FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1916, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, May IS. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, the balance sheet showed that funds had increased by £B3. There was still a balance of £362 due to the New Zealand Union by the New South Wales and Queensland Unions. Last season £12!) was distributed among schools for the encouragement of Rugby. After some discussion, a motion was adopted that during the currency of the war the penalty in connection with the non-payment of interest on loans be not enforced. Officers for the current year were elected as follows: Patron, his Excellency the Governor; president, Dr. A. K. Newman; vice-presidents, to be nominated by the various unions; lion, treasurer, Mr. E. Wylie; management committeeefi Messrs. G. H. Dixon (chairman), Laughton, Laurenson, Fache, Hales, Gray, and Dr. McEvedy. KOTE. Taranaki players figured prominently in the Wellington battalion team that won the final of the divisional tournament played in Egypt. In the semi-final they defeated Auckland, and in the final were opposed to the Maoris, who had beaten Artillery. A great game ensued. Wellington were captained by E. Roberts, and other Taranaki men were Syd. Paul, Reg. Taylor, Sam Cameron, R. Woods, Reed, Berntsen. ' The . Maori team included such players as Hall, French, Kaipara, Rodger's, etc. Wellington won by three points to nil, Sid. Paul scoring in the first spell from a throw-in. Sam Cameron, in the second spell,- dashed across after a great run, but fell foul of a spectator and lost the ball. The Maoris mnde strenuous efforts to score, but the defence was too good. Wellington hookers secured the fall and Teddy Roberts l/ept his men moving, and some great passing bouts were witnessed. _ The Maoris were within an ace of scoring on several occasions, French losing the fall after crossing 0 n one occasion. Waaka, after a dodgy swerving run—the nest of the day—was collared just on the line. Kaipara was a long way below form. The rule regarding playing in colors was not enforced by the referee, as the Maoris played in a variety of jerseys. Wellington," save for one (probably Syd. Paul, in a Taranaki jirsey) played in green with a red hand. The spectators included Generals Birdwood and Russell. On all sides the arena was thronged with New Zealand, Australian, Indian and English soldiers, French and English sailors and Egyptian natives.

The- prospects of the Senior Cadet competition, which is the only competition that will be held' under'the Taranaki Rugby Union this year, are very good. The cadets are entering keenly into the matter, and it is expected there will be at least sixteen teams entered when nominations close next Wednesday. In order to reduce travelling as much as possible, the divisions will probably be subdivided further.

The proposal that the proceeds of the opening matches should he devoted to the l>war fund has much to commend it. The late Sergt.-Major was all that every lad should strive to be on the football field. He had, by sheer grit and determination, reached almost, the highest pinnacle that it was possible for a footballer to attain on the playing field, and was ever a clean, gentlemanly player. Ho did not hesitate to offer himself when his country called, nor sacrifice his life. Few will forget the rousing reception accorded him when he landed on the football arena at Stratr,lrd on special leave from camp to help Taranaki in their attempt to hold the "nnfiirly Shield against Wellington, un-'''civ.-'.sfully as it turned out. All who ncc present will have an opportunity ■>■( iiii'mting the cadet matches at their "'" t centre and contributing their i assist his widowed mother. ' -I ■ Die coast it is intended to con- ''!■ Kaspar Cup competition, and i. - •'= „r (i, P ,„at cne! , w ;il p ro . a,. ,i- levin -J. to patriotic purposes,