FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1929, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

PUTTING BALL IN SCRUM. OTAGO FAVOURS REFERKE ACTING. DUNEDIN, .April 29. The question of who should put the ball into the scrum was discussed at a meeting of the Otago Rugby Football Union to-night. In reply to a circular letter from the committee, a number of clubs,' with the exception of the High School Club, wrote stating that they were in favoin of the referee putting the ball in the scrum. Mr A. 1. Haul) said Auckland had adopted this practice Tor some years. Mr H. Harris said the question of uniformity had to he considered in connexion with football in New Zealand. Personally, lie favoured the referee putting the ball in the scrum, hub there was the broad aspect to- be considered. Some years ago the referee used to put the hall into the scrum but the English Fir m then decided that it must be done '»y players. Mr G. Nelson said !m did not believe in tampering with the rules ot the English Union. The so'-ner they got, back to these rules the b I ter forth e game. Alter some further discussion, i ; "ms decided, on the motion of Air I). V. Stuart, to write to the New Zealand Rugby Union asking il it would give the Otago Union permission to have the ball placed in tbe serum by referees in this district. REP. GAMES QUESTION. DUNEDIN, April 30. The Otago Rugby Union decided to support the Canterbury Union s remits—l. That the New Zealand Union negotiate with the New South W ales Union regarding the agreement entered into in connection with the interchange of visits, with a view to modifying the agreements by reducing the frequency of visits; 2. That the visit of the New Zealand team tp Australia this season be put hack one month. One speaker said that the New Zealand management committee was going a little too far, and was making club football subsidiary to its star attractions. Other speakers objected to Hie Management Committee entering into tin agreement without consulting the other Unions. .. KICK INTO TOUCH. . . CANTERBURY OPPOSED TO OLD RULE. (By Telegraph- Per Pr*ss CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. The full support of the present kick into touch rule and a strong opposition to the proposal that the old rule Ik? reverted to during the 1929 and 1930 seasons was voiced by the members of the Mamigeent Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union last evening. The delegates to the New Zealand Union were instructed accordingly. WEST COAST RUGBY UNION. The usual weekly meeting of the Executive of the West Coast Rugby Union was held last evening at Greymouth. The Nelson Union wrote intimating that it was unable to send a rep. team to the Coast on June 3rd.—Received. The agenda of the meeting of the New Zealand Union was received, and the delegate was instructed to support the (following remit from the West Coast Rugby Union: “ That the following words be added to Rule 7 of the Ranfurly Shield rules: ‘Provided, however, that five per cent of such balance shall he paid to the New Zealand lhighy Football Union to form the nucleus of a fund for the assistance ot such Union requiring it.”

The question of supporting the following remits was left to the discretion of the delegate: (1) That the New Zealand Rughv Union negotiate with the N.S.W. Rugby Union regarding the agreement entered into in connection with interchange off visits, with a view to modifying the agreement by reducing the frequency of the visits. (2) That the visit of a team to Australia this season be put back one month. (3) fhat the sum of £IOOO per year be advanced, to be utilised in assisting minor Unions. (4) That in view of the coming British tour all matches during the 1029 and 1930 seasons be played under the rules as laid down by the International Board. It was resolved to oppose the (following remit: “That Rule 14 be altered to read: That Unions having under 30 teams, one vote; 30 teams and under 60 teams, two votes; 60 teams and under 90 teams, three votes ; 90 teams and under 120, four votes; 120 teams and over, five votes. The number of such teams shall be supplied to the Secretary off this Union prior to the date of the annual meeting. For the purposes of this rule, ‘ teams ’ shall mean all teams, exclusive of primary school teams, affiliated to a Union.”

FIXTURES. 41 The following fixtures were approved for next Saturday:— Seniors:—Kiwi v. Excelsior, at Hokitika. 3 p.m.; Stars v. Blaketown, at Park, 3 p.m. (referee, Mr Mclvor) ; Brunner v. Magpies, at Jaylorville, 3 p.m. (referee, Mr W. Williams); United a bye.