FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 27 July 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE "ALL BLACKS 1 " TOUR. A QUEENSLAND PROTEST. Brisbane, July 26The Queensland Rugby Union indignantlv protests against the idea of ab™doni::g tile third test match in order to permit another match between New Zealand and New South Wales to be iplayed. . -J ;s |

TO-DAY'S NEW ZEALAND TEAM. Received 2(>th, 5.11 ])•• in Brisbane, July 20. The following is the New Zealand team to play against Queensland to-morrow:-—Full back, 0. Spencer; threci]iiiirters, Fryer, Giilet and Booth; liveeighths, Wallace and Kckhold; half, Roberts; forwards, Hogan (wing), Hughe.-?, j McDonald, Nicholson, Cunningham, Johnston, Seeling and .1. Spencer.

THE AUCKLAND MATCHES. Per Press Association. Auckland, July 2(1. M'itli referen<t> to a recent telegram from New Plymouth complaining that the Auckland Rugby Union had not nipplied the Taranaki Union with information regarding the visit of the Auckland jimior itepresentative team to Taivtiiaki, Mr Langshord, secretary of the A.R.U., states that he telegraphed on the Ilth inst. to tile secretary of the Taraniki Union informing him thalt the Auckland Rugby Union regretted they could not alter the date for the senior match, and also that the juniors from Auckland would bje visiting New Plymouth, and asking for a suitable date as early! as possible, Mr Langshord also write on the 10th inst., three days before t.'.e complaint was telegraphed from New Plymouth. So far, how-ever, the A.R.U. Vs not received any reply, so it would appear that Taranaki, and not the Auckland Union, is to blame. THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

It is authoritatively stated that four members of the New Zealand team now in Australia have, since tlieir arrival there, communicated to the promoters of tIM professional team their intention of joining the professional team to tour Great Britain. Their services have been accepted. They will not return to the colony with the New Zealanders, but will join the team at Sydney. The team leaves by the Ortona, arriving in England a few days later than ilio lonic, by which it was originally intended to travel. The delay is occasioned by the playing of the three professional matches in Sydney.

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL UNION.

A meeting of the Taranaki Association Football Union was l>eld on Thursday at Stratford. There were present: Messrs Clark (in the chair), Frost, Carr, Carncross, Oliver, and Foreman. An apology -was received from Mr Parrott for non-attendance, and Mr Cameras was appointed secretary pro tem. The play-off for the Julian Cup was discussed, and it was decided that it Bhould take place on Thursday, August Ist-, at Hawera, between Hawera B and New Plymouth, the winners of tie Southern and Northern championships. Mr Clarke was appointed referee' for this fixture. It wns decided to hold the North Y, South test match at EHham on Thursday, August Bth. Mr C. Betts was appointed referee. It was resolved to abandon the idea of sending a representative team to Wellington owing to the lateness of the season.

Mr Clarke was appointed manager of the representative team which will journey to Auckland, to compete in the Brown Shield Tournament on August 21st.

Permission was granted to the K"ponpa Ohib to arrange a match with the Wellington representative team , n its return journey from Auckland.

THE OPOiAKE FRACAS. When the enquiry iuto the recent football fracas here was held by the Taranaki Rugby Union, that body inflicted a severe punishment on Young, and a very light one, comparatively; on Howes (writes our Opunake correspondent). As it was felt here that the Union had discriminated too much between the two men, many people holding that the trouble would not have commenced but for Howes, an attempt was made to get the Union to re-open the case, when further evidence would be produced. This, however, they refused to do. As a result of the Union's action the matter was taken up by the police, and both Howes and l'oung were prosecuted at the local court, the result that Howes, who denied the charge, was proved to be the aggressor. The Magistrate said his evidence was most unreliable and fined him £5 and costs. Young, who admitted that he struck Tamu and Howes, was dismissed on the former charge as he struck Tamu in mistake while dazed from a blow, and convicted and discharged the latter, the Magistrate holding that he received great provocation, but was not justified in hitting JTowes a few minutes after Howes had ■bit him. Tn face of this, comments our correspondent, and we agree with him, it is only right that the Taranaki Rugby Union should re-consider the case, as their decision, disqualifying Young for life and warning him oft all grounds, and only disqualifying Howes for two years, seems hardly a just decision in the face of the Magisterial judgment. Certainly at the Union enquiry Young was not present and Howes was. The latter denied that he struck Young at all during the game, but, in the face Of the comments made, from the Bench on his evidence when given an oath, the Rugby Union should have no difficulty in administering punishment in the proportion it is deserved. There is no one who would defend the action of any player who so lowers the game by descending to sueli methods as characterised this game, lmt everyone likes to see justice done to all and punishment meted out in proportion to the offence, and either Young has been treated too harshly or TTowcs has been treated too liirhtlv. The Opiinake Club intend to isk for a re-opening of the enquiry if the Union does not take action.

The AucUliind-Taranaki junior match to be played at Western Parle.