VISIT TO FIJI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 9

VISIT TO FIJI

MAORI RUGBY TEAM FIVE GAMES TO BE PLAYED P.A. WELLINGTON, May 17. The New Zealand Maori Rugby team will leave Auckland on July 19 by the Matua for Fiji and return by air on or about August 9. It will consist of 19 players and two managers. These arrangements were confirmed at today’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union executive, a report had been made on transport by the secretary; Mr A. E. Neilson. It is expected that the team will play five games. There is no possibility of the tour being extended to Samoa. On its return the team will play Auckland. The Fijian Union is to be asked if it would be able to send a team to play games in Auckland at the end of the season, late in September, and in October. Before taking further action regarding amending the constitution of the New Zealand Union, it was decided to ascertain the attitude of South Africa and Australia on the proposal for the establishment of a new international board. Members agreed that it would«not be practicable to amend the constitution till the new international board was either established or rejected. Following an application from the Ashburton Union for an increase in the grant for school football, it was decided to refer the matter to the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union, with a recommendation that no variation be made in grants, which have already been the subject of close investigation.