MIRANUI NOTES.

Shannon News, 16 June 1925, Page 2

MIRANUI NOTES.

FOOTBALL LECTURE. A most interesting lecture on the liner points of football was given at the Miranui Mill -oil Thursday last by Messrs Thompson, and .t. i-touu, o. the Manawatu Rugny Union. Air Hannay, president oi the Union, was also present, and ;>ir H. a. Seifen was in the chair. Theie wt.s an attendance of over 80, including Shannon representatives, and the remarks of the lecturers- were'very keenly followed. Mr Thompson ap'Ste on the liner points of the game and by means of blackboard diagrams made clear the various rules uid referees' decisions. He dealt fully with the latest rules lor off-side play, which created a lot of discubsion. Other interesting matters were the and charging an (Opponent; the scru'm and method of 'putting in ball; penalties for which free kicks are given; handling the ball; the much disputed terms tackle and collar; the knock-on rule; free kick; marking a ball; playing the man and not tilie ball and when a player should appeal.

Ma- Thompson went very fully into the rules and was followed by Mr Proud, who dealt with various referees' rulings. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lecturers on the motion of Mr J. Pedder, after which the visitor.-; were entertained at supper and a very pleasant evening terminated with a visit of inspection of the mill.

Before commencing his lecture on football at the Miranui mill on Thursday, Mr Thompson, of the Manawatu Rugby Union, congratulated the Miranui Club on getting lectures on the game. The Referees' Association were always willing to give lectures to* improve the game, hut unfortunately most players considered they knew more of football than the referees. Recently they endeavoured to raise interest in Palmerston North, and obtained' the services of Mr Dan McKenzio, probably the best exponent of the Rugby rules in !New Zealand, for a lecture. The total attendance Qf players was four High School boys and two other players.

In the course 'Qf his lecture on football on Thursday, Mr Thompson gave sqme advice- on appealing. The gist of his remarks were "Don't appeal." There were only six occasions when an appeal should ibe made and then only by the captain, whose voice should be the only one heard. The silent team always played the best football, • and by constantly appealing they only got the referee's back up. He knew more about Ulie game than the player and was always looking for breaches, and did not' blow the whistle for minor breaches, when the other side obtained the advantage. The .referees were quite honest and gave the best decisions, but constant appeals got on their nerves, and constant appealing was liable to put a man on the hank.

Mr Hannay, president of the Manawatu Rugby Union, in speaking •to a vote of thanks at .Miranui on Thursday, said he hoped the next time they came down there would he one big union. Practically all the ■ preliminaries were satisfactorily settled and waiting ratification by the respective unions. His Union had the money, and they wanted to see big games all over the district and bring the Ranfurly Shield here.

A very fine reading room has just been opened at the Mirunui Mill, the gift of Messrs A. and L, Seifert, Ltd. The room, which is 30. x 25, is furnished witii tables, and chairs, and fireplace and a good supply of reading matter is provided, and is greatly appreciated by the men. The Mill also owns a. very fine library owned by the employees which is added to monthly. Another donation by the Company is a full sized tennis court, which will be available next season, and a large recreation area, 5 acres in extent, is now being ploughed. The ground, which is at the entrance to the mill, facing the road, will t>e large enough' for football and cricket.