ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 906, 27 August 1910, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. SPECIAL MEETINC. CONTROL OF BIG MATCHES. A special meeting of the Wellington Referees' Association was" held last uighfc to consider tiio action of " tho Wellington Rugby Union in connection with the appointment of a referee for the Wellington B-Marlbo'rough representative match, to bo played in Wellington to-day. Mr. D. M'Kenzie presided, and about 25 members were present, . ' The chairman informed those present of tho object of the special meeting, making reference to what had happened at the Jast meeting of the association, and also at tho last meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union, when the Marlborough Union were informed that Jlr.-F. Laws was not available: to referee in to-day's match.' Mr. Laws was still an active member of the'assuciation,.,.the> .chairman said, and early in the season had taken matches wherever appointed. .Referring to thu a<:tion of the Wellington Rugby Union in selecting five names' from the list of senior referees for submission to tho various: unions. Mr. 51'E.enziegave it as his .opinion; that the association was best able to judgo as to tho referees qualified to', control, representative matches. (Hear, hear:) Continuing, tho chairman said ho had had a visit from Messrs. Talbpt and Perry, of the Rugby Union, that morning in reference to the matter, Mr. Perry taking the opportunity to mention that he had been misreported by The Dominion in some remarks he made about the Referees' Association. : . Mr. Keys rose to. make some re marks about a member of.the association .present, and about .what reporters should report and should not report., when the chairman called him to order. Mr. Keys then moved that the name of Mr. F. Laws be sent forward from tho association as 'able to act in representative matches, as ho is still an active member, of the Referees' Association. Mr. J. Burns said the remarks of the chairman called for a reply from him (Mr. Burns) as a member oi the Rugby Union. The union had been guided in their decision by a letter they had re. ceived from Mr. Laws notifying his intention of withdrawing from all championship matches. -They had taken this to : mean representative matches also. The names forwarded to the different unions .iveru those which it was thought would give satisfaction. . It was absurd that the names of all 'senior referees should bo forwarded, as the other unions.would not-know, half, of them. In any case the association) he said, had 'not conirplied with the union's request to foiward the list of' referees available for the Otago-Wellington match, and the union had to make ■ the best' selection, possible from.the old list. . .. ■ ..After other members had spoken, Mi. W. Roberts said that ho still maintained that Mr. Laws should not take the match, if appointed. His .appointment would'cast a slur'on the association. The reason why Mr. Laws had given up • taking ■championship matches was because he had certain opinions, regarding the Appointment Board/ ■ Mr. Card asked if Mr. Keys's mo-, tion were passed would that mean that a member could stand down all the seasou and then take representative matches? On being answered in tho affirmative,. Mr. Card said it was most unfair. . '■■".,' '. " .■'. ' Mr. F. Sumnierhayes.said that the season why Mr. W: Roberta's motion had not been seconded on Monday night was that the chairman had practically vetoed it at'tho start. ■ If Mr. Ncilson. had'not told them that it would be useless to carry the motion, it would have been carried easily. . -Mr. Neilson, by'way of explanation, said that ho had waited for a seconder on the occasion referred to to tho motion, but iiono was forthcoming. Mr. W. Roberts asked leave to makfl a personal explanation, which was to tho effect that he .had the greatest regard for Mr.. F. Laws. Mr. J. Burns then asked leavo to make a personal explanation, and stated that Y the association should select one name for each match, and forward it to the union.. . :. Mr. Roberts then made another peas sonal explanation, which was to the effect that tho Rugby Union could scratch Jiis name.off the lists wherever it appeared. . ". Mr.- W. J. Meredith said ho had stated at the last meetjng that he would not be available for one- particular match, yet his name had been forwarded. .. "■..'.-' Mr. F. Laws then'rose, and said a few words from him would be appropriate. Ho had seen a report in Tius Dominion that said he was not n member of the association. He would like to know if Mr. W. Roberts inado that remark. ■He was' still an active member of the association, and his resignation had never been forwarded. Ho denied having certain opinions \ attributed to him regarding the.appomtuient board, hut did not consider tliat he had received fair treatment. He detailed ■• the positions which he had held on the association, and remarked that he was also a member of the New Zealand Referees' Association, which showed'that he'had the confidence of members. He was in the same. box. as Mr. Francis, who had not refereed in the first half of the season, and yet was eligible for representative matches. ■. Mr. Burns hero stated that the union had received no letter from Mr. Francis, but they had from Mr. Laws. Sir. Laws said he thought the "climax" of the position was that the Rugby Union had accepted the newspaper reports, without waiting to hear from the association.. ■ . • Mr. L. Sievers said that he had something to say of newspapers. Ho saw in the "New Zealand Times" somo weeks ago that the union had refused to grant the association a certain allowance. He afterwards found' that the money had been passed for payment. Mr". D. M'Kenzie, in reply to Mr. Burns, said that the association had sent the names of three referees to tho union for tho Maori-Wellington'match. The union had taken no notico of the •names. Tho resolution moved by Mr. Keys was then put to the' meeting, and carried on tho voices. The chairman then members that he know that no appointment had yet been mado v -for the Marlborough-Wellington match, and that the New Zealand Referees' Association would , appoint a man this morning- ' ■ , Mr. W. Roberts then moved that the association request Mr. Laws not to accept the appointment, but tho motion was lost. Other discussion took place, in which Mr. Thompson informed tho association that tho Canterbury Union (so he had been.informed) were going to havo Mr. Laws for referee in their match, although his name had not been forward-, ed by the local union. Mr. Laws said ho was surprised to hear that tho Canterbury Union had asked for him, .as that body still owed him 30s. for expenses. v -

. MARLBOROUGH MATCH. What may prove an interesting game is tlio meeting between the local representatives and Marlborough at theAthletic Park this afternoon, this being the first of a series of homo representative games :o be played by the local union. The visiting team has had a long scries of wins during the last three years, and on this' occasion it is

oxpocted that the local team will not havo to be altogether lethargic if tliey wish to bo in front at the finish. Although nominally a. 13 team, tho JiVcllngtou men mo all or nearly all representative players, Roberts, M'Kellar, Walsh, Tilyard, Hardham, Pylo and others making a very good combination. As a "curtain-raiser" the final for the- fourth-class championship between Southern and Oriental will bo played at 1.30 and an interesting gamo should be witnessed. COLLEGE TOURNEY. The Wangniiui College football team arrived in Welintgon yesterday, and tho Christ's College- team is duo to arrive to-day for tho intor-collcgiate tourney to bo played next week. In tho first match, to be played on Monday, Wanganui meets 'Wellington. Christ's College is to play Wanganui on Wednesday, and Wellington on Friday. All fcho matches are to bo played on tho Wellington College grounds. On Tuesday the visiting teams will bo taken for a drive in the forenoon, and will bo entertained at a dinner at tho collego in the evening. Other diversions arranged aro a theatre party and a dance, to bo giveu, by Mrs. Firth, at the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening. . SHIPPING CO.'S MATCH. Leaving the wharf at 2.15 sharp this afternoon the Union Co.'s steamer Terawhiti will tako members of both teams together with their friends to Seatoun where tho annual match between the combined shipping companies v. Union Co. will bo played. This year a handsome shield has been presented which will- be competed for .annually. Those interested are .reminded that ■the evening function to be held in tho Masonic Hall will commence at 8 p.m. Mr. W. Wallaco will occupy ,tho chair, and the Hon. J. A. Millar will also be present. Following are the teams: — Union -Co.: Young, C. Kecgan, Pickering, Aioken, Gilbert, Bonder, Simon, Cable, Hansen, Douglas, Hutton, Todd, Gray, Boyes, Feeney. Emergencies: De Clifford, Loriner. Combined Companies: Ashenden (N.Z.S. Co;), Cowles (Dalgety), Mason (Levin), Moorehouso (N.Z.S. Co.), Drake (51. R. and Co.), i\ T . M'Lean (H.P. and Co.), Binnio '(N.Z. and A.S.S. Co.); Donovan (Bannatyne aiid Co.), M'Keoun (H.P. and Co.), Focko (C. arfd F.), Ahcrne (Johnston and Co.), D. J. M'Lean (M.L.S.S. Co.), Crawford (Levin). Hodgson (iY.Z.S. Co.), .Weathorall (G. H. >Scales). •' "HOUSE" MATCH.' • ' The following' will represent Gordon and Gotch against. . Kirkcaldie and Staines in a "liouso" match on No. 1 ground, Duppa Street, at 3 p.m. today :—Chapman, Jensen, Mpxham, Lennox, Bollard,' Bennett. Ladey, Elliott, Leniham, Hatch, Kelly, Wilson, Faruall, ■ Pither, anil Hyder. Kirkcaldio and Stiiihos team: Jones, Hcaltz, Duck, Robinson, Houltz, Bertram, Wood, Davis, Cornfoot, Nathan, Whitfield, Goodman, Watson, Mills, and Gilbert. ' •/ .' LACROSSE. This afternoon Kelburno and Columbia, the two leading clubs in tho Proud Cup competition, will try conclusions at Duppa Street Reserve, commencing at 3 o'clock. An interesting contest should result. \ Capitol will meet Wellington at \the Basin Reserve at 3 p.m. These matches will concludo tho third round of tho championship fixtures. Tho .Kelburne players havo at present a lead; of 5 points from Columbia, who in turn are 1 point ahead of Capitol. If Kolburne is beaten to-day further matches will be played before the champions of 1910 are declared. HOCKEY. AUCKLAND LADIES' TEAM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, August 26. The Auckland ladies' representative hockey team left by this evening's Main Trunk express en route to Nelson, where they will lake part in the New Zealand Championship Tournament. The party is as follows :— Misses M. Cooke, D. Abbott, L. Probert, Daines, I). Bennett,--D. Kenny, B. Muldoon, E. Culling, M. Western, J. Ross, M, Payton, N. Bennett. Emergencies,: Back, Miss Hanah;. halfback, Miss'N. M'Cormick; forwards, Misses M. Steele and Pearl Dawson. Miss M. Cooko has been elected captain, Miss P., Darfson manager, and Mrs. Culling .is chaperone. Mr. T. Gresham, president of .the Auckland Hockey Association, :is accompanying the party.

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP TEAM. By Teleeraph—Press AFsorati-vi-rnDyriclii (Rec. August 26, 10.50 p.m.) . I London, August 26. The "Daily Telegraph" says it is extremely improbable that a Davis Cup team will be sent to Australia. AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP. Now York, August 25. Lamed, the- holder, defeated Bundy for the national lawn tennis championship at Rhode Island. STAR BOATING CLUB. ■ ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the' Star Boating Club was held last evening, Mr. C. Pearco presiding. Tho forty-first annual report- and bal-ance-sheet, which were ,adopted, stated that : the receipts for the past year amounted to'-v£592 165., .and the expenditure X 614 55."1 d., however left a credit, including balance brought forward from last year, of £'ii 10». id. The debenture debt still amounts to 5295, the committee having bsen unable to reduco the amount owing to heavy expenditure on new plant. The total membership of tho club is now 390; 10 new members were elected during the year ami 81 resigned. During the 'last season two new junior sculling boats and one best-and-best racing four were added to the plant, and have given every satisfaction. The club was represented at regattas at Wellington, Picton (championship), and Napier, winning the Maiden Double Sculls at both Picton and Napier. The committee wish to thank those gentlemen who acted as coaches during the season, and hope that more members will como forward to assist the club in this branch next year. Tho committee also has to express its regret at tho death of llr. B. S. M Gowan', who wns one of the club's oldest members, and who held office as a committcernaii and treasurer of tho club for several years.

The election of officers resulted as fol-lows-.-President, Mr. H. P. Bell (reelected); captnin, Mr. A. D. Barfield; deputy-captain, Mr. F. H. Taylor; secretary, Mr. J. E. AViddop (re-plccted); treasurer, Mr. W. S. Wheeler; committee,. Messrs. A. H. Barnctt, 11. S. Barron, C. E. Bridge, 6. 11. Fell, D. R. Monzies, and C. Poarce; Match Committee, Messrs. A. D. Bnyfiold, H. S. Barron, and E. C. Little; Club Race Committee, Messrs. A. H. Barnett, Little, and Turner; Clubhouse Committee, Messrs. Anderson, Dudley. Harrington, Little, Innes, Johnstono, and Hulbcrt; auditors, Messrs. W. H. Morrah and Richards (re-olectcd); trustees, Messrs. H. 1). Bell, A. do B. Brandon, and C. A. Knapp. Ic was resolved after considerable discussion that the annual subscription bo increased to £i 2s. Sixteen new active members and one honorary member were elected to tlio club. Messrs. \V. G. Duthie, W. A. Tripe, T. R. Fleming, and C. B. Triranell v;ere elected lifo members.