BETTING ON A FOOTBALL MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 61

BETTING ON A FOOTBALL MATCH.

A PLAYER ADMONISHED.

THE CHAIRMAN'S WARNING.'

At Monday night's meeting of the Otago Football Association, Mr Gardner moved— " That a resolution to the effect ' That tht matter be allowed to drop,' passed in connection with an alleged betting transaction, be rescinded, and, further, that tha following motion be adopted : ' That thiff association investigate the alleged betting transaction between a City player and it Kaitangata spectator.' " He said his object in bringing this motion was to put the association right. When they first brought the matter forward they decided to let it drop and by so doing they wera sanctioning betting, which, according to their rules, was illegal, and he did not think they were right in letting the charge go. To put the matter in order he moved; that the first part of his notice of motion, " that tho previous resolution be rescinded," be adopted. This was seconded by Mr Duncan and carried unanimously. It was then moved — " That this association investigate the alleged betting transaction between a City player and a Kaitanarata spectator." ilr J. Braithwaite seconded the motion, and the chairman then read a letter from. the secretary of the Kaitangnta Club giving the information a3 to who the stakeholder in the transaction had been. Mr P. Braithwaite objected to this letter, and said they had no right to take it as evidence at all. The Cliairman : We want to get all th» evidence we eau. A member added that he thought it quit© right that the secretary of the club phould write. It showed they intended to give the association all the assistance they could, and lie had no doubt that the secretary- had been duly authorised. Mr J. Braithwaite asked the chairman whether he did not think it rather premature to read a letter of this kind before the procedure of the investigation had been decided upon. [ The Chairman said he considered all let- ; teis were the property of the whole com- ; mitteo and neither he, as chairman, nor the secretary had the right to suppress any and place the members of the oommittea in a position different from their own. A minute |ater the . Chairman asked Mr P. Braithwaits if, to facilitate matters, he would move that " though there is no positive evidence of betting in this case, the committee investigate it, as betting is not allowed by tHe rulas, and notify 'clubs that it will have to take action against any member found bettinjr." If this were done the chairman said the matter would be saved from dragging on for weeks. Mr Braithwaite replied that it would perhaps look a little strange for the City Club's delegate to move this motion, bufc he was prapared to do it. The player, however, did not intend to deny betting. A Voice : Perhaps he could not 1 Mr Braithwaite said that the player watf only too willing to admit having mad* the bet. This led to the suggestion that th« player (who was outside in connection with another charge which was" preferred against him on Saturday last) should bo asked into the room. Mr J. Braithwaite said he believed this was entirely irregular, but if a modus vivendi could be proposed by which the player would admit the fault that would end the matter so far as he (the 6peaker) was concerned. After somo reference had been mads in a general discussion to the circumstano« that the message had been sent to__th»__

to stand down from a certain match, Mr J. Braithwaite pointed out that the fourse of bringing the player into the aoom at that stage was irregular because the wording of the notice of motion was " that this association, etc.," whereas that meeting was only " the executive " of the association. Mr M'Hutcheon: One ,more of Mt Braithwaite's points ! The Chairman said " We must look at things in equity. We are not here to find out little points." He did not think it was irregular, and in any case it did not matter. . The player was then brought into tne room and admitted having made a bet. H* then retired, and after a few remarks by chairman Mr Cocking, said . he. -would move that the player be told that no further action would be taken and that other clubs should be notified that the committee strongly disagreed with betting, and that they be informed that if any other player came up he would be very severely dealt with. Mr J. Braithwaite seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The player was then called in and was admonished by the chairman, who said. "If you want to keep the sport clean and good you won't bet about it. If y° u _,^ in football you will spoil your »£»£T£* will do now. I know you wont bet any more— at any rate. if you do you wont let us find it out." . . . L -