OUT FOR LIFE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2447, 29 June 1922, Page 3

OUT FOR LIFE

SHANNON FOOTBALLERS DISQUALIFIED. . Final consideration was given on Tuesday evening by the Horowhenua Rugby Union to matters arising out of the football fracas at "Shannon on May 20, when Mr E. Claridge, the referee in the RoversShannon junior match was assaulted. The matter formed the subject of a police prosecution, when three Shannon players, 11. McDonald, L. Buckman and J. Young, were convicted of offences. These three players were ordered by the Union to appear, also another player, H. Buckman, -who was reported to have used bad language on the same occasion. H. Buckman was the only one to attend. The Union members present were Messrs E. -J. Nash (chairman), W. Thomson, R. W. Percy, M. Winata, W. Bevan, L. Dixon, F. Whibley, L. S. Carmichael and Father Vibaud.

On being called on for an explanation, H. Buckman denied the charge, and said the referee had asked him on the field if he had used the language, and lie had denied it. The referee had accepted his statement.

On Mr Whibley’s motion, it was decided to accept Buekman’s explanation. Mr Grimstone, of Shannon, addressed the Union on behalf of H. McDonald, the player convicted of having struck the referee, who was prevented from being present by illness. Mr Mason, secretary of the Shannon Club, also appealed on behalf of McDonald, and asked permission to question the referee (Mr Claridge) on one point. This was granted and the Shannon delegates then retired, and the Union considered the matter further. DISQUALIFIED FOR LIFE. Mr Thomson moved that 11. McDonald, L. Buckman and J. Young be disqualified from playing football for life, and that they he warned off all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Ilorowhenun Rugby Union and that it be made applicable to all grounds in the Dominion. The motion was seconded by Father Vibaud. Mr Whibley disagreed with the motion and thought that McDonald should be more leniently dealt with, as the opinion was general in Shannon that lie was not guilty of striking the referee. The motion was then put and carried. On the motion being communicated to him, Mr "Mason stated that his chib we very sorry for what had happened, and had taken what action they could to stop it. They also hoped that nothing of the sort would happen again. They had appealed on behalf of Me Don dd with the idea of having his punishment lightened, as the latter had admitted using had language. Mr Mason thanked the Union for the hearing it had given tlmir representatives. Mr Thomson referred to the tactful way in which Mr Mason had handled a difficult case. ITo had given the Union every assistance in handling the matter. These remarks were supported by Mr Percy and the chairman, the latter stating that although Mr Mason was a new-comer to the district, he had acted in a way “Thai was decidedly creditable. Mr Mason thanked the members for their kind remarks, and said that he had acted in the interests of football as a whole. SHANNON JUNIOR SUSPENSION LIFTED. It was unanimously decided that the suspension of the Shannon Junior Club be lifted as from June 27.