RUGBY PLAYER

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1930, Page 3

RUGBY PLAYER

BEFORE THE COURT. ?

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

NEW PLYAIOUTH, July 16

Having struck the referee, Kenneth A. Nodder, in the Okato versus Tukapa Rugby mathc at Okato on June 7, E. Roebuck pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to-day. On a second charge of using indecent language o - the ground, Roebuck elected to be tried by the lower court, and was com vieted. Sentence was deferred until Wednesday. ■ ■ ; ; ■ :

The referee and two Tukapu players stated that the referee l had" ordered G. Robuck off the field. E. Roebuck asked why bis brother had .been put off. The referee said: “For giving cheek!” E. Roebuck replied; “A film -- referee you are!” The referee told him to go to the side line. As lm was goinsr the referee stopped him and said: “What is your name?” 1 "“Roebuck. you answered tlie defendant, at the same time striking the referee and knockhm him unconscious. The defence admitted the assault under extenuating circnmstaneea, elaiming that the "ame was heated, and the ra?°ree niifair. Evidence was p-iven bv spectators all of whom said that Roebuck used no indecent language. The Magistrate said: “It seems to me this has boon n case of strainbi" at a sriia't;'oftei;■ •>

anniel. The flefondant./,pleads naiiltv to a verv ser’ous offeiice. and then strenno’-sly defends, hiniself on a cqmparatiVelv minor charge? ; T heliftve tbe witnesses for the/prosecution, and peter a conviction. The situation is this : A X (e oj; th(f nartine of f.Wav. Tf f no th !( ll ill itself ;i . verv fill o '-mne in te remain a fine crame, ancl o 1"

'•ahie te the cemmnnitv. its eovevnmei’t tv.not he sti’Wv controlled, and s ,,r “b th'.rfrs as .striVine' the refer oo must b°, in pr.af'tice, a thing utterly out of question.”