RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. A VERY PLAIN-SPOKEN REPORT. The annual meeting of the Wellington Referees' Association is to bo held on Monday evening. The report contains the following items of interest, the vexed question of appointments to matches being treated very frankly. One special meeting and 26 weekly meetings were held,' the averago attendance being 20, which shows the great interest of members in all that concerns the welfare of the organisation. The appointments for Rugby TJnion matches totalled 440—very few matches lapsed for want of referees. Appointments to Matchsa. For some years now the members have been dissatisfied with the method of appointing referees to the matches played under the Rugby Union every Saturday. A special meeting was called last season to discuss this matter, and as a result a deputation from the association waited on the Rugby Union. The deputation asked 'that the old method of appointing referees bo reverted to—viz., that the appointments should be made by a committee of the association. The case for the association was put by the chairman, the secretary, and Mr. Card, a very sympathetic hearing being given to their requests. The Management Committee, however, did not offer any encouragement to tho association, as they pointed out that an amendment of the by-laws was necessary to carry out the request of the delegation. As a matter of fact, the committee wore not prepared to move an amendment in tho direction suggested. It might not bo out of place hero to stato that the appointments arc in tho hands of two representatives of tho captains of senior clubs, two members of tho Rugby Union, and threo members of tho Referees) Association—a cumbersomo enough body, in all conscience, to make a matter of about forty appointments, but in tho opinion of this association tho by-law of tho union is stretched considerably further than its framcrs intended. For instance, for some years now the captains of c'ubs have not held a meeting to appoint two of their number to tho Appointment Board, and the two gentlemen who have acted in that capacity have not been captains of senior teams, as was the original intention of the by-law. Again, tho two members of the Rugby Union Committee are appointed early in the season, but tho board is not bound by the original appointments, for should ono of those first apDointed be absent from a meeting, anotlier can net in his place. This also applies to tho Referees' Association representatives, and, therefore, tho elastic nature of this Appointment Board can easily be gauged. Tho association claims that, as far as a majority of the members of tho board is concerned, club interest dominates tho appointments/'and tlio way in which proxies can be given lays the whole matter open to tho gravest of abuse. ' Wanted—An Alteration. As to whether the association will get from the Rugby Union what it requires in this matter is very problematical, but it behoves the referees to be insistent in their demand for an alteration. If the request that the appointments of referees should be in tho hands of tho association cannot be brought to pass, this association should insist that the board is legally appointed according to the wording and ltuenlion of the by-law of tho Rugby Union, and also that the seven gentlemen appointed should be prepared.to take on tho duties for the whole season, and that tho members of tho board should not bo pormitted to give proxies to others when, either from the fact that tho principal matches aro not of especial interest to them, or from any

other cause, they find themselves unable, or unwilling, to attend the weekly meeting of tho board. Ccnoral Matters. Special thanks arc duo to the junior members of the association for tho enthusiastic mannei in which they fulfilled their appointments during the season. Lectures to players on "Tho Laws of the Game" were inaugurated during tho season, with unsatisfactory results. Clubs were circularised, but owing to players failing to take advantage of the opportunity, tho lectures lapsed, which goes to show tho disinclination of players to acquire a knowledge of "The Laws of the Game." During the year the annual conference of referees under the auspices of tho New Zealand Referees' Association was held ill Wellington. The report has already been kid before you. Tho annual meeting will be again held in Wellington during Eas*er. During tho.year the membership increased ny five, and now stands "at 55 activo and 26 non-active. In view of the present season, it is essential that recruits from the ranks of retired players should come forward and assist tho association to carry out its numerous engagements. During the season the Examination and Classification Committee brought down a report recommending that Messrs. E. I'regear, L. Simpson, and A. Noilscn be classified as senior referees. Tho reDort was adopted.

Tho game played by the association representatives against the Manawatu Referees' Association was won by the Wellington team. In all probability the Manawatu E.A. will visit Wellington this coming season. Financo. The balance-sheet discloses £38 16s. 10s. as receipts, this sum including a credit balance of £4 19s. 4d. brought forward from the previous year. There is a balance this year of £3 45., and also members' expenses in hand totaling £2 4s. THE ATHLETIC 'CLUB. PONEKE MATCH ATT AIR. A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT. Tho 33rd annual meeting of tho Wellington Athletic Football Club was held at Godbcr's, Cuba Street, last evening, tho president, ill'. G. K. C. Campbell, ill the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet, which have already been published, were read and adopted. The chairman announced that the Star (Wednesday) Football Club had agreed to join forces with the club. They would, of course, continue to play Wednesday games as before, but under the auspices of tho Athletic Club. This announcement was very heartily received by the meeting. Continuing, the chairman, reviewing the progress and.condition of the Rugby gamo, hoped that tho professional element would be kept out, and any tendancy in that direction steadily opposed. It was certain that the introduction of professionalism would lessen public inin tho game, and restrict tho facilities now enjoyed by a very largo number, of players of following tho game. In a passing reference to tho regrettable incident of tho Poneke-Ath-letic match last season, the speaker said that there was absolutely no necessity whatever for player's to lose their tempers, use bad language, and in-other ways lower tho standard of play. Tho public's opinion of tho Poneke-Athlotic affair—it was not a matter of who was to blame—was that it should not havo happened. Such things should never happen. Thirty-one new members wore obcted.

The following officers were elected for .tho-ensuing term:—President,..Mr. G. F. ! Ci''Campbell: vice-presidents; Messrs; J. A. Coates, E. Davey, J. O'Sullivan, R. M. Isaacs, W. Beddcll, G. Robertsoil, W.'H. Hales, J. H. Pagni, J. A. Thompson, H. Kelly, I. Hyams, W. S. Ridler, D. G. A. Cooper, J. M. King, C. Atkinson, and E. 0. Hales; club captain, W. S. Ridlor: secretary, D. Maddorn; treasurer,; j. A. Glasgow; management committee, W. Mills (Wednesday), AY. Bell, A. ' Evenson, J. Waters, A. Wilson, T. Rsipson, A. J. Cunningham; auditors, R. P. Hood and J. A. Thompson; delegates to the Rucby Union, E. O. Hales, H. Kellv, C. Atkinson, J. O'Sullivan (Wednesday Club). Tho conditions of tho • Athletic-Star Club amalgamation were agreed to and Messrs. Ridler, Hales, and Mills appointed to draft such consequential alterations in the rules as might bo found necessary. The invitation extended to members by tho Y.M.C.A. to tho concert and gymnastic display on. March 21 was accepted with thanks.

ST. JAMES'S CLUB. The tenth annual renort of the St. James's Football Club (to bs presented at the meeting on Monday evening) has the following, inter alia: — The club, though not so strong numerically as in previous seasons, has reason to bo proud of the standard of play attained by members. The senior team was particularly successful, and was in the leading position for the' championship during the 'greater part of the season, and finished second to Oriental after somo strenuous battles. In competition for the Charity Cup our team was chosen to meet Oriental, the result being a win for St. James. 'J ho matches played numbered 13. Nino were won, 3 Jost, and 1 drawn; points for 135, against 59. Charity Cup contest—• St. James, 16; Oriental, 10. The junior team performed exceedingly well. Eleven matches were played, 8 were • won, 2 lost, and 1 drawn. Points for,' 102; against 3G. The fourth-class team gave promise of being very close up, but unfortunately lost several matches towards the end of the season. This team played 8 matches, won 4, lost 4. Points for, 71; against 76. The second annual social and dance was held at St. Peter's Hall on September 30, and proved a success. Our club was well and faithfully represented in representative games last season by Messrs. E. Robcrts (North v. South Island), A. Thomas, G. Bradley, A. Bruce, J. Jloffitt, E. Roberts, and C. Hills (Wellington A team), C. King (Wellington B team), and J. Dobson, C. Ryder, and H. Hope (junior representatives). A team under the management of the lion, secretary (Air. F. Crowes) visited Now Plymouth at Easter,, and played the Star Club senior team. Our team was not at all representative of the club, and suffered defeat. This was more than compensated for by tho enjoyable time spent by our players, and wo desire to tender thanks to the meaibprs of the Star Club for the very many kindnesses extended to us. The manager, on behalf of the St. James's Club, extended ail invitation to Star 10 play a ijiatcli in Wellington on some fntuic occasion. A team from the Pirates C'lub, of Napier, played a match with a team representing our club at the Athletic Park on Easter Saturday. Tris game remitted in a win for St. James by 14 points to 6. The visitors expressed themselves very pleased with their trip. 'The annual match wiih the Kin, Toa Club was played in Wellington 1.-st year, and resulted in a win for cur payors. The visitors were entertained during their stay here, and i-pi-nt ,".n enjoyable time. We desire again to heartily thank our coach, Mr. 11. Roberts, sen., for tho valuable services rendered to the club during the past season. We also desire to tender thanks to Messrs. F. ICitto, A. Campbell, .T. Crewes, AY..11. Pollock, R, A. Wright. M.P.. W. Rowe, and W. J. Conner, and Dr. Cameron, for donations to the.club funds; to Messrs. J. J. Elliott and S. J. Moran for valuable services rendered; and to onr lady friends and supporters for their kind lielii on tho occasion of the annual social. The balance sheet shows receipts totalling £46 18s. od. The balance, after r&.-.etiug all calls, is £5 17s, ad,

The tenth annual meeting of St James's Football Club will be held ii St. James's Young Men's Class Room Newtown, on Monday next.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. DIAMONDS' ANNUAL MEETING. Tho eighteenth annual meeting of tho Diamond Association Football Club was held at the Trocadero Hotel last evening. Mr. H. R. Davenport, president, supported by Mr. F. J. Earle, vice-president, presided over a very largo attendance. The annual report and balance-sheet (published on Thursday) were adopted. Officers elected for the ensuing season were as follow President, Mr. R. H. Davenport (re-elected); vice-presi-denta, Messrs. A. C. Collins, H. Bernard, C. Collins, F. J. Earle, A. B. Thompson, H. Powers, E. Anderson, H. Egcrton, W". R. Roulston, J. B. Haddon, W. H. Bedell, 11. B. Swain, and A. E. Wells; lion secretary, Mr. J. Black; lion, treasurer, Mr. A. G. Barnett; management committee, Messrs. J. E. Collins, AY". Robinson, C. Hathaway, and W. J. Taylor ; selection com'mittco', Messrs. Barnett, Hathaway, and W. Roberts; club captain, Mr. W. Roberts; vice-captain, Mr. A. G. Barliott; delegates to W.F.A., Messrs. Black, Bernard, Barnett. Mr. E. Anderson was elected a life member of the club. A vote of sympathy was passed to Mr. D. J. Collins, one of the original members of tho club, who is at present suffering 'froni a severe illness. Tho hope was expressed that Mr. Collins would soon bo restored to health.

Offers were received from two supporters to donate gold medals to tho players showing tho most improved form in tho Second and Third Division teams respectively, during the season. After considerable discussion it was decided that the club's delegates be instructed to support the proposal of tho W.F.A. to make a levy on Senior and Second Division teams for the purpose of meeting the expense of marking out the field of play on the city reserves. A recommendation to the management committee that they should endeavour to put a Fifth and Sixth Division team in tho field this year, was carried unanimously. Practico is to commenco on Saturday next. (March 25) at Miramar. THISTLE CLUB'S MEETING. Tho annual meeting of the Thistle Club will be held on March 21, at 52 Lower Cuba Street, at 8 p.m., when a very satisfactory report for the last season will bo presented., Tho club's prospects for the ensuing season look particularly promising, as several new players have been registered. A practico match is advertised to take place to-day.