FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 19896, 15 June 1926, Page 7

FOOTBALL

SOUTHLAND UNION WEEKLY EXECUTIVE MEETINC SEASON’S PROGRAMME DRAWN UP. The Management Committee of the Southland Rugby Football Union met last evening. Present: Messrs A. H. Courtis (chairman), D. K. Torrance, T. Baird, T. McCarroll, P. Shaw, P. Donnelly, T. A. Henry, W. Robison, W. Carswell, A. H. Stott, C. A. Davis, W. Duncan and the acting secretary (Mr. J. Richardson). CORRESPONDENCE. The Waikiwi Club wrote claiming by default the matches set down against the Invercargill B and Pirates juniors.—Referred to the Flag Committee, the defaulters to be asked to forward explanations concerning their actions. •In this connection it was decided to inform the Pirates second grade team that it could play in the Wednesday competition provided no first grade men were included in the team. Mr. H. Harris, Dunedin, acknowledged the union’s congratulations on his appointment as co-manager of the Maori team to tour Britain and France.—Received. Dr. A. A. Stewart, Invercargill, thanked the union for its complimentary season ticket. He appreciated this very much and stated that his services would always be at the disposal of the union.—Received with thanks. The Central Sub-Union asked if the union would send a team to play the Central representatives at Wallacetown on July 14, the date of the champion ploughing match. —Referred to the selectors for favourable consideration. SUE-UNION’S MATCH. The North Otago Sub-Union wrote asking for a game at Invercargill against a sub-union’s team on August 28. This season the North Otago team was touring to Gore and the writers would make every effort to fulfil an engagement at Invercargill if one could be arranged. Particulars concerning the financial side of the question worn desired. Eastern District Sub-Union acknowfeugad the union’s letter regarding the proposal to play a combined sub-union’s team against North Otago or other unions. The writers were prepared to fall in with the scheme on the following conditions: (1) That the Southland Union arrange and control such fixtures; (2) that a yearly programme of home and home fixtures be arranged; (3) that as they (the writers) had incurred heavy financial liability in connection with the visit of the North Otago team it was hoped that the union would consider favourably the giving of some relief in this respect. In connection with provision (3) it was explained that the Eastern body had guaranteed North Otago 50 per cent, of a £6O gate. The gates had never yet approached that figure so it was obvious that a difficult proposition had been undertaken. The Northern District Sub-Union wrote in the game connection stating that they were willing to fall in with the suggestion, provided the sub-unions received a share of the gate money.—say on a similar basis a the Country Day arrangement. The Central Sub-Union also wrote expressing its hearty agreement with the proposal. Full consideration was accorded the matter, the meeting specially discussing the question of the match at Gore, and the advisability of the union assuming control of all arrangements concerning the visit to the south. Mr. Courtis expressed the opinion that any proceeds from the visit should go to the benefit of the sub-unions, but the whole question was to avoid the inconvenience of dual control in regard to the Eastern District fixture. Of course, he added, the Eastern Sub-Union had completed their financial arrangements with the North Otago Sub-Union, but possibly the union could guarantee the expenses of the visitors from Gore to Invercargill. In the ensuing discussion the suggestion of establishing a sub-union Tund, and of ear-marking the profits of the Invercargill game for this purpose was broached, but it was finally resolved that the position in regard to the Eastern match be first definitely established. A committee comprising Messrs Courtis, Shaw, Torrance and Davis was appointed to wait on the Eastern District Sub-Union at its meeting at Gore on Thursday night. The date suggested by the North Otago Sub-Union for the match at Invercargill was accepted, the financial arrangements to be considered after the Eastern District meeting. SEASON'S PROGRAMME. Mr. Stott presented a programme of fixtures for the remainder of the season. He stated that present indications were to the effect that a prolonged season would be experienced, the fixtures so far dating on to October 2. Every available Wednesday and Saturday had been filled in and if the union could see its way to approve of the submitted programme the selectors would know where they stood. According to the list the Deacon Cup game would be played on October 2 and this meant that the club games would possibly have to be continued for five rounds. At the present time the competition was in a particularly interesting position and it would be unwise to conclude it too early. One date had been left vacant to provide an opportunity to stage fixtures which might be postponed on account of the weather, or to play off draws. If it was found necessary to close down the competition earlier, trial matches could be arranged to keep the players fit. Referring to the fixture with the Eastern District representatives, the chairman inquired whether it was not possible to arrange matches with any of the other sub-unions. Mr. Stott: Is it necessary to visit all the sub-unions? Travelling the team around the country districts is not altogether a beneficial undertaking as the matches do not provide a true trial of strength. • A member: Most of the sub-unions have their programmes fairly full in any case. The chairman: It might be worth while writing to them though. We owe them a certain amount and they might be willing to sacrifice something. It was thereafter agreed that the following list of fixtures be adopted as a tentative programme:— June 19 to July 10: Club games. July 14: Town v. Central at Wallacetown. July 17: dub fixtures. July 24: Club fixtures. July 31: Town v. Country. August 7: Possibles v. Probables. August 14: Otago at Dunedin. August 21: dub matches. August 25: Otago at Invercargill. August 28: Sub-unions v. North Otago at Invercargill. September 1: South Canterbury, September 4: dub fixtures. September 8: Canterbury. September 11: dub fixtures. September 15: Town v. Eastern at Gore. September 18: dub fixtures. September 22: Wellington. September 25: To be arranged. September 29: Hawke’s Bay. October 2: Deacon Cup. THE WEEK’S FIXTURES. The following fixtures drawn up by the Flag Match Committee were approved:—. Wednesday: Pirates v. Southern, Tweed street No. 1 at 2.45 p.m.; Invercargill v. Waikiwi, Biggar street No. 1 at 2.45 pan. Saturday: School match (third grade) Marist v. South, Rugby Park No. 1 at 1.30 pan.; Pirates v. Invercargill, Rugby Park No. 1 at 2.45 pan.; Star v. Southam Rugby Park No. 2 at 2.45 pan.