HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3837, 28 August 1928, Page 2

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEET. • A meeting of the management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council was held at Levin on Saturday evening, there being present: Messrs WL Hannan (president), J. W. Procter (Hui Mai), A. Richards (Shannon), W. Phillips (Referees), G. Mitchell (Shannon), F. Robinson (Hautere), S. Hooper (Weraroa), J. Casey (secretary). Leave of absence was granted to Mr. H. Hutchins (Foxton). A telegram was read from the Bush Union stating that they could not raise a third grade rep. team to travel this season, but would endeavour to play the return match against Horowhenua next year. A MEMBER’S ABSENCE. Mr. Robinson was called upon to show cause why he should not be declared to have forfeited his seat on the committee through having been absent from three consecutive meetings. Mr. Robinson explained the reasons for his absence, which were accepted. FOXTON PLAYER DISCIPLINED. At the previous meeting a letter was received from Mr. T. Ivohika, referee in the match between the Foxton and Shannon juniors, played at Foxton on the 18th, reporting that he had been compelled to order oil’ S. Pentecost, of the Shannon team, and T. Taylor, of the Foxton team, for fighting while the game was in progress. Previous to the occurrence he had warned both teams of rough play. A resolution had been passed suspending both players until such time as they appeared before the Council. Taylor was in attendance at the meeting on Saturday evening, and when asked for an explanation he said, “We were scrambling a bit,” to which the chairman responded, “If a man has not got the ball, you are not supposed to be scrambling.” In reply to questions Taylor stated that this was his first game as a junior. Previously he was a third-grade player. There were two blows struck: Pentecost hit him, and he hit Pentecost. Taylor added that he went straight off the ground when told to do so. The chairman asked Taylor if lie had indulged in any scuffling in third grade matches, to which he answered, “Sometimes; but it was r.ot rough.” “You want to cut that out,” rejoined the chairman, “because that is not football. You are supposed to play the ball.”

Mr. Mitchell said that Mr. Kohika had commented strongly to him on the conduct of the spectators, whom he held to be more blameworthy than the players for the irregularities. The referee had. described the incitement by the crowd as the worst he had seen at any match.

Mr. Robinson said he was informed that a good deal of trouble was due to the spectators. Taylor, being played as hooker in his first junior game, was probably, not in touch with the play at the time. As a third he was about the best that Foxton had had this year. With regard to Pentecost, Mr. Mitchell.stated that he went in as a substitute. He did not know whether Pentecost would be playing again. Messrs Procter and Robinson moved, that Taylor be stood down for one playing Saturday, and that Pentecost be stood down until he comes before the Council. The motion was carried, and Taylor was informed by the chairman that as he was a young player, the Council wished to give him an opportunity, by not imposing a heavy penalty. Had Taylor been an older player, he would probably have been suspended for a longer term.