THE RUGBY UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10611, 9 June 1920, Page 7

THE RUGBY UNION

PLAYERS SUSPENDED MISBEHAVIOUR ON FIELD: COM MXTTEE TAKES ACTION. The weekly meeting of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union was held last evening, the chairman (Mr W. F. Hornig) presiding. TRANSFER APPROVED. Mr L. Roberts waited on the committee in support of an application for a transfer from the Athletic Club to the Oriental Clu’p. Roberts stated that he was unable to secure a game with his present club and if the union refused his appli-. cation he would be in the position of having to look on for the rest of tho season. After some discussion the meeting approved of the application, and decided that Roberts be classified as a senior player. Mr E. Perry gave a guarantee that the applicant would play senior for the rest of tho season. INSULTING A REFEREE’. Mr T. H. Jones, one of the union’s referees, lodged complaints against the behaviour of J. Shanaghan and others in the course of a match at Kilbirnie «n Saturday last. The complaint,, in regard to Shanaghan, was based upon on insulting remark passed by Shanaghan to the referee, as a result of which he was ordered off tho field.

Shanaghan explained that he had used his expression us one of disgust at the progress of the game, and had not directed it against the referee Mr Jones said that he was quite euro the remark was directed at him.

Shanaghan stated that he had been playing for Petone for seven years in classifications from -sixth grade to senior and back to junior. Members of the committee pointed out that the expression used by Shanaghan was unfortunately of frequent use generally, especially amongst the junior teams. The chairman thought the union should take a strong stand in dealing with cases of bad language on the football field. In the present case the man should have known better- -

A motion that Shanaghan be ordered to stand down for one playing Saturday was passed by five votes to three: an amendment that he be warned against a repetition of his behaviour was negatived. A PLATER’S ‘'RETALIATION.” Another player, named Smylie, was" called before the committee to explain why, at the conclusion of the match, ho had struck one of the line umpires. Smylie stated that he had acted in retaliation against a remark passed to him by the line umpire in the course of tho game. Tho line umpire, who was present, said he was quite sure he had not used, the Word alleged. Smylia declared that if the same remark was passed to him again ho would repeat his action. In the Army he would have let the word used pass unchallenged, for it was never used seriously. It was decided, after discussion, that Smylie should be suspended from playing for twelve playing Saturdays. Another third-grade player, named Morrison, was asked for an explanation of grossly obscene language complained of by tho referee of tho match in which he was playing at Hutt Park on SaturAlorrison said ho had no recollection of having used" the language alleged. He bad noticed no indications : of liquor amongst the players. The referee, Mr H, M. McGirr. who did not appear, lodged a genera! complaint against iho conduct of the players in the Petone third-grade team The case was deferred till next week’s meeting in order to heat the referee's statements. MISCELLANEOUS. It was decided that three rows he set aside at the Athletic Park grandstand for the use of referees at representative matches.

The committees made a grant- of J 530 to the Victoria College Club as its allocation from the gate takings in connection with a ''curtain-raiser” played on June 3rd. The club intimated its intention of devoting tho money towards defraying the expenses entailed in the entertainment of . tho Canterbury College fifteen, and the reimbursement of its ora players who travelled to Auckland at their own expense to play Auckland University.

A communication from the Hawke’s Bay Union in regard to a WellingtonHawke’s’ Buy fixture was referred to a sub-committee for report.

Senior fixtures for Saturday week were arranged as follows ; Athletic v. Poneke, Athletic Park. Petone v. Victoria College, Petone. . Berhampore v. Selwyn, Kelburu. Oriental v. Wellington, Kilbirnie. NORTH V. SOUTH MATCH. , . TO BE-PLAYED AT WELLINGTON At n special meeting of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, Mr G. W. Slade was re-elected chairman. Tho main business was bo decide where the North Island v. South Island match is to bo played, and in this connection the chairman said that in his opinion it should be allocated to Wellington, whore a financial success might be expected. If any other province had a prior claim it might bo Canterbury. Mr J. T. Piki said Canterbury was very anxnious for tho game, and added that Wellington had had the match a great number of times. Mr 8.- S. Deans said that Auckland was anxious for tho game, but tho chairman explained that Auckland would have a match by the New Zealand team which was to tour Australia.

Mr A. C. Kitto moved, and Mr H. Paton seconded, that the match be played in Wellington. Mr T. H. Jones suggested that it might be possible to play two matches, one in Wellington and one in Christchurch. .‘Mr Piki moved as an amendment, and Mr G. A. Howe seconded, that the match be played in Christchurch, Mr Howe pointing out that it would not cost more to assemble the men in Christchurch.

Mr Jones said ho was opposed to the Christchurch proposal unless two matches were to be played—on the score that tho gate in tho southern city would be small. The amendment was lost, those voting for it being Messrs Piki, Howe, and Bailey. Mr Jones then moved as an amendment that two North v. South matches bo played, one in Christchurch, on Jnno 23rd, and the other at Wellington, onVfJune 2Cth. Mr Piki seconded this pro! forma.

Ultimately the proposal to play two mutches was withdrawn, the mover stating that ho would bring it up again at Thursday's meeting, when thoro would be time to go further into the question. The original motion was then carried, the date fixed Iwiiig June 26th, Hr D. H. Stuart, of Dunedin, was chosen ft South Island selector to replace Mr Harris, who has resigned.