CHATHAM CUP CONTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 707, 5 July 1929, Page 6

CHATHAM CUP CONTEST

AUCKLAND MAY WITHDRAW TROUBLE IN EARLY ROUNDS Press Association WELLINGTON, Thursday. Owing to the refusal of the New Zealand Council to extend the time for completing the eliminating rounds of the Chatham Cup contest beyond July 27, it is reported that Auckland, where 12 teams were entered, may not take part in the competition. Auckland has to meet "Wellington in the Football Association trophy on July 20, leaving only July 0 and 13 to reach the final of the local round, in which there are five games to be played. One of these was arranged to be played on Wednesday evening by electric light. The Auckland Football Association decided to inform the New Zealand Council that it could not complete the games by July 13, and that unless the time was extended it must withdraw. It is carrying on meanwhile.

Mr. A. Williams, secretary to the New Zealand Council, said today that the council regretted the difficulty, but the local association could make or mar the competition. He pointed out that the rules of the Chatham Cup contest say: "There shall be a qualifying competition arranged by the council and carried out by each affiliated association, to determine the leading club in its own area. The final of this qualifying competition must be completed by July 7. The winning clubs from each association shall be drawn in pairs, and shall compete one against another until a final is reached, which must not be later than August 18.”

The remarks attributed to Mr. F. IT. Baker were not in accord with these rules. Owing to the Basin Reserve not being available later than August 24 the council, said Mr. Williams, had advanced the district finals, the semifinals and finals, as the rules permitted them to do. The delay was due to the associations not working to the date, July 7, and if this date were adhered to then the other games could be played. The idea of having the North and South Island final at the Basin Reserve was to enable the expenses of the teams to be met, and it bad been proved that this venue was the only one which would accomplish that end.