FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 348, 25 March 1897, Page 10

FOOTBALL

[By

Vigilant.]

The New Zealand Rugby Union proposes establishing an annual North v. South Island match. Some talk of a New Zealand team for Australia. Matter to be discussed. Wellington will send a team on tour down South this year. Football is already a topic of conversation, and in the course of a few weeks we will again hear the cheery cry “ To Potter’s Paddock,” and hear the toot of the whistle. D. Gage and Tairoa are in Auckland, and I hear they are both going to stay. The North Shore Club will be considerably stronger this year. They will have the services of two or three new men from the Permanent Force. Recently, at the request of the Otago Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union communicated with the English Union, urging that the rule preventing players taking part in football tournaments or competitions without risk of losing their amateur status, should be relaxed, and the parent body has conceded the request, but only on condition that the permission of the New Zealand Union should first be obtained. Another question submitted, on behalf of the Wellington Union, was whether the payment of a salary or bonus to an officer of a club or union brought the recipient under the ban of professionalism. The English Union decided that it did not, unless such officer is a player.