FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 85, 14 April 1904, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE ENGLISH TEAM'S TO [Jit. STILL UNDECIDED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April Li." ".Regarding the cubic messages appearing about the English football team to Australia extending its tour to this colony the Now Zealand Hugby Union has received no ollicial intimation from England, and Is still negotiating with the New South Wales Union. New Zealand originally offered a minimum guarantee of £6OO, plus 75 per cent, of the nett proceeds of not less Hum live mutches. This proving unacceptable to New South Wales the guarantee was increased to £7oo, 'but the Sydney body still thinking the oiler inadequate the New Zealand Union made an alternative oiler in the direction of guaranteeing tlvc expenses of the Englishmen from their departure from Sydney to their return thereto, New South Wales to receive In addition half the nett prolits of the New Zealand tour. To-day a message was received from New South Wales pointing out that to extend the tour to this colony would involve bringing three extra men, whose expenses would exceed £2OO each. J-Yes.li terms were submitted, which would practically cost the colony over £llOO. The managing' committee of lhe New Zealand Union 'discussed the matter this afternoon, and after careful consideration it was decided to adhere to the last olter, namely, all expenses and half prolits. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. CH]{]STCllllltCll, April 13. The Canterbury Hngby Union discussed the visit of a New Zraland Uugb.v team to England. The chairman said Canterbury's share of guarantee was £250. Jle entered a strong protest against appealing to the Government for assistance. JI they couldn't raise funds without this, they .should not send a team, it waß resolved to guarantee £2f>o on condition that no appeal was made to tin; Government.

NOTES BY CENTJU'MIALF. Thu Canterbury Union must be conmiendefi lor tin; decision conveyed in the above paragraph. l'Votlball has come to bo regarded its Now Zealand's national /fu-mt', but I (nil to see why tin; national purse should by drawn upon in this manner to support the pastime. There can be 110 oesessily tor such a movement, and il such a necessity existed it would be -a lair thing' to drop tile Idea oi sending away a team Lu uphold our loot ball prestige. i\o right-minded person will endeavour to support tile proposul to draw oil tho public funds to contribute towards footballers' expenses. This would be made the thin end of a wedge Lo be driven at random with bad uffects 011 sport and on the community, Why not subsidise tennis pluyei'Sj rowing crews, yachtsmen, swimmers, cyclists, or running men when they decido to compote in other colonies ? When football bus to be lostered by the Government purse il is time lor men of repute to withdraw their support l'roni tho game, j, 'y uku l'i Club holds a practice o, 'ilternoon on tlio ground on Stambsli a Hill. A senior team will be picked to play a scratch match. payors are requested to be liresent, and the ball will be kicked oil' ut 2.,-iU p.m. , < ! ?f wr . Ciub hoWs a practice match this atternoon 011 tile racocourse grouml. i