REGISTERING PLAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5267, 27 April 1928, Page 3

REGISTERING PLAYERS.

CAjSE OF LOCAL FOOTBALLERS. STEPS TAKEN BY RUGBY UNION. Tlie question or the registration, and allotment to a chib of T. Pullar and 0. McNqitl again occupied the attention of the management committee oAthe Paeroa Rugby Union at the weekly meeting on Monday night. At a previous meeting it wap alleged that the players concerned had been members of the East club last season, and were unfinancial in that cj'ub to the amount of their subscriptions. When considering the names of players for registration it was fpund f hat Vthe names of Pullair and McNeil appeared on two or clubs’ lists. ’ It was contended at that meeting that until the players had paid their dues to the East club and obtained, a clearance the union, could, not sahc“ tion their transfer to another club. Thei discussion was opened on Monday night by Mr J. Pintjer asking if it was a fact that one of the clubs had since paid the subscriptions for Pullar and McNeil. Mr H. Tams said that Pullar had paid his own. subscription to~the East club, but lie could not answer for McNeil. 1 i Mr Pinder said that he had> been instructed to oppose the granting of the transfers. His personal objection was that the Pirates club was going round “trying to steal players.” The players concerned had previously played for the East club, and should 'Ynot be granted transfers. ' At this stage, and after receiving a note from an East club delegate, Mr. Pinder, said that he woulid withdraw 7 . his objection to the transfer-of the, two players. Mr Tams said that so far as Pullar was concerned it was .understood that he would be playing for Suburbs Club. .In order tc. heair all! sides of the matter Pullar was brought before the committee, and in answer to the chairman (Mr W. P. Pennjell) stated that in view of the treatment received from the Pirates club hei felt that he was in duty bound to pShy for that club. He also stated that he \had paid his annual subscription last peason to the East club through a member of the Paeroa union, but the amount had not been .credited 1 by the club as the money had not been received. It was not fair to suggest that he was an unfinanciail member of the East club last season. 1 Father Taylor said that so far as he could sec it was a matter for the individual. The committee had n° proof that the Pirates club had en-

croacfiedi on' other clubs by claiming Pullar and McNeil. The chairman explained that on Saturday last the East club had no less than eight juniors playing for the seniors. Fortunately the juniors had a bye, otherwise the club could not have placed a senior and a> junior \ team in the field/. gather Taylor contended that it was V assess wrangling further over the matter, and he thought the discussion should be closed. In answer to the chairman Mr W. Welsh (Suburbs) said that Pul'bar had given a promise-to play for Suburbs, which club needed his services. It was moved by Mr M. Crosby that Puller be registered for Suburbs club. ‘ 1 Seconded by Mr D. S. Kerr. As an amendment Mr E. Edwards moved, and Mr Tams seconded', that Pullar be given the option of playing for which ever club he desired. Father Taylor said that a true

sportsman should not sit on the fence. Rather, he should come out into the open and state definitely for which team he wished to play. The chairman said that the commitWtee was required to even up its senior .teams, or else the East club would not be able to field: senior ant} junior teams. The services of players should be available- to the older clubs first., yet at the same time he wished to pay due regard to the Pirates Club. Mr E. P. Fathers contended that the committee must be perfactly frank and fair, in what it was doing. He had no feelings on the matter, but was intent on doing the best he could to foster football. The secretary explained that when the Pirates club was accepted by the union it was understood that a senior | team would be made up of Public Works employees and n'on-club members. Father Taylor said the committee could not countenance Pullar giving promise, to several and, per"Ysonaflly, lie would not like to be in 'pullar’s posit’on that night. On the amendment being pdt it was carried on a showing of haincte, and the team' in which Pullar turns out would be his club for the season. - In regard to C. McNeil, Mr Pindter said that the East club was prepared to let him go if he did not wish to play for that club. It was decided to register. McNeil under the same conditions as Pullar. The secretary of the East club (Mr C. H. Vincent), in answer to the, ■ chairman, stated that if his club could not field a senior team it would allso withdraw its junior teamMr Crosby contended that the club could promote a number o£ its junior layers and field a senior team. ’ Y Mr Fathers that that if a junior player played junior for two years and ,was any good at all ho should be willing and anxious to play senior. In answer to Mr Welsh the chairman said that the union would raise do objection to a registered player playing for a team other, than the (file for which he was registered! if it wqgkto be the means of filling a vacancy in a team that was unable to field fifteen men. However, it was a matter for mutual arrangement between the captains. This. reply prompted Mr Weteh to state that in the event of a team being a man short he felt sure that if the Suburbs team had a. spare man it would willingly allow him to play ‘ \ in the team that was short. A similar assurance) was given by the secretary on behalf of the West dub. Several members expressed their, appreciation of the offers made, and also their keen desire to see four senior teams in the competition this season.