NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 61

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION.

REVIEW OF THE SEASON. The report to be persented at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union on May 12 refers to matters of some importance. Dealing with the laws of the game the report states that considerable correspondence had taken place between the Management Committee and the English Rugby Union relative to the proposed alterations in the laws of the game as approved by the council of delegates at previous meetings, and subsequently as approved by the Australasian Conference in January last. As to the former, the. New Zealand representations were thoroughly considered by the English Rugby Union, which ultimately submitted them to the International Board, As already notified to affiliated unions, the board has since sanctioned certain alterations During last season, modifications in the laws ■ were brought into use by at least one affiliated union. Upon the point being raised by another union, the Management Committee ruled that no affiliated union had power to alter the laws of the game in any way whatever. All unions were notified of this ruling. Reference is made to the Australasian Conference, held at Sydney in January last and the steps taken to have the alterations decided upon brought into effect as soon as possible. The proposed amendments in the rules relating to professionalism had been referred to the annual council meeting with a reconimendation that they be adopted. New South Wales has already adopted all matters contained in the conference minutes except gose relating to. dtfb [Visite end rules as 2Professionalism. On the former of these ♦T™ a further corwnuinieation was promised while as regarded the latter a few verbal IkoVxtps' were suggested which do not affect the fpirit of tJie recommendations made hv the conference. J a* l e o' ' .uteomes of the receDt tLZnoe /dney, more satisfactory have be*n rr*xie for the interchange

of visits with Australia. A special tour is to be made by New Zealand this season to assist the Australian unions, but this is to be on terms apart from thoso agreed upon for the regular interchange of visits. While the main object of this season's tour is to assist Rugby in New South Wales and Queensland, there will be no financial liability to this union, as the New South. Wales Union has made itself responsible for that. At the special request of New South Wales, the team is to leave New Zealand on June 3, so as to play the opening match on June 11. It is intended to send 20 players, the programme to be five matches, requiring the players to be absent from home approximately four weeks.

Referring to the visit of the American team, the report states: —At the instigation of the New'South Wales Union, the Universities of California were invited to send a team to Australia and New Zealand this season. The invitation has been accepted. The team will first play in Australia, and then tour New Zealand during the latter half of July, playing five matches here. It has been agreed to pool the gate receipts of all matches and after deduction of expenses to divide the surplus of deficit, as the case may be, • between New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand in proportion to their respective contributions to the pooL With regard to the visit of the Maori team to Australia this season the report says the team is to travel without lia : bility to the New Zealand or the New South Wales Unions, the Maori Committee undertaking the liability of all expenses. At the suggestion of the Maori Committee, any surplus from the tour is to be devoted to charity. The Management Com•mittea has satisfied itself as to the bona fides of the undertaking. The profit and loss account for the year showed that the income had practically balanced the expenditure, there being only a credit balance of 5s on the year's workings. The accumulated fund now stands at £11,386 13s 2d. Of this the following amounts are on loan to affiliated unions: — Auckland £7OO, Hawke's Bay £1045, Otapro £SOO, Southland £I2OO. Taranaki £325. Wanganui £6OO. Wellington £32so;—total £7620. Some of the unions have had difficulty in keeping up repayments. In several cases, where the Management Committee was satisfied as to the necessity, the stipulated repayments were allowed to be deferred for a time. As instancing the extension of the Rugby game, it is of interest to mention that an inquiry was received from the president of the River Plate (South America) Rusrby Union as to the possibility of a New Zealand team playing there when next it went on an- extensive tour. As will also be seen from the forthcoming tour of a Californian team, the Rugby game must be making headway in the American Universities. These evidences of the progress of Rugby elsewl ere were suggestive A the merits of our national game. The report concluded:—The authorities of the various unions throughout the Dominion have in the main co-operated loyallv in promoting- the best interests that vour Management Committee expressed its confidence in the future of Rugby football in New Zealand.

0.R.F..U. COMMITTEE

The usual weekly meeting of the committee of the O.R.F.U. was held at the office of the secretary on Monday, when tbare were present Messrs F. H. Campbell (chairman), H. F. Sincock, A. Dey, P. J. Priest, D. Stuart, G. G-allaway, H. Harris, J. Dunne, S. Sandes, A. Low, W. J. Wilson, J. Duncan, and V. G. Cavanagh. A. F. M'Murtree applied for a transfer from the University Club to the Kaitangata Club.—Referred to the South Otago Subunion. ' The Port Chalmers Club asked for confirmation of the transference of A. Crammond from the ALhamhra Club to the Port Chalmers Club. The Alhambra Club was agreeable.—Referred to the Flag CommitThe Secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union wrote stating that the Otago Union was invited to nominate players for the New Zealand representative beam to tour Australia this season. Such nominations should be forwarded as early as possible to ensure proper consideration by the selectors. The team would be required to assemble in Wellington on June 1 or June 2, and players would be array from their homes about four weeks.—Referred to Selection Committee. The Secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union wrote in reference to a communication from the English Union covering alterations in the laws of the game, approved in principle by the International Board.. The same had been confirmed by the board with small differences. The Otago Union was now authorised to adopt the alterations contained in the copy of the communication from the English Union. —Received. The Secretary of the Tuapeka Sub-union forwarded a telegram to„ -the effect that the Miller's Flat Club could not raise a Senior team this year, and asked if flag matches could be carried on with only two teams. A letter following on the telegram stated that the Roxburgh Club had intimated that it would place two Senior teams in the field in order to make up the three teams for the flag competition.—Left to the sub-union to deal with. The Secretary of the Tuapeka Sub-union also wrote stating that a shield for competition amongst the schools in the district was being offered, while the members of the sub-union had -expressed their willing ness to present footballs to the smaller schools, which would probably have a difficulty in raisins: funds. —Action aoproved. The committee had before it a programme- of a sports tournament organised' by the Alexandra Football Club to be held shortly. Attention was drawn to the feet that money prizes were being offered for different events. 6uch as place-kicking competition, tug-of-war, seven-aside matches, etc. —The point was raised that it was not in keeping with the amateur standard that money prizes should be offered by an amateur foot Dall club. The Alexandra Club would also require to. have the programme approved' of by the OR.F.TJ. Committee.— On the motion-of; Mr' G-allawav, it. was resolve!— " Th*t the Alexandra Football Club be informed that this commjttne will not sansiion the granting of mor.ey prises, and that pr?»*f! must take the form of trophi*?. n>-ovid*d 'he programme is approved of by the committee." An application from A. E. Hunt for a transfer from the Alhambra Club to the

Southern Club was declined. —The applicant stated that he had only played one matoh in two years for the Alhambra Club. The Secretary of the Taieri Rovers Club asked if permission would be granted to enter a team in the Fourth instead of the Third Grade. First, Second, and Third Grade teams had already been entered. The reasons advanced were that there were not sufficient members, nnrl i* would be too much to expect.k . ?iftfa Grade team to play Third Grade this year. —Mr Sincock moved—" That no club be allowed to skip a grade."—The- motion was lost.— Owing to the exceptional circumstances of the case the application was granted. W. T. Snow applied for a transfer from the Dunedin to the West Taieri Club. He had not played since the commencement of the 1908 season.—Transfer not necessary. It was agreed to meet the ZingariRichmond Club bv paying half cost of clearing the Monteeillo Ground of gorse. William Moulin asked for a transfer from the Ravensbourne to, the Dunedin Club.— Applicant to obtain clearance. The Alhambra Club asked that the transfer of H. Boylen (Tuapeka) and W. Muirbead (Ravensbourne) to its club be granted. —Players to receive clearance from their old clubs first. The Chairman brought up the question of a stricter supervision being exercised in respect of the age limitation for Fifth Grade players—namelv, not over 17 years of age.—lt was decided that the various •schools be-supplied with forms to be filled in by boys playing Fifth Grade, stating that they are not, over 17 yeairs of age. The Secretary of the N.Z. Rugby Union intimated that the annual meeting would be held at Wellington on Thursday, May 12. Included in the order of business was the following motion for - amendment of rules: —"That rule 15 be. amended to read—• ' The voting power of delegates shall be as follows: (a) A delegate shall not represent more than one union; (b) a, union-may be represented by a sepairate. delegate for each vote to which it is entitled ; (c) any one delegate may exercise all the votes to which his union is entitled: Id) voting by proxy shall not be allowed.' " Received. The appointment of to represent the Otago Union at the annual meeting was held over until next meeting.

DISQUALIFIED PLAYERS. INVERCARGILL, April 23.. The Southland Rugby Union has decided to make another effort to have the disqualifications on the Southland Northern Unionists removed, and has appointed Mr R. -Galbfaith (president) and Dr Ritchie Crawford delegates to the N.Z.R.U. annual meeting, to impress the matter upon the delegates. Support is anticipated from the South Canterbury Union. . As. an indication of the bona fide desire of the disqualified men to b© reinstated, it may be mentioned that they offered to assist financially ir having a solicitor to plead their cause and go into the rules under which they were disqualified. They regard this year's request for reinstatement as final, and if the New Zraland Union declines to favour the application they will be driven back to Northern Unionism, which, by the way, will not be devoid of interest in view of the forthcoming tour of the English Northern Unionists.

MATCHES IN THE NORTH

WELLINGTON, April 24. The Senior Championship snatches opened on Saturday, and provided some unexpected fmiehes. St. James wiped the floor (to put it mildly) with the ex-champion Petone team, and two Other-teams which were formerly on the " also started" list came to light in a manner confounding ,to their opponents. These were Victoria College (who scored an easy win over Old Boys) and Southern (who held their own after a stubborn fight, with Oriental). -The results were:—St. James beat Petone by 14 points to nil, Athletics beat Hutt by 16 to' nil, Melrose beat Wellington by 6 Coints to 3, Victoria College beat Old Boys y 8 points to 3, and Oriental drew with Southern neither eide scoring. CHRISTCHURCH, April 24. The opening of the Canterbury Rugby Union's competitions, which took place yesterday, was favourable in every respect, the weather and grounds being all in favour of the players. In the Senior games the play was distinctly good for the opening day. Chief interest centred in the meeting betwen Merivale and Christchurch, but the former outplayed their opponents and won by 16 points to 6. Albion defeated Linwood by 12 points to nil. The former had the upper hand during the first half, but superior combination enabled the Blacks' to win. Sydenham and Old Boys played a drawn game, whilst Canterbury College defeated the Marists by 16 points to nil.

ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON. April 24. In the Association Senior games Swifts beat Rovers by 1 goal to nil, Diamonds beat Y.M.C.A. by 2 goals to 1, arid Thistles beat Ramblers by 2 goals to 1. *

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, April fefc. The annual report of the New Zealand Rugby Union shows that the income for the year practically balanced the expenditure, a profit of 5s being shown. The accumulated fund now stands at £11.368. Of this the following amounts are on loan to affiliated* bodies:—Auckland, £70(1: Ha wire's B«v. £1045; Otasro. £500; Southland. £1200: Tamnaki, £325; Wangnnui, £600; Wellington, £32so;—total. £7620. . The report concludes:—" The authorities of the various unions throughout the Dominion have in the main co operated loyally in promoting the best interests of the game, and it is with pleasure that the committee expresses confidence in the future of Rugby football in New Zealand." THE RANFURLY SHIELD. AUCKLAND. April 22. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Ruerby Union this eveninsr there was a good den.! of disewsion 'regarding the Ranfutly Shield. The local rep'resentatives had resisted 8.11 attempts to" the trophy from them, but jitdifing by the remarks made rt this evening's meeting^the holding of a shield w4s «ot an' unmixed blessing. The President of the Auckland Union (Mr Divare) first mentioned the matter, arid said he trhought It would be a good thing if someone took the shield from them and lost it on the way to Wellington. The general trend of the discussion was on the

question of how" to graciously get rid) of the shield and that it affected club football, and therefore was generally detrimental to sport. Among the- suggestions made was one that the shield should be handed back to the N.Z. Rugby Union for allotment, and another was that it be handed back to the N.Z. Rugby Union to be kept and not competed for f or a period of three or five years. F it was decided to ask the Auckland delegates to the N.Z. Rugby Union annual meeting to vote on a proposal limiting the number of Ranfurly Shield matches to two each season. Tine retention of the shield found some supporters, who considered that the patrons of the game were entitled to see as many " big- matches" as possible. A proposal bearing on the matter was carried recommending the incoming committee to continue playing club games during the representative matches programme. The Auckland Union's games will start on May 7.

MAORI TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. AUCKLAND, April 22. Mr C. V. Langsford (secretary of the Auckland Union) received a wire to-day asking him if he was able to accept the position of manager of the Maori team which will tour Australia, but he was unable to accept the offer. NEW ZEALAND UNION. WELLINGTON, April 21. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met to-night. The Otago Union asked that two days be set apart for the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union in view of the late hour at which last year's meeting ended. — It was decided that the delegates could adjourn the meeting- till a second d&y if the circumstances warranted it. The New \Soufch Wales Union, wrote stating that the American University team would leave for .Australia on May 20, and wculd consist of 25 players. It was proposed that they should play five matches in New Zealand —two in Wellington and one each in Auckland, .Christohurch, and Dunedin. —The arrangement of dates was left to the incoming Management Committee. The New South Wales Union asked that the New Zealand Maori team should leave for Australia on May 30, the secretary of the team having stated that the team coujd leave on the date desired. That course was agreed to. The tour will extend over six weeks. It was decided to play a practice match on June 3 between the New Zealand representative team for Australia and a Wellington team, the Wellington Union to get two-thirds of the- net gate receipts as rental of the ground. The selectors of the New Zealand team were appointed as follows: —S. Wilson (Canterbury), H. Harris (Otago), V. R. Meredith (Wellington'!, and D. Gallagher (Auckland), the team to be selected not later than May 21. and nominations to be invited from the unions forthwith. Mi' C. Wray Pallise.r, the representative of the New Zealand Union in London, cabled that the alterations in the laws of the game previously decided upon at a meeting of the International Board, had been confirmed.—lt was decided to instruct .the. unions to adopt the new rules. ' 'Applications for. reinstatement from two players in. South Canterbary and one at Petone (disqualified for playing the Northern Union game) were refused.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA.

SYDNEY, April 19. The NeAv South Wales Rugby Union has arranged that the New Zealand team will play matches at Sydney on June 11, 15, and 25, and at Brisbane on June 18 and 22. NORTHERN UNION GAME. LONDON, April 18. ■ The Northern Union football team to tour Australasia has been completed. The following comprise the team: — ' From Leeds—Young, Ward, Webster. From Hunslet—Farrar, F. Smith, Jukes. From Wigan—Leatham, B. Jenkins, Ramsdale. From.Ebbw Vale—C. Jenkins. From Halifax—Riley. From Huddersfield—Davies and Bartholomew. From Wakefield;—Newbould and Kershaw. From Hull—Boyelyn. From Salford—Onrzon. From Oldham—Hermu. From Broughton—Rn ddinick. From Leigh—Winstanley. Twenty nre sailing by the Osterley. 'Sharrock. Lomas. B. Jenkins, Leatham, and Avery are delayed for a week owing to the final Leapue match.