FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17685, 24 July 1919, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE AIL BLACKS.

ARRIVAL IN CAPETOWN.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

CAPETOWN, July 18. (Received July 23, at 9.45 p.m.) The New Zealand Rugby team has arrived, and was accorded a hearty civic welcome. The tour is evoking the greatest in teresl>.—Reuter.

THE LEAGUE GAME

AUSTRALIANS TO VISIT NEW

ZEALAND

SYDNEY, July 25. (Received July 23, at 9.45 p.m.) The New Zealand football team will sail ill the Ma. hi a on Thursday.

An Australian League team which will tour New Zealand will leave about August 13 to 16 if a steamer is available.

NEW ZEALAND UNION.

(Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 23. The Management Committee of the New Zealand lyUgby Union lias decided to reply to the Pioneer Battalion's request that it should bo given some definite status with a viow to helping football among the Maoris, that tho umoii liad no power to permit tho Maoris to form a sub-union, and that the members of the team should already be atliliatcd to tho respective unions in the districts in which they reside. Mr W. W. Cook, a delegate from tho Canterbury Union, was 'elected a member of the Management Committee, vice Mr S. A. Mathieson, resigned. With reicrenco to a report that the Auckland Union had rescinded its previous resolution to conform to the rules, and had decided to play five amendments which it had adopted on a former occasion, tho secretary stated tlmt ho had forwarded a u-ie-'gram to Auckland asking- whether the report was correct, but had not received a reply yet. The chairman said it was proposed to hold a special meeting next week to consider the matter, and, if a satisfactory reply was not received, action would bo taken.

'Iho Marlborough Union wrote asking under what rides a match could bo played with the Buller Union for the Seddon Shield. It was decided to reply that it was not compulsory to play the amended rules adopted at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union, and that i£ tho unions concerned wished the match could bo governed by tho old rules. The oft-debated subject of amended rules was again considered, a letter having been received from the secretary of the English Union. It was stated in tho letter: —" On the merits of the proposals to alter tho rules of the game, my committee doss not propose to express an opinion, as they are matters which would have to be discussed by the union in general meeting, and, if approved, submitted to the International Board. On tho subject, however, of tho proposed alteration of the professional laws, it lias not the same diffidence. Rugby football is a game which can only bo played by strict amateurs (although in using that expression it must be applied in the widest seitso to include every class and station in life). The committee of the Rugby Union has throughout constantly striven to uphold this principle, for which purpose it lias had to frame 'and enforo3 strict rules as to professionalism. If these are weakened, as is now proposed, the whole amateur fabric would crumble, and Rugby football would lose the prestige it now holds, and would cease to hold its position as a code which is based on the ideal of playing tho game for the gamo's sake, and from, no unworthy motives of personal gain." The letter expressed tho hope that tho Now Zealand Union would take no steps which would alienate it from the parent body by rendering itself ineligible for membership. The committee decided to forward a copy of the letter to the various unions, and to inform them .that a special meeting of delegates to consider the matter would bs held in Wellington, on September 19.

CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. (Pjeb United Press Association.) CTIRISTCHURCH, July 25. At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union it was decided, notwithstanding the restricted railway service, that the southern tour of the Canterbury representative team should be carried out as arranged. The team will play South Canterbury on August 7, Utago on August 9, and Southland on August 13. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— "That in commemoration of the signing of peace and in recognition of tho services rendered to tho Empire by the foptballers of Canterbury, this committee, subject to the approval of the New Zealand Rugby Union, decides to remove all disqualifications of players under its jurisdiction."

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

On Saturday, at Carisbrook, 0110 of the ocst exhibitions of the year should bo witnessed in the match between the Waitaki High School and the Otago Boys' High School. When these teams met last year a fine game was witnessed. Both teams are strong both back and forward, and are capable of giving a high-class exhibition. As a curtain-raiser the second fifteens of these schools will meet at 1.50 p.m.

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The weekly meeting of tho Otago Football Association was held last ovening. Mr 11. C. Hassall presided. With regard to the case of an alleged attempt to kick a player in tho match Mornington v. Old Boys, Dickel, tho player concerned, was called before tho meeting to answer the charge.—On being questioned, the Mornington player flatly denied all knowledge of th© matter. —After reviewing tho evidence, it was decided that the charge against Dickel bo dismissed, and that in future no notice bo taken of any such matters unless an official written report bo sent in to association.

Tho following is the team tho Selection Committee has chosen to represent Otago in the Brown Shisld contest at Cliristchurch on August 2:—Goal, Anderson (Old Boys); backs —Dickel (Mornington), M'Allen (Green Island); half-backs—Nicol (Old Boys), M'Evoy (Southern), Dryden (Northern); forwards—Brundel (Northern), C. Alloo (Old Boys),, Mason (Southern), Campbell (captain, Northern), Stevens (Mornington); reserve, F. Haig (Mornington). It was reeolved that all grade matches be played as usual on Saturday, and the Mornington First Grade toam, which has tho bye, be asked to play a team from too Westmoreland, on the Mornington Ground. Two drapery lfrms applied for tho use of a ground on Saturday.—lt -was decided to grant the use of tbs Gardens ground. It was decided that all matches be played as usual on tho Saturday of tho Brown Shield matoh.

The following is the draw for Saturday: First Grade. —Christian Old Boys, Oval No. 1; Southern v. Northern, Park; Maori Hill v. Green Island, Gai> donsMornington v. s.s. Westmoreland, Mornington. Second Grade.—Southern v. Northern, Asylum Ground; Old Boys v. Mornington, Montecillo: Christian Bros. v. Green Island Oval No. 2.

Third Grade.—Northern v. Green Island, Gardens, 2 p.m.; Christian Bros. v. P. and T.. Oval No. 1, 2 p.m.; MoruirWon v. Y.M.C.A., Oval No. 2, 2 p.m. Fourth Grade. —Mornington v. Y.M.C.A., Momington, 2 p.m.; Christian Bros, v! Y.M.C.A. B, Culling Park, *2 p.m.; High School v. Y.M.C.A. C., Montecillo, 2 p.m. • Orenn Island v. P. and T., Asylum, 2 p.m.; Northern A v. Northern B, Ciear, 2 p.m.