NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 958, 16 July 1908, Page 10

NOTES.

F. Jackson, the Anglo-Welsh forward, who has been suspended by the English Rugby Union, on a charge of professionalism, served all through the South African War, which he entered as a private in the ranks, and finished with a commission.

“ Massa ” Johnstone, the sole Otago representative of the late New Zealand professional team, left last week for England, having signed on with the Wigan Club. Besides his retainer, he will receive 10s. for a win and ss. for a loss, with two matches a week, and he will also receive employment at his ordinary vocation. It is stated on good authority that Johnstone has no intention of returning to New Zealand.

At Panmure on Saturday a team representing “ The Sporting and Dramatic Review ” tried conclusions with “ The New Zealand Herald ” fifteen, and after a game which was not devoid of exciting incidents the former were returned the victors by 12 points to nil. In the evening the teams dined together at the Panmure Hotel, where the players were hospitably entertained by Host Bell.

The record of the British team is now rather a fine one (says a Wel-

lington scribe, writing after the result of the Wanganui-Britain match). At the beginning of the tour it seemed as if the end were to be a regular fiasco, but ever since the Canterbury match the team has gone through without a defeat, making even the Dominion team look exceedingly foolish after the second test. Atone time the record of the team stood at —won, 3; lost, 4; points for 75; points against 90. That was very far indeed from cheering, but what a difference has come over the fact of matters now. The team has pulled itself together marvellously, and is now doing very well indeed. What will happen to it during the next fortnight it is absolutely impossible to say, but I wish them every luck. As a New Zealander born and bred, I suppose I must hope to see New Zealand win the third test; but still I am not afraid to say that it is my wish, should the Britons have the best of the play in the third test, as they had in the second, that they be rewarded with the victory that is their due.

The movement which has been set on foot to provide a national testimonial to Wallace is an influential one, with plenty of weight behind it (says a writer in “ The New Zealand Times”), and should result in the raising of a very tidy sum for the veteran. The retirement of Wallace leaves a great blank in New Zealand football, and no one can be but sorry that we shall know “ Billy ” no more as a player. Wallace has done yeoman service to New Zealand football, and really deserves the thanks of the whole sporting section of the nation. Wallace must have made thousands of pounds for our Rugby Unions, and pounds means grounds, and grounds means more players and the increased popularity of the game. Cash testimonials may or may not be the best way of expressing a nation’s gratitude to one of its lesser heroes, but be that as it may, no one can doubt that in Wallace’s case recognition of some kind is called for. I hope to see the present scheme ardently supported throughout the Dominion, and carried to success. Wallace deserves it.

The match between the AngloWelsh team and the Manawatu and Horewhenua Unions, played last week, was another mud-larking experience. It was a stubborn battle throughout, if anything the locals having the best of matters. The speed of the British backs saved the position and won the game. Time after time Manawatu came within an ace of scoring, but either lost it through over-eagerness, or else Jackett got his side out of trouble. McMinn drew first blood for Manawatu, but the kick was a failure. Williams was the main factor in getting the tries for the visitors, the game ending 12 to 3 in Britain’s favour.

The receipts from the British v. Poverty Bay match totalled £342.

Six thousand people attended the British v. Manawatu match, the gate realising £460. * * * *

Queensland defeated the Maori team last week at Warwick (Q.) by 26 points to 14.

A report from Toowoomba (Q.) states that at a match played there between the Maori team and Queensland, a good deal of rough play was indulged in. Prior to the finish, a Maori was ordered off the field, whereupon the whole team left. Queensland won by 11 points to 9. One cannot help regretting the action of the New Zealanders, as whether the referee’s ruling was right or wrong they should not have left the field.

The N.Z. Universities team played a Metropolitan fifteen in Sydney on Saturday, and sustained yet another reverse, being beaten by 14 points to 6. During the first spell the Auckland half-back, Gray, was injured.

The Maori team in Sydney beat West Maitland on Saturday by 30 points to 16.

Apropos of the suspension of F. Jackson by the English Rugby Union, the following appears in the “ Sporting Life’s ” report of the annual meeting of the Rugby Union:—“ Mr. Godfrey, on behalf of Mr. Byrne, produced an affidavit showing that Jackson (Leicester), now with the English team in New Zealand, signied a professional form for Swinton in 1901-2; that he played for that club for £4O down and a weekly wage, and had since been identified by the parties to the affidavit as -Jackson, the Leicester and Cornish forward.”

The British captain, Mr. A. F. Harding, has stated that the custom of giving a free kick for the off-side play is not so prevalent in the Old Country as the awarding of a scrummage for the pass forward when it is taken off-side, the forward pass being regarded as the first breach. This opens up a subtle legal point. But the pass forward becomes a breach only when advantage is gained therefrom by the passing side. The Australasian custom of awarding the penalty kick is apparently the better one. At all events, it differentiates between an on-side player taking a forward pass and an off side player taking one which possibly might have ended in advantage to the opposing side had he refrained from doing so.

The programme of the British team in New South Wales has been slightly altered. On July 5 and 8 the matches at Sydney will be against the best available New South Wales teams, instead of the team for England. This will permit of the inclusion of p ayers like Jas. Hughes, etc., who are not available for the British team.