N.Z. EXECUTIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1939, Page 24

N.Z. EXECUTIVE

FIJIAN TEAM'S TOUR

Advice that members of the council and the Fijian Rugby Union had agreed to the. Fijian team playing a match at Rotorua was received at last night's meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union executive. The team, which was to have been selected after a trial match last Saturday, would be stronger all round than that which had met the Maoris in the Tests -in Fiji last season, according to a letter from Mr. J. H. Wiley, who, with Mr. J B. K. Taylor, would manage the team. The Government representative accompanying the team would be Mr C. E. de *F. Pennefather. Those present at last night's meeting were Mr S. S. Dean (chairman), Lieutenant-Colonels T. J. King and J. G. Roache. and Messrs. J. Prendeville A. C. Kitto. A. McDonald, J. Parker, Kingi Tahiwi (Maori Advisory Board representative), and A. E. Neilson (secretary). A grant of £25 was made to the Poverty Bay Rugby Union for a schools tournament, the amount to be increased to £40 if East Coast and Wairoa are included in the tournament. The Nelson Rugby Union wrote expressing thanks for the donation of £100 towards.the cost of sending its representatives on tour and stating that results of its own endeavours to find the extra sum necessary were most encouraging. A grant of £100 was made to the Ashburton Rugby Union towards the cost of its team's tour. The Ashburton president, Mr. N. Robilliard, waited upon the executive in connection with the matter of tour expenses and the question of assistance regarding ground accommodation in the union's district. Consideration of the question of a loan was deferred pending further inquiries by the chairman, who is to visit Ashburton.