RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1082, 22 March 1911, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

, A BLOW. TO DISCIPLINE. OLUB TOO STRONG FOR ITS UNION. (By Telesraph.—Special Correspondent.} Westpqrt, March 21. Considerable' surprise' has been caused by the action of the Buller Rugby Union in removing the disqualification of the White, Star Football Club which was im-posed-at the end of last season. The disqualification was (luring the pleasure of the union, and an appeal by the club, to the Now 'Zealand Rugby Union was fruitless. The disqualification, however, has lasted only during the "off season." Some of the union 'delegates, in supporting its Temoval, made no secret of the fact that financial considerations should/ be .borne , in. mind. 'The club is one of the champions, of..the Coast and came under the bann~through alleged disobedience 'of. the unio.n's demand. . • ' . 'AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR ENGLAND. . ■ : • THE LEAGUE GAME. . . A . correspondent of the Sydney . "Referee," writing from Manchester under date February. 10, says:— .'.'A week ago we received confirmation by cable of the acceptance of the terms offered'by the Northern Union to the Wales League for a tour, commencing next September. Our legi-j----latoi'S are not leaving' the arrangements of, the tour to the last minute, for the matter is, down on the agenda for the Northern Union meeting at Huddersfield on Tuesday. . ' . "The Union is anxious that visitors should, benefit in a double sense. Primarily, ' tho object of the hour is that the receipts should more than equal the expenditure. And 'the Northern Union realise that the somewhat limited playing area—we are confined mainly to the counties of Lancashire''and Yorkshireswill be a financial disadvantage in comparison, say, with a team touring under 'ltugby Union auspices who have recognised centres .in the whole British Isles. "The only 'way to remedy this defect is to arrange, the. big representative games in-other centres. ' Two games at j least will bo played in Scotland, one each at Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield, and one, or possibly. two, in London. . ■■ . ■ "This taking of the team up and down the country will also serve a dual purpose. It will tend to give--many, who nave no direct knowledge of the code a practical' demonstration, and will enable them to judge themselves between .the modern and old Rugby games. The league officials are well content to leave the' verdict with the general public. * *■ * « In conversation with Mr. J. H. Houghton, who managed the recent League tour to Australia and New Zealand, the correspondentl sought h'is'opinion'as-'to the advisability of including New Zealand players in the team. He is-much in favour of three or four of the best players from the Islands being put in tho side, and if this is done he has no fear - but that some grand and .exciting games will be, witnessed. . ■ KARORI CLUB. The annual ' meeting of tho Karori Football Club was hold on Monday. Mr. H. Carhvright occupied the chair. The report stated, that only one team was entered for the third-grade championship last, season, its record being—Games played 15, won 11, lost 3, drawn 1; points for 107, against iO. The following officers were elected,:—President, Mr. "V. A. follow;.., club captain, Mr. W. Finlayson; secretary and-treasurer,' Mr. Cnrtwright: managing committee, Messrs. G. FiiilayFon, S." Hildreth; V. Gapes, A. -Kennedy, and A. Henderson. Seven vice-presidents were elected. Mr. G. Ritson. was elected a life member, and about twenty now members were' elected. .... ' LOWER HUTT. CLUB. The first annual meeting.of the Lower Hutt Football Club was held last evening. Mr.'.Hcdgins presided, and the attendance was good. The report, which was adopted, contained the following:—Whilst regretting that the senior team were not more successful iu the field it is pleasing to note that, the leading teams defeated them only by narrow margins. Thj conclusion is obvious, and points to the fact that, if a-little more attention had been given to training, results might have been very different. This also applies to the lower grade teams. The good showing of the fifth-class team was a feature. The club congratulates J. Tannahill on obtaining representative honours. Tho finance. , ; show a credit balance of ,£2 7f. Cd. The report also expresses a hope that members will co-operate in the endeavour to establish a gymnasium, towards, which there is a sum of .S9O already in hand. Tho thanks of the club were due to Messrs. .T. Young, T. M. Wilford, M.P., M. Hodgins, E. P. Bunny, E. Anstis, J, Judd, R. Stevens, and W. M'Menamiu, for donations. Ten new members were proposed. Officers for tho year were elected as follow-.-Patron, Mr. T. M. Wilford j president, Mr. E. P. Bunny; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. M. Hodgins, E. Stancil, .T. Judd, W. M'Menninin, J. .Young,-1 , . Simpson, F. Higgott, J. T. Hawthorn, A.

Gadsby, 0. Stevens, R. Stevens,. Dr. Purdy, A. Ashton, R. Hancock, and E. Johnson; club captain. Sir. M. Welchi lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. Grant; Management Committee, Messrs. M'Gurk, Welch. J. M'Gurk, Cudby, Girillinm, .Donnelly, Hayes, and tho officers ex officio; delegates to W.R.F.U., Messrs. Hodgins-, Welch, and Grant. Mr. L. Isherwood intimated that ho would act as coach for the fifth-class team. Mr. R. Stevens (junior) was elected selector of the first twenty jenior players. . . ASSOCIATION. THISTLES' ANNUAL MEETING; Last evening tho Thistle Association Football Club held their third annual meeting, Mr. A. Dickson presiding. Tho annual report and balance-sheet; which were adopted, stated that tho past season must be considered a very gratifying one as far as the club was concerned, and although the. senior team did ■ not annex the championship, tho position attained was satisfactory. The finances of the club were in a satisfactory position. Thanks were due to the president (Mr. A. Diclcson), Mr. Munrcc, Mr. Gibb, and j Mr. J. Metcher, as well as- to the outgoing .Management Committee for services rendered. Tho election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Mr. J. S. Mnnroe; vicepresidents, Messrs. W. Boyd, D. M'Millan, W. White, ,T. Fletcher, A. Eeid, A. Wilson, Gibb, and A. Dickson; secretary., Mr. S. Jardino; treasurer! Mr. S. R. .Shannon; Management Committee, Messrs. W. Hall, Stevens, J. M'Lellan, R. Jardine, J. M'Ardle, J. ASh, Mays, Berlin; delegates to W.F.A., Messrs. J. M'Ardle, S. Jardine, and' W. Hall; club captain, Mr. J. M'Ardle. '. ' ' i The circular letter sent out by the W.F.A., regarding the proposal to make.a,, levy on players to meet the expense Of marking out the field of play, was. considered. It ivas decided that the club's delegates be instructed to vote against this, and support a motion that the capitation of the first a'nd second division teams bo raised by £1 Is.