CHRISTCHURCH NOTES (From Our Own Correspondent) June 17.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 61

CHRISTCHURCH NOTES (From Our Own Correspondent) June 17.

On 'Saturday afternoon players had a novel experience, in that the grounds had a nice coating of snow half an inch deep all over them, and no effort had been made to clear them, as .was done on the occasion of the matoh between Bedell-Siv-right's English team and Canterbury. The •now was disconcerting, especially to the backs, and balled up badly on the players' boots; while at times the ball would lift a heavy patch of snow, which looked weird in its flight. Under the oonditions backs were handicapped, and the forwards had to do most of the work. There was a very good attendance, £3* Is 3d being taken at Lancaster Park. Old Boys had the bye. Sydenham had little trouble in boating Canterbury College on the "Frog Pond," which was much the worst ground of the three. Bydenham scored four tries, the last of which was the result of a very creditable passing rush, but no goals were kicked. The College forwards ehowed up very well at times, and had their opponents severely pressed on many occasions ; but the defence was very sound. Sydenham backs were at times prominent, but their forwards were not quite up to the mark. Of College back* the least eaid the better. They have a very primitive idea of combined play, and it must be disheartening to the forwards to see a good attack spoiled when the backs take a hand. Albion beat Christchurch by 6 points (try and. penalty goal) to 3 goal). The forwards were evenly matched, and pome really good rushes wore put in. The Albion backs fielded and kicked excellently, but seldom tried papsing. Cbristchurch backs made many mistakes, and wore lucky in not being beaten by a bigcer margin. Linwood got their firet win of the season by beating Merivale by a penalty goal to nil. The winning forwards played a solid. game, reminiscent of their struggle with Chri6tcburch earlier in the season, and thoroughly deserved their win. The backs on either" side were weak, particularly in fielding the ball, and passing was left out' of the game. Several "old stagers" appeared on v tho field 1 on Saturday. Peter Harvey played half for Christchurch, and was seen to advantage in rtish-6fcopping, while "Peter's" screw-kick was as ercod as ever. D. Macgregor, the "All-Black," played outside five-eighth for the 6ame team, but wae greatly out of form, and suffered by comparison with E. Harper, who played centre. and was the mainstay of the Ohristchurch team. While Harper saved his side time after time, as oft-pn did Maegrecor let them down. ITe seemed as if he oculd do nothing right. He is an in-and out playor, end in the next game may retrieve his reputation. Fryer was out of trim durine the first spoil, but "played himsc-lf in." B ; <? fielding and kicking wero as bad as emikl br> imagined for the prrea-tcr part of the fpnll. but his following up and collaring were in his timi/l style. In tho second fp^M. however, lie was Fryer of old. and did two mon'c- work. The Linwood-Mprivale gamp was no- -.bio for the extraordinary amount of talking 'done. Erery player 6eemed to have a mia-

* sion to instruct ell on his side, and the result was appalling. Compared with this game the other two matches appeared as if being played by mutes. Bernie Fanning again led Linwood's vanguard, and they responded well. In the back division Harry Smith was in his element at half in a forward game. D. Fraser aleo appeared in the Linwood backs. A. E. Love played full back for Sydenham, and did fche little that came bis way in a workmanlike manner. SydenJi&m are now top of the list with 7 points, followed by Chrifitchurch «nd Albion with 6 each, Old Boys 3£, Merivale 2±, and Linwood and Canterbury College each 1. Football under Australian rules does not seem to flourish, but there are a couple ot teams playing it. Association does not secure the following here that it does in the other centres. At present hockey i« the greatest rival to Rugby football. O.R.F.U. The weekly meeting of th« committee of the Otago Rugby Football Union was held on Monday evening, Mr G. W. C. Macdonald presiding. CORRESPONDENCE AND GESTURAL. An amended application for JEi5 was read from the Referees' Associa>tdon.— Agreed to. The Secretary of the Port Chalmers Club wrote regarding the Union Club's objection, to three members of its Fifth Grade team being 17 years of »ge, stating that he thought ths players were quite justified in playing, and the only solution he could see of the difficulty was to make players about whom there was any doubt produce their birth certificate. — Left in the hands of Mr Wilson to report to next meeting. R Couper,. secretary of the North Otago Sub-union, wrote forwarding particulars re R. King's suspension, reported to last meeting — It was "resolved to endorse tne disqualification and forward same to the New Zealand Union Messrs Hmrris, HameJ, and Lilburne were appointed a Works Committee. The Secretary of the Miller's Flat Club wrote asking permission for its club to play against unregistered clubs. — The names of the clubs in question to bo submitted to the union. Messrs Hamel and Ross reported at length regarding the improvements made to the Sawyers' Bay ground, and ma-king certain suggestions. — A sub-committee consisting of MessTs Hamel. Wilson, and M'Lraxen was appointed to report further on the matter and regarding further improvements. The account from the contractor was held over in the meantime. The Captain of the Ravenshourne Club wrote asking that the case of A. M'Donald, who had been disqualified, be reheard. — On the motion of Mr Campbell, it was resolved— " That the letter be forwarded to the Referees' Association, pointing out that in cases of players being reported the referees' »t*temeut is taken as fact." B. Davis wrote applying fox a transfer from the Pirates to the Zinga-ri-Riohmond Wednesday Club.— Referred to the Flag Committee. INTEKPHOVTNCIAI, MATCHES. Messrs Hutohinson, Harris, and Munrowere appointed a sub-committee in connection with tho arranging of inteTprovincial matches. The Secretary of the Auckland Union wrote stating that August 31 was the suggested date for the fixture between Auckland and Otago at Dun*din — Accepted. THE ACCIDENT AT CAHISEBOOK. In connection witih the inquiry into the accident to Adams. F. Given wrote asking that thd inquiry bs held before a full committee and fche press, his object in asking this being that many strange stories were in circulation, and it was his desire that the fullest publicity should be given to the affair in order that he might clear himself. At the request of the President, Mr Campbell took the chair. Mr Hamel raised tho question of whether the union was "in order in bringing .on the inquiry, seeing that the matter bad not been reported by a referee. Tho President said inquiries had been held last year on matters reported by both an outsider and a member of the committee. What procedure did the union propose to adopt? The Chairman eaid he thought Mr Macdonald should make the statement he put before last meeting, that the referee be a-sked to give his version, that Mr Given then be asked for his explanation, and allowed to call witnesses, that any member of committee should state anything he had sesn, and fin-ally that if anyone else wished to call evidence he should be allowed to do so. Mr Harris • Supposing the referee stages that he saw the whole incident, and that it was an accident, are wo going to hear fresh evidence in face of tha v ? The Chairman . That would nniik the matter The President s£..d the referee's statement of fact must bs ecceptc-d. That was Che position the union hud always taken up. Messrs Williams (referee), Given, ai:d F&ote (captain of the University team) were then p.dmitied. Mr Williams said a free kick was awarded to Alhambra, and Given took it. As a rule he x (the referee) followed up tha man who took th-3 kick, and tried to be wuh him. ' On this occasion he watched Given, and followed him, pulling himself up before he got to Adams. He did not consider there v;as any unnecessarily rough p!ay on Givcn's part. He thought. Given jumped as Adams took the ball, striking Adams, ho thought, with his knee. He thought this was simultaneous with Adams taking the ball. Under the circumstances he did not think there waa any need to order Given off or caution him. He was m a position to see everything as it occurred, and he was perfectly satisfied that everything was fair. The President said that although his opinion differed from that of Mr Williams, the referee's statement of fact ended, the r matter The union could not go beyond that, according to tho ruling o£ the New Zealand Uiiion. Tho Chairman explained what course of action had besn decided upon by the com- • mittee, smd said that therefore there was no necessity to proceed any further with the inquiry. Mr Williams said he thought he had done his duty, and actei conscientiously in the matter. At the same time he might say that he would have been one of the first to put a. in?n off -the field if he had been guilty of tha offence alleged. Mr Given Baid he had b^ea playing senior football for 17 years, and certain accusations had- been msdc which he resented, as this was the first time he had been accused of such an offence. He would have asked for an inquiry if one had .not been ordered, in order to clear his name, and he thought that now there should be some motion passed to that effect, and that he should leave the room without a stain on his character regardn.g rough play. The President said he had reported the matter in good faith, and as he saw it. as he would, have done in a similar occurrence

at any time. A number of old players and referees on the ground gave a different opinion from that of Mr Williams.

Mr Given; You would hear that at any time.

The Chairman said that had Mr MacdonaM ' not reported the matter he certainly would have asked for an inquiry, because he thought it was due to any player that he should be given an opportunity to clear himself. The only mistake that had been made was to allow the names to appear in tbe press before the inquiry. As far as this inquiry was concerned, Mr Given would leave the room without » stain on his character. The three gentlemen then retired, and Mr Hutchison moved— " That trie referee, having informed the committee that there was no intent in the matter reported by tha president, no further a-ction be taken." Mr Hamel seconded the proposal, which was carried unanimously. Mr Dey: I do not think that is all that 1 Mr Given wants. The Chairman :., I think the motion absolutely clears Mr Given. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. BOOTH REPLACES DIVE. ELTHAM, June H. Dive (Taranaki), one of the three-quarter* selected fcr tho New Zealand team, has definitely decided that, owing to an injury to hi« leg, he cannot accompany the team to Australia. WELLINGTON, June U. Bcoth (Otago) has been selected to take the place of Dive in the New Zealand team. AUCKLAND, June 17. G. Tyler has intimated to the selectors of the New Zealand team that he cannot make th-> Australian tour. WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, June 12. At a meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union Management Committee to-night a letter received from the Athletic Park Company stated that no decision had been reached regarding the exclusion of A. H. Baskiv^lle from the company's ground. It was decided to ask the New Zealand Rugby Union for a* ruling defining under what condition an individual may receive monetary consideration for service rendered to a football organisation and retain his amateur status. An inquiry is to be held by the com- j mittee into allegations of objectionable conduct and bad language on the part of spectators at a recent match at Lower Hutt. One player was suspended for the season ■ and another for four Saturdays for fighting 1 during a recent match. A spectator was reported for insulting the referee after a game played at Petone. It was decided to warn the offender off all grounds under the union's control for five years. PROFESSIONALISM IN ENGLAND. tFaoj* Our Own Oobrkspondent.) dHRISTCHURCH, June 12. Some information on the Northern Union of England and the prospects of a New Zealand professional team was given to-day to a Press reporter by Mr D. Sykes, a member of the Christchurch tramway staff, who formerly belonged to the Yorkshire Club (recently one of the strongest professional clubs at Home), and Mr W. Dean, who recently left Yorkshire to settle in this city. " When the Northern Union first started," said Air Sykes, in reply to a cyuery as to the origin of professional football in England, "no man under its jurisdiction was allowed to accept payment. The Northern i Union clubs, however, would pay for tho ' jerseys of the players, and pay travelling I expenses. Gradually the cash element began to creep in. and at last the clubs , made no pretence at having an amateur ■ status. At present it js not a matter of the ! survival of the fittest with them, but the survival of the richest. They buy the I services of the best footballers that Eng- ' land, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales can ' produce, and do not stop at that ; they even import talent from outs do if good enough. Some players receive almost incredible sums, in one instance tho payment being as high as £1000 per annum. Therefo -c, if a footballer who is a top-notcher happens to be a working man, there is a big inducement for him to join the ranks of the professionals. Tho natural sequence is that most of the very best players the United Kingdom produces are playing under the Northern Union auspices." Mr Dean was also very enthusiastic about the capabilities of the Northern Union player-.. When the "All Blacks." went Homo, he ta.d, the only defeat they suffered «as at tho hands of Wales, and vet the besi Welsh players did not play against them at a'l, &imply because they belonged to tho Northern Union. At the present t<mc, so 6tioiig was the union in international players, that every year a match between England and Wales was played on one cf the union's grounds. In fact, two of tho highest grade football teams, consisting entirely of professional Welsh players, could be put in the field. "Therefore," remarked the reporter, "'you thiiik the 'All Blacks' would not havo had such a successful record if they could have rret 6omo of the Northern Union teams?"

" Undoubtedly not- There are several teams in Yorkshire and Lancashire that could easily have defeated them. Therefore, if the cash team to be sent from here isn't almost as strong a combination as the 'All Blacks ' were, they had better stop here. Nothing would please the enthusia&ts of Lancashire and Yorkshire better than an opportunity of seeing some of its pet cash clubs try conclusions with a New Zealand team. There need be no foreboding about the tour not paying if a first class U'&m is f-ent from hoie. The attendances for the fir£t few malt-lies at anyrate will bo enormous, but after this, of course, all ctepe.ids on how (he team has fared. If it proves a powerful combination the interest will be maintained rjght through tho tour, but if. on the othei hand, the New Zealajulers arc defeated tho first few times they play, the remits of the venture will jirobably" be something of a farce. More than likely, hovever, the Northern Union will meet this possible contingency by pitting the weaker teams against the New Zcalanders fir^t, and sa^e the stronger team-, fcr l?t-?r on." FIRST GRADE. Sa'ui lay's mutehc3 resulted a« follows: Southern v. University. Southern 6 points Unhersitj \ f> pomta

Alhambra v. Pieatks. Alhambra . . 5 points. Pirates $ points. Kaikorai v. Taikri Rovers. Kaikorai ... . . 11 points Taieri Rovers , ... Nil. Port Chalmers v. Dunkdin. Port Chalmers 3 points Dunedin M ~- Nil. ZINGABI-RICHMOKD V. TJNIOX. Zingari-Richmond . . 12 points. Union „ «.' . . Nil. OTHER MATCHES POSTPONED. The Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade matches were postponed owing to the grounds being unfit for play. MATCHES IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 15. The football championship matches were continued to-day. In the Senior Grade City beat Parnell by 45 points to 6 point 6; Newton beat Grafton by 8 points to 6 points; and Ponsonby beat North Shore by 16 points to nil. GAMES IN CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. Thft Senior football matches were continued to-day, the principal attraction being the match between Albion and Christehyiroh, which was won by the formeT by 6 points to 3 points. The other games resulted in Sydenham defeating Canterbury College by 12 points to nil, and Linwood gained their first win of the season by defeating sMerivale by a penalty goal (3 points) to nil. NEW SOUTH WALES DEFEATS QUEENSLAND. SYDNEY, June 15. The return football match New South Wales v. Queensland was played to-day in wet weather and on a slojppy ground. The local team won by 11 points to 3. NEW SOUTH WALES V. LANDSYDNEY, June 12. The New South Wales Second Fifteen defeated the Queensland Second Fifteen, by 12 points to 3. THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. SYDNEY. June 17. It is intended k> keep the New South Walea Rugby team, which has been chosen for the tour in Queensland together when they return until after the second match agains* Nevr Zealand. The team will probably be located a>t gome seaside resort