FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 299, 10 May 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

SENIORS. ' SATURDAY MATCHES. Rovers v. Okato, at Okato. Star v. Fitzroy. THURSDAY MATCHES. May 15—Stratford v. Clifton, at Stratford; Tukapa v. Eltham, at Eltham. FIRST JUNIORS. May 15—Clifton v. Star, at Waitara; Tukapa v. Eltham, at New Plymouth; ' Inglewood v. Stratford, at Inglewood. SECOND JUNIORS. Clifton v. Inglewood at Waitara, 1.30 p.m.; High-School v. Technical College at 3 p.m.;' Stratford v. Eltham at Eltham at 1.30 p.m. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. June 3.—v. Wanganui at W-inguiui. „ 25.—v. Wellington at Hawera. „ 28.—v. Wanaanui at Hawera. Aug. 30.—v. New~Soutli Wales at New Plymouth. TO-DAY'S TEAMS. The following will represent Star v.' Fitzroy, at.the Recreation Ground, to- ' day, at 3 o'clock:—J. Box, G. Beitrand, Ricklebin, Stannering, Newman, Packard,. Tito, Mackay, Okey, Jerrar 1, Penwardcn, Richards, Hardgraves, Berry and Hunter. Rovers v. Okato to-day, at Okato:— Stewart, Ellis, Brown, Jennings, Cargo, Luske, Newell, Drake, Little, Reid, Thompson, Webster, Stohr, Grant, Leverage.

NEWS AND NOTES. _ Thursday saw the grand old game set in motion in the Northern Division for another season, whilst to-dav the cup matches in the Southern and Saturday Divisions will commence. , Football will then be in full swing throughout Taranaki, and in a few days the merits and demerits of probable and possible representatives will be the theme of enthusiasts, what time they are not engaged in replaying the previous week's matches. Footballers have a good deal to look forward to locally this season. There will be home matches against Wellington. Wanganui,. Auckland, New South Wales, and possibly Hawke's Bay, as well as trips awav to Auckland, Wellington, Manawatu," Wairarapa and Wanganui. The dates of some of the matches- are already fixed, and possibly ere this .appears in print the Auckland and Wellington fixtures will also be arranged. It is quite possible that a B team will be picked and sent on tour this year against Manawatu, Wairarapa and Horowhenua. Mr. Jas. MeLeod, Chairman of the Union, when in Wellington at the meeting of the New Zealand Union, may arrange a tour. Pos»lv also a Wellington B representative team will be played. The idea of serid.ing a B team is distinctly good. There are many occasions on which a real good man in a certain position is overshadowed by a better man, and so never gets a chance in the representative team early in the season, and perhaps later on, when through accident ar otherwise a place is vacant ,he is out of form. ' The B team will encourage such players to keep in condition, and will also' be an incentive to younger players to take a keener interest in the game. There will be several vacancies to fill in the rep. team this year; indeed, it cannot safely be said that anyone is a certainty, so it behoves all players to assiduously train and practice; The news that the Wellington Rugby Union is again sending a team to play a special match at Hawera during Showweek will be hailed with delight by all keen followers of the game. Recollections of the brilliant exposition provided at this match last year still linger in the minds of those so fortunate as to witness it, and there is certain to be a good attendance at this match. The action of the Sports Ground Committee in providing stand .accommodation, to be covered in wet weather, at the Recreation Grounds merits the highest commendation. The special stand is to be fixed alongside the bottom terrace. The full length of the ground, as one enters the main gate, and will not interfere with the view of those on the higher terraces. The advantages of having a stand which can be covered in wet weather will be appreciated hy those who have to attend the matches, and will undoubtedly increase the attendance on.wet weather. It has, moreover, long been stated that New Plymouth is at a disadvantage in only being able to provide a shilling gate for big matches, whereas Stratford, Hawera, etc., can charge a shilling admission, and can also fill a grandstand at an additional shilling. The proposed stand in New Plymouth will seat twelve hundred, and the funds derived therefrom will go to liquidate the' Sports Ground Committee's liabality to the Rugby Union. Matters are still in train for the establishment of football on a satisfactory basis out East, and at the last meeting >f (lie Taranaki Rugby Union the position was advanced a stage by forming an Eastern Division, whose territory was fixed east of the Strathmore sad.}'* and tunnel. Four or possibly five clubs can be arranged in the division, which will run on the same lines as the Western Division was a few' years ago, and the Saturday Division is now. The curtailment of the territory may mean that Stratford will lose one or two players from "awav beyond," but it should be >r the ultimate benefit of Taranaki football as the district adjacent to the railway line beyond Strathmore contains some players who perhaps only require to be known to gain high'honors. During the past few years a series of matches have been run between the various districts out East, but this is the first time anything like organisation has been attempted. Tin? Maori team to play Australia has been selected. Tt is captained by the evergreen burly Cunningham, th n celebrated Auckland and New Zealand lock. Taranaki players comprise Tamu and .Toe Martin. The appointment of Joe Thomas as selector, a position rendered vacant hv the retirement of T). J. M'llone. should give general satisfaction. No one knows ■*h» «amn letter than "Toe" and i>s his Judgment is sound and unbiased, he is an ideal mean for the nosition. Moreover, he will be able to view a fair percentage of games, both in the North ■mil South, and so familiarise himself with the form of the players. Roberts, the brilliant Taranaki fiveeighths and centre three-quarter, will not be plavincr in Taranaki this veaiv His loss will .be greatly felt by Qkaiawn and Taranaki generally. Tt is not yet definitely known where, if at all, he will be playing. There is'every, probability, according to a Sydney writer, of a new governing hortv for "Rugb-" being established ns a result of Mr. Hill's recent visit to England. The secretary's suggestions are the result of a conference held between representatives of New South Wales, South Africa and New Zealand in England, and call for the establishment of an Imperial Council, which shall sit under the chairmanship of the English union president. All the big unions of the world—England. Ireland, Wales, Scot--I"nd. France. California. New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand

would be represented >on such a council, with equal voting power for each nation. The establishment of such a body as a controlling body for the whole of the Rugby Union world with power to deal legislatively with the game in all its aspects—international tours, professionalism, laws of the game, etc. —would be an achievement of which any sport might well be proud. Most of the colonial and foreign unions are known to be favorable to the suggestion, and it remains for the South African governing body to assent. Then the British unions will be approached. The opinion is expressed that the Springboks, though previously antagonistic to any alteration in the present constitution of the international board, are now favorable, and will agree to the proposals. Unanimity having been secured, it is anticipated that the Home unions will give way, and take steps for the establishment of the Imperial Council, as suggested. Not the least important duty of such a liody would be the arrangement of the finances of touring teams, and great benefit would be conferred in this direction alone. We would not have a repetition of the strained feeling caused by the "All Black" tour of 1905. ■ That alone would "be worth while.