RUGBY MANAGEMENT.

Shannon News, 10 May 1929, Page 3

RUGBY MANAGEMENT.

MEETING OE COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the Horowhcnua Rugby District Council was held at ‘Levin on Tuesday. Present: Messrs Hannan (chairman), McGill, Robinson, Casey (secretary) McDonald, Hayes, Procter, and Phillips. Apologies were received from absentee members.

Mr. H. Tahiwi, reporting on Saturday’s match at Paraparaumu, stated that it was a good, clean game, but regretted that the ground had not been properly marked which was a handicap in carrying out his duties. He aslced had Joe Ropata been re-instated as a junior.—lt was ruled that Ropata was a senior player, and had had no right to play as a junior. PROTECTING REFEREES.

Mr. E. Bevan wrote relative .to the Otaki-Foxton match and said that he had awarded a try which had been taken exception to by Mr. Robinson and Mr. Taylor (the Foxton captain). He had pointed out to them that the scorer had been three feet inside the touch Mag, further that the line umpire had not put up his flag, thus showing that the scoter was infield. Mr. Taylor had asked him whht sort of referee he was and stated that previous to this he had given some rotten decisions. He considered that Taylor should be dealt with as a warning to others.

The chairman stated that the matter was really not one for the Council as the referee was the sole judge of play. Foxton could protest if they so desired but it would not alter the decision

given. Mr. Robinson pointed out that no one blamed the referee as the l'ineumpire, if anyone, was at fault. The chairman considered that Mr. Bevan’s letter was a charge against Taylor, who disputed the referee’s ruling. As long as he was a member of the Council he would see that referees were protected, and he considered that if Taylor made such remarks he shouio know better. He had no right to abuse or pass insinuating remarks about the referee; referees were only there to do their best. ,The matter, he said, would have to stand over till next meeting as Taylor had not been notified of the charge. ■lt was agreed thalt both Messrs Bevan and. Taylor be asked to attend. LATE STARTING. The Foxton Club wrote protesting against the'ir treatment by Wanderers on Saturday, staling that their opponents were twenty minutes late in arriving. They considered .that the rule regarding time of starting should be enforced and thus bring the matter to finaltv. The referee w T as .also conspicuous for some time by his absence. The • chairman considered that referees should be instructed to be punctual (2.50) but to allow ten minutes’ grace. If this .was not adhered to the matter should be reported to the Referees* Association. He understood that the referee was not on the ground till 5 past 3. It was thought . by some members that the referee had a legitimate excuse for being late. Mr. Robinson stated that he had done his best to find out the whereabouts of the Wanderers. The matter had caused trouble as gate money had to be refunded. The chairman stated that the Wanderer Club could only muster eight men ait 3.30 and therefore decided not to t Mr. Robinson said Foxton had' no desire to see Wanderers penalised, but he considered it only right that the Club should have acquainted Foxton that it did not intend. to go. Mr. Hannan said any Club should send notice under such circumstances. He moved that the Wanderer Chib be fined ss.—Agreed to. SCHOOL BOYS’ WEIGHT LIMIT. Mr. McDonald read a letter from Mr. Miller, of the Hutt .Central 'School, advocating school boys’ tournaments, with a weight limit of 9st 71b., the games to take place in August and September. While favouring such matches Mr. McDonald considered the weight linn should, be Bst 71b. Mr. Procter had been appointed as delegate for .this ■district and would attend a meeting ito be held in Wellington. Mr. Hannan considered school football should be encouraged and agreed Uhat the Council give the matter every ■support. • Decided to leave the matter to the. '{Teachers’ Institute, with .a promise Chat the Council would give all assistance possible.

GENERAL. A letter was read from C. F. Anderson, asking to be re-instated, as a member of the Foxton Club —senior to junior.—Matter referred back to Foxton Club for further particulars. The Foxton Club wrote protesting against Tolcomaru for playing junior piayers in a third-grade match. Fur--tlier enquiries to be made. Mr. Hooper reported that the Wanderer juniors had played T. McDonald, he having previously played seniois. Held over, pending, further enquiries. The Hui Mai Club wrote forwarding gate money. —Receivod. A letter from the Waikanae Club asked for the re-classification of Runa Tamaki. —Not granted, it being pointed out that Runa was once a senior rep. and too hefty to play against juniors. The Paraparaumu Club wrote asking that visiting players be supplied with passes on account of outsiders passing themselves in with the team. —To be attended to.

The Weraroa Club wrote asking that the suspension of J. Graham be lifted. The team was short of players and unless more were available they would have to withdraw from the competition.—lt was stated that Graham was -disqualified at the end last season and that after Saturday next his sus-

pension would cease. —Agreed to let the matter stand as at present. A circular was read from the N.Z. Union enclosing remits to be considered at the annual meeting.—Received. Mr. Procter reported that the pitch on the Otald ground was dangerous and considered attention should be given it. Grass along the edges might be the means of causing a player to fall heavily. He was pleased, however, to see that the ground had been well flagged and marked. . Mr. McGill said the pitch had been covered but he would see that further attention was -paid to it. Mr. Hayes stated that on Saturday revenue was lost through spectators at Foxton gaining entrance other than through the main gate.—Left to Messrs Hayes and Robinson to attend to. Mr. Hayes favoured complimentary passes for coaches of teams. —Agreed that these be supplied, but if tho privilege was abused to withdraw them. Co'achcs will be allowed to use tickets only where their teams are < competing. Mr. Hayes asked that the game with Shannon at Foxton next Saturday start at 1.30 —Left to secretary to interview the Shannon Club with a view to arranging the ma'tter. Mr. McGill reported that the Otaki Ladies’ Hockey Association would not desire to charge at the gates till late ■in the season so lie anticipated no trouble from that quarter. . The chairman moved that the Shannon Borough Council be offered £lO for its ground for this season, and said that next season the matter could be arranged on a ten per cent basis. —Agreed to. It was agreed that all grounds not properly flagged must receive immediate .attention.

It was decided to Inform the Paraparaumu Club that their side lines must be white-washed or the tuif turned. The later, it was pointed out, was no detriment to the ground. It was resolved to play two rounds for the senior contest, four each (north an(l south) for the junior, and four for the thirds. Mr. M. Winiata was appointed senior rep. selector. Austin Banner. # Matches for the Austin banner (school boys) will commence on June Ist.