ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1441, 16 May 1912, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY RULES. REMARKS HOTLY RESENTED. SECRETARY'S LETTER. At last night's meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union Management Committee, the following letter was received from the Athletic Football Club:— Sir,—At last week's meeting of the Management Committee of your union, an application was received from Wm. Wilson asking the union to remove his disqualification. Whilst this matter was under discussion, a member of your committee, Mr. Weir, remarked that "Wilson was far better out of football."

I am directed by the Management Committee of my club to enter an emphatic protest against such remarks being allowed to go out to the general public without the member concerned being allowed a chance to refute them.

Although Wilson is still under suspension by your union, that fact does not give Mr. Weir or anyone else the right to placard him as an undesirable member of society, and my committee thinks that the remarks were uncalled for and in very bad taste, and also that Mr. Weir should apologise

Apparently the facts that led to Mr. Weir making such a statement can be traced to an Athletic-Wellington junior match played at the beginning of the 1910 season.

Wilson played in this game, and Mr Weir was also present as an enthusiastic barracker for Wellington, and Wilson was getting the ball on the line-out he promptly exhorted the Wellington players to "sort the nigger out." The Wellington players carried out Mr. Weir's instructions to such good effect that Wilson got a had time, and oven to this day bears the marks of the knocks he got in that game. This, then, being the only justification

that Mr. Weir had for making the statement objected to, is hardly a fair index of Wilsons character, and my committee very much regrets that your union allows sucn statements to go forth into the pub-lic press (Signed) D. W. MADDEN, Hon. Secretary.

On the letter being read, Mr. Weir intimated that he had no intention of apologising. Messrs. Wilson and Perry considered it was unfortunate that the statement had been made, as it was not called for. Mr. Atkinson explained that certain members of the Athletic Club were hurt by what had happened, and that Wilson had been much annoyed by the previous incident referred to in the letter. Mr. Weir: Supposing I tell you that it's not true?

Mr. Atkinson: Then I'll accept your word for it.

Eventually, on the motion of Mr. Hardham, it was decided to write to the Athletic Club and inform them that the remark that had been taken exception to did not reflect the opinion of the committee. ■ WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. TRAMWAY TEAM. MUST APOLOGISE TO THE REFEREE. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Kugby Union was held last night. There were present Messrs. 13. 0. Hales (chairman), W. Hardhnin, J. Bums, W. Perry, 1). Weir, C. Atkinson, W. V. Hornig, A. E. Wilson, and W. G. Talbot (secretary). It was decided to send sixteen men on the tour to play Taranaki at Hawera, and to invite Mr. V. R. Meredith (selector) to go as manager. The resignation of Mr. H. Urquhart as a member of the committee was accepted with regret. The appointment of a successor was held over until next meeting. '"Mr. Wilson was appointed proxy for

Mr. C. Campbell as delegate to the New Zealand Rugby Union.

A Ietter was received from the secretary of the Old Boys' Club, stating it had been decided to withdraw the senior team from the championship.—lt was decided to agree to the withdrawal, and the Petone senior team will thus have a bye next Saturday.

The following alterations in Saturday's fixtures were agreed upon:— Senior, Poneke t. Wellington, at Karori Park, referee, Mr. E. Tregear. Junior, Athletic v. Petone, Hutt No. 1, referee, Mr. F. Crowes.

Mr. Lomas was appointed to fill the vacancy on tho Junior Selection Committee.

Two Melrose players were disqualified for twelve months for playing in fifthclass matches when over age. Another player was suspended for not appearing before the union.

The committee had before it for consideration the notion of the Tramway Club's 'Wednesday fifteen, who left the field in a body on May 8 during the progress of the match against Oriental, because they were dissatisfied with the referee's decision. The captain of the team and the referee (Mr. Taylor) appeared before the committee, and gave their views of the incident. —Subsequently it was decided to request members of the Tramway team (except Bowie, who did not leave the field) to apologise to the referee. • THE WEDNESDAY CONTESTS. DREARY GAME. ARTILLERY BEAT ORIENTAL. Oriental were soundly defeated by Artillery at Athletic Park yesterday afternoon. Tho game was dull and uninteresting, and the quality of the football was very poor. Artillery won through being much the stronger team physically. There was no unnecessary gentleness about the play of the military, and Oriental showed a healthy fear for the safety of their own skins. In the first spell Neels and Whyte scored tries for Artillery, and neither was converted. Neels's try was the result of a piece of smart individual work, the scorer dodging over unaided from a scrum near Oriental's line. Whyte scored from a forward rush. Oriental hustled their lumbering opponents about a good deal for a while, and, eventually, Kyne dived over—a good try. M'llray converted. The first spell ended: Artillery, 6; Oriental, 5. Artillery attacked almost the whole of tho second spell, and several of the Oriental backs aided the enemy by refusing to face the music. Noels, Hughes, and Learning added tries to Artillery's total. One of the "tries" was scored without the ball being touched down over the line, but the referee was not on hand to knew that. A goal was allowed from one of the tries, though the ball really went outside the posts. However, the game ended: Artillery, 17; Oriental, 5.

SECESSION FROM ENGLAND. Christchurch, May 15. The Canterbury Rugby Union discussed at some length the question of New Zealand seceding from the Euglish Rugby Union. A majority of the delegates appeared to favour secession, but it was decided not to instruct delegates to the New Zealand Union on the subject.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CONTROL MEETS. SEVERAL PLAYERS "CARPETED." The Wellington Football Association met last night. Mr. J. M'Keowen presided. "For Life?" Mr. W. Wyatt, referee in the Johnson-ville-Petone third-class match, reported that he had ordered Bolton, a Petone player, off the field for having used bad language and for having kicked the referee. Bolton attended, and said that during the progress of the game he had been told by the referee: "You are ordered off the field." "I asked him why," continued Bolton, "and he said 'Never mind,' and would not tell me. Then I said—well, do you want to hear what I said to him?" The Chairman: "Yes."

The language was given. "Then," continued Bolton, "he hit me, and then I kicked him. He wanted to know then if I would go off the field."

A member: Have you any witness to prove that the referee hit you? Bolton: Yes: one outside.

Another Petone player, named Goodall, was then called in. He gave evidence

similar to the statements made by Bolton. A motion to suspend Bolton. for life wm defeated in favour of a proposal to defer the matter till next week, when the referee is to to asked to attend, and will be questioned as to the allegation that he hit Bolton.

"I might state," remarked the chairman, "that this is the second player from the same grade at Petone. Have you got any more?" The Secretary: No. We don't want any more.

During the discussion one member remarked that he would have hit Bolton as the referee had done had Bolton used the same language to him. Observations let fall indicated that if

the allegation that he had struck Bolton was proved, some members might approve of the referee being disqualified. When Bolton was called in to have the committee's action announced to him, he remarked that he did not care what the committee did regarding him, as he was going to play Rugby. The Secretary (evidently objecting to Bolton's tone): Well, don't talk like that. Two Weeks' Suspension, Magill, a Petone player, who took part in a Petone-Swifts match recently, attended and admitted having sworn at Referee Clark at the conclusion of the match. It was decided to suspend Magill for two playing Saturdays. Imputation Denied, Mr. J. Windley reported that G. Roberts had been guilty of "disgraceful conduct" in tho Biamond-Toa match last Saturday. The matter was deferred till next track, and in the meantime Roberts may play. Roberts, who attended the meeting, denied absolutely the imputation against him. Members of the committee spoke highly of Roberts, who, they said, was not given to using objectionable language. Military Training. The Marist Brothers Old Boys Club wrote stating that owing to military training their third-class team would be unable to play on May 18 as they could not possibly get a full team in the field. New Kilbirnie Ground. It was reported that the tender of Messrs. Tonks and Andrews had been accepted for levelling and claying the new ground at South Kilbirnie. The work is to be proceeded with almost immediately, and at the same time the fencing of the area is to be undertaken, A "SOCCER" ZEPHYR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER. A zephyr passed through the meetingroom of tho Wellington Football Association last night while the matter of what sentence should be passed upon a certain player was under consideration. Mr. H. Duncan: Seeing that he owned up when we might not have known who it was-—

The chairman (Mr. M'Keowen): You can't consider the negative side. We have the positive side.

Mr. Duncan: Well, I am coming to that —if you will let me. Let me have my little say now.

The chairman: I will let you. But l am saying; it is no use speaking of the negative side. You must move a motion dealing with the positive side. Mr. Duncan: I am going to move a motion if you will give me an opportunity. I think it is a hobby of yours wasting time.

The chairman: In what connection? I can't allow a remark of that kind to go unchallenged.

Mr. Duncan: Well, you seem to interfere with everyone—can't allow them to speak. The chairman: It is very discourteous of you. Well, proceed. The subject was then discussed. GOLF.

LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, May 14: Miss Nancy Parbury, of Sydney, defeated Miss Harvey, ex-champion of Canada, in the first round of the ladies' golf championship. MIRAMAR CLUB. The following will be the Miramar Club's team in their match, against the Wellington Golf Club at Heretaunga on Saturday:—B. L. Taylor, R. L. D. Kidston, M. W. Horton, P. C. Freeth, A. Erskine, W. W. Carter, V. G. Rhind, E. H. Liddle. BOWLS. VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND. "A Parramatta Bowler" writes to the Sydney "Telegraph":—"l am pleased to notice that Mr. Spence, president of the New South Wales Bowling Association, intends to try and rehabilitate our State with our bawling friends in New Zealand. Recently I was on a visit to the glorious country of hot springs and cold lakes, and on several bowling greens I was most hospitably entertained. Inquiries were made as to when New South Wales bowlers were likely to fulfil their obligations to return the three trips which New Zealand bowlers have paid to this State. "It seemed to me that our New Zealand friends were most anxious to come again to Sydney, and were punishing themselves by standing on their dignity and declining to entertain the thought while their visits remained unacknowledged. It is up to the N.S.W. B.A. to keep these New Zealand engagements. Bowlers who make the trip would have the trip of their lives. Not only are our Now Zealand cousins extremely hospitable, but they take such pride in their country that nothing is allowed to stand in the way of showing visitors their very best. And you can see things in New Zealand that you won't see anywhere else in the world. The trip alone to Auckland (with its beautiful harbour and mountainous setting) and Rotorua (the marvellous place of boiling lakes and springs and spouting geysers), would compensate one for the journey across the Tasman Sea. Then, to wind up, the North Island, with a few days in Wellington, where they will see, I have no doubt, the most elaborate bowling green in Australasia. It would be wise to confine the trip to the North Island first, and the South Island next season,"