FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 284, 25 August 1908, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES. Tho selectors of the Wellington representative team have selected tho following team to do battle for' Wellington against Southland to-morrow.: —Full-back: M. Ryan (Petone); three-quarters: Mat-heson "(Oriental), Flanagan (Poneko) and Evenson (Athletic); fiveeighths: Mageo (Poneko) and J. Ryan (Petone) ; half: Tilyard (Poneke); wing forward: Gardner (Poneke); forwards: Hamilton (Melrose), Ready (Petone), "Ranji" Wilson (Athletic), Perry (Southern), O'Brien (Poneko), Cameron (Melrose), M'Kellar (Wellington); emergency back: M'lieod (Oriental).

Tlio team to play against Bush Union on Wednesday isFull-back: Varcoe (Oriental) ; three-quarters: Beavis (Melrose) Prcndcville (Vic. College), and Poole (Athletic): five-eighths: Ferguson (St. James) and Church (Melrose); half: Greeks (Molrose); wing-forward: O'Sullivan (Petone); forwards: Murphy (Melrose), Houlihan (Southern), Calcinai (Poneke), R. Wighton (St. James), Bell (Athletic), Nankivell (Petone), and Osborno (Athletic); emergency back: Scllars; forwards: Shadbolt and Bruce. Tho following players have been selected to niako tlio trip to play against Nelson and Marlborough: — Full-back: Varcoe; threequarters : Beavis, Flanagan, Poole, and Pren-deville;'five-eighth's: Ferguson and Church; half: Tilyard; forwards: Gardner, Houlihan, Murjphy, Cameron, Perry, 8011, Avery, Calcinai, Osborno, and C. Sullivan. Players aro requested to notify at once if they aro unable to play in any of the abovo games. . Tho Southland representative football team arrived from the North by last evening's' 1 express. Tho members • have been accommodated at tho Now Zealander Hotel. REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. A meeting of tho Wellington 'Referees' Association was held last evening, Mr. F. A. Laws presiding. ' A lettor was received from the Wellington Rugby Union covering a complaint from the; St. John's Club as to the late arrival of the rofereo in tho St. John's-Selwyn fourth class match. After consideration of tho letter it was stated that the referee was lata because no brake for referees had been provided by tho Union. Further reference was made to tho allegations against the referee appointed to control a rccent fourth-class match, a roport having been made that tho refereo in question had not been in a fit condition to have charge of tho game, which was abandoned at half-time. The captains of tho two teams concerned attended and, gave their version of tho happenings of tho afternoon, both giving it as their opinion that tho refereo was not in a fit condition to liavo control of tho match. Tho refereo did not attend tho meeting. A motion was tabled-that tho name of tho refereo in question be erased from the hooks of the Association. An amendment was moved that the matter bo held over until next meeting. Tho motion was carried by 9 votes to 5.

PROPOSED VISIT OF A SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM. The sub-committee of the Football Association appointed to deal with the question of inviting a 1 representative team of South African footballers to tour New Zealand has reported in favour of the proposal. A few years ago a Sydney team visited Niw Zealand, and 011 that occasion something like £700 was clearod. Tho estimated cost (f the South Africans' tour would be £1100, anu it is confidently anticipated that there will bo 110 difficulty about raising about £1000. AUSTRALIAN GAME. CARNIVAL IN MELBOURNE. (BY TELEGRArH —PRESS.ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) Mslbourne, August 24. At the football carnival to celebrate the jubileo of the Australian game, Tasmania beat New South Wales by 8 goals 14 behinds to 4 goals and 11 behinds. West Australia beat South Australia by 8 goals 11 behinds to 8 goals 5 behinds." IMPROVEMENT OF RUGBY FOOTBALL. (D¥ TELEGEAPfl —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Ounedln, August 24. Iho subject of professionalism came before tho Otago Rugby Union to-night by reason of a letter being received from a gentlemaii, who threatened if the Committee did not deal with tho matter ho would tako steps to call a meeting of delegates of committees in order to run local football on proper lines, or under tho direction of tho South Island Union. Considerable discussion was evoked on tho matter, the meeting being unanimous to the extent that, an endeavour should bo mado to meet tho problem in tho direction of improving the existing game from the spectators' and the players" points of view. The following motion was passed:— "In tho opinion of this Committee, it is desirable that a special .general meeting of tho New Zealand ltugby Union should bo convened to discuss tho question of tho proposed amendment of Rugby football, and that necessary steps bo taken by this Committco to securo tho co-operation of two other aililiated Unions in having the meeting called."