ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 5

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

DOMINION UNION MEETING,

~'. 'topics 'of interest.

'The' first meeting' of- tho Management Committee, of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held last evening. There were ■pre«ent: Messrs. N. Galbraith, H. Kelly, A.'Laurenson, F. J. Wallburton, R. M. Isaacs, "mid Dr. M'Evedy. it'was proposed that Mr .-'Galbraith. should be the chairman for. tho year, but ns therp was not a.full meeting,'tho selection of .a chairman '.-was held over, and Mr. Galbraith- presided during the meeting. It was; resolved, that all. unions should bo•'• informed of- tho alteration in the boundaries of the Manawatu and Horowheniia Unions. ~,,,,' c '~ Permission was asked by the South Auckland Rugby Union, which has its headquarters at Paeroa, to'play a Ranfurly. Shield match with Auckland. The South- Auckland Union is to bo asked if it has made any suggestion' to the Auck-land-Union as to the date, and, if .'no.t,_ what'proposal they had to -make'in regard to it. The Wellington Union advised of-the disqualifications of S. Shearer, of Selwy'n juniors (suspended twelve playing Saturdays from. May 6 for ' striking another player), and ..'P. Aekins, of Athletic juniors (suspended for four playing Saturdays for" harassing a'referee during a match on May 6): The disqualifications were made general. ■: -' , ' '.' The matter of South' Island selectors was left over. . ■■'

Spells'in Matches, Etc. ' The question of how'many.spells should be played in matches where the- captains failed to agree having, arisen, it was decided that referees should be notified that it was the opinion of ithe .'Managemenc Committee that -in the event ot captains failing, to agree,' .two spells should bo P The .'matter 'of Southland players who were disqualified-for playing, the Northern Union game arose, and it was decided +o'pointout'that if the players made tho usual application through • their union their cas9'would bo, considered. -Messrs. Kelly, Laurenson; and .Galbraith were appointed a sub-committee to' deal -with the matter'of country matches, and carry, the whole thing through. A-sub-committee was set up .to report as to the allocation of moneys for school football. . . .' _ ■ A University. Tour. . ■The-New Zealand University Football Committee asked' permission to send to Sydney a- team representing the New 'Zealand 1 -University during the present season. "They proposed to play two matches against 'Svdney University, and one against'an" outside team. 'The proposed itinerary was-.-Leave Wellington June 23; arrive in Svdney June '27; play Sydney University July .1-and-5; play team to be-fixed'bv New South: Wales Rugby Unioh, July 8; leave Sydney, July 8; arrive Wellington;' July 12. The teain is to' consist .of eighteen . players. The finances were being arranged by the Sydney University Football Club and tie New Zealand Football Committee. . .' ' It was decided to grant 'the-permission, subject to certain requirements being complied with. . "A Bit Rough." ■': ' '- A' committee of the English Rugby Union advised that it had-decided: • That such members of :the committee who reside in the Metropolitan area, or -.- . have a place.of business.in.that area, ■ form .the-Laws Sub-committee,, together with one accredited representative of the combined unions .of New Zealand, Queensland, and .New South ' AVales, and-one of the South. African Board. - ... •■' , , : All questions of interpretation of . laws shall be' referred to - this -committee who shall .report their, rnlings to the full committee—no ruling to take effect or be published until approved . of. by the full committee. ~ , The • representatives 'of the combined unions of -New Zealand'; Queensland, and New South Wales, .of, the •South African Board, shall bajnyited to-attend, the meeting,,of . the full. .--committee when rulings of the subV committee -are-to, be considered, : aiid may vote thereon... ... '' . A special- miuuto.book be kept. . . It was'considered "a bitjough"- that New Zealand should only have a third of a representative, was expresseel that it would probably ensure uniformity in'the views- of- Queeukmd. New South AVales, and New ; Zealand. It was decided to get into-touch with the other two States right away, and to . surest that. Mr. Wray Palliser should be nominated, as-the representative. .WHERE TO. DRAAV THE.LINE. ■ . . A-RUGBY .QUERY; ':" "The thin end of the wedge of-profes-sionalism," cropped up at __the. meeting of the Management Committee of the New-Zealand Rugby Union .last.night.-.. The Referees'. Association notified that it had decided- that the resolution adopting the scale of expenses approved by tho N.Z.R.U.-(that referees should bo allowed nfcessary. train,- coach, and'.steamer transit, and 155.. per day for all necessarily ■ absent from home)'. had been - rescinded. ■ The feeling of the Referees - Association was that referees should only claim actual arid reasonable travelling and hotel -expenses. . - , • InV'the discussion' which ensued the thfh end ; of the wedge of. professionalism" and'•'■"where are you going to draw the line .'"were occasionally heard. . , It was resolved that the .former, resolution should be rescinded, and .that the suggestion. of' the Referees' Association ' should'be.adopted. » ■. WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION.' ' ' •MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. A'meeting of the Management Commit: tee of the Wellington Rugby Union was held last night. There were present -. Messrs. E, 0. Hales (in the. chair);. Ay. Perry, J.. Sweeney, E. Little, AY. ■ Hardh'ath, and J. Burns. ..... -' .

■ In connection with the. agreement with the Petono Borough Council, it was agreed that in the event of No.' 1-ground at''jpe'tone being ' unfit ' for , play, ' the. senior' match bo transferred to' No. 2 ground, provided'the latter is roped off by'the Borough' Council. A communication from Miramar, Ltd., stated that the directors of the company had agreed to'allow the union a short lease of the necessary grounds, : so that the unio'n would be able to erect a drsss-ing-shed for the accommodation of players. The Marlborough'Rugby Union.'wrote stating that it would send a representative team to play Wellington at.Athletic Pa'rk on Coronation Day, June 22.

Permission' w,as granted the Victoria College Club to play a match against an Auckland University team at Athletic .Park dn Monday, June 5. In reference to the Coronation celebration procession, a letter was received from 'the Town■ Clerk"• (Mr. J. It. Palmer) ask, im; if. the various'clubs connected with the. union would be prepared to take part Yin uniform) in the precession.. The letter advised that • the Mayor would he glad to. meet the union's representative to-night' to discuss the matter.—lt was decided that, Messrs. Perry, Burns, and Sweeney be appointed a sub-committee to wait on the Mayor. A Porirua -player, who had been ordered off the field in the' Porirua v. 'Wellington, third-class match, was suspended for two playing .Saturdays. Referring to a notification from the union that its fourth-class team had been classified as third-class, the St. James Club pointed out that its fourth-class team was totally unfitted to play thirdclass, and asked the committee to reconsider tliß classification. It was pointed out thiil: the boys in (|iiestion refused to play third-class," which would mean that if "the classification was insisted upon the team would'hare to bo withdrawn altogether. A short discussion .on the number of defaults which took place in tlio'rfower grades arose out of the above. One commftteemnn remarked that it. seemed to him that the union had a grade too many. Another member suggested that o- meeting of club representatives might be held to consider the matter of bettering, the position of junior football. "It is always th'o same," remarked anatlier committeeman, "we have our fat rears and our lean years." ' At length.it. was decided that the St. James Club should be allowed to continue

ite fourth-class-team-without-playing -a third-class team. This decision also applies to the Melrose fourth-class team, which had previously been classified as third-class.

NO HOPE FOR THE "PRO." , RUGBY'S RIGIDITY. Sydney Paul.wrote from Blenheim asking the' New Zealand .Rugby Union to. .remove the disqyualifieation placed upon him tor playing under Northern Union rules four years ago (in tho Baskeyillc benefit match). Ho felt that ' now that the boge'v of professionalism had pas-sea away," and as, in any case, he pad not played for, money, he hoped for a. tavourable reply. • •. , The application was heard at- last night's meeting of the Management Committee'of the union. "He.was dragged in-that day, remarked one .member. ■ .. "No, .he wasn't dragged, in, said another member. . , ■ . . „ "We have »o power to reinstate him, was the.verdict of the committee.

WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. There appears to bo vary little life in the ■ Wednesday Rugby competition this year. The only teams left m the cornpetition now are-Oriental-and -Athletic. Oriental journeyed to the Park afternoon .to meet Tramway, -but the latter have withdrawn torn the competition, so that Oriental won'by default.

ASSOCIATION

THE WEDNESDAY ENCOUNTERS.

HEARTS A-UNION,

Thesetwo teams met on Newtown Park yesterdav before a fair attendance. .Hie early stages.of the game were in favour of ■Hearts;" whoso front rank showed some fine footwork. A touch-line run awl an accurate- pass by Mawby found Bolton in a handv position for scoring, which lis accepted. Union" put more lite into their work-after, this reverse, and soon . naa Hearts'■ defence ' iii difficulties. through pressure a penalty, was given away by O'Shea, which was converted by Perks. Half-time arrived with both teams level. Bolton was early, at it in the second half, and added No. 2 to his team s score. The Union players now began to wander from their positions through over-eager-ness, and it. was no surprise to find Mawby unprotected and score No. 3 registered. Lack of immediate decision lost the Union forwards many splendid chances of scoring. Hearts scored N0..l in the closing stages. Bradbury, O'Shea, and Eolton were the stalwarts for the winners, while Gregory, Perks, Hepner, and Foster fought' well for Union, and .gave- tho "new-chums"-every chance to shine. Mr. A..F. Nowbold was.referee.-

■ HEARTS B-Y.M.C.A. ■ The ' match Y.M.C.A. v. -' Hearts B, played oh- Duppa -'Street Reserve,-ended in-' a draw, each side scoring three goals. Hearts B kicked off with the wind in their favour, and'.kept YjM.C.A. defendin" for tho greater part of the first si.ell. AVtien half-time was called, Hearts were leading-by'one-goal'to nil. As sooii as-the game started in the second, half ■ Y.M.C.A. attacked vigorously, and it was not long, before these endeavours were rewarded by Phillips scoring, and shortly after King followed his example. Hearts B now livened up, and, from a good,run'upheld; Alexander scored.' His lead'was followed shortly "by Kettle-well, who, from a scramble in front of the T-.M.C.A. goal, shot the ball through. Just at the call of time King, again scored'for Y.M.C.A., thus making a ; draw of what ,-Kod been an interesting gcinie. , . The' Rev. Father Malloy'was referee.' -THE CORONATION PROCESSION. .

.'The Management Committee of the AVellington I'ootb'all Association met last evening, Mr. H. N. Holmes presiding.' The Town Clerk (Mr. J. R. Palmer) wrote asking, .whether . the various., clubs, connected with"the Wellington-Football' Association would.be.willing to take part, in.uniform, in the procession now being arranged for.the Coronation celebrations. It'was suggested' that the association might, consider tho question. of sending representatives to a conference with the Mayor"- on Thursday evening next (tonight) at 8 o'clock. Messrs. J. B. Paton and AY. Duncan were -appointed-to represent the association at the conference,, and report as to tho general arrangements ■ proposed. It was decided, with regard to a letter from the.Blenheim Football Club asking that-'a Second Division, team be selected to visit. Marlborough this season as ah encouragement to ""soccer" players in that district, that the' Second Division Selection' Committee go into the-matter with a view to selecting a team and falling in with the' idea of the followers of the game in Marlborough. -The Auckland Association, in a letter, stated that it had discussed the question of a representative Fourth Division match between Auckland and \A r ellington. The question of billeting had arranged, and it had been agreed tliat the total- gate .'money would be handed over. It was suggested- that the event would furth-y popularise the ganie. Some nine new clubs had been organised during the last three-weeks, largely through, the instrumentality of Mr. Adair.

The matter' was referred to the Boys' Siib-committee.

The Beys' Sub-committee reported that, the challenge of- the Marlborough boys' team-(fifth grade) had been accepted, and recommended that the match should bo played- on the Basin Reserve at 1.30 p.m. on' June 3. The AYcllington team will be selected on :May 27.. Ail Fifth (A) Division fixtures set down for that date will 1)9 declared off.. .The.report and recom-mendation-were adopted.

It 'was unanimously resqlved that the thanks of the association be.accorded to the management, of AYest's and Royal Pictures for the entertainment in aid of the association, which was benefited thereby, to the'extent of some ,£2l.