RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 16 April 1926, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. The newly-constituted management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby Union held its first meeting Monday. Mr J. O'Connor (president) presided. Also present: Messrs Procter, W. N. Anderson, F. Robinson, W. Hannan, B. Brann, J. Robson, W. Moynihan, H. Lynch, N. Emmett (Referees' Association),' and the secretary (Mr '' J. Casey). CHANGE \OF NAME. From the Southern United Club, asking that the name of the Paraparaumu Club be changed to that of the Southern United, the colours to remain as before; that the club enter a senior and third grade team.—Granted, Mr Lynch remarking that the fusing of the Waikanae and Paraparaumu Clubs was a good idea, and would do a lot towards strengthening football in the southern end of the Union. REINSTATEMENT SOUGHT. From Lionel Bucknuu:, seeking.reinstatement, he having been in 1922 disqualified for life for assaulting a referee. Mr A. Seifert, managing-di-rector of A. and L. Seifert, Ltd., also wrote in support of the application. In this connection a further .letter was received from the Miranui Club requesting that Lionel Buckman of Miranui. late Shannon, be reinstated. The Club felt that the punishment meted out to him some four years ago was too severe. ■ The Shannon Club also wrote relative to the same player and on.the same question, being of the opinion that during the period of disqualification this player had learnt the lesson intended by the punishment imposed. The Shannon Club were in full accord with the suggested reinstatement, s The chairman ' said that in 1922 Buckman had been disqualified for life, and one tiling the speaker had noticed in respect, to the application was that no mention had been made as to whether he intended to become a player or merely a supporter—the difference altered the whole aspect of the case. Mr Emmett, as representative of the Referees' Association, said the referees were quite agreeable to, Buckman's disqualification being rescinded. Mr Robson observed that he could thoroughly substantiate what had been said" in the correspondence of those supporting the re-instatement. The player concerned had been a good supporter of the Mill and had practically arranged to have a ground within a stone's throw of the mill. He had also been an asset to the club, and to the juniors, and the speaker did not consider it was the applicant's intention to play, but, rather, seemed anxious to take an active part in the management of the team. Mr Robson urged that the Council give serious consideration to Buekinan's request, as it would be a big help to the Miranui Club. Accordingly, he moved "That this Council recommends the New Zealand Rugby Union to lift the life disqualification imposed on LioneLßuckman." The motion, and Mr. Robson's covering remarks, were supported by Mr Moynihan. M.r W. Hannan disagreed, however, insofar as he supported the chairman's contention, adding that until the Council received an assurance from Buckman that he will not again play, the case in question be held in abeyance. , The chairman observed that he was inclined to agree with Mr Hannan, and thought the matter should be stood down till the next meeting. At .this juncture Mr .Hannan moved, as an amendment, that consideration of this case be held over till the next Council meeting, in order to give the applicant an opportunity of supporting his application by attending the meeting." Seconded by Mr Lynch, and put to the vote, the amendment was carried. SELECTORS. The selectors appointed'at the annual general meeting were affirmed as follows: Mr M. Winiata, senior selector; Messrs F. Robinson, S. Hooper, and W Dalzell as junior selectors. FIXTURES. It was resolved that the first mat dies of the season should be played on April 24th. Entries lor competition close on. April 16th. The Fixtures Committee will comprise Messrs J. O'Connor, J. Casey and H. Lynch. t Mr Robinson drew the Councils attention to last year's fixtures which, he alleged, were so badly drawn up that, so far as Foxton was concerned, three teams had been playing at once, 1 but not one had a match in Foxton. The speaker said he would like to have, a game played in Foxton, every Saturday if it were possible to so arrange the fixtures. Mr Anderson remarked, on County « position in last season's arrangements. Throughout the first round the County team .had travelled away in each instance, whilst in the following round they suffered three defaulting teams, who should have made the journey. Mr Anderson asked whether the Fixtures -Committee would do something to prevent a recurrence of such circumstances? Mr O'Connor said he thought that would be done.

SCRATCH MATCHES. From time to time throughout the season, particularly at the beginning, each club organises scratch matches with other clubs, and the question 01 whether or no the clubs concerned should charge an admission fee, and also receive the full financial benefit accruing from,such games, came up for the Council's The following motion was passed: "That clubs be" allowed to play scratch games, and charge for admission, provided that 50 per cant.- of the net

proceeds from the gate devolve to the union." COMPETITIONS. Tile number of rounds in the re spective grades are as under:—fce"iors, two rounds; Juniors, two rounds: Thirds two divisions, playing - lour rounds, the soi'them unit to- comprise Kuku, Otaki. Maori College, and la raparaumu; Fourths, four rounds.