RUGBY AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3030, 1 May 1926, Page 2

RUGBY AFFAIRS.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BUSINESS. The Management Committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council met at Levin on Tuesday evening, the chairman (Mr. J. J. O'Connor) presided. Also present : Messrs. J. Rimmer, WC N. Anderson, J. McDonald, J. Procter, S. Austin, W. Hannan, W. Moynihan, J. Robson, F. Robinson, W.-Neville, B. Brann, N. Emmett, and the secretary (Mr. J. Casey). St. Clair, (Weraroa), J. Lima and J. Ivapata (Otaki) and R. Robinson (Hui Mai) were reported to the Union as having been ordered off during matches on Saturday.

St. Clair, and Robinson were present and submitted their cases to the committee.

After discussion, the committee considered the punishment of having been ordered off might be sufficient. If, however, the offenders again appeared before the committee and were charged with similar offence, their cases would be taken into more serious consideration. Lima and Ropata, who failed to appear at the meeting, were suspended until they put in an appearance before the Management Committee. It was resolved that clubs be informed that insurance fees are now due, and unless paid within 14 days, clubs will be suspended until insurance fees have been paid. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION COMPLAINT. Mir. Emmett, representative of the Referees’ Association, said Otaki had informed the Association that they would not play under four of the seven referees gazetted to handle the matches in the Ilorowhnua Union. Such an attitude was ridiculous and unsportsmanlike, and the referees would like a ruling from the Management Committee on the question. The chairman (Mr. J. J. O’Connor) said that the Committee were undoubtedly going to uphold the rules. Ruie 20 said: “All club's competing must accept the referee appointed for the different matches, subject to the following proviso: In tlu> event of any teams not agreeing upon (he appointment of a referee for their particular match, a written request, signed by the captains of the teams or their secretaries, and by the referee, shall he handed fo the secretary of the Referees’ Association not later than 5 p.m. on the Monday preceding the match. Such request to he granted.” That rule would be enforced. NO REINSTATEMENT. Lionel Buck man, who received in 1922 a life disqualification for assaulting a referee, appeared before flic Management Committee and asked them to consider his reinstatement. He was asked by the chairman whether, if the sentence were lifted, it was his intention to again play football. Buckman stated that in all probability he would want to play, and he desired an unconditional reinstatement.

Air. Robinson moved that as Buckman was sorry for his action, and had been out for four years, it lie a recommendation to the Committee of the Combined Union that they ask tho New Zealand Rugby Union to rescind this player’s disqualification. Air. Moynihan seconded the motion.

As an amendment Mr. Procter moved that the disqualification still stand, as the sentence served had been altogether too short. Buckman had been convicted in court for striking the referee and he should not he reinstated. On being put to the meeting the voting on the amendment was equal, seven votes for and seven against. The chairman gave his casting vote for the amendment, and disqualification thus remains. FIXTURES FOR NEXT SATURDAY. SENIORS: Foxton v. Otaki at Foxton, 3 p.m. JUNIORS: Foxton v. Tokomaru, at Tokomaru, 3 p.m. THIRDS: Foxton v. \\ anderers at I oxton, 3 p.m. FOURTHS: Foxton v. Levin D. 11.5. at Foxton, 1.30 p.m.