RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 4 May 1928, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL

The weekly meeting of the management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council was held in the Wistaria Rooms on Tuesday, there being present: Messrs W. Hannan (president), J. W. Procter (Ilui Mai), Richards (Shannon), S. Hooper (Weraroa), W., Phillips (Referees), W. S. Joyce (Weraroa), G. Mitchell (Shannon), J. W. Rimmer and J. Casey (secretary). Leave of absence was granted to Messrs E. M. Ryder and Les. McDonald (Wanderers). Mr F. C. Middleton, secretary of the Paraparaumu Club, wrote making application for the re-grading of R. Waite to junior status. He understood that Waite had not played during the last two seasons. —The secretary reported that he had replied to the effect that Waite was in the same position as the other men whose cases were considered.

Mr Middleton also wrote with reference to his application for the regrading of L. Corner to junior status, stating that he was instructed to ask the committee to re-consider the application. Corner was not, he understood, a regular player in the Athletic B team, having only played in a few games; he had, this year, endeavoured to play as a senior in the Ilui Mai team, but was not able to gain a place; he was a young and keen player, with years of football ahead of him, and the club felt that it would be rather a pity were he compelled to stand down this year, especially when the club was not numerically strong. The writer was communicating with the Athletic Club, Wellington, to ascertain exactly in how many games Corner had actually played. A member of the Paraparaumu' Club had been informed by Mr Prendevillc, of the Wellington Rugby Union, that the N.Z. Union had decided that, as long as players had not played football this year, they were eligible to play junior. The chairman said he was of the opinion that, if a player could not get a game in a senior team, the committee w-ould be quite in order in reinstating him. Mr Hooper said that such action would open up a big question. 'Mr Richards supported this view. The chairman moved and Mr Mitchell seconded that Corner be reinstated as a junior. ( Mr Procter remarked that' the , reinstatement of a senior as a junior might block the way for a promising junior.

> The chairman explailned that Corner became a senior when the Paraparaumu team was raised to that grade, but anyone who had seen the team play at that time could see that it was not a senior team.

The motion was lost by five votes to four, and consequently the reinstatement applied for was not granted. Advice was received from the Maungatuku Club (Mr R. G. Nimmo) that their grounds would, be the old grounds, that were used by the other teams at Waikanae, past the salevards. Mr T. D. Leach, of Manakau, wrote; thanking the Council for having appointed him selector for the third grade in the southern division. A letter was received from Mr T. Watson, of Miranui, accepting with thanks his appointment as junior selector in the northern division.

Mr W. H. Field, M.P., wrote expressing his thanks to the Council for having elected him a patron, and enclosed a donation of £1 Is.

The Wanganui Metropolitan SubUnion, in reply to the request for a return junior rep. match in Horowhenua, advised the Council that the lipplication had been referred to the fixtures committee for favourable consideration.

Intimation was received from the Hautere Club that it was giving attention to the ground at each practice, and everything would be in readiness for the home match on May sth. Mr Alex Wilson, Town Clerk of Otaki, wrote stating that the Committee’s application for' the use of the Otaki Domain was placed before the Borough Council on April 16tli, when it was resolved that the request be granted, and that the ground be allowed for third gra.de matches free of charge. It was further agreed that if, in an emergency, the Rugby Council should require the ground for senior matches, the charge would be 15 per cent, of the takings. Should an emergency fixture fall on the same day on which a charge ivas being made for a hockey match, all except the players Avere to be charged for admission. The secretary reported that, the year’s term of the fixed deposit at the Bank of Australasia having expired, he and the treasurer (Mr Rimmer) had renewed it for a further year. The sum of £5 interest had been paid into the account by the Bank.—The action of the secretary and the treasurer Avas endorsed.

The chairman reported ha\’ing obtained an opinion from Mr A. M. Ongley, of Palmerston North, as to the election of Mr F. Robinson to the management committee, as the club for Avhich Mr Robinson Avas delegate, admitted after the election of officers of this Council. The opinion given Avas that, as Mr Robinson had been elected to the Management Committee before the Club Avas admitted to the Union, his election Avas null and void. The chairman asked for a motion that Mr Robinson be re-elected. It 'vas in the poAver of the committee to take this course, as Mr Robinson Avas a delegate for Hautere, and this action would put his election in order. Mr Procter moved and Mr Mitchell seconded that' Mr Robinson be elected as representative of the Hautere Club. The motion Avas carried unanimously. '

The secretary announced that Wanderers juniors had forfeited tAVo games in succession, and according to the

rules they automatically dropped out of the competition. Leave of absence from the next tAvo meetings A\ r as granted to Mr W. S. Joyce. , It Avas decided that no meeting be held next Aveek unless any emergency business comes up. On the motion of Mr Procter, seconded by Mr Joyce, it AA r as resolved that the rule requiring players to Avcar their club colours in matches be enforced this season. The club.colours are as this season. The club colours are as folloAA's: —Tokomsmi, red and black; Miranui, black "and green; Shannon, maroon; Foxton, black and gold; Wanderers, black; Weraroa, black and Avhite; Hui Mai, green and Avhite; Otaki, green; Otaki Maori College, sky blue; Hautere, red and black; Tokomaru, red and black; Paraparaumu, dark blue; Maungatuku, blue and black. Mr Procter mentioned that bad language had been heard by him at two matches this season. The meeting decided to instruct referees to report any cases of profanity occurring .in matches, under their control.