FOOTBALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 130, 14 December 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

;(By 'Takeha.") It was very considerate of the cable sender at the other end to forward an extract from the "Thunderer," m which . that augus-t-jour-nal shies a brick at Baskerville'a merry men, but "Pakeha," who has a curious desire to get to the bottom of things, would like to know how this bit of slangwanging comes to be cabled out, seeing that the cable manipulator's reports of the "Professionals' " achievements m the North of England are the most meagre. It certainly looks as if the London representative' has imbued some of Gaily and Co's prejudices, and it has been suggested to "Pakeha" that Wray Palliser, the fossilised article m the High Commissioner's office, has had a hand m influencing the London agent of the Press Association. But, seeing that the Press Association's representatives are keeping such an eye on the '■'Pros." and their '■'.alleged" misdoings m England, "Pakeha" and other lovers of sport and sp-ort-smanJike-qualities, are curious to know ; why tho Sydney representative of ■ the Press Association did, not' cable the "alleged" ' misdoing of the last N.Z.R.U. team that toured Australia. And if reports be true— and it would appear, that the rumors had some foundation, seeing that the N.Z. Rugby Union Executive adopted the illegal proceedings of excluding the press when Manager Wylie's Report was considered— the carryings on of the team were anything but a credit to our representatives. One rumor that has not been denied— and "■Pakeha" will be pleased t© print an offipial denial— <is ' that a number of "reps" played up at one estate, lents, and WQro so bent on "filling up' J all and. sundry. that. they, insisted on filling up tb* piano as an ap- ; preeiation of that instrument's services. - "Pakeha" could £b further back to the All Bliicsks' d&ings across the Tasman m 1537, 1903, and 1905, but "nuf-sed" for the present. With reference to statements made m Home papers that Mr Wray Palliser has endeavored to block the progress of the orptassional team (during ut wtia lions) 'TaVeha" has very good grounds for stating that private citizens are bringing; this before Premier Ward, and it certainly seems a piece of unwarrantable presumption for a good steward of. the State to endeavor to interfere with the liberty of New Sealanders — woo help to pay his salary— visiting the Old Country ; surely it is part of Palliser's duty to do what he can for New Z-ealanders visiting England. It is also rumored that a case may be brought before the courts to test the] legality of the Executive of the N.Z. Rugby Union voting bonuses to members of the Executive, an opinion having been expressed that it is illegal for any public body to vote portion of its public funds to individual members of the executive. According to recent advices, the Sydney University Rugby Football Club is still waiting a reply to an invitation sent two months ago to the New Zealand Universities to send a team to Sydney nest year for the purpose of continuine; the Intercolonial .Universities' matches. The proposal is for the* combined universities of New Zealand to take up. the match instead of the Otago University. Recent mail advices intimate that Mr A. Q. Dent, hon. treasurer of the N.S.W. Metropolitan R.U., is still dangerously ill m the Sydney Hospital. He got over his attack of pneumonia, but is now suffering from another internal touble. .< It is anticipated that the Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin, will, with the recent improvements, accommodate the 20,000 or so spectators expected at the British match next year.