Here and There.

NZ Truth, Issue 63, 1 September 1906, Page 2

Here and There.

Hamilton, the tall and cleanly built young forward m the Southland pack, has a reputation as a fine place-kick. Though the maroon scsrummer did effective work with his "boot" against Otago and Auckland, he failed to, rise above mediocrity m the Wellington match.

! Isaacs Jenkins, who has been playing for Southland for close on twenty years, is still a shade tetter than most of his fellow representatives m loose work. The veteran still keeps up his traditional policy of "burking" the solid part of the business.

Tom Cross lias played many a "ripping" game m his time, but his showing against Southland would take a lot of beating. The burly Petoneite was always on the ball, whethet m the open or tight.

Young Standen made a very creditable debut against the maroon representatives, and it was no fault of his that Wellington lost possession so often, as there was inadequate pushing power behind the black frontrankers to maintain solidity m the scrum. Standen had a big share m two of. -the tries notched by Wellington.

God help Wellington if Dufty, the marvellous goaler of Auckland, gets anything like the chances that came the local combination's way against Southland. The frequency of the resultless shots at goal was enough to give one the "creeps."

There are some people who aver that since Dunk McGregor's departure all the ating has gone out of tne Wellington attack. If the same tactics were always adhered t* a* la the Canterbury and Southland contest* the services of fifty players of his calibre m the Wellington team would not make for its betterment. At the same time there is no gainsaying the fact that McGregor was the brainiest back we Jiad here this season— not a« a leader, but m individual efforts.

It is reported that Groube, „ the Melrose five-eighth, has returned" to Cartefton. He will probably don the jersey for the Carterton Club next sea-, son.

Manawatu had to postpone its rep. engagements with Horowhenua and Hawke's Bay last week as no men could or would make the journey to Levin, while only eight of. rep. merit were available against Hawke's Bay. An- effort will 'be made to play the games about the middle of next month.

The Wellington selectors are leaving the best scrum half behind on the northern tour. They appear to be afraid that Green would be knocked out of all shape at the hands of Seeling and Company. If Green had been flaying m place of Roberts m the Canterbury and Southland matches, the local rearguard machinery would have been running much more smoothly and profitably. H. Kelly will be a spectator at thei Wellington-Wangaiiui, .•Wellington-Tar* anaki, and Wellington-rAuc-kland - con* tests. "En" will pay particular attention to the form of the contestants m view of the inter-Island match which it is suggested should be played here on the 22nd inst. The old Athletic player is one of the North Island Selection Committee.

Among those who intend seeing th« Auckland-Wellington tussle this after* noon is Harry Mclntj r re, whose priiir cipal mission to Auckland is m- -connection with business raaiters.

Watkins. had two of his> teeth knockr ed out during the contest against Southland. A sympathetic Rugby Union has decided to have the teeth replaced at its own expenses.

The Poneke Club has been informed that its request for a match with the Sydney University Club cannot be given effect to owing t o the limited stay of the Varsltyites m New Zealand and the fact that a contest has been arranged with the City Grub of Auckland. •

The Auckland Rugby Union has very properly protested against th» action of the New Zealand Union m ignoring the Auckland Referees' Association when appointing . referees :to control interprovinoial matohes this season. The Auckland Associatioa claims' to have m its rank's several thoroughly competent referees..

For six consecutive Saturdays fee iball at Alexandra Park, Auckland, has been played under adverse conditions, wind, rain, and a 'greasy ground being the undesirable accompaniments of every match. It is to te hoped, that the climatic conditions will be moire favorable for this afterneoa's contest m the northern city.

In the report supplied to the "Post" concerning the doings of the New Zealand Rugby Union at its meeting last Friday r_ 'ning, Mr Merrie is given the position of secretary. ,I£ Mr Merrie is really secretary, how how comes; it that Mr Edgar Wylie is permitted to take" p,art m the deliberations ot that,,l}odjr.'' "Pakeha" is advised, however^ that Mr . Wylie still continues to^ct as ifionorary secretary, while Mr Merrie is paid a decent sum to render him clerical.assistance. That being so, Mr Merrie has no claim whatever to be styled secretary of the N.Z.R.U. ;

Though the, N.Z.R.U. rejoices m an honorary secretary and a paid assistant, its celerity m supplying the football community per medium of the press with information regarding th« business -transacted at its meetings has not given rise to feelings of wonderment. The last meeting; was held on a Friday night and soine 70 hours elapsed before the general public was made acquainted with the business, transacted; or rather what the Un* ion preferred should be announced. It is high time the star-chamber me-

jthods of the N\Z;R.U.' were knocked urn the head and* a little more daylight let into its proceedings. That such a course would not commend itself to two or three members of the present executive goes without ieay-ir-j?,. It wouldn't suit their book to institute such an innovation.

Auckland critics are suggesting to Cave Gallaher * the advisableness of. jjlaying two wi:cig-£orw'ards against W^lingtou this atteruoon. Discussing the ' Auckland thi-ee-ciuar- : jKjK line; tiie "Stan:" writer says that Wilson, Smith and McKenzie, do not ap^oar "U> have yet mastered £a<|h atlier'K style of play, and they nx% uot by any means a good combination, although why such should •bi'l "His case, is hard to understand: 'Smith has so far easily been the best, of, the trio, but whether his passes sure sent too fast or not, there is no doubt the wings don't seem able to hold theni. Personally he prefers R^nwick to either McKenzie or Wilf.SOn. ■

the report of Friday '.night's meeting of the N.Z.R.U., one 'would get the impression that Mr •Neil Galbraith- had been highly flattered at receiving the appointment of ia selector of North Island rep. team H<x this ye-ar. Investigations made 'concerning the appointment led to the discovery that; J>ayie Gallaher, and Jnat /the treasurer of -the parent body, \had- "been, selected; to '-act m .'conjuncr - -felon With Mr : H . , X elly i n picking a S combination from ':this Island to meet, Htlie s&titherners. The substitution of ; :Neii'!#nam«. lor the skipper ,of the ■•ffamo'Ufi} "All Blacks"' is put down as jja "bloomer" on < the part of the ?'"Post,l' although the writer has his Mdoubtsjon the ..point. It was, neverreponsible for. much , amusement ift ; local -Rugby . circles. „ Rosai who /.played for . Canterbury on ;!"4he recent- (northern, tour of its repre- : :s*irtsrtrte«,7 has f one .back to his home ;in Iffaffteriori.'/ * '.' ; It is. eTittent. itbat. D.. McGregor has ! not doric with .Rugby, as his name appears ii the list of Canterbury representatites : »elected to . do battle againSti Southland this afternoon. 1 The -match played at Wanganui on Wednesday .waft the first m which a Wellington representative team participated sjnce ,1879, when the visitors y/erc defeated by a converted, try to nil. ,