RANFURLY SHIELD OWNERSHIP.

Shannon News, 26 July 1927, Page 3

RANFURLY SHIELD OWNERSHIP.

GOES BACK TO WAIRARAPA,

HAWKES BAY WILL BRING SUPREME COURT ACTION.

The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union held a special meeting on Saturday to consider the protest lodged by the Wairarapa Union in connection with Hawkes Bay having included Barclay, an unqualified player, in the match for the Ranfuvly Shield against Wairarapa at Mastevton on July 9. The Hawkes Bay delegate, Mr X. McKenzie,- stated that Barclay early this season went to Auckland in search of a position in the Public Works Department, and while there he took part in three matches for an Auckland Club. He returned to Hawkes Bay on June 4 and decided to purchase a business in Hastings. He left again on June 7th for Auckland to finalise matters in connection with the business and returnedon June 23 or 24 to take up his permanent residence ill Hastings. lie had retained a room in Hastings while on his last visit to Auckland and had been a member of the Pirates Club in Napier since 1923.

Members of the N.Z. Union contended that a player could not be domiciled in two places, and the fact that Barclay played in Auckland made it necessary for him to complete the residential qualification of three weeks-before he could play for Hawkes Bay.

Mr Dean moved: “That whereas W. Barclay % was a bona fide resident of Auckland until June 23, having fulfilled the qualification necessary under that union’s rule No. 28, and whereas Barclay did not fulfil the residential qualification as provided in llie New Zealand Rugby Union’s rule 43 to permit him to play for Hawkes Bay, this committee upholds the protest of the Wairarapa Rugby Union and awards the match jto Wairarapa.” The mo't-ion was carried, Mr Mullaney being the only dissentient. Mr Kitto: Has Hawkes Bay the right now to challenge for the shield? Mr Dean: That is a question for this union.

Mr,.N. McKenzie: You need not be afraid that we" will-challenge for the shield. I would like to know, though, what is to become of all the gate money that was taken on July 9th? A BOMBSHELL. “I can now inform you,” said Mr N. McKenzie, “that we will lodge an injunction against your decision, and obtain a ruling from the Supreme Court on the matter. Until that is settled, the shield stays where it is.” Mr Dean: We will decide that later on.

Mr Wylie: You will have to exhaust youT appeal under this union first.