RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3023, 15 April 1926, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. The newly-constituted management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby Union held its first meeting in Devin on Tuesday night, Mr. J. O’Connor (president) presided. Also present : Messrs Procter, W. N. Anderson, F. Robinson, W. Hannan, B. Brann, J. Robson, W. Moynihan, H. Lynch, N. Emmett (Referees’ Association), and the secretary (Mr. J. Casey).

REINSTATEM ENT SOUGHT. From Lionell Buckman, seeking reinstatement, he having been in 1922 disqualified for life for assaulting a referee. Mr. A. Seifert, managing-director of A. and L. Seifert, Ltd., also wrote in support of the application.

In this connection a further letter was received from the Miranui Club requesting that Lionel Buckman of Miranui, late Shannon, be reinstated. The Club felt that the punishment meted out to him some four years ago was too severe. The Shannon Club also wrote relative to the same player and on the same question, being of the' opinion that during the period of disqualification this player had learnt the lesson intended by the punishment imposed. The Shannon Club were in full accord with the suggested reinstatement. The chairman said that in 1922 Buckman had been disqualified for life, and one thing the speaker had noticed in respect to the application was that no mention had been made as to whether he intended to become a player or merely a supporter—the difference altered the whole aspect of the case. Mr. Emmett, as representative of the Referees’ Association, said the referees were quite agreeable to Buckman’s disqualification being rescinded.

Mr. Robson observed that he could thoroughly substantiate what had been said in the correspondence of those ’ supporting the reinstatement, The player concerned had been a good supporter of the Mill and had practically arranged to have a ground within a stone’s throw of the mill. He had also been an asset to the club, and to the juniors, and the speaker did not consider it was the applicant’s intention to play, but, rather seemed anxious to take an active part in the management of the team. Mr. Robson urged that the Council give serious consideration to Buckman’s request, as it would be a big help to the Miranui Club. Accordingly he moved “That this Council recommends the New Zealand Rugby Union to lift the life disqualification imposed on Lionel Buckman.”

The motion, and Mr. Robson’s covering remarks, were supported by Mr. Moynihan. Mr. W. Hannan disagreed, however, insofar as he supported the chairman’s contention, adding that until the Council received an assurance from Buckman that he will not again play, the case in question should be held in obeyance. The chairman observed that he

was inclined to agree with Mr. Hannan, and thought the matter should be stood down till the next meeting.

At this juncture AH. Hannan moved, as an amendment, that consideration of this case be held over (ill the next Council meeting, in order to give the applicant an opportunity of supporting his application by attending the meeting.” Seconded by Mr. Lynch, and put to the vote, the amendment was carried. SELECTORS. The selectors appointed at the annual general meeting were affirmed as follows: Mr. M. Winiata, senior selector; Messrs. F. Robinson, S. Hooper, and W. Dalzell as junior selectors. FIXTURES. ll was resolved that the first matches of the season should be played on April 24th. Entries for competition close on April 16th. The Fixtures Committee will comprise Messrs J. O’Connor, J. Casey and H. Lynch. Mr. Robinson drew the Council’s attention to last year’s fixtures which, he alleged, were so badly drawn up IhaL so far as Foxton was concerned, three teams had been playing at once, but not one had a match in Foxton. The speaker said he would like to have a game played in Foxton, every Saturday if it were possible to so arrange the fixtures. Air. Anderson remarked on County’s position in last season’s arrangements. Throughout the first round the County team had travelled away in each instance, whilst in (lie following round they suffered three defaulting teams, who should have made the journey. Mr. Anderson asked whether the Fixtures Committee would do something to prevent a recurrence of such circumstances?

Mr. O’Connor said he though that would be done. SCRATCH MATCHES.

From time to time throughout the season, particularly at the beginning, each club organises scratch matches with other clubs, and the question of whether or no the clubs concerned should charge an admission fee, and also recieve the full iinancial benefit accruing from such games, came up for the Council’s consideration. The following motion was passed: “That clubs lie allowed to play scratch games, and charge for admission, provided that 50 per cent, of the net proceeds from the gate devolve to the union.” COMPETITIONS. The number of rounds in the respective grades are as under: —Seu-

iors, two rounds; Juniors, two rounds; Thirds, two divisions, playing four rounds, the southern unit to comprise Kuku, t Otaki, Maori College, and Paraparaumu; Fourths, four rounds.

The Awahou team played a match against Oroua Downs on the latters’ ground on Saturday and an interesting game was witnessed. Just before the call of time the scores stood 3 all when Cootes, for Awahou, kicked a field goal, thus giving Awahou the victory by 7 to 3. The game was controlled by Mi-. S. Moffatt. The local Juniors will journey to Palmerston North on Saturday to play a match against Kia Toa Juniors.