FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 25 May 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

i'AIUXAKI HUGrBY UNION. A meeting of tliu Tarauaki ltughy I uion took p-'aco at Stratford on Tliura day night, when there were jiiv-i-nl' Alo.shi-s T. iluchmian (chairman), A. Humphries, D. J. Malone, J. O'lJea, A. t'argil I, \V. I'owdrell ami P. Skogluud (secretary). I'lie minutes of the previous meeting were ie ul and confirmed. .Mr Skoglund then narrated somr of | "it' particulars of what tool; place as the late New Zealand 1 l«tf»by Union Conference. It was moved liy .Mr Buchanan and seconded by Mr Cargill lint a vote of thanks be tendered to Mr Skoglund for the able manner in which he had represented the Union at the Conference—Carried. Mr .1. O'Hea, referee in the OpunakeIlawera match, reported having ordered oil' an Opunake player, A. Smith, for rough play. lie detailed the fac!s\ which were that Smith was collared round the ankle by Goodwin, a ilawcva pliyer, who clung to Smith subsequent to the latter getting rid of the ball, and Smith kicked out, kicking Goodwin in the stomach. Smith wrote disavowing any intculion of rough play, and as-ert-ing that it was accidental. After considerable discussion, the ret Tee being unable to express a direct opinion, it was decided to reprimand Smith. It was decided that the following postponed match, viz.. Star v.; Ejtlm.m seniors, Star 111. v. Stratford 111., Tukapa 111. v. Stratford 111. be played I later on in the season. An application was received from (he ' Stratford Club asking permission to play Bowler, who works in Stratford and resides in Inglewood.—The Union ' deoided to decline the application. Tho secretary was instructed to pro- ' cure throe dozen rule books for distribution among the clubs as he thinks iit. [ The Whangaiiiomona, Strathmore and Toko football clubs wrote asking the j Union to affiliate them as a sub-union. A resolution was passed that the Union has decided that they cannot , form these clubs into a. sub-union, and that this matter should be brought up again at the next annual meeting of the Union. The Union desired to draw attention to the letter which was forwarded to them by the Union's secretary suggesting that they join the Strafed club and that this Union coincides with same. A letter was rea'd 'from the Waimate club asking that two of their members be given permission io play in a native match. —Approved. It was decided to write to the Referees' Association re an explanation of the non-arrival of a referee at the Pat-ea-Opunakc match at Manaia last Saturday. _

Tt'was resolved that the Kaponga chili he instructed that all KnpongaPatea matelios played at Kapongn take place at 12 o'clock.

Mr Humphries moved, and Mr Malone seconded,.that Mr Bellringer be added to the Executive Committee.— Carried. It was decided to write to the New Zealand Rns>y Union for £.lO, out of the sum of £2OO that had been aside by them for the purpose of fostering primary school football. The secretary was instructed to write to the different clubs requesting that they supply line umpires with flags. The meeting then rose. RE-ARRANGEMENTS OF FIXTURES. The following are alterations to fixtures: — FIRST JUNIORS. May 30—Clifton v. Eltham at Eltliam, 1 p.m. SECOND JUNIORS. May 30.—Clifton v. Tukapa at New Plymouth, 1.30 p.m. Star v. Stratford at' Stratford, 1.30 p.m.; Eltham a bye. June 6.—Tukapa v. Eltham at Eltham, 1.30 p.m. Stratford v. Clifton at Waitara, 1.30 p.m.; Star a bye. June 13.—Star v. Eltham at Eltham, 1.30 p.m. Tukapa v. Stratford at Stratford, 1.30 p.m.; Clifton a bye. June 20.—Star v. Clifton at New Plymouth, 1.30 p.m.; Tukapa, Stratford and Eltham a bye. THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM. The Taranaki Rugby Union received the following letter on Thursday from Mr. J. D. Avery, secretary to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union: ''ln view of the reported movement to send a team of professionals to play against the. Northern Counties Rugby Union of England, this Union considers it desirable that no player who has entered into negotiations to become one of any such team should be selected for the inter-island match. This is particularly desirable as no doubt if any of those who do go Home with the professional (cam were selected as inler-island or New Zealand representatives, the fact of their having been selected would lie used as an advertisement for the professional team. Moreover, a player who has entered into negotiation with a view to joining the professional team has committed a breach of the rules as to 'Professionalism,' and is not eligible to play under the ban of the Union. It has therefore been decided to ask every player nominated to make a statutory declaration to the effect that he has not made a breach of the rules as to professionalism. I enclose forms for each nominee from your Union, and would ask you to at once get each of them to make the declaration before a Justice of the Peace and to report the result to me by collect wire so that 1 may receive it if possible by 8 p.m. on Friday, but in any case not later than noon on Saturday next, 2:sth inst. No player can be selected cither for the inte'r-Islaud match or the Australian tour unless he makes the declaration. It may be desirable to point out to players that the declaration states no more than what in previous years that has been taken for granted, i.e., that they have liiade no breach of the l-ules as to professionalism; and that the exceptional circumstances render it necessary on this occasion that proof should be given, and further, each player should be warned of the seriousness of making the declaration if it is contrary to fact."—Post.

Per Press Association. Wellington, May 24. The New Zealand Kugby Unifcrn rdsolved to-night to delete clause 4 of the undertaking required to be made by players selected for the North v. South match at Christchurch on June \ 3rd. This clause was as follows: "That if I am approached by any person or persons with a request that I should become a member of any such team, I shall at once notify the said Union of the fact, and advise the said Union of the name of any person or persons so approach!ing me." Dunedin, May 24. The selectors of the South Island football team, which will play against the North Island at Christchurch on June 15 met this evening for the purpose of selecting players. The names of 25 players have been provisionally selected, and will be forwarded to the New Zealand Union. The men will be called upon to sign a declaration to the effect that tbev have not made any agreement to go home with the proposed professional team, and that in the event of their being picked for either the interisland match or for the team which will visit Australia, they will undertake not to go to England with the professional team. If anv refuse to sign (he agreement t hey will not be allowed io'play in either of the mutches. Hence the j nethm of the selectors in choosing so

A match under ion rules was played on tin- ground-yesterday between teams ivpresentimr the New Plymouth C'ln!) and (lie s.s/lbivawa, Hie sailors winning liv 2 goals to nil.