"UNDER THE TABLE"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 289, 3 June 1912, Page 7

"UNDER THE TABLE"

alleged payment of footballers. Auckland, May 30. Mr. G. Gillett's statement, reported from Wellington, that the Rugby players received money "under the table," was mentioned to-night at a meeting of the Auckland Union's management committee. The chairman (Mr. M. J. Shealian) pointed out that Mr, Gillett's remarks were vague, and did not explicitly make any charge against Auckland or any other Union, but, on Messrs Buxton, Stitchbury and Oldsen pressing the matter, the question was put to Mr. Langford, who for many years has been the Union's treasurer. He stated definitely that no money for playing Iliad been paid from the Union's revenue to Gillett or any other player. Only once (in l'!) 07) had he received anything that could Toe taken as a hint for money from players, and then the hint was very decidedly overlooked, with the result that three of the selected players did not go on the southern tour with the Auckland representatives.

During the course of the meeting ,a very prominent Auckland and New Zealand representative player called to see members of the Union, and to state that strong exception was taken by him to Gillett's remarks.