THE GAME OF FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3505, 23 April 1912, Page 7

THE GAME OF FOOTBALL.

POVERTY BAY RUGBY UNION. ™ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Poverty Pay Rugby Union was held in the Masonic Hotel last evening. Mr A. R. Gatland occupied th© chair, and there were present: Messrs E.. L. Maude, H. A. Cornes, W. S. Coleman, AV. Howard, J. A. Eaton and D. Cowan (secretary). Air A. R. Gatland was appointed, chairman .of the Committee for the ensuing year, and Mr A. P. Kaipara was elected to the committee to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Air Gatland to the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from Air D. M. Gorman stating that during the coming season he intended to issue a programme or guide containing the personnel of teams and he asked permission to call the publication the 4 ‘Official Guide.” —It was decided to grant the permission requested. An application was received from the Rakaiirca Football Club asking for affiliation. —As tbo Club will come under the jurisdiction of tbo Mangatu sub-Union the matter was referred to that body. The Convent School wrote entering a team for the deCosta Cup competition. —The letter was received. The following ruling was received from the Laws Committee of the English Rugby Union through the N. : “A tackle is when the holder of the ball is held by one or more players of the opposite side so that he cannot pass or .play it.” The explanation then given of the above is : “In other words, if a player is grasped by an opponent and falls with the ball on the ground, unless lie cannot pass or play the ball he is not tackled and can proceed.” —The letter was received. A-communication was received from the secretary of the AVanganui Rugby Union who enclosed a number of suggested alterations of the laws .of the game which it is intended to bring before the annual meeting of the N Z. R..U., and he. asked for an expression of opinion on same. The following is a synopsis of the suggested modifications :

1. That the value of a penalty goal be reduced to two points. 2. That each wing forward play on the right side of the scrum. 3. That all free kicks and kicks at goal 'be “free,” and shall not be charged by the opposing side. 4. That in all free kicks, marks, or kicks at goal the kicker or any other player may handle the ball, whether on the ground or otherwise.

5. That a player having possession of the-ball, clear of an opponent, may pass it from any position (i.e., so long as the ball is not “held” a player may pass it. whether he is on the ground or not). 6. That the penalties for a knockon in the field of play be restricted to an intentional knock-on. and to any knock-on of more than two yards. 7. That if any player outside his own twenty-five make a full kick into touch a free kick be awarded against him at a point ten yards at right angles to the touch line where the ball went out. 8. That after any score by either <uY!p plav ibe re-commenced by a kick-off (place kick) from lnnlf-way. 9. That there be some defined maximum duration for spells in a game.

After some discussion the following resolution was carried:- —That Wanganui be informed that a sub-commit-tee has been appointed to confer with the lotal Referees’ Association re the suggested alterations and that tli© Union’s feeling is practically in accord with the modifications forwardNotification was received from the NuZ.R.U that the date of the annual meeting had been fixed for May 16. The names of delegates and Tice, presidents appointed by the P.B.R-.U. to the N.Z.R.U. were also asked for. —ln connection with this matter Mr Isaacs was asked to suggest a suitable person to act with him as third delegate. „ , ' „ . The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union wrote asking the Union to assist m securing an alteration in the rules re the reinstatement of players who hacl ioined the professional ranks.—lt was decided to inform the Hawke’s Bay Union that, though sympathising with them in their position, this Union dm not see its way to move hi the matter. GENERAL. It was decided to hold the weekly meetings of the Committee on Monday evenings at 7.30, but in order to meet the convenience of members next week’s meeting will be held on Tuesday evening. , A .committee, consisting of the sec,Tetany of the Union and the school teachers was appointed to draw up rules to govern the deCcsta Cup competition. It was decided .to. open the season on May 4, the match to he Maori v. Pdlcglih* In connection with the Saturday competition it was proposed to commence the club matches on May lilt was resolved to deal with the lists of players at next meeting of the Committee, and these must he in the hands of the secretary by Saturday night next. Information relating to the entries of teams must also reach the secretary of the Union by the same date. COMMITTEES. Messrs Maude, Eaton and -Coleman were elected as a. postponement com™The'ground committee was elected as follows: Messrs Gotland, Howard Kaipara and Cowan. SELECTOR. ■ In connection with the, election of a selector for representative teams a general meeting is to be held on May 13 for the purpose of filling the position. DISQUALIF.T CATIONS. The N.Z.R.U. notified the following disqualifications under .the rules of professionalism: G. Holland. C. Hogg, E. McKenna, and D. 0 Donnell. ' _ OLD BOYS’. CLUB. A meeting of the Old Boys’ Club will be held this evening when the question of entering three teams m the competition rvill be decided.