RUGBY UNION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1756, 22 May 1913, Page 3

RUGBY UNION.

SQUARE DEALS FOR REFEREES. Tho Wellington Rugby Union met last night. Mr. E. 0. Hales presided. Messrs. D. M'lvenzie, Fordyce, and Francis waited on the union as a deputation from tho Wellington Referees' Association to discuss tile question of tho appointment of referees. There were several senior referees who had not been given a good match, and the iissociation thought tiiat there should to a square deal all-round. All tho senior men should get a fair share of important matches. When tho association stamped men as senior referees the board should accept I them as such, for tho association sul> jected the men to a severe examination. The association was in a very flourishing condition now; thirty members attended every meeting, and there was rarely a meeting without an additional member being elected. "We want to keep ourselves strong," continued Mr. Mlvenzie, "and the only way to do it is to giro the senior referees a fair run. Wo can't approach the Appointment Board direct; we can only approach them through tho union. r fiiis matter of appointments is of • vital importance with our association." Mr. Hales replied that tho union had never interfered with the working of the Appointment Board, and did not wish to do so. He was sorry there had been friction, and he was of the opinion that it would be best for tho association to .approach the board direct. The association would have the union's permission to do that. Mr. irivenzio agreed to the course suggested. A Boy and His Age. A youth 1 named Smith, playing in the Wellington fifth-class team was disqualified for one year for giving his wrong age. • The youth was one of several who played m this year's sevon-a-side tournament, while over tho age of seventeen years. Tho other boys admitted their ages, and said that they played in the tournament under a misapprehension. Their explanation was accepted. Smith's assertion was not. A schoolmaster's certificate was obtained, and it stated that the boy was now nineteen, which indicated tliat lie had played fifth-class while eighteen years of age in the previous season.

When confronted with the certificate last night, the youth admitted that it was correct.

Mr. Hales: Can yon tell us why you lied to us last time you were here?

Smith: Wo made it up outside. A member: And you stuck to your story, but the others didn't.

Smith: Yes. A member: And who were the others you mado it up with?

Smith: I am rot going to disclose any names.

Smith then retired, and, as stated above, it was decided to disqualify him' for a year. It should be mentioned that Smith was a member of the Southern Club last year.