FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2152, 30 March 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The Poverty Bay Rugby - Union moots to-night to discuss Thursday afternoon football with the Thursday delegates.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 118. Many complaints were mado by injured players of rugby football in Auckland last season, that while., they were turning out week by week at the risk of limb, and incidentally filling the coffers of the union by tho gates they attracted, yet when they were unfortunate enough to be injured they had to wait weeks fob money from tho accident fund. This tended to strain tho relationship between the officers of the union and the players, who sunniso they are being used to build up a large bank balahce, and when in that mood are likely to listen to tho voice of tho professional tempters. Locally, tho professional movement appears to have frizzled out, although a few weeks ago “the man in tho street” was saying there would bo four teams started, and tho Eden 'District Cricket Clubs grounds had boon secured, yet nothing has developed. Inquiries have elicted the fact that tlio Eden authorities have not yet been approached by professional pro'■motors in regard to the renting of the ."■round. Tho promotors may be like “Bret Rabbit,” lying low, and waiting the arrival of the team now on its way from •■England, but ii that is tho 'caso surely tongues would wag. , A return showing the financial result of the Brown Shield Association matches held here last season shows a sum of £33 12s lid has been netted by the New Zealand Football Association. Tho total receipts being £693s 6d. It has been mooted that the Brown Shield matches should bo played this season at Wellington instead of punMin. Such a proposal is considered \ fair one in that Wellington have travelled the last two seasons to these contests whereas Otago have deVoted the money available to the buying of a ground. Local followers of the “soccer” code consider it only tair that Wellington be given a chance to reconstruct its finances. It is underwood locally that the proposed visit .to England of a New Zealand team is rather premature. Mr Richardson leservos credit for his efforts to bring about a trip and for the trouble he has been to to make preliminary arrangements , but the question of finance is a big one lor the New Zealand Football . Association to tackle. However, the action of tho Association when it has persued the correspontlence that Mr Richardson has received, will ho awaited with interest.

Press Association. WANGANuI, March 29. ' At the annual meeting of the Wanganui Rugby Union, held on Saturday evening, tho following officers were elected for tho ensuing year: Patron, Walter Empson (re-elected), president, G. Spriggins (re-elected); vicepresidents, Tilley, Simpson, and Dustbin ; secretary, R. Dunkley; lion, treasurer, L. Craig; auditors, Hat hurley and Pickering; vice-president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, AA. Empson; delegates to the Union, Messrs Hyams and Pownall; management committee, Messrs Gray (Wangamii), T. Bell (Kaorau), Treloai (.College), Brown (Aramoho), Markham (St. Mary’s); selection committee, Messrs Tilley, Westney, and Corby.