FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 46

FOOTBALL.

At Johannesburg the New Zealand footballers defeated the Witwatersrand by 6 pjints to nil. The heavy rain on Saturday necessitated for the first time this season a postponement of all Rugby and Association fixtures. QUESTION OF AMENDED RULES. AUCKLAND, August 13. The question of amended Rugby rules came before the executive of the Auckland Rugby Union to-night, when a telegram from the New Zealand Union advising that amended rules must not be played was considered. Mr Frost asked how on earth the New Zealand Union expected referees and players to cease playing amended rules at a few days' rotice. The Chairman said the legal opinion was to the effect that the rules of the New Zealand Union in no way governed the committee in its local competitions. Mr M'Elwain: The sooner we come to grips the better. The Chairman: Personally, I would have no further communication with the New Zealand Union. I would simply put the matter before our delegates. * Mr Frost said the latest telegram was a lot of "Tommy rot." It was resolved that an adjourned meeting of delegates be called to consider the matter. ■*

ATTITUDE OF STEW ZEALAND UNION. WELLINGTON, August 12. The question of amended rules was again discussed by the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night. Tho Auckland Union forwarded the following telegram:—"Five modified rules played on August 2 and 9; my committee legally advised, and respectfully submit for consideration of your committee that under the rules of tho New Zealand Union the playing of these modified rulea in inter-club -matches is solely within the control of the local union, and does not constitute any breach of any rules of the New Zealand Union." Tho speakers expressed disagreement with the views of the Auckland Union, and eventually the following motion was carried: —"The effect of the letter received.from the English Rugby Union being thai no amendments or modifications of the rule* of the game can be introduced, this committee promulgates as instructions to all affiliated unions that until the next meeting of delegates on September 19 none of the amended rules are to be played. Failing compliance with these instructions, the committee will be compelled to deal in a drastic manner with any union net so complying. The consequent refusal to comply will mean the suspension of any union concerned." It was decided to telegraph the instructions to all the unions immediately. Members generally expressed the opinion that it would be better to give the Auckland Union another chance before taking any drastic action in the direction of suspension. THE RACIAL QUESTION. WHAKATANE, August 12. . The Rugby Union discussed a protest by the returned soldiers and others against playing Dalmatians. Finally it was resolved that Dalmatians be debarred from playing in the senior grade competition. BULLER v. NELSON. WESTPORT, August 16. The first match for the Seddon Shisld since pre-war days took place at Westport to-day, when the Nelson and Buller Rugby Unions' representative teams played a drawn game, each side scoring a try. For Buller, P. Ryan was the try-getter, and for Nelson, Bennet scored. The game was very strenuous, but the ground was greasy owing to the heavy overnight rain. Buller retains the shield. NEW ZEALANDERS IN SOUTH AFRICA. JOHANNESBURG, August 14. The New Zealand Rugby team beat the miners' team by 24- points to 3.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ' AUCKLAND DEFEATS THAMES. The Auckland Rugby representatives defeated Thames by 20. points to 11. The result was in doubt right up to the closing stages. The visiting team played a fine game. At half-time the score was: Auckland 11 points, Thames 8 points. THE LEAGUE GAME. AUCKLAND, August 12. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League adopted the following itinerary for the Australian teacm>:—Wellington, August 23; Greymouth, Augu&t 27; Canterbury (at Christchuxch), August 30; Auckland, September 6, 13, and 20. The officers elected were:—Patron, Dx Thacker; president, Mr L. M'Lean; vicepresidents —Messrs J. Carlaw, J. Vigor Brown, and W. D. Wigham; secretory, Mr H. Oakley; treasurer, Mr G. Smith; auditor, Mr Rowe; delegates—Messrs Powell, Stirling, H. Scott, Levien, and Ferguson; selectors for tho New Zealand :team —Messrs Powell, Wynyard, and Ferguson.