FOOTBALL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8190, 3 August 1912, Page 14

FOOTBALL NOTES

. Tho Wellington Rugby Union bus been Innfortiinato with its fixtures this year, jb.id weather being, in tho main, responsible. For two weeks now, matches havo Iliad to bo postponed, tho result being 'that tho senior competition has become Isomewhat disorganised. Only about three ■weeks arc left in. which to conclude tho Second round of first grade games, and with tiro series of games unplayed and the proximity of one or two representative matches, in addition to the northern tour, tiie Wellington Union has a complex difficulty to face. The situation would not bo so serious were it not for tiie fact that tho relative positions of the three leading senior terms, Pctono, Oriental, aud Athletic, have not changed. Ono game might jeopardise the chances of any of these three, so the competition cannot very well be closed down. If ad Pctone, the most likely winner of the championship, a substantial lead in points, there might have been somo justification for terminating the second round. The North-South Island country teams' match will take place at the Athletic Park this afternoon, but by recognising that tho local fixtures have to be considered before anything else, and deciding -to continue the senior round of matches to-day, tho Wellington Union has adopted a wise and commendable course. Probably adverse opinions are held on this point, but Wellington has sufficiently 1 catered for tho New Zealand Rugby Union aud its gate by postponing the junior and lower grade matches. In the interests of the Wellington football competition it is to bo hoped that propitious meteorological conditions will prevail on the few remaining Saturdays. Tho animal match between the Wairarapa and Wellington juniors will bo played at the Athletic Park this after-j noon, in addition, to the North v. Southl Island country game. Some interesting play is anticipated.

General approval deserves to he meted 1 out to the Wellington Kugby Union for exploding the misrepresentations which wore being circulated to the effect that it intended to break its agreement with the I’etono Borough Council respecting 'the playing of matches at Petonc. The union has quite enough to contend with besides statements of unscrupulous pereons. Presumably some Rugby "enthusiasts” are using back-door methods to foster another game. In acknowledging his re-election to the office of president of the Welsh Rugby Union. Mr Horace Dyne, addressing the annual meeting of that body, said that' tiie style of play in Wales was highly unsatisfactory at tho present time. Ho deprecated the idea of a chibs’ championship _ scheme, stating that in his opinion it made the competing clubs eager to win at any price, and suggested that referees should in future he more severe on all offences against tiie laws and spirit of the game, and that the clubs themselves should cease from playing any of their members who are notorious offenders against clean football. Mr L. B. Smuts, of Capetown, and Mr Max Honnett, of the Transvaal, have been nominated for the position of manager to the South African team to visit the United Kingdom this year. Mr Smuts is prepared to pay his own expenses, but as the Home unions are defraying the expenses of the tour, this is not of any moment to the South African authorities.

The Welsh Rugby Union has made the following suggestions to tho English Union with reference to tho proposed alteration of their existing professional laws: "That it shall he permissible for a club secretary to receive payment, provided he be no longer a playing member of his club, and that any playei not exceeding the ago of eighteen who may have signed Northern Union forms under a misapprehension without having actually received any payment for playing should be capable of reinstatement, provided their union approve of such a course.”

Thus the "Referee”: —J. D. Campbell has agreed to go to England to play for Leeds, the conditions being that he receives a bonne, but little less than that given to H. Gilbert (£450) besides £2 per week with the usual bonus for wins, and employment in tho summer. Campbell, a fine all-round player, has pace, pluck, skill, and is good alike in combined and individual play. If the climate suits him. he should make a name in England. But where is this exodus of colonial, and particularly Sydney, play ere to end? The Northern Union League’s (Eng.) report says that the "season has been one of a very strenuous character, chiefly on account of the visit of the Australasian team, who proved themselves by their repeated victories to be a very clever side, defeating mosl of our League teams in very easy fashion. With tho improved form recently shown by some of tho League clubs, the coming season ought /to be ono of Increasing interest in the League tournament.” The financial reports disclosed tho following facts: Leeds, profit -6407; Hull, profit £130; Bradford, loss .£52; Hunslet, profit £142; Huddersfield, profit ,£1249; Halifax, profit £9O; Kingston Rovers, profit £250; Wakefield, loss £260: Dewsbury, profit £109; Batley, profit £200; Keighley, loss £37; Bramley, profit £l9: Oldham, profit £160; Wigan, profit about £900; St. Helens, profit £7O; Warrington, profit £9O; Widnes, profit £34; Broughton. Toss £9O; Rochdale, profit £231; Leigh, lose £167. Tho New South Wales Rugby League has arranged to send twenty-two players to New Zealand, thirteen to be backs and nine forwards. Ono would have thought that ten forwards aud twelve backs would have been better. With players like H. Messenger, H. Hallett, D. Frawley. A. Broomham, V. Farnsworth, C. IT. McKivat, Ray Norman, H. Halloway, C. Fraser, C. Buseell, E, White, p. McGregor, T. Gleeson, and H. Qarlick, and others available, the backs should be up to tho mark. J. D. Campbell will not bo in the party, einc© he intends leaving for England on August 3rd. If only nine forwards bo chosen, thero will be only three to add to the six who played in the last match with New Zealand, two of whom should be F. Burge and C. McMurtrie.