THE RUGBY REFEREES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2201, 14 July 1914, Page 6

THE RUGBY REFEREES.

MEETING 01" THE ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Wellington Rugby Refoiees' Association was held last night, some 14 members attending. Mr. D. M'Keiizie presided. Mr. H. Buck forwarded his resignation as a member, pointing out that as lie was also a' member of. the Wellington; Rugby Union Committee lie could not, in .vjew of the position which had arisen between the two bodies, continue in the association. The resignation was accepted. ' ' • A letter was received from Mr. H. Brooker, who stated that ho regretted being unable to attend the meeting owing to his absenco from the City,,but that lie would abide.by any decision' of the association; Mr. W. H. Church, who had acted as referee in the Oriental-Poneke match on July 4, re ported'the circumstances connected with the "ordering-off" of Shearer, of the Oriental Club. In reference to this matter the secretary of the association (Mr. L. Sievers) drew attention to remarks which had been • made a,t a meeting of the Rugby Union as'to Mr. Church having lost oontrol of the game. He (Mr. Sievers) said that in no case either this sea* son or last had the Rugby Union back ed up referees when players had beel ordered off for rough play. He quoted several cases in point and remarket that if there was any rough play no* the responsibility rested with ■ th<» union. Mr. E. B. L. Reade, who had acted as line umpire in the Oriental-Poneke match, reported by letter that a speo ' tator had made an objectionable refei\ ence to the referee (Mr. Church). Tha letter also stated that'a Poneke player had' beon guilty'of rough play. : . it was decided to forward the letter to the Rugby Union. A. communication from the Rugbj ■ Union was read to' the effect that' the union could'not see its way to accede to the ■ request. of' the association as.' to the recoiiftitution of the Appointment Board.'' ;The chairman suggested that tfca best .course for. the' association to adopt . would be to go" into . retirement for the time beink. and to " leave it to' the secretary and chairman to call the as : so'cihtion together should occasion arise. ' He thought, it' would be only a matter of a few weeks .when-they would be wanted -again, He expressed regret,' that in the present state of affairs some members of »the association had seen fit to' go and leave them'. ; He certainly thought that whp.at the special meeting' decided upon a certain step they would have been supported by all. It seemed, however, that; the Rugby Union was 'the dominant power. He had been connected with the association since .1896, and along with other : members had assisted younger members to become efficient,, but he was going out'now, and-was not coming back as long as referees were appointed as al present. . Mr. C. R. Ingram moved that, the Rugby .Union be informed that members '• of the Referees' Association are available for- matches so long as the appointments are in the hands of the union'. ■ He thought that as - many .'referees, while wishing to be loyal to the association, did not desire to be driven out of the game, this was the only way out of the difficulty. Mr. l l '. Martin seconded the motion for the'purpose of having it discussed. Mi T: Sherrin moved as an amend-ment'-that the association go into vacation for the time being, and that the chairman and secretary be empowered to call 4he association together should ,occasion ariso. Mr. ,H V Scott seconded the amendment.'/- '. Both motion and amendment were discussed at length, and on a vote being .taken, the .amendment was car ried by 11 votes to 3.