FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 41, 28 May 1910, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. Wilson, of Auckland (not McG-regor, as stated) is chosen to replace Cameron in the representative football team for Australia, owing to Comeron being unable to get away.

The Otago Rugby Union management committee had a discussion the other evening concerning the conduct of enquiries into charges of rough play and misconduct the question at issue being whether or not the enquiries should "oe in private. Mr. Sincock, in urging the necessity for dealing with such matters in committee, averred that the reports of rough or foul .play were generally made the chief, thing in the press reports, and he thought it was not a good thing to wash dirty linen in the press. One or two members thought the holding of enquiries in open meeting had a good effect on players. It was decided by eiglit votes to seven that enquiries into misconduct of players, on the field of play be held in committee— and that m all cases the name of tlie player, the offence, and the finding be • applied to the press. Here in Taranaki the T.R.U. treats the whole matter in own meeting*, and the ■players shrink from the publicity tnus entailed. It all helps to keep the game clean. Hardham captained the Petone team against Orientals 'i-t Saturday, and Fred Pioberts played fo. N> latter club. The biggest drubi.ing sustained in last ■Saturday's matches in Wellington was the defeat of Wellington thirds at the hands of Petone by 59 to nil.

''Freddie" Roberts, of Wellington, whom many of the All Blacks consider to have been the most finished player among their backs, has, they say, had some golden offers from Northern Union clubs in England. But to these he has said "iNay'' with a firm shake of his head. A regrettable incident (says the Post) occurred on the football grounl at the Hutt Park on Saturday. Shortly after the conclusion of the match between the Melrose and St. James' Clubs, Ryder, of St. James', was struck a violent blow Iby, it is alleged, a young man with whom he had a difference of opinion earlier in the afternoon. Ryder fell ■backwards, and his head striking a wall he was rendered unconscious. Mr. Paul Peters administered first aid, and Ryder was then taken to Mr. James' shop, where he was attended to by Dr. Hector. As he was not well enough to be taken to his home at Kitbirnie, he was removed to Mr. T. Daly's house. Ryder played for Melrose last season. The matter has been reported to the .police, and it is understood that it will come before the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union. The matter is also to be investigated by the Magistrate. The scholarship memorial to' the late Mr. Bayly, originated fry the Ta-, ranaki Union and supported by a donation of £SO from the New Zealanu Rugby Union, is something n'tfvel in football (writes the Sydney Referee)'. It is a memorial the late president of tlie New Zealand Union would have favored, for he was a sport through and through, and a bright ornament tothe game as a' player and official. Alfred Bayly, grand chap that he was, seemed to never get over the shock of the death of Barnv Armit. It was Bayly wlro tacfcled Armit —a. comrade in many games, and a friend in all in which;

they ever met—when the little ..-art' mate the fatal jump over bis adversaryHe had often done it before, but this was the once too often, for he came down, as it had often been predicted he would, in such a way that he was seriously injured. It killed him, and spoilt tire life of tlie man who had so fairly tackled liinr, bringing him to a premature death. TRii ASSOCIATION GAME

When Scotland defeated England by 2 goals to nil at Glasgow in April, "'the sight when the teams lined up for the fray just before half-past three was indeed a remarkable one, though the additional accommodation that had been furnished .since the game of 1!K)8 .prevented any of the scenes" of crushing which then occurred. It is' true that the record of 121.521 persons .paying l was not approached, ;but the figures of 1006 (10*2.741) have probably just been beat, though exact information could not be given by the S.F.A. Hon. treasurer. At any rate, ■ the company reached six figures, and the gate monev' was officially given as £4417, against £4930 in IMS'and £4381 four years ago. The stands are estimated to yield about £2OOO. So perfect were the arrangements, so orderly the vast crowd, drawn from both sides of the Border, .that there was not a single case necessitating the attention of the staff of St. Andrew's Ambulance Association in attendance." THE NORTHERN UNION GAME. For the third time in the series of games between England and Wales under Northern Union rules the wearers of the "Plume of i'eathers" have emerged, for on April !), at Ebbw Vale, in ideal weather, and betore a crowd of about 4.0Q0, they beat England by 3!) points to 18. The Sportsman says that "it was one of the most brilliant expositions of the Northern code that has ever been witnessed in the Principality, and lrom. start to finish was brimful of excitement." The importation of colonial players into Northern Union clubs has been stopped by a resolution which comes into force at once. iNo player from New Zealand, even though he be not attached to a club under the jurisdiction of 'the Colonial League, can in future be registered in tile Northern League without first being subjected to a two years 1 qualification in England. During this qualifying period the colonial will not be allowed to take part in 'Northern Union football in England, •and Northern 1-ieague clubs who persist in the immigration will thus he forced to the expense of upkeep for the full period, and as the risk is great, for football form is ever precarious, the resolution is thoroughly prohibitive, and should be successful. Australia is not

included, for neither the New South Wales nor (Jccnsland Leagues have asked for further protection than that given by the first, resolution.

To this new rule three exceptions are made, for two Lancashire clubs were in communication a full month ago with three colonial players. The negotiations have been completed, and a forward, a full-back and a half-back will in due course be registered by Warrington and Wigan. After those registrations are completed no further concessions will be made. \\. Johnston, the All Black forward, will return with the new men, so that appearances .point to Wigan having three more colonials available next September.