FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TRAINING CAMPS. VIEWED WITH DISFAVOUR. WELLINGTON, July 23. In the course of a spirited discussion at tfiiis week’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Management Committee it. was made perfectly clear that the controlling body was determined to put a stop to organised training camps for players. The action of the* Alanawhenua Union was viewed with great disfavour, and a hint thrown out that unless Manawhenua were prepared to abide by the ruling of the N.Z.R.U. its challenge for the Ranfurly Shield was not likely to he approved. After a long discussion on the assembling of players Mr C‘. L. Mullany moved : ‘‘That unions he allowed up to four days to get their players together before important matches.” Mr E. M’Kenzie seconded the motion. lie was of opinion that it was absolutely necessary that teams in country districts should he given every opportunity to get together, seeing ] tfhat they did not have the same facilities for training as players in the cities. After a little further argument the I mover and seconder agreed to reduce ! the period mentioned in the motion to three days. Mr E. Wylie moved as an amendment that the period for assembly be , limited to two clear days before a match. The amendment was carried by live votes to three.

REFEREE AND THE UNIONS. i WELLINGTON. July 23. 1 A meeting of the executive of the New Zealand referees was presided over by Mr T>. M’Ken/.ic last night. There were also present Messrs Fletcher, 11. J. Al’Konzie, Francis, Hylton, Leith and Sievers (secretary). The meeting discussed matters arising out of the Hawke’s Bay-Wairarnpn Ranfurly Shield match. Mr 11. J. M’Kemic reported regarding the ordering off of M. J- Brownlie and (,>. Donald, incidentally stating that before taking that action he had previously cautioned both players. i | After discussion the following result!. I tions were carried;— j “That this association, on behalf oi ’Mr 11. J. M’Kenzie. referee in the I Hawke’s Bay-AYau'arnpa Ranfurly ' Shield match, appeals against the decision of the Rugby Unions concerned m ! the matters of the ordering off the 1 field of Brownlie and Donald on the (following grounds;—(l) H'ctt the reI force is the she judge of fact ; ■<-> i that Mr M.’ Kenz.ie’s statement that these players were guilty of misconduct on the field sufficient to warrant him ordering them off should have hf-en accepted as a, question of fad and adjudicated upon accordingly by the Rugby Unions interested; CD that the players were guilty of offences for which they were ordered, off on the referee’s plain statement of fact, and I I that the only evidence that could have been accepted by the Hn-v. i.c s Ray and Wairarapn Rugby l niu'.is respectively was to prove that the- '! players named hr.d received provnea- ‘ | lien; (1) that the findings cf these "! unions that Brownlie and Donald were free from blame, when specific-nil,* 1 found guilty by the referee. plac'd ' referees generally in a position ol considering whether it would md he • best in their own interests to overlook f any illegal acts of play in matches hi which Ij.iey are officiating (d) that a ' referee, after ordering a player oil' the ! field, fulfils the whole of bis duty in ! fully reporting the occurrence. and -\ should not be called upon to amplify I . liis statement in any wav or to submit > to cross-exam ilia Lion by members ot a ■ Rugby Union, and further, this assoc- ' iation is of opinion that in all cases • wjliero players are ordered off the field Ljby a referee in an interprovincial or ' J Ranfurly Shield match, the tac ts - should l>e considered by the New Zeai land Rugby Union, that body would ; not be concerned with an endeavour i to allow a player to go scot tree, nor I would they, by tlnir findings, heap . ! ridicule on the; referee by treating his i J report as so much waste paper. I I “This association also leels that an i' I apology is due to Mr M’Tvenzio from . 1 both the AVairarapa and Hawke’s Hay i Unions in their endeavour to wliite- ; wash their respective players. Things were said, according to newspaper reports, about the referee that were ini suiting as well as uncalled for. “That the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association commend Air M Ken zio on Ids determination to see that tho methods employed by players in the recent Ranfurly Shield match be- • twec-ii Hawke’s Bay and AAairarapa did not go beyond the hounds of fair play and express regret at the manner in which /his report regarding they, ordering off of Brownlie and Donald was dealt with, hv the respective Rugby i Unions and at the implied suggestion that he laid commit led an error ot judgment. “That the letters received by the New Zealand Referees’ Association from various affiliated associations he forwarded to tiie N./..R.1 - together with the suggest ion chat in the best interests of the Rugby game and the control thereof all unions be I'ecpiirecl to submit to the N.Z.R.U. full particulars, including the rctcree's reports, of all cases in which players have been ordered otf in Ranl'iirly Shield and other representative matches, and that

the sentences imposed by the local controlling authorities be reviewed by the governing body if considered necessary.”

RANFURLY SHIELD DECISION. A LEGAL VIEW. AA'ELLINGTON, July Legal opinion in AYellington is that Hawke’s Bay have a considerable chance of success if they take the case to the Supremo Court. “Notwithstanding the opinion of the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union that legal domicile and Rugby domicile are two different things, it is difficult to believe that the Court can look at the matter from other than from the legal standpoint. ’ said a leading counsel to-day. “one report which I have seen there seems no lack

of evidence that Barelav was certainly domiciled in Hawke’s Bay ami that he never left the province without an intention of retumings. The New Zealand Rugby Union’s rule, also, is not- explicit and does not seem to demand that a player must be resident within the boundaries of a Union for the three weeks immediately prior tr> a representative match in which betakes part, but merely that lie should have bad his licune in the province tor three weeks. If Ilawke’s Bay brings an action on an originating summons to obtain an interpretation of the rule it will bo a banco matter. No special fixture will be needed for the case and the whole thing will be decided at a very early date. If, however. Hawke’s Bav elects to proceed for a mandamus, that is for an injunction against the New Zealand Union’s decision that the Ranfurly Shield must be returned to AAlairarapa ; then the case will have to l>e set down, and it will be some time before the. matter is decided.

WESTLAND SUB-UNION. The Committees met at 8 p.nt. last, night. Present —Messrs F. McGregor (Chairman), AlcDonald, Afoore, Cutbush, Stafford, AA’hiley and Heenan. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. Front Westport Old Boys asking for a match with Excelsior juniors on July 30th.—Received and agreed, to 3 p.m j being fixed. ! Front D. Williamson giving pan -j ,-uars of 8-stone competition fixtur a School B v. Convent, Wednesday, rt 3.30 p.m. and Newman Shield, Primary, Greymouth. v. Hokitika, rf Hokitika next Saturday.—Received. From AY.C.K.U. offering £1 10s towards .Westport tour expenses.—Received. From Kaniori Club asking for Air T. Mclntosh to be appointed referee far Slar-Kanieri game at Greymouth. —Received. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Primary Schools. Grey v. Hokitika, for Newman Shield. 3 p.m. Westport Old Roys v. Excels.,or juniors, Air AV. Kearns, referee, 3 p.m. It. whs resolved to invite nominations for n junior luiocfc-out eompvtilion far the Breeze Shield, el sing on Monday next at 8 p.m. The Mjurlborough Union notified desire to tour Coast. Resolved to oliei 7.", per cent of gate tor match at Hokitika. It was resolved to draw attention of the Bullcr Fni'.n that they owe Westland a visit.