DUNEDIN

NZ Truth, Issue 511, 3 April 1915, Page 8

DUNEDIN

RUGBY. \

Mr 'Arry 'Arris, our very loving friend of the "Granny Times," and president of the 0.R.U., had a deal of vapor to let off the other night. 'Arry fancies hissel' and reckons he is the alpha and omega of matters m the rugby line. They put 'Arry m the chair, and m a wink 'Arry reviewed the position; Said Mr. 'Arris m all seriousness and with a very parsonical look: "During last season a representative team toured North, but, for the first t^me m the history of Otago football, it came back defeated. That was perhaps owing to the war (sic!) and the fact that a lot i of the best players could not get away." The war! We knew 'Arry, the clever, would soon say something. He'll soon !be blaming the war if "Granny Times", happens to turn democratic. i Harry did not think of taking any of the blame on himself m the 0.R.U., or the many stuffed players gambolling I under his select nose. We didn't know if Harry ever carried a pop-gun or a darning needle into a fray. In any case, like other perfervld yappers, he has had a deal to say m the war. Mr, Harris expressed the hope that even more men would go forward and volunteer. Mr. Harris al- ' ways deals with others. Billy Wilson hopped up and proposed Harry to be president once again. "He filled the position so admirably!" said good Billy. No one else having the chance of coming forward, and there being little independence m the 0.R.U., | our loving friend Harrlß hopped into j presidental honors., "Truth" is sorry that a more energetic individual was not given the opportunity to show what he could do. Mr. Harris may be nice when he likes, and energetic when he can, but any other member of.the O.R. U. could have made a more acceptable president. Harry should have been left to his dingy ad. rooms jn the "Times." Among the additional office bearers elected; we wejre pleased to observe the followirig: Dr. Evans, H. H. S. White, A. McDonald and George Nelson. These are broad-minded individuals, and it's a pity the O.R.U. has not more of such material. The humpy conservatism of the rest, and "their retrogressive ideas of sport are barriers to the progress of the game m Otago. But few members Beem to realise this. New blood ia badly needed from the president's job to nearly all the office bearers. Owing to the shortage of players m some senior teams, Mr. 'Arris voiced the opinion that a player could transfer to another club, if his own club did not enter a senior team. ' ;.. Harry White did not agree with this mistaken policy and we are one with Harry White. "It seems to me" said Mr. White, "that, it will be very hard on some players, for you may get the man who will not leaVe his club to play football for another. I do not think it is a proper attitude for the union to take up." . - The attitude is distinctly Improper, and, if carried out, will evolve matches so sloppy and ridiculous that last year's will be royal sport compared. What's to prevent all the clubs playing seniors? Each has a reserve of first blood to draw on. i \ I i 1