FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20334, 5 February 1936, Page 6

FOOTBALL

SOUTH CANTERBURY UNION EXECUTIVE MEETS A meeting of the Management Committee of the South Canterbury Rugby Union was held last night. Present—Messrs A. G. Knowles (chairman), A. S. Aitken, A. B. Herdman, J. Lillico, A. B. Rowlands, C. W. Keinan, J. Pennycook, and M. J. Angland. In response to an appeal for assistance from the Timaru Municipal Band, it was decided to make a donation of £l/1/-. The secretary reported having received a cheque for £9/18/- from the South Canterbury Cricket Association, being 10 per cent, of the gate receipts at the cricket match, M.C.C. v. South Canterbury, which was played at Fraser Park in December. A letter was received from the Canterbury Rugby Union enclosing a cheque for £lO towards the expenses of the South Canterbury team when it visited Christchurch for the Ranfurly Shield match last season. It was decided to support a protest by the Wairarapa Union against the broadcasting of country fixtures, which it was contended, adversely affected gate receipts. Correspondence was read in regard to proposals submitted by Mr A. M. Ongley, of Palmerston North, for the alteration of the constitution of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The president explained that he had attended a conference held in Christchurch last week to discuss the proposals. The meeting had been held in camera, and if their own meeting was not held in camera, he might be talking out of his turn. Some members contended that as the South Canterbury Union had been asked for an opinion, they saw no reason whj' the matter should be taken in committee. There was nothing make a statement, but realised before proceeding far the difficulty of his position in view of the fact that the Christchurch conference had been taken in committee, and at this stage it was decided to take the statement and discussion in camera. After full discussion, the principle of the proposed changes was approved, but it was decided to suggest that there should be equal representation in each Island, the number on the Management Committee to consist of eight instead of 12, as mentioned in the proposals. UNIVERSITY TEAM IN JAPAN. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, February 4. .A letter from Mr Martin Smith, manager of the New Zealand University Rugby team, gives an account of the arrival of the team at Hongkong on January 16. A match had been arranged far ahead and was greatly anticipated by enthusiasts but there was a possibility that at the last moment the programme arranged for the visitors would have to be abandoned owing to the late arrival of the steamer Kitano Maru. However, it was arranged to land the visitors from the steamer in a launch, this being done long before the steamer berthed. The vistiors were entertained at tiffin by the Hongkong, Australian, and New Zealand Association, local Australians and New Zealanders being particularly interested in meeting the team. The visitors were welcomed by the president of the Association, Dr. H. D. Matthews, and the warmth of the welcome made the New Zealanders feel that they were among people of their own kith and kin.

The match was played shortly afterwards at Happy Valley, among those present being the Governor, Sir Andrew Caldecott. The New Zealanders won by 29 points to 8 and the game was thoroughly enjoyed bv numerous spectators. Subsequently the team was enter - tained at a steak and kidney dinner by the Hongkong Football Club and given a rousing send off when they left the next day for Japan.