FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 205, 9 May 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL

RUGBY CONTROL. J NEW ZEALAND UNION'S ANNUAL [ REPORT. The report of the N.Z. Rugby Union, to be presented to delegates at the annual meeting on May 16 next, states that with regard to finance, an adjustment has not yet been arrived at with the New South Wales Union regarding the finances of the American team's tour. The following amounts are now on loan to various unions:—Auckland, £550; ITawke's Bay, £1045; Otngo, £500; Southland, £1150; Tarawa ki. £225; V/anganui. £500; Wellington. £1050; total," £5020. LAWS OF THE GAME. As evidence of the desire of the English Union to meet in some way the claims of this and similar unions to representation in matters affecting the laws of the game, the English Union has set up a laws sub-committee, whereon there shall be one accredited representative of the combined unions of New Zealand, Queensland, and New South j Wales, and one of the South African Board. This sub-committee reports its ' rulings to the full committee, meetings of which the accredited representatives are invited to attend when rulings of the sub-committee are being considered, and may vote thereon. Bv mutual arrangement, Mr. C. Wray Palliser holds the appointment of representative for the combined unions of New Zealand, Queensland, and New South Wales on the laws sub-committee. COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS. As directed at last annual meeting, tours were arranged for a South Island country representative team in the South Island, and for a North Island country representative team in the North Island. The former played three matches against representative teams of the Canterbury, Otago and Southland Unions, the North Island team playing four matches against the Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wellington Unions. The two country teams then met. in a test at Wellington. While these tours resulted in a financial lose, there is no doubt that the in? novation was productive of good to Rugby football, and the scheme may be regarded as a success. The question of the continuation of these tours is a matter for the consideration of delegates. It is also mentioned that, though activities had been confined mainly to New Zealand football, certain negotiations were entered into with bodies outside the Dominion. The South African Union was invited to send a team to I New Zealand. On'ing to the seasons J coinciding, however, the invitation was | riot, accepted. The question of sending a team to the United Kingdom was raised, but the International Board decided to invite a South African team instead.

Following is the Okato team to play ! Fitzroy, at Fitzroy, next Saturday:— ; L. Carey, C. Eustace, McKay. Drader, Recce, R. Andrews, Thompson, E. Andrews, (!. Bell, Harold Corbett, E. Turner, Rua, Malone, P. Corbett, Heke Martin; emergencies: E. Leedom, X. An- 1 drews, and Charlie. ASSOCIATION GAME ANNUAL REPORT NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. The annual report of the New Zeanlrul Football Association ("soccer''), which will be presented at t'he annual meeting of delegates to be held at Wellington on Friday, May 24, emphasises the continued advance of the Association code of football in New Zealand. The secretary (Mr. B. L. Salmon) notes that last year there were eleven associations affiliated to the controlling body, comprising 28i> teams, as follows:—Auckland 45, Canterbury R. ITawke's Bay 4, Manawatn 8, 'Marlborough 7, Ot.ngo SO. Poverty Bay (i, Southland fi, Taranaki 7. Wanganui 4, Wellington SO, and about 15 unaffiliated teams. This is an increase of sixty teams over the previous season. In drawing attention to the number of boys playing the game throughout the Dominion, the report states that 'special mention might be. made of the fact that Auckland started a boys' competition for the first time, with about fifteen teams, while Wellington commenced a schools' competition, with ten teams, A recommendation is made that the conncil should set up a special committee to <leal with this question throughout the whole of the Dominion. Another point referred to is that very little further has been done in the matter of Australasian representation cfi the council of the Football Association, nor indeed towards the visit, of an English team to the colonies, but correspondence latterly on these matters has given the council a more hopeful view of the future, when it is confidently expected that some definite decision will be arrived at. Finance seems to be the stumbling-block'in the way of an English tour, and until this can be overcome there would eeem to be very little hope of arranging such a tour. It has been suggested that each of the seven Australasian associations should contribute £SO each for three years towards the cost of an English visit. If this could jbe done, it wonld| amount to £IOSO, which sum, at any rate, should more than cover any loss on such a tour. Given fine weather handsome profits should result. As regards inter-Domin-ion games, the New Sout'h Wales Association was prepared to send over a team whenever the New Zealand Council was ready to receive it. Reference is also made in the reportto the fact that the associations were realising the vital importance of the question of grounds, and were leaving no stone unturned to secure good playing areas, and to the suggestion by the secretary that the incoming council should formulate a definite policy and an outline of work during future seasons, so that proposals regarding the future welfare of the game could be placed before the affiliated associations. The statement of finances discloses a cash balance of £43 5s lid, and a balance of assets over liabilities of £63 14s lid.