FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18614, 9 July 1930, Page 13

FOOTBALL.

GREAT MAORI GATHERING. FOR MINOR TEST. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 8. There may be Test matches and provincial representative matches of prime importance against the British footballers, but to the Maoris, tomorrow’s match is the biggest of them all—so important as to warrant one of the most representative gatherings of Maori people that has ever taken place in Wellington. That is the reason for a quite unusual activity about the Basin Reserve pavilion this afternoon. There are to-day about 300 Maoris from all parts of the North Island camped at the Basin. Every one of the more important tribes is represented, and the northern Maoris propose to express again the warmth of their welcome at a later stage of the tour.

The first contingents arrived yesterday, but the main body did not arrive until about 2 o’clock this morning by the night train. They were met and addressed by Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, and other officials of the Maori Advisory Board, which is in charge of their arrangements for their stay in Wellington; and a further address was given by the Minister this morning about breakfast time. Though the Basin Reserve may not be regarded as an ideal camp, it vis not nearly so uncomfortable as might be thought, for there are facilities in the way of sleeping room, hot and cold water, cooking, and so on, in several large rooms in the building. The whole camp is under the leadership of Kingi Tahiwi, secretary of the Maori Advisory Board, but each tribe has its leader for purposes of camp organisation, and for tomorrow's big demonstration.

To-day the chief activities are meal times, demonstration rehearsals, and rehearsals for the great Maori entertainment to be given in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. It is about twentyfive years since an entertainment of the kind arranged has been given in Wellington, and it should prove a great attraction. The proceeds wiP tr 0 ‘ towards meeting the cost of the gathering, and the “boarding” of Maori guests in Wellington. COMBINED TEAM TO MEET BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association. NELSON, July 8. The following players have been Selected to represent Nelson-Marl - borough-Golden Bay-Motueka against the Britishers on August 12 at Blenheim:— Full back. —Cameron (Marlborough). Threequarters.—Snodgrass < Nelson), Newman (Nelson), Phillips (Marlborough). / Five-eighths.—Alexander (Nelson), Holm wood (Bay >. Half .—Fowler (Nelson). Wing forward. Patchett (Marlborough). Back row.—McLean (Nelson), Clark (Bay). Middle row.—Max (Nelson), Barrett (Bay), Snow (Nelson). Hookers. Persson (Marlborough), Satherley (Marlborough). Emergencies.—Front row—Schwass (Bay); rest of scrum—Murphy (Nelson >. Backs—Reed (Nelson).

TIMARU BEAT ST. ANDREW’S. FAST AND OPEN GAME. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. Easily the finest display of secondary school football seen in Christchurch so far this season was witnessed at St. Andrew’s College this afternoon, when Timaru High School won their annual match against St. Andrews by 19 points to 14. Superior back play, especially over the closing stages, gave victory to the visiting side. Quick changes of attack and free handling were the points of superiority. Manning, at five-eighths for Timaru, was the outstanding player on the day, scoring three tries in the style of a coming champion. St. Andrew’s made a determined struggle against a handicap in weight, the forwards especially going well to hold their heavier opponents. It was a game of high scoring, and full of excitement. St. Andrew’s had the lead twice, but Timaru finally established and held the advantage, and were attacking strongly when time was sounded.

Manning (3), Ryan and Jones scored for Timaru; Satterthwaite converting two tries. Satterthwaite and Sievwright were the best of the Timaru forwards. For St. Andrew’s College, Stevenson, Brown and Monk scored tries, Jamieson converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Mr E. E. Luttrell was referee. The game itself was an excellent one, and worthily upheld the traditions of schools’ Rugby. For Timaru, both backs and forwards combined well, some of their back movements being spectacular. Geddes at wing-forward continually harrassed the St. Andrew's five-eighths, being ably backed up by Timaru's side-row men. Manning played a sterling game throughout, and cut-in twice, two excellent tries resulting. Jones was particularly sound on defence. Hall, at centre, shone on attack, while Morrison, behind the pack, blocked several fine rushes by the St. Andrew’s forwards. Green and Satterthwaite were the pick of the Timaru forwards. MAORIS’ VISIT TO WESTPORT. SHORT NOTICE OF CANCELLATION By Telegraph—Press Association WESTPORT, July 8. General disappointment was expressed this evening when a telegram was received stating that the Maori Board reluctantly regretted having to cancel the visit to Westport of the Maori team, which was due to play Buller here on Saturday. AP arrangements had been made to tender the visitors a complimentary ball on Friday evening, and to place on the field on Saturday a team that would thoroughly test the football capabilities of the visitors. Now all the arrangements have to go by the board, to the keen disappointment of the community. At a special meeting of the Management Committee of the Buller Rugby Union to-night,, it was resolved to wire a protest against the short notice of cancellation of the visit, and of disappointment that such cancellation should take place. Further, it was decided to urge the New Zealand Rugby Union to send to Westport the All Black team prior to the playing of the Fourth Test at Wellington next month.

TEST MATCH RECEIPTS. RECORD FOR DOMINION. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. The gate receipts for the Second Test match were £6840. The approximate attendance was 34,700. BOOKINGS FOR TEST SEATS. CHARGE OF PLEDGE-BREAKING. By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON NORTH, July 8. A strong protest at the action of the Wellington Rugby Union in failing to adhere to its original promise to reserve sufficient accommodation for the Fourth Test at Wellington for patrons from country Unions outside Wellington was voiced at the Manawatu Rugby Council to-night. The protest arose when the intimation was received that only 450 seats had been set aside for visitors from country Unions—Manawhenua, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui, and Bush. Mr J. A. Colquhoun, president of the Manawatu Council, stated that at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union Messrs Dean and Prendeville had given an assurance that if they were allowed to impose the present Test charges, ample accommodation for country Unions would be provided. Mr Colquhoun expressed the opinion that these two officials had gone back on their pledged word in the matter. SEATS FOR TESTS. REPLY TO HAWKE’S BAY COMPLAINT. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 8. “The chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Union has complained about what he calls the ‘shocking treatment’ given to country Unions concerning the booking of stand seats for the Fourth Test. It is typical of his extravagant statements, but I think we should reply to the complaint,” said Mr Prendeville, chairman of the Wellington Rugby Union at to-night’s meeting. “There were 4218 stand seats available, and of these Blocks b B.F.G., containing 2107 seats, were for Wellington patrons. C. Block contained 750 seats, and of these 450 had been set aside for country patrons, the remainder being allocated for visiting officials, referees, and other officials. Blocks D. and E. had 1367 seats, and of these 730 were required for season ticket-holders, the Committee, officials, life members and the Press. There were left 630 seats available at £1 each. “We are running this match just as Canterbury did the Second Test, and Otago the First Test. There were no complaints from country districts as far as those matches were concerned. We are trying to act fairly and squarely by the outside patrons, and our regular Wellington patrons. If we had 10,000 seats we would have no difficulty in selling them.” Mr Prendeville said: “Country patrons could not have all the £1 seats. The balance, roughly 218, had to be held back for city patrons. Country allocations had been used up because, in addition, it had been agreed to give favourable consideration to applications from outside Union officials, but those applications would have to be in by July 12th.”

BRITISH HALF-BACKS. YOUNG APPLYING FOR LEAVE. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 8. Advice has been received from A. T. Young, one of England’s international half-backs, who is at present in India, that he has applied for leave in order to join the British team late in the tour, and relieve the position that has arisen now that both Sobey and Murray are on the injured list and are unlikely to play again during the tour. The British team’s vice-captain, Sobey, took part in a practice at Christchurch a few days ago, but it is very doubtful if he will be able to play again during the tour. Prentice, the captain, underwent massage yesterday, but will be turning out in the match against the Maoris. Several others of the team have minor injuries, but on the whole are well fitted to take part in the remaining games. [Young cannot reach New Zealand in time for any of the Tests, and is probably required for the matches to be played in Australia.] NEW ZEALAND LEAGUE TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, July 8. The New South Wales Rugby League has fixed certain dates for the New Zealand tour:— August 4. versus the Metropolis; August 9. versus New South Wales; August 13, versus Combined Universities. S. Clark, the New Zealand player ■ who was ordered off on Saturday, is I not playing until next Monday. W. Brogan, the Australian, did not appear. Mr Neill has been appointed referee for Saturday’s match against New South Wales. T. Timms and G. Littelton, who are injured, and M. Wetherill who is suffering from inflammation of the ear, are not going to Bathurst, where E. Meyer, H. Pearce and W. Jones are making their first appearance.

Strong remarks were made at a meeting of the Rugby League Executive regarding the inactivity of the Board of Control affecting tours of New Zealand, and it was decided that the New South Wales and Queensland committees confer with, the touring managers with a view to fixing a regular programme and helping the development of the game in both countries.