FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9125, 26 June 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

IMPROVING i'HE GAME. IIT TH'iEOiKAt'H —PKtt I'ltK.vS ASSOCIATION, AUCKLAND, June 25. A conference of the Rugby Onion and referees suggested the following amendments:--Fourteen players instead of 15; a knock on not to count if the ball is caught before it reaches the ground; the game to be played in four quarters with one spell; a goal from penalty or mark to count two points; no charge to be allowed in the case of a free kick or kick from a try; a player is to be off-side if he advances beyond a line drawn through the back row of the scrimmage, this to do away with the wing forward; the ball to be thrown in -at least fivo yards.

ALLEGATIONS OF PROFES-

SIONALISM

MEMBER UP THE BRITISH TEAM SUSPENDED.

■ Received June 25, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, June 24

The Rugby Union Committee, after enquiry into allegations of professionalism, decided to suspend F. Jackson from further participation in the New Zealand tour a:id to recall him by cable.

An ''Evening Post" reporter called on Mr Harnett (manager of the team)and Mr Harding (captain) yesterday morning and showed them a copy of this cablegram. Both stated that they had no knowledge of the nature of the allegations made, but that the direction of the English Rugby Union will be followed. Jackson will not play in any of the remaining matches of the tour, and will probably leave for England, via Sydney, to day. Jackson played for Leicester County and Cornwall. His absence from the team will bo considerably felt, and the Englishmen arc very unfortunate in losing his services at this ftagc.

WELLINGTON, June 25

At. the meeting of the Management Committee of the Ntw Zealand Rugby Union, to-night, a letter was received stating that the young Maori party could not arrange for a match Britishers v. Maoris, at Rotorna, unless the Union coul) give some iinancial assistance. It was decided to advise the Auckland Rugby Union that under the eivcumtstancos there was now no objection to the Rotorua Sub-Union arranging a match against the Britisheis; the Rotorua (cam to be composed wholly vl Maoris; the match is to be'ao informal one; and the New Zealand Union taking no linancial responsibility. The following referees were appointed lor matches against the British teamr-Hawke'a Bay, Mr S. Orchard, of Canterbury; IVJanawatu, Mr E. MeKcnaie, of Wairarapa; Wanganui, Rev. C. C. Harper, of Palmeraton North; Taranaki, Mr A. B. Charters, of Greytown. Thomson Roberta (half) and Colman (full-back) are unable to play in the test match on Saturday. Cameron, of Taranaki, takes Thomson's place; Burns, of Canterbury, takes Roberts' place, and a player for Colman's vacancy is to be selected to-morrow.

A meeting'of the members of the Red Star Football Club will ba held on Saturday evening, in the Occiden-

tal Hotel, at 7.30 o'clock. As business is important all members sire requested to attend. The following will represent Masterton Seniors against Carterton Seniors, at Carterton, on Saturday:— Smith, Handley, Thompson, Darvill, O'Leary, Logan, Daniell, Chapman, Feilding, Barry, Lyall, Ross (2), Tanner, Gray. Considerable interest was manifested in the match between the Rover and Liberal teams, which took place on the Showgrounds at Carterton, yesterday. The game was at times very interesting. Both teams played a good hard game, knowing, no doubt, that the game would probably decide the championship. The game ended in a win for the Liberals by nine points to eight. The result makes both teams equal for the championship, and -will necessitate another mutch being played to decide the championship. For the Rover.3. Ki!minster and Fairbrother scored tries. E. Phelps converted Fail-brother's try. Tait and Baillie scored tries for the Liberal?, and Kelly kicked a goal from a mark. Mr E. McKcnzie was referee.

A meeting of the Star Juniors will he held in the Y.M.C. A.. building en Monday evening.