HOROWHENUA RUGBY UNION.

Shannon News, 20 May 1927, Page 4

HOROWHENUA RUGBY UNION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The weekly meeting of the above was held at the Grand Hotel, Levin, on Tuesday night, Mr. J. O'Connor presiding. Other members present were Messrs Rimmer (treasurer), McDonald (Levin school), Neville (Foxton), Casey (secretary), Joyce (Weraroa), Procter (Hui Mai), Anderson (County), Austin (Vice-President), Robinson (Awahou), Richards (Shannon), and AT. Wiuiata (selector). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Ryder and Wrigley. Referees’ Expenses. Correspondence was read from R. KMgi (referee) enclosing account for expenses.—On the motion of Mr, Casey, .econded by Mr. Robinson, it was decided that the amount be paid. It was stated, however, that Mr. Kingi had declined to referee in a match because it fi r as not a senior game. , Mr. Procter said this was only heresay and that there was no direct evidence in support. Fencing at Levin.

The Wanderer Club asked for a more equitable understanding between that Club, County and Weraroa, relative’to fencing on the domain, and suggesting that the Council write to the Borough Council, advising that the Cricket Association cover up the cricket pitch at the end of each season. It was stated that there were strainers on the ground, while Mr. Casey pointed out this ■was the first application from other Clubs, and added that it was hard for one club to have to look after the ground. He suggested that each club take a year about.

Mr. Austin said an arrangement as suggested , would not work as there would be a change in the personnel of the Council each year and in that case the matter was one that was likely to be overlooked. ~ Mr. Procter said it was hard on the Wanderer Club to have to put the fence up and later take it away. Mr., Anderson considered it a matter that affected the Union more than an individual club. Mr. Procter- and Mr. Robinson agreed, the latter stating that the Union had practically played all its rep. matches on the ground. \ Mr. Austin gave support, and moved that the Union erect the fence. This was seconded .by Mr. Robinson and carried, only two voting against. Relative to the cricket pitch it was decided to ask the Cricket Association through the Borough Council to cover the pitch at the end of each season. Insurance Fees.

It was decided that a refund of insurance paid by the Wanderers juniors ibe made, the chairman pointing out that the. club had not played a game, and by defaulting had automatically gone out.

It was also decided to refund the insurance money paid by the Shannon fourths.'

Players Reported.

Mr. Hirinui, referee in the AwahouFoxton match, reported that he had ordered two players—Gribb and Hartley—off the field for rough play. A letter was read from Hartley apologising for his unseemly behaviour, while Mr, Robinson stated that Gribb wished also to apologise. Mr. Neville considered that a deal of the blame was due to~ two spectators fighting, in fact there had been practically a free fight. The chairman moved that both men be cautioned and warned that if they again were reported they would be severely dealt with. Birth Certificates. A letter was read from the F.oxton District High School, suggesting that the official birth certificates of several Awahou boys be secured, it being believed that they were over the age allowed for playing. Mr. Robinson said that he was coaching the Awahou team and wished to be perfectly fair. He had interviewed the boys in the matter and had been informed that they were -all under the age limit of 16 years. He offered to again question them,, and said if over the age limit he would be pleased to put them out of the team. The chairman considered the onus was on the boys to prove their ages and to produce birth certificates in case of protest. ■ On the motion of Mr. Austin Messrs Robinson and Neville were deputed to see the boys, and in case of protest to point out that the onus was on the b.ovs to prove their age. Mr. Robinson said if it was found that the boys were over age the match should be awarded to Foxton. It was his desire to show that he wished t.o be fair over the matter. He did not wish anyone to think that the boys hacl been , rung in. Appointment of Referees.

The Referees' Association wrote stating that the appointment of referees would be made in good time for publication each week. Disputed a Ruling. Mr. E. Bevan stated that while refereeing he hacl occasion to replace Hiwi, a line umpire, for disputing one of his decisions.—Matter to be referred to the Referees’ Association. Injured Player. From Dr. Thompson stating’ that a Miranui player had fractured his collarbone and would be off work for four weeks., Seeking Information. The Paraparaumu Club wrote asking for information relative to Otaki 3rds. playing for College and asking" could players transfer. It was decided to inform .the'club that as Otaki had not played they

could join up with College if they so desired. Rep. Match. The Manawatu Union wrote stating that the 18th June would be an acceptable day for the match with Horowhenua. Injured Player. The Shannon Club wrote stating that Robbie had been injured, adding that his insurance fees had been given to the referee before the match. It was stated that up td the present the money had not been received, and it was generally agreed that such money should be forwarded promptly to the Union. It was decided to write to the referee adtising him to this effect. It was also agreed that it was unwise for any referee to accept money. An Objection. Mr. Joyce objected to senior games being postponed on account of rep. fixtures. Other members agreed, pointing out that a grave injustice would be done to clubs like Otaki who would be debarred for playing for about four Saturdays. Mr. Casey gave notice of motion that club games be played, except on dates set apart for the combined match and trial games. It was thought also that the Tara-naki-Manawatu match and the Waifa-rapa-Manawatu match might affect the fixtures.

Mr. Joyce said Hawke's Bay and other places went on with club fixtures while rep fixtures were being played. Mr. Winiata agreed that the club matches should not be postponed for rep. fixtures. Air. Anderson thought it would a hardship on a leading team if it was robbed of five or six men for rep. matches. ■ ■

' Air. Robinson, in agreeing that club matches should not be postponed, said it would be the end of some clubs if they had no match for three, four or five weeks. Re-Arrangement. Air. Casey stated that there would be another sheet of fixtures published at an early date and that the games would start at 2.40. Referees, ho considered, should see that this was enforced. Rep. Matches. It was decided that admission for the Alaori-Pakeha match be Is for gentlemen and ladies alike, and 6d for the stand. It was also agreed that the match start at 2.45. Air. Winiata said that the team would be picked on the 28th. It was agreed that Air. O'Connor help in the selection. Alessrs Procter (Alaori) and Robinson (Pakeha) were chosen as managers. It was decided to charge Is Gd (gentlemen) and Is (ladies) for the rep. match, at Shannon. Disqualification. , Air. Casey said that- the Union had been led to believe that Air. Neville had been disqualified by the N.Z. Referees' Association, but Mr. Neville had received word to say the statement was not correct, pointing out that it had no jurisdiction. Air. Neville read a telegram in support. from the N.Z. Referees' Association; while Air. Robinson said that he, like others, had been led to believe Mr. Neville had been disqualified. He would now like to meet the one who made the statement. It was unfair for the local Association • to tell the Union that Neville had been disqualified for life, ■ and ho was out to demand an apology. Air. Anderson moved that the local Referees ’ Association produce evidence whenj Neville was disqualified by the N.Z. Association. Air. Austin: The N.Z. Association states it hacl no jurisdiction in the matter. Air. Robinson said that he hacl asked that minutes relating to the disqualification be produced, and one referee hac. aid there were no minutes. The motion, was seconded by Air. Robinson, and carried. College Boys. • Objection was raised to boys home for the College holidays playing for earns without the permission of the Union, it being considered the least the clubs could do was to apply for permission to play such boys.—Decided to inform clubs to this effect. Rough Play. The chairman regretted that during the present season there had been a deal of rough.play, adding that at times it was a case of “boot and fist." He hacl attended four matches and on each occasion hacl seen a fight—or very near it. There was rough play again on Saturday, and he thought, judging by the manner of players, that there 'must have been provocation. Some six players were knocked out, and lie thought referees' attention should be drawn to the matter. It was up to them t.o be more strict.

Air. Anderson stated that he had seen four matches, and two had been very rough. Much of the roughness was caused by the barrack of spectators. At the Shannon-County match one man had “put the boot in," while spectators at Otaki were bad at the County match. Cries of “put the boot in" tended to encourage rough play, and like the chairman, he though referees should be more strict.

Air. Winiata said at Alanakau he had heard children say “put the boot in." The chairman said charging a man after he had got rid of the ball was a big fault, and was a very dangerous practice. Alrl Winiata: The referees should not allow such a thing! Other members spoke in a similar strain.

Air. Casey pointed out that there should be a uniformity in rules and thought it was up to referees to be in form. The Referees' Association had to be built up which would take time. Encourage Play. Air. Neville advocated better matches for lower grade footballers, and thought a match, North v. South, would encour-. age players. It was the junior grades

that needed cneouragemer t as such men made the future players. Mr. McDonald supported the remarks. RUGBY NOTES. Last Saturday Foxton placed eight teams in the field—se\ r en Rugby, one soccer. The cup to be presented for the Maori-Pakeha match is expected to arrive fr.om Home this month, and a suggestion by Air. Rimmer that the trophv be presented at Shannon found favour at Tuesday's meeting. It Avas pointed out that the late Air. Rewi Moynilian had captained the Pakehas and that the eup should be handed to relatives at that town.