FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 232, 24 June 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

NORTH ISLAND V. SOUTH ISLAND. TO-DAY'S CONTEST. This year's inter-Island contest, which will take placo on tho Athletic Park' this afternoon, is bound to attract a largo attendance, if the weather provo favourable. As a rulo this fixture provides tho most scientific exposition during tho seAion. Of tho sevon provious inter-Island matches North Island won four, South Island two, and one was drawn.- Although several prominent players have been unable to mako tho, trip, the-teams aro unusually strong on this occasion. It is a misfortune that heavy rain should have fallen so -rocontly, as riiho field of play will be on tho heavy sido. Among tho most interested spectators will bo tho manager and members of the British team, whoso strongest side will meet the piclc of tho Now Zealand players on Saturday next. As a curtainraiser Wellington Collego will play St. Patrick's College. Citizens aro invited by .the Mayor to observe a half-holiday from noon. Tho teams will be tho same as appeared in yesterday's issue. Tho Now Zealand" team will he selected after tho inter-Island match to-day. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI. Tho following team has beon seloeted by Messrs. Baskiville and Binning to represent tho Wellington schools in tho representative match against Taranaki, which is to be played at tho Athletic Park on Saturday as a cur-, tain-vaisor to tho Test match: — Full back:—M'Carlie (To Aro). Throe-quarters:—Taylor (Potone), 'Thomson (Terrace), Poolt (Terrace). ' Five-eighths':—Cowan (Potone), Gilbert (Terrace). • . Half Snowy " Adams (Terrace). • Wing forward:—Collins (Potone). Front rankers: —Mills (Potone), 1 Millar (Petono).' Back: —Duncan (Potone). Back row'.—Williamson (Technical), Laver (Technical), M'Leod (Ttechnical),- Standen (Technical). Emergencies:—Back—Homo (Technical); forward—F. Goyger (lit. Cook). The teams will bo entertained at dinner at six o'clock on Thursday evening at Godber's by the New Zealand Rugby Union. THE TEST MATCH. Tho British team held a useful practico on tho Athletic \Park yesterday morning. For three-quarters of an hour the members indulged in sprinting and kicking, also dribbling and passing rushes. They will bo presolit at the inter-island contest this afternoon.

The team to represent the'Britisliers in tlio test match will bo selected from the following listJackett, Gibbs, " Polity" Jones, M'Evedy, Vassall, J. L. Williams, .Davey, J. Tuan Jones, W. Morgan, Archer, Dibble, Down, Hind, Harding, Jackson, E. Morgan, Ritson, and T. Smith.

No additional stand accommodation will bo provided in conncction with the tost matqli. It has been decided, however, to place scats inside tho rail. Ladies- and their escorts will bo' allowed to uso thom free' of charge.

Tlio New Zealand "Union lifis now definitely decided to entertain tho British and New Zealand teams at tho Grand Hotel on Saturday evoning. This was the original intention; but subsequently'tho Savago Club wrote stating that, if no other arrangements were being made;', its members would bo delighted if tho players spent the evening with them. Among the visitors will be His Excellency the Governor (Lord Plunket), Invitations havo also boon sent' t-o tho Rt. Hon. tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), tlio Leader of r.)ie Opposition (Sir; W. P. Massoy), and tlio Mayor (Hoii. T. AV. Hislop). .In the courso of conversation with a Dominion reporter yesterday, Mr. D. Leslie

(trainer to tho British team) said'that a majority of the nlay'ers who. had been injured or had fallen ill were nearly well nunin. Laxon, who suffered from quinsy at Cliristclrareh, was still weak; He lost a stone in weight during the first four days that lie lyns indisposed. Tim injured pla.vers wore as follows:—Captnin Harding, spriiincd ankle; Kyrke, nasty wound <pi knee; Vassall, in-, jured shoulder; J. Williams,' muscles of thigh bruised; Dyke, injured knee. • The fact that tlio team had shown' marked superiority over .its oppononts during tho Inst twenty minutes of each match proved that tho members were, in good fettle. Whnt'hnd aroused most admiration was the fact ; tha,t tliero wns not tho semblance _ of rough play in "the methods of 'tho visitors.' . • ■ _ . WELLINGTON RUCBY UNION. MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. ; . A-meeting of the Management Committee of tho Wellington Rugby Union was hold last evening. Thcro wero present Messrs. S. S. Brown (in tho chair), E. 0. Hales, F-. AJpo, W. Hardham, J,.Murray, G. F. O'Sullivan, J. Burns, J. Sweoney, and W. G. Talbot, secretary. V ABSENTEE -REFEREES. • ■ - ; Tho secretary of tho Athletic Club wroto' drawing attention to tlio fact that tho olub's fifth-class team-had been compelled 'to abandon its match' last Saturday on account of tho i-efereo not putting in an appearance. Tho 'writer pointed out that this stato of affairs was not conducivo to tlio best interests of the fjame; and informed tho com'mittco.that since tlio beginning of tlio season the Fifth A team had only played three matchos, and wore'beginning to wonder what benefit one derived from being a footballer. It was decided to refer tho letter to tho liofereeo' Association. _ I ■ Tho Oriental Club wroto stating that its fourth-bias? team could not play last Saturday on account of the Tcferco not turning up. This matter also was referred to the Referees' Association. A lettev in similar strain was received from tlio 'BoJs' Institute Club. ' ■ . WELLINGTON v.. SOUTHLAND. A letter was received from tho Southland Union suggesting August 26 as;.tho dato for tho Southland-Wellington representative match, to be played at Wellington, It was decided to reply that' September 2 or Sop- , tembor 9 would suit hotter than the dato . suggested.

CLAIM FROM THE FERRY COMPANY. The Wellington Ferry Company intimated that tho discontimiaucs of playing Senior games . at; ' Miramar had put tho company to a considerable less, whorefore the Company claimed £04 ss. ]]d., which 'sum they considered should bo made up by tho TJnion, as tho Company had mado its arrangements, looking forward to the growth of tho game, and its permanent focation at Miramar. Tho Chairman remarked that thero had beon no agreement between tho Union and tho company. Tho scheme had been a pure mattor of business,on. the part.of tho company, and tho present position was their picnic. It was resolved, that the Union could not recognise, tho claim, and to informthe Company that it .was not the intention to discontinue playing matches at Miramar, but only tho principal senior -game. . PLAYERS ORDERED OFF.' The referee in the Oriental-Melroso senior match, Mr. W. O'Connell, reported having ordored a plavcr from each side off the field on-Saturdny on a chargo of striking at one another The referee attended and stated that ho hnd nothing to add'to his written report. .The Oriental player stated that tho occurrence happened through tho. .Oriental full-back being kicked by a Melrose man when ho did not have possession of tho ball. Witness used some words to a Melrose man and was asked to repent them, which ho did. Tho Melrose man then, struck witness, who attempted to retaliate. Tho players concerned then gavo thoir version of tho altair. After the players and the roforco had left tho room tho matter was discussed. Several resolutions were moved, and ultimately it was decided that tho players bo disqualified for two playing Saturdays. A letter wns received from Mr. I';. Wylio,. refereo in tho Southern-Wellington junior match, stating that he ordered a Southern player off the field for tripping an opponent. Tho referee stated that the offence in itself was not a very serious one, and probably under ordinary circumstances a caution would have met tho case but r-cvioua

cautions had been administered and nioro stringent steps had to be taken. The player stated that tho game was hot right through, and ho thought his opponent wanted to tako a fall out of liiih. Ho was protecting his half-back, and did not remember nutting out his foot. The player was penalised by being ordered to stand clown for olio playing Saturday. A Melrose junior player, ordered .oft the field during tho course of tho Melroso-Old Boys match for alleged foul play, attended and denied tho allegation. After considering the evidence, it was decided that as the player had already stood, down for two Saturdays, this should be deomed sufficient penalty. MISCELLANEOUS' MATTERS. Mr. "Willis informed tho committee that Dr. Robertson, of Johnsonvillo, had' agreed to act as doctor for the Union in tho Johnsonvillo district. • Tho secretary reported that the takings at the Athletic Park last Saturday totalled £80 125.,- of which sum tho Union would receive half, less expenses. Tho Selwyn Club asked if a disqualified player could, act as refereo in championship matches. It was decided to reply that a disqualified player could not act as refereo 111 matches played under tho jurisdiction of tho Union. A FOOTBALL INCIDENT. Dr. M'Evedv, vice-captain of tho AngloWolsh footbalfteam, writes:—"ln your issue of Tuesday, under tho heading 'A Football Incident,' Mr. Laws denies having apologised for disallowing ft try in tho recent Canterbury match. I havo no desiro to enter into • a controversy on this subject. It can serve no useful purposo. But I beg to remind Mr. Laws, that- while discussing tho incident at half-time, ho mado tho following remark to me: 'I am extremely sorry about it, but at tho time I gave my decision I was under tho impression that Dibblo had gone into touch-in-goal.' This, in Mr. Laws's opinion, may not be an apology, but I certainly took it as sucli at tho timo, and still consider it one, even should Mr. Laws still deny it."