FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 579, 6 August 1909, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

' NEW ZEALAND RUCBY UNION. ' • . A LETTER FROM ENGLAND. . Tho weekly' meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held last night, there- being present:— Messrs. G; Dixou (chairman), R. M. Isaacs, W. Perry, G. Lusk, J. Laughton, H. Kelly, and N. Galbrsitb. " ,

The committee endorsed the suspension, by the West Coast Union, of certain players for using bad language, striking opponents, and fighting. Other suspensions were also endorsed. . .. .

"It. was decided to ask the Hawke's Bay Union for particulars, relating, to tho suspension of'a player until'the .end , of tha, season: for the alleged offence of appearing on the football field the worse for liquor. Further consideration was- given to tho matter of the appeal of the Ahuriri Club (Napier) against- tho suspension for five yoars of one of its players,by the Hawke's Bay Union, for the alleged offences of striking a player, bad language, and assaulting the referee after a match. Tho committee resolved that tho appeal bo dismissed, and that tho Hawke's Bay Union bo-asked to reconsider tho question with a view to; a reduction of the penalty, •< ' "• ' Various documents relating tq a prospective appeal by the Tramways Football Club against the tVolh'ngton v Rugby Union's disqualification of two of tho. club's players-on' the grounds of alleged , professionalism wore read. The appear was based, on the plea that tho Wellington Union's decision was against ' the weight of evidoiico. The trt'o players in question asked leave to be represented by th.6 vice-president of the club (Mr. T. M. TVilford). It' was decided to ■ allow the players to be represented as asked, they to show cause why they should not bo expelled for professionalism. The date of hearing Was fixed for. Thursday evening riexi. -. The following letter from 'the English Rugby , jUnidn, was; read— ' ' ■; ■. "With .regard to'.your letter and enclosure of March 30 ;< we asked the Home unions to ■join with us in a conference with the colonial unions*-as to the latter's suggested changes in rules. Tlie Scottish and Irish unions, though i willing to discuss your suggestions with the Other. Home unions, do not- eee their way to meet colonial representatives in regard to alterations in the Laws of the iGame. Wales suggests: that the-question, of a conference', should he discussed by the International Board. In view of these facte, , we purpose bringing tho proposed alterations before the Board, 'and until the. matter'has been considered by the board We' fecV that -it ■'would be at present unwise 'of us'to sanction your proposed-alterations." v Tho;letter was received,\-', .' ..