RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13857, 21 March 1907, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AN "EMPIRE CUP."

.(Frost Odr Ow.v Correspondent.)

LONDON, February 1. Widespread interest has been aroused by the announcement, made this week, that, a cup has bceu ottered for competition among the Ilugby-phiying nations of the Empire. The following aro the conditions of ihe competition :—

The enp is lo be known as "tho Good Hope Challenge Cup." It will bo of the value of £200, is presented for competition bct.wo'eu the States and the colonies of the British Empire, and is open lo their representative Rugby teams. The United Kingdom and the several federated or united States or colonics will count cacli as a whole, and will ho entitled to bo represented bv one team only. 'l'lio cup, in the first instance, shall bo Imudcd to tho governing body of tho South African Union as its temporary property until challenged, and shall be kept at or near Capetown ivhilc in its possession, but it may bo sent to any other centre in South Africa, where and while a cup match is boing played, to be returned to it.s colonial homo thereafter, if successfully defended bv South Africa. This condition is explained by the fact that the cup has been presented by it well-known resident of South Africa at present in England.

It must bo insured against loss wherever it is. until won outright,-as thus set. forth: .''The first contest is to tako place in Sourh Africa, and always thereafter from time to timo while it is successfully defended. Tho title to possession shall he decided by the bret two out ot three games; Ihe lirst and third, should it fake place, shall be sjayoil on the Cape Peninsula: ihe second in such oilier populous centre jit Soulli Africa :ls ihe general governing body may fix and- determine, the venue in the hriter case may lie changed at the discretion of such body after every contest. South Africa shall mean all or such of the colonies south of Ihe '/amliesi as may notify their wish to bo included in the 4 whole.' In case South Africa loses possession of tho cup, and so long as it remains out of South Africa, tho contret. shall take place in the Slate or colony of the winners for the time being, but subject, nevertheless, muiatis mutandis, to Ihe rules and regulations which govern ami regulate competitions in South Africa. The cup shall become tho absolute property of any Siale or colony winning it three times after it .has been in the possession of another or other teams: tho first contest in South Africa io count as one win, but no sequence of wins shall be taken to count as separate wins, the intention boing ihat tho first or any subsequent successful team must lose and regain possession of the cup twice before it shall be handed over to if permanently.

"That ihe South African Rugby Union shall appoint a special committee of. say, seven or nine members, three to form, a quorum (the donor being entitled to nominate one representative), which committee shall draft und prepare the necessary rules, regulations, and by-laws necessary and proper to give effect, lo Hie foregoing conditions." The donor (tirthev suggests that a special prize be offered for a suitable design for the cup of, say, 10 guineas. The figure of Hope should be a prominent feature, with a view of Table Bay and such heraldic decorations as will convey tho idea Ihat tho Empire is intended to tie embraced anil bound into one united .whole, as well under the Southern Cross as the Polar Star,