NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 54

NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Jim ■ Carsojn, a native of this city, who went to New South Wales some years ago and" became one of the -greatest exponents of Rugby football in that State, has returned, with his wife and" family, to Dunedin. "Jum" Carson, as he was popularly called on the other side, has been an illhealth for many months. Prior to leaving Sydney he was tendered ft complimentary concert, and the New South Wales Rugby Union also showed its practical appreciation of Carson's services to football. Sydney Referee cays: — "Jum" Caraon was one of the greatest players we ever had here, and if the heartfelt wishes of a wide circle of friends can restore him to health, he will soon regain his old strength. George Stephenson, the ex-Oiago representative, after a two years' absence in England, part of which time he played in the tliree-quarter line for Manningham, has returned to Dunedin. Harvey, the Canterbury half back who wag injured while playing for the South Island against North in Wellington recently, sent in his claim to the New. Zealand Union, who had insured the players against accident, and received a cheque for £2. Applicants for the position of referees in England have some out-of-the-way questions to answer before being "passed" as competeuit to control the game. At an examination held recently 12 sal and failed on the following : — A spectator blo\v3 a whistle ; one half the players stop, the remainder play on, and a goal is kicked. What decision ehould be given? Clearly the goal should be awarded, a« the referee's whistle alone stops the game. Mr Mark Newsome, the new president of the English Rugby Union, is one of the best-knoum and Most highly-esteemed men in North of England football circles. ' He has been a member of the English Rugby Union Committee since 1888, a record of which he may well be proud. The wires are already being pulled from Wellington to secure, if possible, the appointment of M I. Hyams as manager of the New Zealand team that ie to visit Australia next season. ■ There is no appointment that would be more indefensible. Mr Hyams has absolutely no claims. He managed the last New Zealand team that went to Australia, and after his experiences on that occasion it is absolutely amazing that h-s should be ambitious of again acting in the capacity of manager of a football team. But since that date he Jias had a cheap trip to Australia upon football matters. He went as New Zealand delegate to the conference last summer upon the matter of intercolonial tour arrangements. He has, it will be seen, done very well out of the New Zealand Union in the matter of free tripe of a desirable character. He should bo modest. He is not a heaven-born manager or administrator, or he might be granted a perpetual appointment to visit the other tide whenever there was any business to be done there for the New Zealand Union. But as he is perhaps the least useful individual who is connected with that body in 'Wellington, it may be fairly suggested that he should Btand voluntarily back in favour of some more deserving person If he does not do go, he Bhould be thrust back in the most kindly but forcible manner. There is no member of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Union who should not have the preference to him. But there ie no reason why the manager of the team should nece«sarily belong to the committee in Wellington. Any member of any of the management committees of any of the provincial unions in the colony has claims that should be considered. And, as a North Islander managed each of the two last teams that New Zealand has sent to Australia, it is not unreasonable to suggest that a South la]a.ndcr should be cent with next year's team. " Referring to the recent meeting of the Engli»h Rugby Union and that body's finding on the application of the New Zealand Union, re the relaxing of tha rules of professionalism in favour of a New Zealand Rugby team for England, Leonard Tosswill, JEftgligh international, sajgL— An «BPli-_

cation had been, made to the Rugby Union to allow a New Zealand team to come over and play this season. A request was also made that the professional laws might be relaxed in favour of this team, in order thafc its members might be compensated for their loss of time and work. The Rugby Union had, with much regret, to refuse this request, and in this they will have the approval of all Rugby footballers. Though everyone would be glad to see a New Zealand team over here, and would give them a hearty welcome, yet it is quite evident that, had the Rugby Union given in and relaxed the professionalism laws in the slightest degree this would merely have been the thin edge of the wedge. If they could relax these laws in one case they could;' relax them in others, and the wort, of all. -these years would have^been thrown'&way?, •*• When 4he Canterbury Union J wasv s asked- " some little time back by the New Zest- - land R\igoy Union to forward the names of players who were prepared to, go to England with a New Zealand team in 1903, the matter wa9 referred to a sub-committee", which has sent a reply to the head body to the effect that it considers a team should not be sent unless it is thoroughly- representative of the colony, and thafc -the folio win? players have signified i&eir willingness to "go, if chosen:— M'Gregor, Harvey,Harper, Wood, Rice. Dugga'n,; Drake," FauJ. ning, and .-Cooke. T. Crose, who was "a. members of the Canterbury rep. team. ~lasc year, and is at present in Dunedin," was nqb asked by the local union if he- could make the trip. Brunsden expressed his . inability to go under the conditions submitted. /ThS sub-committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union also pointed out to the New Zealand. Union that next sae6on'« form "might reaulc in a great alteration in the personnel of the representatives. The New Zealand Union is setting about this trip to England business in a very unbusinesslike way. A statement of the receipts and expenditure in connection with the North v. South leland match has been sent out by the treasurer of the New Zealand Union* The gate receipts and sale of cards amounted to' £156. Bs. The total expenditure was -£16418 sod, the balance of £8 10s 6d being ;made up by a levy on the unions, in proportion, to their representation in the match. * The largest item was for travelling and hotel expenses, £117 Is Bd, but the amount ' spent; on entertainment, £28 2s, might easily have been reduced by half (says "Quidnu.no"), which would have left a balance on the right side over the match. The Canterbury Rugby Union's share of the levy was £2 9s 6d. , . ; Mr P. H. Fox, ex-TpTresid&nt of the English Rugby Union," who k at present in New Zealand, speaking in reference to •the possibility of an English team visiting >th» colony to a representative of Lyttelto't Times, said: — It was necessarily Jihe work of one man to inquire whether a team could be got together <■ to. make . the ' trip. ., K'.^ really good man, who would himself be wKf ling to fake; charge of a team, could- assure the union of a reasonable possibility- of get-, ting that team together, then -.the 'trip could be arranged. Any team that left- Home would consist mainly of 'men- of -leisure, , no - working men being included. - It .•was^uafbr.-"' i tunate that the University long' vacitioWdid not give men an opportunity^ofj^jourtfii neyihg so far afield as New 'Zealand^SbttCkSt:: Africa being about- the limit of t&etf Hfielci^ of operations ; but this difficulty, tbough_rob^ bing them of some good material, would not provo insuperable. v After a visit from New Zealanders, English footballers Tarould probably be very keen on a colonial tour, and he hoped they would accomplish it.