RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 27 April 1928, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL. The management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council met in the Wistaria Rooms on Tuesday evening, there being present: Messrs W. Hannan (president), J. W. Procter, (Hui Mai), G. Mitchell, (Shannon), A. Richards, (Shannon), H. Hutchins, (Foxton), S. Hooper, (Weraroa), E. M- Ryder, (Wanderers), W. Phillips, (Referees), J. W. Rimmer (treasurer), and J. Casey (secretary). Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Les. McDonald (Wanderers) and F. Robinson (Hautere).

.A cheque of £2 2s was reeeivejd as a donation from the Mayor of Levin (Mr.T. Hobson), —The thanks of the Council were accorded the donor.

Mr J. Linklater, M.P., wrote thanking the Council for having elected him a patron, and extending his best wishes to the Council for another successful year. He enclosed a cheque for £2 2s.—-The donation was acknowledged with thanks. PLAYER CAUTIONED.

Mr H. Taylor, referee in the Fox-ton-Wanderers thirds match at Foxton last Saturday, wrote stating that lie had had to order off G. McDonald, a member of the Wanderers, for obstruction, after he had been warned.

McDonald was called before the meeting, when he stated that he had not heard the referee’s warning. Mr Ryder stated that he remembered the referee awarding a free kick against McDonald, but did not see him warn that player. Mr /ptichards said the case did not appear to be a very serious one. He moved that'McDonald be cautioned.

The motion was seconded by Mr Joyce, and carried. s TOKOMARU THIRDS ACCEPTED.. The Tokomaru club forwarded 10s as affiliation fee for a third grade team.—On the motion of Mr Procter it was decided that the nomination of the team be accepted. Owing to the late entry of the above team, the third grade fixtures for Saturday next were amended, and are now as follows:—Foxton v. Tokomaru, at Foxton; Wanderers v. Wteraroa, at Levin; Shannon a bye. MAUNGATUKU JUNIORS.

The Maungajtuku 1 cflub wrpte that they proposed to enter a junior team and wished to affiliate. Twenty names of players were submitted. —Received. OTAKI THIRDS.

Otaki club nominated a third grade team and suggested that they wear sky-blue jerseys. Insurance fee was also forwarded, and the secretary (Mr B.M.A. Ryder) wrote that the club was putting in a new goal post and marking out the field, so all would be in order for the game against Hautere on April 28th. QUESTION OF PLAYERS’ STATUS. Paraparaumu club forwarded £1 Is for insurance and 15s as junior team entrance fee. They applied for the regarding to junior status of W. Leake, E. Kitching and S. Corner, who had not played in senior football since the season before last.

It was agreed that Kitching and Leake, also two other players, Coyle and Waite, were in order in playing junior; but that Corner was not entitled to do so because he had played for Athletic B in Wellington last year,

USE „0F GROUDNS. ‘ Mr B. H. Slack, of Manakau, wrote granting the use of a football ground on his property.—lt was resolved that Mr Slack be thanked for the permission given. Mr F. Picard, secretary of the Miranui club, wrote that Mr. Woods had again given the M'i ranu l dub permission to use his ground. Insurance fee was enclosed.—lt was decided that the club be instructed to mark out the grounds. DOMAIN CRICKET PITCH.

A letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that instructions had been issued to the Levin Cricket Club to immediately cover with turf the cricket pitch on the Park Domain. The Chairman stated that this work had not been done up to last Monday, so the Wanderers had attended to the matter and would endeavour to recover the cost from the Cricket Association . REFEREES’ EXPENSES.

An account was received for transport of referees, the total for four being £1 4s. As 15s of this amount was in respect of one referee’s trip to. Manakau, the account was referred to Mr. Phillips to place before the Referees ’ Association for review.

Mr Rimmer suggested that a maximum travelling allowance be established for referees. TICKETS AND PASSES. /

From the Combined Union 100 „ sea son tickets were received.

Mr Joyce advocated the issue of passes to members of a team having a bye. ' The Chairman said he was rather against the idea of players’ passes, as they were liable to get into the wrong hands. He would prefer the old system under which players were admitted to the field when in playing eostume. This would also save secretarial work.

The meeting resolved that the issuing of players’ passes be discontinued for the time being.

A medical certificate was received that W. Gray was suffereing from an injury to the right ankle as the result of playing football and would not be fit for work for at least a week.

WANDERERS-FOXTON MATCH,

Mr E. Bevan, referee of the FoxtonWanderers senior match at Levin last Saturday, wrote reporting that the game was not started till 3.30 p.m., neither of the teams being on the ground until that time. He allowed them to play two 35-minute spells, which they asked for. He wished to know if he had acted rightly, as this i was a championship match. He also stated that he had noticed that the

fence was not up tp keep the spectators back.

The chairman said he thought that the Wanderers Club would deal with the matter of the fence this week. Mr Procter said there was a rule providing for 45-minute spells in matches under the Council’s jurisdiction. Mr Hutchins explained that on Saturday last the Foxton senior team had seven men on the sick list. If the Wainderers juniors had travelled to Foxton, it would not have been possible to get a full team together to meet the Wanderers’ seniors, as the club drew on the juniors on that occasion; but if the juniors had not been available, the Foxton seniors were prepared to notify the Council secretary that they would travel with nine men in order to make a game of it. The chairman commented that this was a good spirit on the part of the Foxton Club.

The Council decided to pass over the incident, but to stipulate that future matches must be started on time. COACH AND SELECTORS.

On the motion of Mr Procter, seconded by Mr Joyce, it was decided to ask Mr H. Jacob to act as coach for rep. players in the Horowhenua district.

Mr Hooper was appointed junior selector for the southern division. It was decided that Mr T. Watson be the northern junior selector, provided that he is willing to act; also that. Mr H. Bolton be asked to act as third grade selector at the northern end, and that Mr Leach be asked to act in the same capacity in the southern division. Mr Casey moved that £1 11s 6d be granted to each of the above selectors at the end of the season, for their expenses, provided that the selectors act for the full term. . ROUNDS ARRANGED. With regard to the season’s fixtures it was resolved that two rounds in the senior grade be pljfyed; in the junior, four rounds in the northern and four in the southern division; in the third grade, three rounds in' the northern division and five rounds in the southern. THIRD GRADE REPS. The secretary reported that he had written to the Wanganui and Rangitikei Unions asking them to reserve fixtures against the Horowhenua third grade reps, to be played in this district. He thought it would be a' good idea also if a match could be arranged for the thirds against the Bush third reps. RIBBONS RETAINED. Quotations were received from Messrs Mayer and Kean for enamel badges in the Council’s colours. —It was resolved that ribbons be used, as before, but with the clubs colours —red and blue. . WERAROA GROUND. The question of making a collection on the Weraroa ground was brought up, and Mr Hooper offer to carry this out for one Saturday as an experiment. j 1 —The offer was accepted, arrangements being left in the hands of the secretary and Mr Hooper. INSURANCE FUND. Mr Procter urged that the Council this year pay a sum of money into the insurance fund* and he was supported by the chairman. The Council decided, on the motion of Mr Hooper, seconded by Mr Joyce* ( to pay £lO 10s into the insurance ae- ' count at the 'end of the season. TERRITORIAL CAMP. Mr Hutchins mentioned that a number of junior players would liaye to go into military camp on Monday next. He believed that seven Foxton juniors would be away for one week. DISTRICT REP. MATCHES.

Mr Procter moved that the Mana-vvatu-liorowhemia match he played at Foxton, and the Maori-Pakeha match at Shannon.

As an amendment, Mr Richards moved that the Manawatu match be played at Shannon, and the Maori match at Foxton. 1

Mr Casey moved that the Maori match be played on a Wednescday, no place or date being fixed. Mr Ryder moved that the match be played on a Saturday. It was decided on a show of hands that the Maori-Pakeha match be played on a Saturday. Mr Rimmer moved that the places of the Manawatu and Maori matches be drawn for between Shannon and Foxton.

Mr Hutchins said he would like to see the Manawatu game played at Foxton. The grounds would be put. in perfect order, and he thought that there w r ould be a good gate. He believed that this would be a better draw in Foxton than the Maori-Pakeha match.

MAORI MATCH TO SHANNON, MANAWATU TO FOXTON.

Mr Rimmer’s motion was carried, with Mr Hutchins dissenting. The draw then took place and resulted in the Maori match being allotted to Shannon and the Manawatu match to Foxton.

LAPSING OF FOURTH GRADE. Mr Hutchins said there appeared to be no fourth grade competition this year, and the young players were being lost to the Council. A number of the boys in Foxton would not get a game. He thought that some competition might be arranged to bring them into the playing field again. Some of the Foxton la'ds were too small for thirds while they . were too old for fourths.

The Chairman stated that the cup had been given for the fourth grade competition by Mr Procter, *and the age limit was 16. It seemed a great pity if the competition was going to lapse.

Mr Joyce said that, owing to the new motor regulations, the Weraroa club was not able to . engage conveyances for a fourth grade team this year.

Mr Hutchins remarked that the pri- ■ mary schools competitions were taking'* a good many of the old fourth grade players, and this had made a difference.

The Chairman pointed out that the primary schools competitions were se-

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paratc from tho Council’s fixtures. Hr Hutchins stated that the age limit seemed to be the drawback. He knew of a number of boys who were playing last year who were too old for the fourth grade now, while they were too small for the third grade. The Chairman: Even if, with Mr Procter’s consent, we raised the age to 17, we could not advance, because they don’t seem to be able to run a fourth grade competition around here. Mr Hutchins said that a few years ago he took a boys’ team to Palmerston, where they played a drawn game, and he heard several Manawatu officials comment on the game, saying what a fine lot the visiting boys were. Mr Mitchell: If they got a fourtli grade team in Foxton, would they get one anywhere else to compete against them?

Mr Hutchins: They had two teami last year, but some of the boys in one team were over age. The Chairman: None of the clubs here seem to be able to run a fourth grade.

Mr Hooper: Weraroa have tried it, and simply cannot run a fourth grade* Mr Mitchell: Shannon cannot ruii one. i

Mr Procter said that if the age wal increased to 17 the Council would still be in the same position. ' Mr Casey: It would improve the boys in the Levin High School. The Chairman: You would want at least three teams to make a competition of it. If we could get one in Foxton, we woujd have to make ujj two here or round about. We nvould get one from, the school without raising the age. We will have a loolc around and see what we can do. ; Mr Procter said he did not feel dis-* posed to increase the age. The trophy should be kept for the primary Schools. If the age were increased, it would be said that this was done to bring in the High School at Levin. ENTERTAINMENT OF REP. TEAMS Mr Procter urged that the enter-; taining of visiting rep. teams should be confined to a dinner without the subsequent entertainment. Mr Procter supported the stating that if was to show a profit this year it would be neces-' sary to cut the expenses down to bed-: rock. ! The Chairman also, supported the' proposal. Mr Procter then moved that the entertainment of visiting rep. teams take: the form of a meal only. ; The motion was seconded by Mr; Hutchins, and was carried without dis- 1 sent. : THE THIRDS IN ACTION. To have senior football juniors must be encouraged, and it was pleasihg on Saturday to see a large number of spectators interested in the QtakiManalcau match. Unfortunately, the latter s could only muster eleven play-: ers, later thirteen, and Otaki from the' kick-off had the advantage. Many played well, and with one or two re-, placements they should have a smart combination. Several lacked form, but it was surprising how well some kept going. They grafted Trojan-like and showed a good knowledge of the game. ■ Manakau also possess good players and 5 it is hoped that instead of\being downhearted they will get together and practice. There is no reason why they should not be seen to better advantage: in future matches. In tht. first-half C. •Cheer and B. Ryder scored well-deserv-ed tries for Otaki, one of which was*

converted from Walker after a splen-

did kick from near the side-line. Met* wood, whose uncles—Harry, Alf and Tom —were once the pick of Wairarapa reps., shaped well and secured two tries in the second half, one being converted. Thacker, also a promising .player, scored a good try, making the; total 19 —0 in Otaki's favour. Mr. Pena was referee.

PARAPARAUMU JUNIORS V. HITI MAI.

Paraparaumu „ and Hui Mai juniors met at “Pram" on Saturday and a good game resulted in a win for Pram, by 18 points to 3. Considering Hui Mai could only muster 13 players they put up a great defence and their; splendid tackling alone saved them I from having a greater score recorded, against them. The game was very even! for the first ten minutes, the Hui Mai] forwards showing to advantage, butj from then oh “Pram” were continually] attacking- although they could not] penetrate the defence. The “Pram -’j backs were showing splendid combina-l tion and only good tackling kept them! from scoring on several occasions. They! were rewarded, however, w;hen P,ou,i who was playing a brilliant game at five-eighths, cut in beautifully and with only the full back to beat passed to Kitchen who scored an busy try, which was.not converted. Play was even with Hui Mai mostly on the defence till half time.

On changing round play had been going for a few minutes when Hui Mai , were awarded a free kick within scoring range, but the effort was fruitless and from then on “Pram" were continually attacking and from a forward rush Patterson scored for Pou to convert. Pram 8, Hui Mai nil. From the kick out Hui Mai worked play over the half-way line where from a scrum /“Pram" secured and the ball went through all backs to K. Smith on the wing, who put in a good run and centred to the goal mouth where Gordon] secured and scored unopposed, for Hurren to convert. “Pram" 13, Hui Mai! nil. Soon after Murphy scored from a forward rush and Hurren, with a splendid kick, again converted making the scores ‘Pram" 18, Mui Mai nil. From the kick out Hui Mai worked play into “Pram" territory, the ball going out at the eorner. From a serum Inear the goal mouth Hui Mai secured and a nice | passing rush ended in a score. The' kick at goal Was a “poster" and the game ended “Pram” 18, Hui Mai 3.

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The Crocus. * , Now that the season of bulb planting Is with us again, gardeners must remember the dainty little . crocus. All crocus are beautiful, so very beautiful that it is . a difficult matter to single out any one species as being more lovely than the rest. But specially fascinating is a generous planting of crocus tbmasinianus in the short grass beneath the spreading limbs of a large oak or other deciduous tree. The effect might well be likened to a limpid blue lake, lovely beyond compare at a season when colour is sadly lacking, for this beautiful crocus flowers in the earliest spring..

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