FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 1 April 1931, Page 15

FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY UNION. The Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union met last night. There were present: Messrs A. E. M’Phail (chairman), A. E. Flower, E. V. Phillips, S. F. Wilson, V. L. Jensen, L. Thompson, A. Thomson, A. Duggan, W. Maxwell, W. Britten, R. R. Masters, T. M. Milliken, R. W. BritMolor ; ey and Dr W. S. Seed. friendly matches for next Saturday were approved as follow: Lancaster Park Oval, 2 p.m., Linwood v. Syden- ! . seniors; 3.15 p.m., High School I Old y. Varsity, seniors. South ground at Lancaster Park, Albion v. Christchurch, seniors. Showgrounds, Varsity B v. Training College, Merivale v. team to be arranged for. re ?ly to a letter from the Athletic Club which stated that they could not obtain grounds for this season, the union decided that it would eildeavour to suit the club for this season, but would point out that the club must provide their own grounds next sea,sOn. Permission was granted to the following teams to play matches: Easter Saturday, Sydenham seniors v. Star Club, at Tifnaru; Papanui junior I. v. Darfleld, at Darfleld. April 11: Kaiapoi v. Akaroa, at Aftaroa; Athletic v. bunnyside, at Sunnyside. The Canterbury Referees’ Association wrote advising that Mr K. H. Perrin had been appointed the association’s delegate on the union’s Competitions Committee. Mr H. M’lntosh was appointed the Referees’ Association’s delegate on the union’s Management Committee. UNDER THE OLD RULES. The Canterbury Rugby Union’s competitions will be started on April 13 under the International Board rules. These will be the same as were in use last year, except that injured players will be permitted to be replaced and the teams will be allowed to leave the held at half-time. » This was decided upon by the Man*Lgement Committee of the Canterbury Union last night, following on a question from the Referees' Association as to what rules would govern this season’s play. The chairman (Mr A. E. M’Phail) said he took it that the competitions would be played under the same rules as last year, those of the International Board. The union’s delegate lo the New Zealand Union, Mr T. A. Fletcher, had stated that the practice of teams not leaving the field at half-time was not mentioned in the English rule book. The only rule that would affect Canterbury would be that relating to kicking Into touch. Mr S. F. Wilson’s motion that the competitions be played under the English rules, except those relating to replacement of players and of teams leaving the field at half-time, was carried unanimously. The chairman: That will give them guidance until the question is discussed at the annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Union. The subject of rules was referred to by Mr St J. J. Dunne, a member of last year’s Management Committee, in replying to a presentation made to him later in the evening. He said that he had given a good deal of thought to the rules, and was not convinced which were the better, especially after the brilliant exhibitions given by the British Rugby team. He thought that statements by Mr James Baxter, manager of the team, that New Zealand “ must come into the fold,” had gone against the grain of New Zealanders. REFEREES* CONFERENCE. Complaint of the alleged “parsimonious attitude” of the Canterbury Rugby Union in deciding not to pay the expenses of the Canterbury Referees’ Association’s delegate to the annual conference, was made by the Referees’ Association at last night’s meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union. The latter body decided to reconsider the matter in a fortnight’s time. The honorary secretary of the Referees’ Association wrote stating that it was the feeling of the executive that It would be deplorable if the association were not*'represented at the annual conference of referees at HamillyfeMi Wu® nc ß *ss XTtlibh could not be in accord with thewishes of the clubs affiliated to the Union. Taking into consideration the standing that the association Had in Rugby affairs in the Dominion, the executive had decided that the association be represented. The chairman (Mr A. E. M’Phail) stated that it was not the expense at which the Union baulked, but it was considered that the time was not ripe for a conference of referees. F, Wilson: It is less necessary now for a conference because the handbook of rules has been printed. There is, no necessity for a conference. Mr T. M. Milliken stated that : the Union placed much reliance on referees, : and it was not' fair that a delegate should have to pay his own expenses. He moved that the Union reconsider the • r matter. Another member stated that all arrangements for the conference had been made, and it was too late to cancel them. There would be a certain loss of prestige If a major union such as Canterbury were not represented. Mr Milliken moved that the previous motion refusing a grant be rescinded, and that the Union pay the delegate’s expenses. Mr Wilson: After they have called us parsimonious? Mr MiUiken’s motion to have the matter reconsidered in a fortnight’s time was carried by eight votes to five. ALBION CLUB. The following will represent Albion Club in a match v. the Little River Club on Saturday:—S. Jones, R. Huria, T. Preston, T. Hooker, T. Hodgkinson, R. Meadows, D. Broad, A. Ansel!. A. Saunders, C. White, E. Taylor, W. Hall, Fraser, H. Williams (2), S. Breach, J. Fulford; Chamberlain. UNIVERSITIES’ TEAM. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March SO. From present indications there appears to be every likelihood of the proposed trip to Sydney of the New Zealand Universities’ representative Rugby team being cancelled. It is New Zealand’s turn to visit Sydney but the cable from the authorities there says that the arrangements for the tour have been held up because of the financial stringency in Australia. The exact position, however, will not be known until a letter from the Sydney authorities arrives. It is expected by the next mail. ASSOCIATION GAME.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The canterbury Football Association met last evening, Mr G. Dickinson presiding. Mr W. Wardell was elected to the Management Committee. The chairman said improvements had been carried out to the grounds In HagJey Park- He thought the posts should be removed at the end of the season, for, if any accident should occur through somebody bumping into them, the Association would be held responsible. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr J. E. Foote for his services in connection with the grounds in the park. It was decided to invite the Primary School Sports Association to nominate a representative on the committee.