FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WEi>T COAST RUGBY UNION. The Executive met "last evening at Greymoutli. A letter was received from the Canterbury Rugby Union offering to play two Senior B Grade representative matches at Hokitika and Greymoutli respectively, hut asking for Saturday and Monday matches. It was resolved to ask the Canterbury Fnion to extend the visit so as to arrange for Saturday and Wednesday matches. A school football grant of £’2o was received from the New Zealand Union.

An application from United Club to tour to Canterbury on August 18th was received. H was resolved to grant same, but to advise the United Club that they must arrange their own mutches with the Canterbury l nion. It was resolved that Mr D. Dowell accompany the Seddon Shield team to Nelson in the official capacity of selector. it was resolved to arrange for lunch at Murchison at the Commercial Hotel’.

Westland Sub-Union wrote asking to have the intended return junior representative match at Hokitika played next Saturday in lieu of a curtain-j raiser to the Ashburton match at ITo- 1 kitika. It was resolved to advise Westland Sub-Union that this Union is unable to alter the arrangement entered into previously, owing to a number of the team travelling to Nelson next Saturday. Resolved that the name of AY. Henderson, a reverted League player, be posted to the New Zealand Union. Mr Owen AA'illiams, Secretary Schools Football Committee, advised that all arrangements had been made for the West Coast School’ Football representatives to play two representative matches with the Canterbury schools. The team leaves Greymoutli on 25tli -August, and plays August 27th and August 21)ili. leturning August 80th. Mr A\’. Reynolds was appointed captain of the AYest Coast team for Nelson. and Mr .1. Bannister was made vice-captain. It was decided to notify the AYesthiiid Sub-Union that the Hokitika players should ho in readiness to leave Hokitika from Toohcy’s garage at G a.m. sharp on Thursday morning, picking up the Greymoutli personnel at Grev U.O. at 7 a.in.

It was decided that the senior cup final lie 1 played on Saturday week between Stars and Kanieri, on Victoria Park.

ATTIT UDE TO REFER EE. STRONG PROTEST FROM AUCKLAND. lIV TKhIiGUAIMt—J’IUCSS ASSN., tOl'VltlcllT. AUCKLAND, duly 18. Strong exception to the attitude' of the AVairarap'n ( and 'Hawke’s Bay Rugby Unions toward the docison of (lie referee who sent two players off the field in the recent Ranfurly Shield match, was taken at a meeting of the Auckland Rugby Iteloroos’ Association. The following resolution was unanimously carried ‘‘That this association desires that the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association investigate to the full the reports appearing in the Press reflecting on the ability of Afr It. .1. M’Keuzie, the referee in the Hawke's Bay-AVairarapa Ranfurly Shield match, played at Masterton on July P, as in its opinion a grave injustice has Boon done by the two unions concerned to a brother official who is recognised as a capable and conscientious referee.'’

It was pointed out in the discussion llmt the referee who had been mutually selected, suffered ignominy for feailessly carving old his duty. ft was further stressed that a referee is at all times the sole judge of fact, and his decision is final and therefore the unions greatly exceeded their powers in openly condemning him.

RAN BURLY SHIELD SQUABBLE. MASTKRTOX, July 19. M,. H. J. McKenzie, who controlled the recent Ranlurly Shield match, stated to-night that he was tendering his resignation as Secretary of the Wairarapn Referees’ Association. Mr McKenzie also holds the position of the Appointment Board and intends to release himself of this responsibility. He declined to make a statement until to-morrow night, when a special meeting of the Referees’ Association is called to appoint a new Secretary and Appointment Board. It is believed that Air McKenzie is withdrawing only from his Executive positions, hut will continue refereeing. as he is drawn to control acompetition game next Saturday.

L EAGER IEOOTBALL. SYDNEY. July 19. The N.S.W. Rugby League Council has agreed with a view to promoting more regular visits betwen New Zealand and Australia, to a proposal that the Queensland, New South Males and New Zealand Leagues should be asked to bear one-third of the expenses of a delegate from New Zealand to discuss the matter and that a letter should be sent to the Queensland League to that effect.