FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12145, 19 April 1907, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 19. The annual report of the New Zealand Kugby Union says that never before has interest in tootball been so marked. The committee has for some time past been in communication with the Rugby Union authorities in LonSoiT to secure the visit of a representative team, and negotiations are etill pending. It is hoped the English Union will send a team in 1908. Special thanks ore given to Messrs A. E. G. Rhodes and C. Wray Palliser for assisting in the negotiations. The committee! had also invited the South African Union to send 'a team to New Zealand at an early date. The Stanford University authorities had been in communication with the Exhibition authorities with a view to sending a University team, and the New Zealand Union had replied suggesting a visit later in the season, but noiuing definite had resulted so far. The committee expresses gratification at the spread of Rugby in America. It had learned that there was a desire on the Pacific coast for a visit of a New Zealand team to America, and it was* expected a definite proposal would be made by an early mail. The committee has under consideration a proposal for encouraging Rugby in the public schools.

The balance sheet shows a sound financial position, the year's workings giving a profit of £302. Loans have been granted as follows: Auckland £100, Taranaki £400, Wanganui £750, Southland £1300. Further loans allotted are: Hawke's Bay £750, Wellington £1000. The former is in course of arrangement, but the Wellington Union did not avail itself of the whole amount. It will be %3cessary for the incoming committee to arrange for the interchange of visits with Australia.

To-morrow afternoon the three Pirate fieams will play matches against the First, Second and Third Fifteens of the Collegiate. School. The'Yhird^Class match -will commence at 2 o'clock, on No. 2 Ground, and the Senior and Junior games at 3 o'clock. The following will represent' the Rovers in their match with the High School on the achool grounds at 2.30 p.m. to-mor-row: — Jeffcott, Dustin, Swan (2), Anderson, Thompson, Martis, Falkner, Batchelor, Townsend, Spriggens, Coleman, Prideaux, Rathbone, Whibley, Hunt, Dickie. The above are requested to be on the ground by 2 p.m. The following will represent the Old Boys in their match against Kaierau on the Rec. on Saturday at 3 p.m. sharp: — Tingey, Meuli, Pownall, Redmond. Culpin, Poynter, Richardson, Brown, Smith, Russell, Baddeley, Jones, Webster, Anderson, Blakewell.