ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 830, 31 May 1910, Page 2

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON-NEW ZEALAND MATCH. A special meeting of the- New Zealand Rugby Union was held yesterday afternoon, to consider details in refcronce_ to" the match on Friday between the Now Zealand representatives and Wellington representatives. Mr. J. Francis has been appointed referee for the match. Subject to the secretary receiving certain information, it was decided that a lacrosse match be played as a curtain-raiser to the big game. It was also decided (as there is no Government holiday on Friday) to communicate with the Government asking that as many employees in the different Departments as can l)e spared should be allowed off to see the match. LAAVb OF EUGBY. DETAILS OF CHANGES ADOPTED. According to the latest files of the "Athletic News" the' proposed alterations in the Laws of Eugby Union Football, as approved by the International Board, have been announced. None of them will create a panic in the community, nor are they likely to thoroughly satisfy the Australian radical party who have clamoured loudly and long for what they prefer to call reform. "Still, in some respects, colonial desires have been granted. Thus the amendment of a section of Law 8, so that it shall read: An off-side player shall not play the ball nor actively nor possibly obstruct an opponent nor approach nor . wilfully remain within ten yards of . any opponent waiting for the ball; and the substitution for the last paragraph of Law 19 and Law 20 to read: Law 20.—1f when a law is broken or any irregularity of play occurs not otherwise provided for, and any advantage is gained therefrom by tho opposite side, the referee shall not blow his whistle, but shall allow tho game to proceed; but if no advantage is • gained by such side, and if no other procedure is provided, the ball ■ shall bo taken back to the place whtre, the breach of the law or irre- ■ gularily occurred, and a scrummage formed there, are purely and simply colonial recommendations, which will be put into force. The plain definition of a tackle, and the obliteration of the definition of held is also suggested from Australia. On the other hand, it is remarkable, that though the recent Intercolonial Conference did not approve of any change of Law 12, that has been altered. Thus: Tho ball is in touch when it or a player carrying it touch or cross the touch-line; it shall then belong to the side opposite to that last ' touching it in the field of play except when a player carrying the ball is forced into touch. , Moreover, there is no mention of the process of throwing out from touch having been changed as had been specially craved. The new laws may be referred to again before the annual general meeting, when the Northumberland Rugby• Union will endeavour to introduce two reforms borrowed from the Northern Union:— Law 11.—Free-kicks by way of penalties shall be awarded if any player— (o) Not in a scrummage gets in a. lino with any of his forwards before the ball comes out of a scrummage, (c) Being on the ground does not immediately get up before putting the ball down. The suggested new ' clause and the amendment are, with Hie proposition of Lancashire "That neutral touch, judges shall be compulsory in all county championship matches," likely to lead to a deal ot discussion. Fof ourselves we regard Clause o as a paradox on Rugby fotball; the.plan- as to Clause c as quite unnecessary, and the notion of Lancashire undesirable on the score, firstly, of good sport, and secondly, of finance. When attendances are so small it seenis absurd that a poor county union should be saddled with the expenses of three officials.. And then, again, has all honour gone out of the game? Cannot we have one sport where one neutral official is only necessary for each match? EXAMINATIONS FOE REFEREES.' At a meeting of the Manawatu Referees' Association on Saturday night Mr. C. H. Warden, president, in the chair, a request was received from the Manawatu Eugby Union that the Referees' Association should classify players in all grades. It was decided that although the association would be glad to give assistance in the classification of players, it could not accept the responsibility of classifying players, the onus of doing this being on the Rugby Union. A scheme .for the examination of referees was discussed at length. The scheme suggested provided and theoretical;, that referees of two years' standing, who have acted in six senior matches, be deemed to have passed the practical examination. The scheme was adopted, and Messrs. Warden, Foote, and Evans were appointed a board to conduct examinations. ■ THE WEEK'S EUGBY MATCHES. Tho following Eugby fixtures, grounds, and referees have been arranged for Saturday next:— Senior Grade.—Athletic v. Old Boys, at Hutt No. 1, Mr. J. Louder; Hutt v. Melrose, at Athletic Park No, 2, Mr. W. Roberts; Oriental v. Wellington, at Polo No. 1, Mr. F. Laws; Petone v. Victoria College, at Athletic Park No. I,' Mr. W. J. Meredith; Poneke v. Southern, at Karori No. 2, Mr. L. Stovers; St. James a. bye. Junior Grade—Petono v. Hnlt, at Hutt No. 2, Mr. J. Francis; Oriental v. Meirosc, at Polo No. a, .Mr. A, Ncilson; Athletic v. Old Boys, at Polo No. 3, Mr. L. Simpson; Poneko v. Wellington, at Polo No. 4, Mr. F. Summerhayes; St. James v. Victoria College, at Miramar Park No. 1, Mr. C. Rv. Roberts; St. John v. Southorn, at Miramar Park No. 2, Mr. It. Evonson; Selwyn a bye. (Third "A" Grade.—Johnsonville v. Oriental, at Johnsonville, Mr. W. Church; Porirna v. Melrose, at Porirua, Mr. M. Gauntiett; Athletic v. Exchange, at Miramar Park 3, Mr. H. Summerhayes; Poneko v. Southern, at Miramar Park No. 3, Mr. L. Keys; St. John v. Victoria College, at Karori No. 3, Mr. J. Weybourne. Third "B" Grade.-St. Patrick's College v. Wellington, at Easfs No. 4, Mr. J. Slines: Selwyn v. Karori, at Karori No. 1, Mr. C. Butler; Petone a bye. Fourth Grade.—Athletic v, Johnsonville, at Johnsonville, Mr. J. Russell; Hutt v. Victoria College, at Showground No. 3, Mr. H. Johnston; Melrose v. Southern, tit East's No. 5, Mr. C. Bell; Old Boys v. Selwyn, at Duppa Street, Mr. J. J. Mahony; Oriental A v. St. John, at Newtown Park, Mr. F. Martin; Oriental B v. St. James, at Anderson Park, Mr. L. Standen; Petone v. Poneke, at Showground No. 2, Mr. J. D. Fraser. Fifth Grade.-St. Patrick's A v. Southern, at Athletic Park, 1.30 p.m., Mr. H. Larwayj St. Patrick's B v. Selwyn, at Athletic Park, 1.30 p.m., Mr. E. Fordyce; Athletic v. Petone, at Petono Recreation Ground. Mr. C. Tregear; Hutt v. Melrose, at Showground No. i, Mr. C. P. Brockleback; Poneke a bye. THE MAORIS DEPART. (By Telesraph-L'rcsa Association.! Auckland, May 30. The New Zealand Maori team left Auckland for Sydney by Hio steamer Victoria this evening. The party, who number 28, went under the management of Mr. W. T. Parata. . AN ASSOCIATION SELECTION. Thn following team has been selected to represent Wellington in tho second division match against Palmerston on Juue 3:—Goalkeeper, Idlers (Diamonds); backs,' AY". Shepherd (Webb Street), Roberts (Diamonds); halves. Baker (Porirua Toa), Smith (Mental Hospital), M'lnniss (Wanderers); forwards, Rodgers (Wanderers), llayward (Wanderers). Elliott (Mental Hospital), Phillips (Mental Hospital), Kitchie (Wanderers). Players unable to tako part should notify at once.

HOCKEY.

LADIES' ASSOCIATION. The following are the fixtures for June i, arranged under the auspices of, the Wellington Ladies' Hockey Association:— Senior.—Petone v. Gregg's, at Petone; St. John's v. Hinemoa, Day's Bay No 1; Victoria College A v. Victoria College B, Day's Bay, No. 3; Wellington, a bye. Junior.—Gregg's v. Celtic B (Celtic B win by default); Celtic A v. St. John's, Duppa Street; St. Mark's v. College Old Girls, Day's Bay, No. 2; Girls' College v. Tni, at Kelburne Park; Hereawa v, Hacrcmai, Day's Bay, No. i; Ramblers,' a bye.

TRACK DOINGS.

A EUNNEE DISQUALIFIED. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent) Palmerston, May 30. At a meeting of the committee of the Manawatu Caledonian Society to-night a; runner named Stokes, who won a race at the last sports meeting of the society, was disqualified for sending in incorrecf performances.

WRESTLINU. i

SCOTT AND SMITH TO MEET. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent) Palmerston, May SO. At; a meeting of the committee of the Manawatu Caledonian Society to-night it was decided to arrange the catch-as-oatch-can wrestling match between E. J, Scott, o£ Stratford, and Gordon Smith, of Pahiatua, to take place at Palmerstoa on June 16, for a £20 purse.

BOXING.

WELSH AND AVOLGAST. Fred Welsh is still in demand, says the London "Sportsman." On the top of the offer he received of £1000 to box Battling Nelson, published a few : days, in these columns, comes a cablegram, received by Welsh from Coffroth, of San Francisco, who expresses his willingness to put up a ,£SOOO purse for a bout between Welsh and Wolgast, to bo decided in 'Frisco in September next. Mr. Harry Marks says that so far Welsh had not replied, but in all probability he would arrive at a decision in the course of a day or two.

GOLF.

MANAWATU "BOGEY" EVENT, The Manawatu Golf Club held if* monthly bogey competition on Saturday afternoon. A very high wind was blowing over the links, and helped to make some good cards. The competition ended in a 'tie between F,. H. Cooke and H. A, Watson, each concluding with five down. Tho players named score four points each lor the Plunket trophy, and will have to play oft' for the button. The best card for the day was returned by Per.-ston, but as he had resigned from the club, in view of his early departure for AVangnnui, his score did not count in the competition. Following are the best of the cards returned:—F. H. Cookc, handi< cap 10, 5 down; H. A. Watson, 11—5; Dj G. Moore, 4-6; S. Tyerman, 4-8; H. L. Young, s—B; L. A. Abraham, 9—B; H. R. Cooper, 5—9; P. A. M'Hardy, 4—lo f A. Barraud, owe 3—11; G. W. Harden, 4—11; P. H. Wray, 8—11; E. S. Abraham, St. C. Jounneaux, 7—12. In the junior division, the best cards were returned by P. E. Daniell, 5-2; W. E. Bendall, 8-G; G. E. Daniell, 5-10.

LAWN TENNIS.

VICTORIA v. NEW SOUTH WALES LADIES. ByTeleeraph—Press Association—Copyrteßti ' Sydney,' May 30, At the tenais tournament,, in the ladies' mutches,. Victoria defeated New; . South '•'Wales by' 114 'to' 98 games.

RIFLE SHOOTING.

On Saturday the Hantere Eifle Club fired a match against the Whareroa Rifle Club at Paraparaumu, • the hone team winning,by 27 points. The scores were aa follow:— Whareroa Rifle Club. . 500 600 yds. yds. Tl. J.. Whiting 31 31 G5 J. Eeckard 30 31 61 C. Dowsett 30 31 61 F. Cordukes 30 30 60 C. Whiting 31 29 GO W. Weggery 30 26 56 Capt. Maclean ,31 25 56 S. Weggeiy 30 24 54 F. Howell '. 26 26 52 C. P. Lynch 29 23 52 577 ■ Hautere Rifle Club. A. Thompson 31 31 62 T. Taylor 33 27 60 H. Thompson 26 31 57 J. Taylor 29 26 .55 F. Cateby 28-26 54 Cant. Bcauchamp 29 25 54 G. Glackcn 32 22 54 G. Cateby 27 26 53 H. Best 23 29 52 R. Dunn 25 24 _49 ,' 550

MORRIS TUBE SHOOTING.

A Morris-tube match was fired on Friday night between teams representing tho AVellington Gas Company's' Morristube class and the Wellington. Old Navals' Association, and was won, after an exciting contest, by the Gas Company's team by seven points. Both teams were represented by a number of wellknown rifle shots. The following shot best for tho Gas Company team:—Evensen, 31; Urwin, 31; Coombs, 30; Aston, 30; Taylor, 29; Chernside, 29; and for the Old Navals' Association:—!'. Tarr, 33; AV. Harris, 30; Bullford, 30; France, 30} Hepburn, 20; and Rabe, 23.