FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1917, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. At a meeting of tho New Zealand Rugby Football Union held on Thursday 11 quantity of routine business was transacted Amongst the items of public [interest was the following letter from the Auckland Rugby Union: "At tho weekly meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union Management Committee. held last evening, the chairman read a letter which lie had received from j Lieut.-Colonel Plugge, now at the front, advising him that a cabled request that the New Zealand Divisional Rugby team be allowed to play under the, auspices of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union had been refused. My committee, feeling that there must have been some reason for such refusal, would respectfully ask your union to acquaint them with the facts of the ease. Lieut.-Colon-el Plugge also states that the English Rugby Union allowed this team to play under its auspices." As the Auckland Union appeared to have been under a misapprehension as to the facts of the case, a reply was sent to the effect that the statement quoted as emanating from Lieu-Colonel Plugge does not convey quite, the correct impression. The cabled communication received by this union (in the first instance from Mr. Donne of the High Commissioner's Office, and afterwards amplified by Mr. Palliser), was to the effect that the members pf the soldiers' team should be recognised as New Zealand representatives, and entitled to caps. It was, of course,, impossible for my committee to recognise as a New Zealand representative side a team of whose composition it was entirely ignorant, and over whom this union could have no manner n? control, and a reply was dispatched to that effect. A requisition was lead irom the Canterbury, Otago, and Southland asking for a special meeting of dele-

gates to discuss the following matters:— (1) Our relations with the English Rugby Union; (a) the "out-of-touch" feeling; (b) the need for adequate representation; (c) a more Imperialistic attitude by the International Board in England. (2) The absolute necessity for a revision of rules, particularly as regards professionalism and the laws of the game. (3) The present position of local unions; (a) financial; (b) the need for resumption of inter-provincial matches immediately after the war; (c) the desirability of mutual assistance. (4) Suggestions from (lie various unions for the betterment of the game as a whole. It was decided to comply with the requisition, and to hold the meeting in the Chamber of Commence, Wellington, on Friday, October 5, 1917, at 7 p.m.

Hawera {ravelled to Eltham on Saturday to play their fixture. After a close and interesting match the result was a draw, each scoring three points. The event was of considerable interest to Eltham, for no football has been played for a considerable time. The ground was in good order, and there was a good gathering of onlookers. Hawera backs threw the ball about well and play was keen and fast. It was very even until fairly early in the match Thurston got the ball away to J. Robertson, who made a good opening and passed to Wills, the latter transferring to Martin, and he to Kuru'rangi, who dashed over near the corner. No goal resulted. No further score took place until well on in the second spell, when an Eltham forward picked up near Hawera line, and got over. The kick at goal failed. The match thus ended in a draw. Both teams played good hard football. The spectators were quite enthusiastic, and impartially cheered good play on both sides. Hawera were afterwards hospitably entertained by the local team, and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.—Star.