FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 60

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY-'FULL BACK. Footballers in New Zealand will regret to learn of the death from fever in Northern Nigeria of J. F. Williams, the. We eh international forward, who toured these parts with the British team in 1908. I had the pleasure of knowing Jack Williams reasonably well, and saw much of him dur-. ing the British team's tour of New Zealand. As a special correspondent with the British team I. wrote of him before the British match against Otago: "J. F. Williams, who has won his We'sh international cap, playing against the All Blacks in England in 1905, is one of the best forwards en the British side. Unfortunately, however, before the match against Otago took place Williams was seriously injured in a practice game, and as he has developed water on the knee, it may be that he will be unab'e to play again on the tour. One must hope, however, that such will not be the ease, lor, s/ahding out of the team, he is a distinct loss to his side. He was .educated at Christ's College, Brecon, and played for the school team from 1897 to 1900, and was captain in 1899 to 1900. He played for London Welsh from 1900 to 1905,- was captain in 1907 and 1908, and represented INliddlesex from 1902 to 1908. He played, for Glamorganshire in 1905 and 1906, and was a member of the Barbarians team from 1904 to 1908. He played for Wales against Ireland and New Zealand in 1905, and also against Scotland and South Africa." There were three members of the British team named Williams, and the one whose death I regret in chronicling must hot be confused, with J. L. Williams, the Welsh international threequarter back, or G.i L. Williams, the halfback from Liverpool. Concerning the death of Jack Williams the London Sportsman says: ''Many comrades of the football field, and London Welshmen in particular, will hoar with deep regret of the death from Blackwater fever in Northern Nigeria of J. F. Williams at the early age of 27. He was very well known in metropolitan Rugby football circles—-a staunch and sterling forward in play, and a cheery, estimable fellow off the field. He was certainly one of the finest forwards ever seen in the ranks of London Welsh, for whom he played with conspicuous success. His great promise early attracted the notice of the Welsh Union, and he was given his cap for Wales v. Ireland in 1905—a game in which his speed and dash in the open were very favourably commented on. Subsequently he appeared in the Welsh pack in the historic match against New Zealand at Cardiff, and, like all the Welsh forwards that day, played his part excellently well. His other caps were versus Scotland in 1906, and versus South Africa in the same season. In April, 1908, he made one of the 'AngloBritish Rugby team which toured Australia and New Zealand under the management of Mr Geo.- Harnett. That combination included a number of Welshmen, and one of them, A. F. Harding, an old friend, was the skipper. Returning from that trip, Jack Williams had a few more matches in the Old Country before accepting a legal appointment ill Northern Nigeria. Last week those nearest and dearest to him were apprised by cable that ho was ill with Blackwater fever, and soon afterwards the fatal news was reoeived."

J. C. M. Dyke, ithe Welsh Rugby international, who took part in the Anglo-Welsh tour in New Zealand, and has played full back for Coventry for four seasons, is retiring from Rugby, football. He also played for the- London Welsh.

Some time ago the English Union granted the colonial unions the right to be directly represented on a Laws Sub-committee, the duties of which lay with all matters connected with the laws of the game. On© representative was granted to the three Australasian unions combined, and Mr C Wiay Palliser was appointed. Mr George Harnett, a member of the English committee, and the manager of the 1908 Anglo-Welsh team that visited Australia and New Zealand, in a private nolo to a friend recently, stated that he was confident a sitill further step would shortly be made in the matter of giving the colonials a greater voice in this matter, and he also spoke of the appointment of Dr Howard Bullock, the New South Wales representative in London, to a seat on the sub-eom:mittee.

British Columbia is solid for the amateur rules, and will consider no other but the Rugby Union code. The matter was thoroughly threshed out two years ago, and no change will be made, as the authorities are satisfied that under the rules the maximum of enjoyment of the pastime is obtained at a moderate and reasonable expenditure of time and effort in training. The 16 aside game only can be played attractively by men who are able to devote more time for training than it is possible for genuine amateurs to give, and professionalism in a.ny shape or form will never be countenanced in British Columbia. If California universities switch to the Northern Union code, no teams from British Columbia will be able to play matches viiith them, and the international contests will be. a thing of the past.

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, October 19. , A meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held this evening, Mr .N. Ualbraith being in the- chair. .Mr Gallaher (Auckland) wrote protesting agiainst the manner of selecting the North v. South Island teams, bat it was stated that the matter had subsequently been explained to him. The North Otago Sub-union's appeal against the Otago Onion Overriding one of its resolutions was allowed to stand over for further particulars. W. T. Parata wrote- enclosing a statement of accounts for the tours of the Maori team, in 1910-11.. This showed a credit balance of £8 8s Bd, and- permission was asked to donate this amount to the. Hukarere Maori Girls' School. —This was agreed to. The- receipts for the 1911 tour were' shown as follows: —Hawke's Bay, £8 13s; Hastings, £6 4s; Poverty Bay, £27 13s 6d; Wairarapa, £ls 4s; Manawatu-Horo-whenua, £lB 4s; Taranaki, £35; Wanganui, £2O; Wellington, £54 9s 6d; Christohuroh, £B6 7s 6d; Otago, £lO7 10s;—total, £379 ss.

Mr Parata also wrote asking permission for a Maori team to make a tour of land next season. In his letter be stated that the team would travel purely as amateurs, : only travelling and hotel expenses, besides uniforms, to be paid. There would not be any pocket money allowed whatever. Any profits the committee would devote to founding scholarships for Maori boys to- attend universities. There would be no fear of the men leaving the amateur ranks. The players' conduct would receive as much attention as would their ability on the field. Mr Parata asked that the English Union might be communicated with in regard to the project. The. matter was discussed at length, it being stated that the financial aspect of the tour was very favourable, as the expenses had been guaranteed by a number of wealthy Maoris. It was pointed out that when the previous application for such a tour had been made to the English Union it was not favourably considered. It was also pointed out that the tour might possibly be prejudical to any representative New Zealand team going to Eng Land later on. Ultimately it ■was resolved that a sufc-cornmittee draft a letter to be sent to the English Union inquiring whether the tour of the Maori team would be welcome.

The Otago Union wrote saying that a renewal of the lease of the Carisbrook Ground bad been obtained for 21 years.

AUSTRALASIAN LEAGUE TEAM. ENGLISH TEAM DEFEATED. LONDON, October 18. The Australasian Rugby League team defeated thirteen of England at Craven Cottage, Fulham, London, by 11 points to 6. The conditions were favourable, and the attendance numbered 4000. England put into the field a representative team. The side missed chances in the first spell. The visitors played a fast game. The score at half-time was: Australasia a goal and two tries, England a try. Craig (Queensland) and Farnsworth (New South Wales) scored tries, Francis (New Zealand) converting Farnsworth's try. Even, fast play was witnessed in the second spell, with little advantage either way. Each side obtained a try, V. Farnsworth scoring for the colonials. Carrington retired hurt. A DRAWN GAME. LONDON, October 22. Australasia and Hunslet scored a try each. The game was rough.