ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1085, 25 March 1911, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUUBY FOOTBALL. DOMINION REFEREES. THE GREAT TANGLE OF RULES. The Executive Committee) of tho New Zealand Referees' Association met last evening, Mr. F. A. Hcmpleman presiding. Also present were: Messrs. G. Howe, W. L. Silvers, H. Card, and J. Loughton, and J. M. Robb (secretary). Correspondence was received from _ a number of affiliated Provincial Associations in regard to the annual general meeting which is to be hold at Wellington on April 14 next. The South Taraiiaki Association notified that Mr. A. Lees would be its, delegate and nominated Mr. P. O'Dea (Hawera) as vicepresidenti Tho Poverty Bay Association nominated Mr. J. J. Martin as vice-president. The Auckland Association stated that Mr. G. H. Kattcrns would probably. bo its representative, and nominated Mr. Angus Campbell as vice-president. . • On tho motion of Mr. Laughton, Mr. Siovers seconding, it was agreed that the question of entertaining visiting delegates should be referred to a, committee, consisting of tho chairman and secretary, together with three delegates appointed by the Wel'ington Referees' Assodiition. , . It .was agreed that the nest meeting, of the association should bo held on Friday, April 7.

What ths Provinces Want. The order paper of the annual meeting was laid upon tho table. Among the remits' is one sent forward b.v the Otago Association: "That the Management Committee of the' New Zealand Referees' be located 'in Dunedin until such time as the delegates decide otherwise." Tho delegate of the Auckland Association will,move: "That.the by-laws of the association be amended so as to provide that there be a biennial general meeting, instead of an annual general meeting, and that it be hold in Wellington." . Other remits proposo as follow:— That provisions ue made in the bylaws of the 'association for determining the : classification of, associations as metropolitan associations. That the action of referees acting in intcr-union and like matches 'not sending their accounts for expenses through tho'Neff. Zealand Referees' Association be considered. That a certificate bo awarded to all referees, who officiate in inter-union or like matches, provided that they.have been appointed by the Now Zealand Ilugby Union Appointment Board and have been classified by a metropolitan association as senior referees for a period of at least three years.

Annual Report. Following is the text of the annual report, to bo presented by the executive at : the annual meeting : — The association has had a successful although uneventful season. During the past season the amendments made to tfio laws of the game, by tho International Board and New Zealand Rugby Union, w'ero brought, into force, and, although no changes were mide, some small improvements _ were effected. The association''has,''in the past, made several well considered, suggestions towards improving and. simplifying the laws, but the governing body has not seen fit to adopt them. '_ The time has arrived when the voluminous case law appended to the various laws should be thoroughly revised and simplified, ,for the.retention of many of the oiLr.iilings th©; refere© to administer,' and'for 'the' player to understand... .Your executive would suggest that overtures should be made to the' New Zealand' Rugby Union to have a committer set up to consider this matter, consisting of 1 representatives of the New Zealand Bugby Union And of this association. Your executive is, still of the opinion that consideration should be given to-the-matter of having the headquarters of .the association moved from' time to time, arid also of holding a biennial meeting instead of an annual meeting. Acting on tho recommendation of the last conference, the executive • considered the question of [awarding badges to , representative referees, and has placed the following oh the order paper:—"Tbat a certificate bo awarded to all. referees who officiate in inter-union or like matches, provided that they have been appointed by .the New Zealand, Rugby Union Appointment Board, and have been classified by a lietropolitan association aS senior referees for a'period of at least three years." The executive would urge that ■ some steps' should be taken to give effect to the resolution of last years conference that referees, acting • in. '.'foreign" matches, should forward their accounts for expenses through the N.Z.R.A. The question of determining the status of . associations (as to whether they shall be considered, as metropolitan or otherwise) needs- consideration, as tho present method seems to create a certain amount of'dissatisfaction. In conclusion your executive would impress upba associations,the necessity of direct representation at the conference as being essential to bring about the desired uniformity of ruling and interpretation.

PALMERSTON OLD BOYS. The annual meeting of members of the Palmerston Old Boys' Football Club was held this week., Mr. G. D. Hoben / presiding. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £1 13s. Bd., which was considered satisfactory, seeing that the year commenced with, a debit of £8 10s. 6d. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Mr. G. B. Hoben; president, Mr. J. T. Pawson; vice-presidents, ■Messrs. S. R. Lancaster, W. Mundy, J. S. Watchorn, T. Childa, G. E. Trevor, and Mrs. J, Adams; secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. Shecrin; delegates to the union, Messrs. J. Manning, J. T. Pawson, and T. Sheerin; management com- - niittee, Messrs.. A. Ayling, S. Lucas, G. Oliver, R. Law, and G. Tremaine. It was decided to apply co the Rugby TJnion to be allowed. to enter junior, third, and fourth-class teams for the competitions.

ASSOCIATION. W.F.A, ANNUAL MEETING. Tho Wellington Football Association its twentieth pneeting at the Y.M.C.A. buildings last evening. Mr. H. N. Holmes presided. , Mr J. J. Roberts, iu moving ' the adoption annual report and bal-artce-sheet, remarked that gratification must bo expressed at the progress of Association football during the past season. Rome splendid work had been dotte amongst tho boys' clubs. Regarding. tho sending of a boys' team to Otago last season, tho speaker said that this was the first occasion 'on which a boys' team had been sent away, and tho result had proved very satisfactory. Looking 'at' things from a sportsman's point of view, ho did' not adi'ocato Saturday afternoon as a general baif-holi-day, for there were very few grounds in Wellington, and (considering tho number of players taking part in various games in the city) if Saturday wero made the half-holiday there would not be grounds enough to accommodate everyone. Mr. H. N. Holmes remarked upon tho self-sacrifieo that had been shown by tlioso in charge of Association footbail in Wellington. Hie speaker went on to say that a glance at the annual report would' show that, under the auspices of tho W.F.A'., there wero sev-enty-seven teams playing the game list season, , representing 1022 players. This year there should' be no reason whv tiiflro should not bo 100 teams.

Mr. J. J. Roberts thought that more money shouli bo contributed by tho second division teams to'wards the upkeep of tho association. It was time that tho fourth division players should contribute something too. In his opinion tho capitation of the senior teams should not bo increased, but those teams which played on the city'reserves should be charged a ground fee equal to the expenses of teams which had to travel out of town. Mr. R. Y. Walls did not favour tho raising of tho subscription of second division teams. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. A communication was received from tho Festival of Empire Committeo asking tho W.F.A.' to" contributo towards tho expense of sending a team of New Zealand, representatives to Londcui. It was decided; upon the motion of Mr. B. L. Salmon, that a letter be sent stating that the proposal could not bo entertained. After considerable discussion it was decided that tho ages of boys eligible to play in boys' teanis should be as follow:—Fourth division, 18; fifth division, 16; sixth division, 14, tho players to bo under age beforo April 1: Mr. J. J. Roberts was in favour of weight being substituted for age. He wished to get rid of the "first of April idea." A team (to be called the Ngaio .Club) asked for affiliation with the association, and, in its letter, stated that it had decided to play in the fifth division. Tho Johnsonvillo Club, also asked for permission to affiliate. Both applications were granted. The election: of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr. C. H. Izard; president, Mr. J. G.' W. Aitken; vicepresidents, Mo.isrs. C. P. Skerrett, G. Wilson, H. N. M'Leod. R. H. Davenport, F. G. Bolton, J. J. Roberts, H. M'Keowen, F. J. Courtney, T. Shields, A. J. Abbott, R. Pye-Smith, H. N. Holmes, Dr. Hassel, H Slayer, 0. J. Crawford, and Major C. D. Mackintosh; life vice-president, Mr. A. E. Gibbes; Management Committee, Messrs. R. Y. Walls. H. Waters, J. B. Paton, B. L. Salmon, C. K. Dick, T. Thompson, and the Rov. Mutter; hon. secretary, Mr. A. Williams;,hon. treasurer, Mr. W. Duncan; lion, auditor, Messrs. H. D. Vickerv and A. Barnett; delegates to the New Zealand Football Association, Messrs. J.-J. Roberts and A. Williams. - ■ Considerable discussion ensued over tho proposal of the Management Committee to make a levy of threepence per member of each team, playing on the city reserves, for the. purpose of meeting the expense of marking out the field of play prior to a match taking place oil Saturdays. After tho original motion had been moved and seconded, several amendments were put forward, and many and varied were tlie opinions expressed ■ regarding these. ■Eventually it was' decided, by a large majority, that tho committee's recommendation bo upheld, and the original motion was passed.

THE SINEWS OP WAR. Mr. B. L. Salmon, secretary of the New Zealand Football Association has received advice from the Manawatu F.A. stating that it has been decided to guarantee £30 towards the expense incurred in bringing a New South Wales team to New Zealand this Reason.,

a cup for competition: . Messrs. Petitt. and' Dudley, of Palmerston North, who are keen supporters of the Association game, have presented cup to the 'N.Z.F.A. for competition amongst North Island teams... It is suggested by the. donors that this competition be run on .the .same .principle, as the English "knockout'.'; tournament, butrithby/uialter-tlioofetipir- 1 . lation that it can never be won l outright. The N.Z.F.A. has considered the proposal, and it has been decided that the offer cannot be accepted unless the donors agree that the cup bo competed for by club teams throughout tho whole of New Zealand. It was suggested by the council that the cup be given as a trophy to be competed for -by boys' teams, but this did riot meet with the approval of Messrs. Petitt and Dudley.

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

• WELLINGTON CENTRE. A meeting of the'- Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last evening at the Y.M.O.A, rooms. ■ Mr.- M'Villey presided. The Auckland Centre wrote regarding the case of Messrs. Gyllies and Harrison, which had been previously dealt with by tho Wellington Centre'. The allegation was that' Harrison, a profesi sional, ran at'a Wanganui meeting under tho name of. Davics ; and Gyllies was suspended for • knowingly running with him. Various letters were enclosed, including one from Gyllies, in which he said he was tired of the whole affair, repudiating'the-allegation, and resigning as a member of the Auckland Club. Ihe Auckland Centre had passed a resolution vhat Gyllies had been guilty of a violation of the amateur definition. It was decided to formally report Gyllies to the New Zealand Council, and send in all information received. It was also decided +o thank the Auckland Centre for their assistance in the matter. The Kumaroa Athletic _ Association were granted a permit to include amateur events in their programme. 'i Similar permission was granted the ] KopiUi'.inga, Sports 'Club, Mastcrton, for April 16. A report covering the recent Conference of Centres at Christenixrch during the championship meeting was made by Mr. Shortt. There had been no constitution for tho conference, he .said, jnter -alia, and apparently all had been' informal. Mr. Shortt gave it as his opinion that the conferenco was useless. All tho liecess.iry business could be drno ,by letter between tho centres. A temporary secretary had been appointed, but there was nothing permanent. It was decided to communicate with tho various centres, ■ inji out lhat n the conference were to be of use in the future it should be for tho purr pose of discussing matters of general interest to The sport, with a view to arriving at a common undcrstinding and, making recommendation on matters of policy and principle for consideration. Voting should be by centres, not delegates. Wellington Civil Service Club were granted a permit for a club sports meeting on April 15 (Easter Saturday). A motion of sympathy with Mr. G. Turner, in tho death of his sister, was passed, the members standing.

The Brooklyn Harriers open their season to-day with an informal run from the ThoriKbn baths.

BILLIARDS.

GRAY'S TWENTIETH THOUSAND. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright London, March 24. In the billiard match between Gray .and Harverson, 8000 up, tho scores now stand:—Gray, 5333; Harverson, 1124. Gray has made another break of 1001, making his twentieth break of over 1000.

SWIMMING.

HELP FOR THE Y.W.C.A. The special carnival, the last of tho season, which is'being'hold at the Te Aro Baths to-day in aid of tho furnishing fund of tbc Young Women's Christian Association, bids fair to bo a Success. Sixty ladios liavo been selling tickets for the gathering, and a strong working committee has all the arrangements complete. During the afternoon

C. Brice. who broke the record for the 100 yards at tho New Zealand championship meeting, will attempt to reduce his timo. Assistance will be given at the sports by tho Seagulls Ladies' Club, the Swifts 'Ladies' Club, and the Girls' College.

CRICKET.

Wellington East v. Karori, at Basin Reserve. East'team: —Clarke, Prain, Edwards, Cusack, Flint, Forrester, A. Thomas, Gray, M'Ardle, Curric. A match for the Congregational Challenge Shield will bo played this afternoon between teams from the Courtenay Place and Terrace Churches.

GOLF.

THE MANAWATU CLUB. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Palmerston, March 24. The annual meeting of the Manawatu Golf Club was held this evening, Mr. H. R. Cooper (president) being in tho chair. The report stated that the past year had been a very successful one, while the balance-sheet showed that the receipts for the year had amounted to £608, and tho expenditure to £592. With the balance brought forward thero was a credit of £208. Tho membership was 153. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr. V. Harmau; vice-presi-dent, Mr: H. Gifford Moore; captain, Mr. A. Barraud; hon. sec., Mr. L. A. Abraham; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. W. Harden; trustee, Mr. H. R. Cooper; committeo, Messrs. W. Strang, Dr. Stowe, M; Cohen, J. Strang, P. A. M'Hardy, and Dr. Wilson. Tho links are to be opened at once, but the formal opehing will take place on April 22.

TEACHERS' SPORTS CLUB.

The first annual handicap tennis tournament, under the auspices of tho Wellington Public School Teachers' Sports Club, will be played on Brougham Hill Club s courts to-day, commencing at 9 a.m. Following are the fixtures:— Singles: Arcus v. Griffiths, Olson v. Caddick, East v. Dempsey,, Thwaites v. Melody, Fanning v. Burns, Stainton v. Darrock, Taylor v. Proctor, Morice v. Sutton, Ward. v. Lowe, Fathers y. M'Kenzio. Doubles: Arcus and Griffiths v. Caddick and Melody, East and Morico v. Dempsey and Thwaites, Lowe and Ward v. Bums and Fathers, Fanning and M'Kenzio v.' Stainton and Darroch, Proctor and Sutton v. Taylor and Mackersey.