Oriental, and iJiyno and Heennu, two junior players, ore probable seniors this year, , , • # ■ • , *•

The Athletic Club has an amateur athletic sports club amongst its members, and, because of the training indulged in by its runners during the summer, the fifteen takes the field in fine fix for the opening matches. They are rejoicing because Macdonald, voted to be the finest back in Otago last year, has returned to AV'ollington, and will onco again don the Athletic jersey. Kerr, who has been in Kelson of recent years winning fame for himself as a champion boxer, also returns to the Athletic Club, although in his last previous season in Wellington ho played for Melrose. Arty Cunningham, Jock Cunningham, Eanji Wilson, Sim Wilson, L, McDonald, Evensen, MoVay, the two Murrays, Osborne, Beil and Eapsoa are all wearing the blue and black jersey once again, and Paddy Murphy ana Irvine will both hook tho ball if ’ tbo side want them. Greeks has deserted Melrose for Athletic, and other now men are I/evick, a Taranaki representative forward of last year, and Palmer, a North Canterbury halfback. • « •' • •

Bradley has deemed it wise on his part ■to forsake St. James in favour of Southern. There was a possibility of the two front-rankers for St. James—Tyler aud Hills—not playing this year, but latest information is that they will bo in their places when the whistle blows for the announcement of play. They have lost Brace (in Auckland) and Wighton (in Sydney), and theso places will be hard to fill, for ithey were two of: tho best. Heketa has come in from the llntt to put on a St. James jersey. Thomas will move up from full back to centre threequarter, and Cook, a Horowhenua representative three-quarter, is an accession; Dobson will bo full-back, W. Orewes and H. Roberta five-eighrtlia, and E. Huberts half. Tho wing forward is Wright, and others of the last year's vanguard still available are Mofiit, King and Don aidson, Ito whom is to bo added O'Leary, a burly forward from South Canterbury. ••• • « -

This Petono team, ia itef 1 earlier matches, will be largely composed of Ryans. First and foremost there is New Zealand’s representative Jimmy, who will find touch no doubt as ably ns of yore; them (there is younger brother Eddie, one of the most promising of the Petono oolts, and another brother Bill, who is a forward with possibilities.' The two front-rankers aro both Byans— Frank and W. ll.—but not relations of the other three. Hard'bam—the oldest veteran now playing_ locally, bo has been at 1 it since 1896—will work round the fringe of the scrimmage once more, an accident to “Dodger" Price having put him out of action again. Nunn will be the halt-back. Cliff Kamsden and McKenzie the five-eighths, Bamsden is a Mamawatu representative of last season, •and while at Wellington College' promised to develop into something above thn ordinary. The lengthy Dent, Maofarlane, Corson, Daly, Ashton, and T. Price are looking for farther opportunities of representing Potone, bat there are one or two losses to record. Prouse has returned to Taranaki, Miller is holidaying in Sydney, Drummond is not playing, Shardlow is married, and Strickland has shifted his camp across the Tasman. Sea. ■•* • • •

The Poneke team have won the championship more times than any other side in Wellington, and if they could uncarth a few forwards of the stamp ot Brassy" White, “Bustler” Young, Harry Mclntyre, and others of that Kidney, they reckon they would bo chamP ,on - s . once again. For they have ■ a slashing hack team to represent them. Frank Mitchinson is back from his farming experiences in the King Country—or will be_in a few days—Wnlshe, TilT ar d and Elliott are- as good ns of yore, and they have received, a more than useful acquisition in Kelly, a rattling fiye-o.gli'ths from the West Coast. Slater will Play full-back jf asked, and wo may lake it that ho will bo asked all righit. ■And Morns is shaping nicely this year. Gardiner, Elliott, Calcinai and J. Den-

neliy are old-time red and blacks, and new ones this year are: —Judd, back from tho Hutt; Sherwood, from Timurn, and llarrhy, a full-back from Dunedin. “Dooley" Calcinai has had enough football—or at least the fruits of playing ithe game—to last him fur the verm of his natural life, and gives it up for good and all; Dan Donnehy was in town for Easter, but ho is returning, to To Kuiti as soon as possible, after which ho will drift up to Auckland, and Dug. Hunter has gone to Dunedin, on transfer in tho Defence Department. The champion of champions in tho front row of the scrummage—Ernest Dodd—i-s said to be turning out for the Old Boys, and the ex-Wellington College students are feeling pleased in consequence. T’hfy havo occasion to, as far as he is concerned, but tho new territorial scheme of defence robbed the side of ouo of .tho best in their last year’s captain, and wing forward —Harry Avery —who had just reached hies nUihirc as a footballer. But ho is serving his country, and so the Old Boys must accept the inevitable. \V. Alexander —anotlinr good ono ami a Weningtou representative—is on tho hank this season, in accordance with tho wishes of his medical adviser, who considers that, although'hc is sound in wind and limb, a rest for a season or from active -service after an* attack of appendicitis is advisable, McColl ha* gone to Gisborne, and Marthant is learning tho business of a sawmiller at Ilualapu, down on the West Coast. Those vstill eager for the fray are:— Jacobsen, Freyborg, F. Alexander, Drake, Fordhaon, Jonkin.soa (promoted from tho juniors) among the* forwards’, and Johnson, Dawson, and Grace (tho two la«t North Island representatives last season). Pool (back from tho Athletics), Picot ojul Wiggins (last year's junior). The win of the DcvenLsh Shield last Monday should encourage the Old Boys to go oj\ to better 'tilings, «Jid (ho winning of the Kpnior championship is yet in wont of them. * * * •

An enthusiast who wears tho cloth days, and whoso playing name was Leahy, i.*» coaching tho Southern -team. Bradley (from St, James) should bo of much assistance, to tho maroons, and others who aro likely to find a place in tluo team are: Backs: Mitchell. Macdonald (from Solwyn), J. Johnson, W. Houlihan (from Timaru), Bussell (promoted from third-class), aiuk B. Gallagher; forwards: E. Houlihan, Osborne {Schvyn), Turner (Dunedin and Timaru), Stevens (third-class), Johnson, L. Campboll, McGuire, and Garwood. * * Wellington were voted as likely to make a big bid for the championship this season, but on their showing against Christchurch oil Easier Saturday I am inclined to pub them in the "also started" division. However, tlioro aro heaps of new men at the disposal of the selection committee. and they may, rise to the occassion. Hero are some of thorn:—Becky (a half-back from Parnell, Auckland, nnd a son of tho Jack Lecky who was a for. ward in the 1831 New Zealand team), O'Brien'(a forward from Marlborough), Sheehan (from Auckland), McNab-(Nel-son College), Carr (a returned Wellington who has been playing in the Auckland University team). Hunt (a Botorua representative), and Gilbert'(a Nelson College Old Boy). jMcKellar will lead the side, and associated with him of the old players will be Lambert (a promising lad who has only to fill out a bit more to mako himself a power in the land). Allan Hill. Kirkwood. Munro, Arthur. Wilson (a good man on the line-out, but past his best day), and Btxdgc.

.» « * The Victoria College players don’t expect to win the - chamnionship this erason, but they are hopeful that they will beat moro teams during the season .than beat them. Poranga (full-back in the Maori team last season) wild be the last IlnOi of defence; Duncan (the winner of tho sprints at the athletic championship meeting), Faire, and Huric (from Wellington) will be the three-quarters; Lomas (from Otago University) and Hyah (who gained a place in the representative team last year), five-eighths; and a promoted jimicr in Johnson will play half. Crertayne is captain, and will lead the following forwards:—Jadcscih, Quilliam (who figured prominently in Taranaki football last year), Bob orison. Dundas, Brosnahan, Fathers, and Brown (a Wanganui representative), with Bruce Morrison (just returned from Cambridge University) as wing-forward.

. * *■ , There was a time—not many years ago. either—when Melrose was a name to conjure with, but the introduction of the Northern Union game to tho Dominion crippled them severely, so much so that it ivi.ll be many a day before they -fully recover. The players who aib likely to get into the team this year, and they are mostly junior players, are the three brothers Marshall. Scott, Patterson, Armstrong, three Sullivans (younger brothers of Con.), Armstrong. McXnnes. nml A. Gilchrist. • Twomey is expected back from Blenheim early next month, and O'Brien, a new forward from Marlborough, wears tho red and blue jersey for the first time. .One of the old-time enthusiasts in Colin Campbell ;u coaching tho Melrose lads, and ho will get out of them all they are capable of. * * *- Tbo Htttt team, for various reasons, decided td withdraw from the senior championship. They were well advised, I think, and will bo able to do themselves and this clnb more credit in the junior ranks. The question naturally arises, "which is tho -strongest team in the championship? The reader of these notes can form his own opinion on tho above information. which is collected 'from reliable sources. THAT HAND - BOOK SIMPLIFICATION OP CASE LAW. Tho New Zealand . Ecfcrees’ Association has decided “that the handbooks of the Association bo reprinted, and that the compilers be asked to revise the case laws and simplify them.” a decision which, to the uninitiated, may not seem, to fco very extraordinary. The purport of the concluding words, "that tho compilers bo asked to revise tho case laws and simplify them;" can be fully understood only by those who have studied that handbook, which is one of the most weird and wonderful things attached to Eugby football. Case law, culled from l an English circular, and arranged to suit the various rules to which tho decisions apply, is to ho met with in extenso on every page, and to understand these and reconcile one to the other is an undertaking which can b© appreciated only when attempted. But there aro to ho more pages of case law—not English case law this time, hut tho decisions and rulings of tho New Zealand bodies—aud the handbook bids fair to become a very dreadful thing indeed. Tho New Zealand rniings, though they may, -in some measure, ho more applicable to tho gamo In New Zealand, and though' they may' appeal more to New Zealanders in that , they will hear tho hall mark of "our own make,” can scarcely bo of more practical value, or more easv of interpretation, than the present rulings, which aro to bo appended to tho hook, in their original order.. New points and new problems arc always arising in connection with Eugby. and now questions are continually being sot tii© New Zealand E-e----forecs’ Association, which from timo to time issues rulings which appear to servo only as a basis on which to base further and more subtle queries. And so tho thing goes on ad infinitum, and sorely harassed referees find themselves imbibing more and more of this unpalatable fare and growing more contused every day. It must not be imagined that, voluminous as theso rniings are, and contradictory as many of them appear at first sight, onr referees fail to gra-sn their meaning. To them thes” rulings are ns clear as they could possibly be to anybody, and it, is they who. through their superior knowledge of them, aco rontinuaUy finding some undiscovered point or some ambignity upon

which it is desirable that a definite ruling should bo obtained. A meeting of a, referees' association is much the same as a conference of lawyers, and the discussionß on the rules and interpretations, on the breaches committed in mutches on the previous Saturday, on the penalties imposed by the officiating referees, on the avenues for "pointing" opened up,by so mo particular rule or ruling, and on'the thousand and ono involved questions which referees set themselves to elucidate arc calculated to send tho layman away in a state of dazed astonishment that such an apparently shnplo game should he hedged with r j o many legal technicalities and (apparently) unnecessary restrictions. Even tlie rules themselves, the foundation on which this etranae structure of rulings and interpretations has boon built, are by no means clear, and it is probably this factor which has led up to the present, state of the law governing "tho good old game.’' Tims in law eight, dealing with the manner in which an off-side player is placed on-side, we have the following two reetions: (a) When an opponent has run five yards with tho ball; (h) when the ball has been kicked by. or has touched an opponent. The Auckland referees, after having apparently given these sections full and careful consideration, inanired of the. New. Zen land Itoferces’ Association executive whether it was necessary for an opponent to run the stipulated live yardn with the ball, seeing that, immediately be picked it up, it had and the off-side plover, ncoordim? to section fb). was therefore on-cidc, and justified in tackling him. The executive issued tho following ruling, which was confirmed by the delegates at the annual meeting of the association: "An off-sldo plover is placed on-side rmd mev he permitted to p'ay ou {irrespective of which position on the fir!'! ho mav occuny) in the event of the ball’having Peon kicked bv one of his own side. and. during it* flight, touching an opponent-, provided that be fthe player) is not within the ten yards limit from the opim-ieut tbe ball tov.chp'L" Thn decision Is subject to a proviso that up to the time the hall touched his opponent the off-sido player has not committed any breach of tlm second part of law 8 {denting with off-side plav). The™ arc* the questions which our referees arc solving year in and year out. and in nearly nil 'm-cs the •nil?nc*« have a greater or lesser en>nt, on the gnme. and a- lares number will, therefore: he inerted in the hook. In n fen' years’ time, wherj eq these —dings hei-n been and the oue*tiorm arising out of them answered and anne-’dod lo the nrigin'-l r” ,! ng«. what n. field for research this hand-book will bo. BUGBY i NEW ZEALAND UNION. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. Tho annual meeting of tho council of tho New Zealand Bugby Union will bo held in the Chamber of Comraerco on Thursday. May 11th. Tho following notices of motion for amendment of tho rules havo.been received: — By they Wellington. Union: "That rule 2G be amended by the addition of tho wards 'of this union or of the. management committee, officio or ox officio, of any union affiliated to tho Now Zealand Kugby Football Union.'" ■ By tho management committee: "That rule 12 bo amended by tho insertion of the word -amateur’ before the words ‘club, union or organisation/" Other notices of motion are:— ' By tho Hauawatu Union; "That tho Maiuuvatu Kugby Football ‘Union be granted permission to alter its boundaries." By tho ‘Wellington Union; "That the resolution of the management committee adopting the recommendation of the English Union regarding penalty for breach of amended law 12 bo rescinded," and "That tho recommendation of tho English Union in connection with the alteration allowed in law 12, that in tho event of the ball not alighting at right angles five yards from tho touchline a scrum bo allowed, bo not'agreed with, and that ,tho penalty where the ball does not alight five yards from the touchiino bo a free kick."

By tho Hawke’s Bay Union: "That, with a view to improving tho Eugby Union game tills union desires to recommend tho abolition of wing-forward play, and that tho N.Z.R.F.U. bo asked to obtain expressions of opinion on this aud other improvements from other unions, with a view to their submission to the English Eugby Union." ’By-the Canterbury 1 Union: "That the date of the intor-island game bo fixed for Juno 3rd." SELECTION OP TEAMS.

The meeting will consider the following report submitted by the subcommittee' appointed to consider a scheme to give players outside of tho main centres more opportunities for consideration inthe selection of New Zealand and North and. South Island teams; —

"As yon are aware the selecting of tho above teams is , generally confined to about six men, and, as the selectors aro 'generally located iii tho main centres, it is not practicable for thorn to obtain a general knowledge of tire of tllie players, but in order to minimise this difficulty wo have to suggest a Eohetoq on. the following lines:—(l) That, the Unions of South Auckland, Poverty Bay) Hawke’s Bay, Bush, Manawatu, Horowhenua. ami Wairarapa should contribute say cadh three men, making twenty-one in all, to form a North Island Country Team, and play matches at Auckland, Taranaki, ‘Wanganui, and Wellington. (2/ That the Unions of Marlborough Nolson.-Builer, West Coast, ami South Canterbury contribute say each four men, making twenty in all, to form a South Island Country Team, and play matches ait Invercargill, Dunedin, and Christchurch. The matches named would bo against the local unions. After the teams complete their respective matches at Wellington and Christchurch we would suggest that they should at pneo play against each other at Wellington, at -a date prior to the selection of players for the North v. South match. This would give the selectors .of n Now Zealand team an opportunity of mailing a selection fully representative of the Dominion, and also doing justice to the players as a whole. If this scheme is acceptable to delegates there are matters of detail which cau be easily arranged by the management committee, but wo have to recommend that, after making satisfactory arrangements with the unions concerned for the use of their grounds, the whole of the -proceeds bo pooled towards payment of tho travelling expenses of both teams. The financial risk to be on account of the Now Zealand Union." OPENING OF THE SEASON. Tho first round of the Wellington. Eugby Union’s 1911 championship competition will bo commenced to-day, when fire matches will bo played. The seven-a-sido tourna-meiit, visits of teams from other centres, and excursions to country towns, supplemented by steady “gym." practice during the past month, have served to put the men in - firsteJass fettle, and to-day’s matches should not suffer in any way through lack of condition, on tho part of the players. The attractions at tho Athletic Park will be the Oriental-Old Boys and St. JamesWellingtou fixtures. Old Boys put up some very good performances in the earlier stages of last season’s championship, and though they, aro matched against the team which gained tho 1910 premiership honours,- their chances are viewed favourably .by a large* number of followers of tho sport. The St. JamesWellington match, which will be played on the No. 2 ground, promises to be a battle of forwards, and from the result ouo should be able to gauge pretty accurately the strength of the Wellington forward , line. The St. Janies team .was one of the strongest in last year’s competition, and upset popular predictions on more than one occasion. The Wellington team did not mtfke a particularly good sheaving and ended up rather far'down on tho list. This year the forwards include many new men, whoso presence is expected to materially strengthen tho team. It was in its forwards that tho Wellington team's chief weakness lav last year, and with a band of formidable front-rankers its chances in this

year's competition bear a very favourable aspect. Petone and Athletic wm meet on the Peton-e ground, where it is probable that the Petone team will play on alternate Saturdays throughout Uie season. Both these tennis arc tstrontL and both have substantial claims on championship honours, in past reason'.* the meeting of the two has been responsible for wine of ’the hardest and most determined struggles of the year, and there appears to be no reason to Biip-po-.e that to-day’s match will Ixi less interesting than lormci* contests. Victoiia. Collage and Southern will meet at Miramar, and from its showing in the seven-a-sido tourney tho college team should give tho wearers of tho maroon plenty to do to keep matters even. At Jvcjrorl I'on eke and Melrose should give a goed exhibition. The Poxiekc team {admittedly ono of the strongest combinations in Wellington) is much tho same as last year, while the Melrose team is not one that will submit without a tussle. The junior and fifth-class competitions will also commence to-day, and, as in the senior grade, these games should provide close contests and good exhibitions. TEAMS FOE TO-DAY. Southern—Senior v. 'Victoria College, Polo No. 1; 11. Mitchell, 11. Macdonald, G. Bradley, J. Johnson, H. Houlihan, A. Eusseli, B. Gallagher, P. Tamer, J. Orsborn, E. Houlihan, F. Stevens, G. Johnson, L. Campbell, C. McGuire, J. Garwood. Junior v. Oriental, Polo No. 4: C, H. Capper, H. Mortcnson. 0. B. Wctliorell, F. Hylton, J. Parlser, McManu-Box, F. Doherty, G. L. Morison, J. Lundon, J. Walsh, W. Capper, J. O'Flaherty, O. Johnson, F, Ohirnslde, 11. Whltorod. Fifth v. St. Patrick's B, Athletic Park, 1.30 p.in.:lronmonger, Fogden, Childs, Tuckwcll, Howard. Smith, Tilyard, Harris. Passmore, Johnstone, Patching, Gnider?. Kirby, Chant, Johnston. Emergency, S. Kolinson. St. John’s v. Hutt. at Hutt No. I—Martin. Andrew, Mitchell, Eabone. EUitre.Enting. Lovell, Fawcett. Dallas, Andrew, Neill. Ha.ll, D. McKay, AVatters, Crawford. Emerr goner, Cron. Athletic—Senior v. Petone; McVay, S. Wilron, Vj. McDonald, Pool, L. McDonald. Evrnsen, Kerr, A Murray, Irvine, Greeks, Ka-pson, A, Wilson. Bell. Lcvick, and J. Cuiminghame. Junior v, St. James; Atkins, Madden, Palmer, Hutchinson. Kidflick, E. Johnson, Douglas, Duff, O’Leary, Schock, McKajv Agtiew. Woodcock. Emergencies—Delhi and E. Ilobingon. SCHOOL COMPETITIONS (To tho Editor “N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—Ait last night a meeting of tho Wellington Public Schools Kugby Union, cm application was received from tho Marist. Brothers’ School for permission to outer teams for the public schools football competitions. The application was refused.

For' some years past _ tho Marist Brothers’ schools in Wellington havo bcc.n playing Association football because. * sir. tho Public Schools Union would not allow theta to ploy Kugby. Same five or,sis ycara ago they applied to bo allowed to play Kugby witli thb State schools, but their application was refused oni tho following grounds: (1) That tho AVelUngton. Public Schools Union was a public schools union and could not admit privates schools without altering its constitution. (Uno would think that they were being asked to alter tlie constitution of the United .States.)

(2) That tho Marist Brothers’ boys wore bigger than, tho Slate school boys, nnd

(3) That there were not sufficient grounds available. - The consequence was that the Marist Brothers' boys were compelled to play (Association in the Association boys' leagues. The above facts were brought before the Wellington. Eugby Union, and last night a deputation from that body waited on the Public Schools Union and naked that the Marist Brothers’ boys’ request bo granted. It was pointed out by tiro deputation that it seemed to be an easy matter for the Public Schools Uuiom to alter its .constitution if it so desired; that there was nothing to show that the Marist Brothers' boys were bigger than the State school boys, and;.that, as the city recreation grounds had been formed since - the last application and the Eugby Union had plenty of grounds, the objection on this score Was now removed. It was further pointed out that in Auckland and Canterbury the Marist Brothers’ schools took part in tho schools competitions. I understand that the tamo thing applies in Wanganui, Napier, West Coast, Dunedin, and almost every other place in New Zealand. Wellington —the capital city of the Dominion—alone has the unenviable reputation amongst footballers of preventing these boys from playing Kugbjr football. _ And yet,- in spite of all this, the application, was refused. Why, I wonder? Surely it omunot be that the Wellington, public school teachers are so narrow-minded that they will not allow these boys to play on account of their religion? But 1 confess that ,1 can think of no other reason. I understand 'that an effort is to be made to haA'e a special general meeting next week to reconsider the question, and I bone that, for the honour ,of the city of Wellington, the .public, school teachers will n,o longer allow it to be the only place in New Zealand' in which such a flagrant injustice is being done to Catholic schoolboys.—l a,m, eta.; GEOEGB HOWE. Wellington, April 21st, 1911.

ASSOCIATION In order to facilitate the publishing of results of the lower grade games of football and “soccer” in Monday morning’s issue arrangements have been made for the results of such matches to bo received at Abel’s tobacconist's shop (opposite the Opera House), when it is not convenient for the notices to bo sent direct to this office. Result, slips can be obtained at Mr Abel’s shop, and captains of junior teams will oblige by filling in forms and leaving them on Saturday evenings. MEETING OP TITO COUNCIL. (The council of the New Zealand Football Association met last evening, Mr H. N. Holmes presiding.. The Canterbury Association notified that owing to lack of funds it would bo unable to make any. guarantee regarding a visit from a New South Wales team. The Southland Association notified that a guarantee for the association had been arranged and the amount would‘.be available as soon as possible after notification, that it was required. Tho Otago Association stated that its guarantee would be forthcoming when required. . Tho new rules of. the association were finally confirmed.

TEAMS FOR TO-DAT. Swifts—Senior v. Y.M.0.A., at Duppa street i P. AT. Whittle, J. H. Fye-Smlth, Geo. Wilson. A. Barry, H. Graves, Geo. Guise, D. Scott (captain), H. Roberts, O. Ve.-aey, W. M. Matheson, J. D. Hoban. Third class, v. St. John’s: Wiffln, Adams (2), Balks, Hewitt. Schock, Saunders, McIndoo, Guise (2). Burn; reserves—Edge and Thompson. Fifth class. V. Wadestown; Borrows. Oakley, Kins, Bowden, do Clifford, Flaw®, Roynoids, Humphries, Leys, McPhail, Porter; reserve—Boll. • Diamond—First division y. Rovers, at Jo. 6. Miramar: Bennett. Roberts. Fitzgerald, Barnett, Taylor, Collins. Lowe (2), Staples, Reddy and Black. Second division v. Rovers, at No. 2, Miramar: Makin, Roberts, Hendl.o: Riley, MiHchelt Sanders, Lowe. Wheldon. Coad. Black, Whitford. Lynnebem. Emergency, Harrison. Fourth division, v. St. Anne’s, at No. 7, Miramar (J n.m.): Bidmcad (2). Desmond, Guilford, Kellv. Overend, Roberts. Sievers (2), Talbot, Loddy. :. . . _ . , Bangers—Fifth division, y. Seatoun: Jcnkinson. Algar. Jackson (2). Lang, Snthe.rland. Lain berg. 8011, Hislop. Petley. Cording, Solomon. Fifth division. B grade, v. Ngaio: Walshaw, Hogden. Hague, Bcamburv, Blake. Anderson. Mclnnes, Brown, Mair, Garrett, Anderson. Brooklyn—Third division, y. St. David s ; Smith, Shaw, Lowe. Furniss. Keene, Mai-

tors, Wilkinson, I’cttingeil, Brown, Hughes, Taylor.

Y.M.C.A.—First division, v. Swifts! No. 1. Duppa street: K. ilollis, C. T, Coatc, Austin, .). Shaw, S. Jardme. \\ r . L. AViison, A. H. McKay, K. M. Phillips, H. Hall-Kcimcy, A. (Jowans, U. Smith. Second division v. I'etoue. No. 2, Jiuppa street: A. Ninuno. V. Itu'lumlsDn, Forsytue. J Lennox. I!, foail. C. Hibberd, CtilUug, H. JlcWirr, G. Wilkins, L. Stanton. B. Nimino. Third tlivision. v. Petone, iiaidment’s. i'etotic; W. Evans, IV. Urquhart, V. Haughton, alardon. C. Purdie, J. tVccklcy, K. Bhoniey, 3i. Palchett, A. K. Smith, L. Chartres, M. Hodge. St. John's—First division, v. Thistles: Walls, Benson, Yniil, Cummings. Gosney, Shaw, Hart, Woodcock, Warner, Dick, Hayton, Kgley. Third division. V. Swifts: Wiseman, Probert, Zorn, Nelson, Haycroft, Douglas, Millicr, Zorn, jur., Bruce, Hopkirk. Dinnie.