RUGBY AND DRILL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 201, 4 May 1912, Page 5

RUGBY AND DRILL

" SURPRISED AT FUSS HERE." By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. Up to the present no difficulty has been anticipated by the Rugby Football authorities in regard to Territorial parades interfering with football during the coming season. Mr. Langsford, secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union, informed a Star wpresentative that he was surprised that the Wellington officials were making a fuss. The Auckland Union had always found the Defence Department ready to meet them in every possible way. The Department had in fact always shown the greatest consideration for all branches of sport. He understood that the four parades that were to take place this month would only occupy two and a half days, as the intention was to commence these parades at 10 o'clock and stop about 6 or 7 in the evening, thus merging two parades into one. In this way matters would be greatly simplified as far as football players were concerned. It was recognised that it was the duty of the lads who were called upon to serve to attend the necessary number of parades. The union had not desired to prevent them from doing that. Some of the football players, who are also Territorials, have intimated their intention of declining to parade while the football season is on. If they adopt this course it will necessitate the Department (through the police) taking action, and a few fines will probably have a salutary effect. Invercargill, Last Night. The committee of the Southland Rugby Union, at its meeting to-night, passed a resolution in appreciation of the Defence Act, and recognising the fair and just manner in which the Defence authorities were endeavoring to carry out their none too light task. Members were of opinion that the attendance of Rughyitcs at parades on a few occasions during the season would not seriously interfere with the carrying through of local Rugby fixtures.