FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1924, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

N.Z. RUGBY UNION. THE ALL BLACK TOUR. [by telegraph—rEit press association.] WELLINGTON. March 5. The New Zealand Rugby Union met this evening, Mr S. S. Deans presiding. A letter Jrom the Poverty Bay Union stnted that a grand stand was being ] i'Ococded with, without delay, and asking for authority to get a loan from the ti us tees. This was referred to the Finance Committee.

The Southland Rugby Union wrote sweepting with appreciation the New Zealand Union’s offer of a. loan of (.'.'1,500 for the purpose of financing a row grandstand. A letter from the International Rugby Board stated that the Board wmld he pleased to join in a conference of Unions from the Colonies to be hold in London, and expressing approval of the proposal of South Africa. It was pointed out that the Board only sug,,ested joining in. It was stated New Zealand should go in on full partnership instead of as a club under the English Rugby Union. It was decided to cable, urging tlie International Board to convene a conference inviting X.S.W, South Africa, and New Zealand to participate, and also suggesting that a conference should be held during the vbit of the New Zealand team to England.

The district unions are to be invited to send in suggestions and arc to he inhumed that the matters will lie brought up at the annual meeting. The manager of the Trojans Athletic Club, -St. Johns, Now Brunswick, Canada wrote asking whether the New Zealand team would be passing through Canada, or returning home from the Olympic games via Canada, and asking what guarantee would be required to play a game there. The letter was re(l ived, hut no action was taken. \ cable from the N.K. Wales Union stated that it, had been impossible to (ieiay the departure of the steamer Tom Sydney on July Kith upon the (■( nclusion of the. Y.S. Wales lour of the All Black team, and suggesting a definite programme as follows:—July oili. test match; July oth. versus Sydney .Metropolitan team; July 12th.. list match; July Kith test match. Depni'lii.ic by s.s. Ulimaroa on July 19th. It was agreed to confirm these dates. A letter from the French Olympic C.nnniitteo invited the Now Zealand Rugby. Union to join in a Rugby Olympic tourney in Paris from May 3rd to May 19th. Alter a general eulogy of the game, the letter concluded: “All French Rugby awaits with impatience ’ear reply, which, if unhappily in the negative would cause great shock and grief.” The letter was received. The

.Secretary is to reply. betters were received from Wanganui Otago and Canterbury Unions staling that, tlie manager of the Now Zealand team should not lie appointed prior to tno annual meeting. Auckland wrote asking for information on the subject. It was decided to reply that, the matter bad not. vet been considered.