FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 58

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FULL BACK

A reproduction of a handsome photograph of the New Zealand footballers in Johannesburg i& an interesting picture in this week's issue of the Otago Witness. I learn, unofficially, that Auckland will be represented in the New Zealand team for Great Britain by Nicholson, Seeling, Tyler, and Mackenzie; Wellington by Watkins, Roberts, Cross, Wallace, and M'Gregor; Otago by Booth, Stuart, Johnston, and Casey. A New Zealand footballer in London, writing to one of the selectors of the New Zealand team for England offers his services should the team be short-handed when on tour in Groat Britain. Mr H. Harris, the Otago representative on blue Selection Committee for the New Zealand team for England, returned to Dunedin from Wellington on Thursday last. The position of manager of the New Zealand team wilt probably fall to the lot of Mr G. Dixor. Such, at least, is the impression prevailing in football circles in Jington. Riley, the Newtown (Sydney) three-quar-ter, who has played for Australia, has left Sydney for New Zealand. He may remain in Maoriland for good. Before leaving he was presented with a gold watch and medal by the members of the Newtown District Rugby Club. Mr W. A. Rand has resigned his- position as hon. secretary of the New South Wales Rugby Union, but will continue to act until th© paid official is appointed. He has held the position since 1893, and! the fact that the union is losing his services is regretted by all. According to the English papers Harding was the hero of the match between London Welsh and London Irish teams. He kicked no fewer than five goals. One critic said: "Had the Welsh place-kicking failed and tli© Irish succeeded, the result would have been a. draw of 15 points each. Harding has now kicked nine goals in succession from tries seove^ and two oi these have

been little short of marvellous. Kicking goals frcm the touch-line in the teeth of a gale of wind has been one of this player's recent amusements, though this remark ob-

viously does not refer to Saturday last. If a world's fifteen sv-ere to be chosen to-day, Harding would, on present form, be first choice."

The Natal Mercury records the death', which took place at Durban on November 15, of Mr A. F. W. Hill, formerly of Dunedin. The late Mr Hill was born at St. Bathans, Central Otago, in 1880, and was educated and received his business training at Dunedin. He left New Zealand in May, 1901, in charge of remounts for the New Zealand Contingents, and on arrival in South Africa joined Kitchener's Scouts, with whom he served till stricken with enteric fever, towards the end of the war. After his recovery he was employed at Messrs Champion and Co.'s, in Durban, and later joined the staff of Messrs Randies Bros, and Hudson, in whose service he was when he took ill. He was one of the foundeis and also secretary of the New Zealand Football Club in Durban, and was also an active member of the Durban Bowling Club. Before going to South Africa he was a member of the Dunedin Pirates' Football Club, and at one time held the amateur cyclist championship of New Zealand. For some months previous to his death he was a member of the Durban Light Infantry, and by them he was accorded a military funeral. Death was caused by peritonitis^ following an operation for appendicitis.

It is reported that Swannell, the wellknown British footballer of Bedell-Sivright's team, is a candidate for the position of secretary to the New South Wales RugbyUnion, which is to be a paid office at a maximum salary of £250 per annum. The secretary, whoever he may be, will be required to devote the whole of his time to the affairs of the union.

Recently stated that R. D. Bedell-Sivright, who captained the British football team, left Sydney a couple of weeks ago for Japan. Strange that the Scottish International player should be reported as playing for West of Scotland against Blackheath a couple of months ago. In view of the recent visit to this colony of several famous British footballers, and the approaching tour of Great Britain by the New Zealanders, it may be interesting to know how some of our ecent visitors are regarded when it comes to the selection of players for international honours — the highest that can be conferred on a j player in Great Britain. At the departure of the last "niail the Welsh Rugby Union, had selected the "probables" and "possibles" for the first International match of the season. Included' in the former were several known to ua in New Zealand. Gabe, -Morgan, and Llewellyn are all included in. the three-quarter line, and Harding, admittedly the best forward on the N.Z. tour, is included in the forwards. Sharland, the big footballer of British, team fame, was recently feted on his return to England. Replying to his toast, Sharland! is said to have waxed quite eloquent, testifying; to the grand trip they had and the immense reception, especially in New Zealand, where thtey were not, through travelling, hard work, bad seas, voyages, etc., able to do themselves justice. In 27' days they were absent from Australia they were travelling 17 and played five matches and one unofficial game with the Maoris. A; meeting of the London Referees* Society was held recently to discuss the respactive values of scores in Rugby, and as the subject is of interest in this colony, it is worth reprinting: — "In the course of his remarks Mr Lindsayreferred to the fact that the officials were on the field to carry out the laws. He touched on the practice of illegitimatelycalling 'all on side,' said that there waslaxity as regards waete of time, the officials giving players too much benefit of the doubt, and considered that bounding- out of touch should be abolished as an almost impossible feat. H-s then quoted the various changes in the laws as to scoring, the introduction of the penalty goal in '83, the removal of the omnipotence of the goal in '££, and the system of scoring by points in '91. They were now asked to reverse the value of the try and penalty' goal which then obtained. He thought it would set a premium on malpractices. He would not interfere with half back "spoiling' play, but would treat the passive" obstruetor with the same rigour as the passive resister. In conclusion, the referee should) act in the same spirit as if hs were playing the game, without -allowing the letter of law to interfere too much.

"Messrs L. F. Andrews and P. Coles touched on 'the foot up in the scrum' rule, the latter saying that he would not interfere if h& saw both parties infringing. "Mr Rowland Hill" suggested the discussion of the circular issued by the R.F.U. on the subject of scoring. "Mr W. S. Donne (Somerset) was not desirous- of much <hange. A penalty goal should not be reduced ; he would rather have it four points than two. Over tlie drop goal there woidd be a diversity of opinion. "Mr R. J. Hodgson said that Middlesex considered that the value of the dropped goal ought not to be reduced, and the pena-lty, if altered, should be increased rather than reduced. "Mr L. J. Andrews agreed, but would like to see the field goal dealt with. "Mr P. Coles wished to see the field goal abolished, as it was the result of jolly bad play. "Mi Preece (Exeter) would like the dropped goal to be reduced to three poiuts, as it disturbed the play of the others. "Mr Prescott (Middlesex) did not think the field goal worth four. The general trend was that the penalty should not be increased over the try. He was in favour of the dropped goal, which was often the result of clever play. "Mr H. C. Green (Eastern Counties) said that they should study the game, not gates. The dropped goal shoulJ remain as now. "Mr Harnett (Kent) eaid that there was a lot of garbage which wanted striking Out of the rules, which were in sad need of being overhauled. Apparently, the International Board were not prepared to deal with them, but if the Rugby Union wished it, he and other referees were prepared to go through the existing code, and recommend alterations. If referees were sometimes disappointed at not receiving appointments, it rras often because clubs or their officers did not wish for their appointment. " Mr Phil Gilliard created much laughter v stating ill at there were so many complications as to players not touching the ball in the case of tries, marks, etc., that he almost felt inclined to sjut. 'Don't breath* on. it. "