RUGBY-FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3943, 16 May 1929, Page 3

RUGBY-FOOTBALL.

FOXTON’S SENIOR CAPTAIN ON THE MAT. - e> FOR COMMENTING TO THE . REFEREE. . SUSPENDED FOR ONE PLAYING SATURDAY. The weekly meeting of the management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council Avas held at Lev.in on Tuesday evening, there being present : Messrs W. C. Hannan (president), M. G. McLean (Paraparaumu), G. Mitchell (Shannon), W. Phillips (Referees), F. Robinson (Foxton), W. Heyes (Foxton), S. Hooper (Weraroa), S. Procter (Hui Mai), F. C. Meyers (Waikanae), A. Richards (Shannon), J. Casey (secretary), and J. W. Rimlmer (treasurer). As the result of the complaint against. Taylor, the Foxton captain, bv lMJi\ E. Bevan, referee in the Otaki-Foxton match of May 4th, at Otalri, relative' 'to remarks, made to the referee, tl)o parties attended the meeting so that their evidence might be heard. In bis Written report, Mr. Bevan stated that, a feAV ipinutes before the final Avhistle, he awarded a try for Otaki, which was scored 3 feet iri-goal from the cor-ner-post. No line, umpires flag Avas up, so the spore stood, making the gajmo a draw —nine points "all. As be was walking off the field, Mr. F. Robinson and Mr. Taylor asked him to come along and they Avould shoAv where the scorer Avent out into touch, so he told them that the line umpire would see to that by putting his flag up. Just then. Taylor said, “What sort of line umpire have you got?” and whilst 'the referee was still walking off the field to the gateway Taylor said to him, within hearing of spectators, “Yes, you made lavo or three other rotten mistakes.” The referee said he Avould report him to the Union, and Taylor said, “I don’t care Avhat you do. Report to this Union and the NeAV Zealand Rugby Union if you like.” The two line umjpires were Messrs Soiascia and Kehu Hakaraia, 'two noted players in this district for several years, and the referee had every confidence in both of them. His report against Taylor was for criticising the line ufmpires and disputing some of the referee’s decision within hearng of spectators;! and be considered that Taylor should be seA r erely dealt with, so that it might be a. lesson to others. !W)hen questioned by the chairman, Taylor admitted that he had used the remarks, saying that he bad done so in the heat of the moment.

The chairman: You were refereeing last year? Taylor: For one or two games. You know that a referee is the sole judge of fact, and that yon cannot question his decision on fact? —Yes. Why blame Mr. Bevan for what you thought was the line umpire’s ■ mistake?—The line umpire said the people crowded on the line and he could not see past them. Mir. Robinson: You Avere off the field of play? Taylor: I was off the playing area. Mr. Robinson: I was not in your presence when you said those things. I have no doubt you were there afterwards, but not when I said to Mr. Bevan, “Did you see where those fellows slipped out?” Mr. Bevan explained that he had (silly mentioned Mr. Robinson in the matter as showing ivhere the players had gone out. Mr. Robinson (to Taylor): How many years have you been playing football? Taylor: About ten. You have never been before the Union previously?—No. The chairman said the Council had a duty to protect the referee, and lie looked on this ease as a serious matter ip that it arose with a player of Taylo(r’s standing, because the latter had been a referee himself. Mr. Robinson asked who had control of players after a match wa3 over. The ehaiman: Until the player leaves the ground Ave have control ovei' him. The rule is definite. 'My ruling is that, until the man leaves the ground, he is on our property, and if he abuses the referee he is abusing him under our jurisdiction. On the motion of Mr. Procter, seconded by Mr. Robinson, it was decided that Taylor be suspended for one playing Saturday. It was. explained to the Foxton delegates that, as the Foxton Club would have a bye next Saturday, Taylor would not be debarred from practising on that day, but would be suspended from play on the folloAving Saturday. Mr. Heyes thanked the Committee for the lenient ivay in Avhich they had dealt with the Foxton captain, and stated that the elub would use every endea\’our to see that no such offence Ayas committed in the future. RE-INSTATEMENTS. The Foxton Club haping been asked for particulars relative to the request of G. F. Anderson to be reinstated as member of that club and re-graded from senior to junior, a reply was received stating that, at a meeting of the committee, a recommendation was unanimously. made that the District Council give favourable consideration to the application foT his reinstatement as a junior. Mr. Robinson stated that the applicant was only a lad of 10 stone, # Who “was not up to senior form. The Foxton juniors had a boy named Thompson who should be a senior, and last Saturday they let him go up to that gra.de.

The chairman said that Anderson Avas classified last year, and lie thought some mistake nnust have been made. The chairman pointed out that if there was any boy who Avished to be transferred 'back, and who could iot get a senior gahie in his locality, he was in favour of reinstating him, but in the ease of older players he Avas not in favour of reinstatement. He could see that the Council Avould haA r e to be fairly liberal in. classifications this season. He moved that Anderson be reinstated from senior to junior grade. —Reinstatement granted. On behalf of the Weraroa Club, Mr. Hooper'asked for the reinstatement as a junior of N. Taylor, Avho, he stated, was too light to get a place among any senior forwai’ds. —Granted.

It Avas resolved that any senior member of the Weraroa Club Avho has played for that Club during the present.season be given a clearance from the Weraroa Club, owing to its senior team having withdrawn from the competition. FOXTON GROUNDS. Mr. Robinson reported ;that the Foxton Borough Council, had accepted the offer of the Rugby Council and had’ given him permission to use AVhat posts! and wire he Avanted to erect the nefcess'ary fence, the ground only having a fence on one side. The Borough Council could not see their Avay to give the Rugby Council sole control of the ground, but lie had given them to understand that it Avould only he used on Saturdays and perilaps on a Wednesday for a rep match. Mjr. J. Martin, secretary of the Foxton Racing Club, wrote stating, that, at a meeting of the committee, ih# offer of the Rugby Council of 10 per cent, of the gross gate takings, for the use of the football ground for the i 929 season, was accepted. —Received.

KING'S BIRTHDAY. The Wellington Traimvays Football Club, wrote asking if a match could be arranged for June 3rd. Their team included nearly all senior players, and they had four or five Wellington reps. The chairman said ’that the Council did not hold its matches on the days of the Otaki Races, June i,st and 3rd. Mr. Robinson said he thought that this game could be played in Foxton on King’s birthday. He asked that permission he given accordingly. Mr. Phillips moved that the desired permission lie granted to the Foxton Club. Mr. Procter rdmarkied that it had been the practice to postpone all matches. It was decided that, if Foxton can arrange the game the necessary permission be granted. MAORI-PAKEHA match. The annual Maori-Pakeha game Avas set down for Wednesday, June sth, but the place lias yet to he decided.

FIXTURES. OAving to the withdrawal of the Weraroa seniors, the fixtures for Saturday next have been re-arran-ged somewhat. The Foxton seniors will haA'e a bye, and the match to he played on the Levin, Park Domain Vrili be (between the Weraroa. and Shannon juniors. The senior games are: (Shannon v. Otaki, at Shannon; and Wanderers v. Hui Mai, at Manakau. The President of the Foxton Rugby Football Club (Mr. W.® S. Heyes) informs us that, the Wellington Tramways Football team will visit Foxton on June 3rd and meet the local Seniors in a friendly game. Mr. K. Hirini has been appointed secretary of the Foxton Rugby Football Club, vice Mr. C. Anderson.

REFEREES FOR SATURDAY. For next Saturday’s Rhgiby matches in the Horowhenua district, referees have been appointed as under :—-Wlanderers v. Hui Mai, at Manakau, Mr. J. O’Connor; Shannon v. Otaki, at Shannon, Mr. K. Davis. Junior.—Wanderers v. Foxton, at Foxton, Mr. W. Neville; Shannon v. Weraroa, at Weraroa., Mr. T. McDonald; Otalri v. Paraparaumu, at Otaki, Mr. H. Pene; Waikanae v. Hui Mai, at Wiaikanae, Mr. T. Parata. Thirds. —Tokomaru v. Shannon, at Shannon, Mr. T. Kohika; Foxton v. Weraroa, at Foxton, Mr. P. McGregor.