RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 17 May 1929, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL. The weekly meeting of rhe manage ment committee of the Horovvlienua Rugby District Council was held in the Wistaria Rooms on Tuesday, there being present: Messrs W. C. Hannan (president), M. G. McLean (Paraparaumu), G. Mitchell (Shannon), W. Phillips (Referees), F. Robinson (Foxton), W. Heyes (Foxton), S. Hooper (Weraroal, S. Procter (Hui Mai), F. C. Meyers (Waikanae), A. Richards (Shannon), J. Casey (secretary), and J. W. Rimmer (treasurer). An apology for absence was received from Mr J. McGill (Otaki). v \ REMARKS TC A REFEREE. As the result of the complaint against Taylor, the Foxton captain, by Mr E. Bevan, ref in the, Otaki-Foxton match of May 4th, at Otaki, relative to remarks made to the referee, the parities attended the meting ;so that their evidence might be heard. In his written report, Mr Bevan stated that, a few minutes before the final whistle, he awarded' a try for Otaki, which was scored 3 feet in-goal from the corner-post. No line umpire? flag was up,.s6 the score stood, making the game a draw —nine points all. As he was walking off the field, Mr F. Robinson and Mr Taylor asked him to come along and they would show where the scorer went out into touch, so he told them that the line umpire would see to that by putting his flag up. Just then Taylor said, "What sort ot line umpire have you got?" and whilst the referee was still walking off the field to the gateway Taylor said to him, within hearing of spectators, '"'Yes, you made two or three other rotten mistakes." The referee said he would report him to the Union, and Taylor said, "I don't care what you do. Report to this Union and the New Zealand Rugby Union if you like." The two line umpir'es were Messrs Sciascia and Kehu Hakara-ia, two noted players in this district for (several years, and the referee had every confidence in both of them." His report against Taylor was for criticising tlie line umpire and disputing soni*'. of the referee's decision within heaving of spectators; and he considei-ed that .Taylor should bo severely dealt with, go that it might be a lesson to others.

When question by the Chairman, Taylor admitted that he had used the remarks, saying that he had done so in the heat of the moment.

The Chairman: You were referecing last year? Taylor: For one or two games.

You know that a referee is the sole judge of fact, and that you cannot question his decision on fact? —Yes. Why blame Mr Bevan for what you thought was the line umpire's mistake?—The line umpire said the pople crowded on the line and he could not see past them.

Mr Robinson: You were off the field of play? Taylor: I was off the playing area. Mr Robinson: I was not in your presence when you said those things. I have no doubt you were there afterwards, but not when I said to Mr Bavan, "Did you see where those fellows slipped out?" Mr Bevan explained that Ihe had only mentioned Mr Robinson in the matter as showing where the players had gone out. Mr Robinson' ('to Taylor): How many years have you been playing football?

Taylor: About ten. You have/never been before the Union previously?—No.

The Chairman said the Council had a duty to protect the referee, and he looked on this case as a serious matter in that it arose with a player of Taylor's standing, because the latter had been a referee himself. Mr Robinson asked who had control of players after p. match was over. The Chairman: Until the player leaves the ground we have control over him.

Mr Robinson: There does not seem to be much control after the blowing of the whistle and when the spectators are all over the field. The Chairman: The rule is definite. We have control over our players during all time, as long as they are playing football. My ruling is that,. until the- man leaves the ground, he is on our property, and if he abuses the referee he is abusing him under our jurisdiction.

Mr Procter mentioned the case of a player in Wellington who struck another player when on the road after a- match, and who in consequence was suspended for a Saturday. On the motion of Mr Procter, seconded by Mr Robinson, it was decided that Taylor be suspended for one playing Saturday. It was explained to the Foxton delegates that, as the Foxton club would have a bye next Saturday, Taylor would not be debarred from practising on that day, tut would be suspended from play on the following Saturday.

Mr Heyes thanked the Committee for the lenient way in which they had dealt with the Foxton captain, and stated that the elub would use every endeavour to see that'no such offence was committed in the future. REINSTATMENTS TO JUNIOR GRADE. Consideration was given to the report made by Mr Hooper to the previous meeting that, on May 4th, the Wanderers junior team played Tawiu McDonald, who was a senior player under the rules, as he had played in that grade in the past for Awahou and Weraroa. Mr Hooper moved that McDonald be reinstated as a junior. He stated that his report had not been made in the way of a protest, but to call atenfion to the new rule as to qualications of players. The motion was seconded by Mr Robson, and was carried. The Foxton Club having been asked

for particulars relative to the requesi of C. F. Anderson to be reinstated as member of that, club and re-»graded from senior to junior, a reply was received stating' that, at a meeting of the committee, a recommendation was unanimously made that the pi-strict Council givo favourable consideration to the application for his reinstatement as a junior.

Mr Eobinson stated that the applicant was only a lad of 10 stone, who was not up to senior form. The,Foxton juniors had a boy named Thompson who should be a senior, and last Saturday they let him go up to that grade.

The Chairman .said that Anderson was classified last year, and he thought some mistake must have been made.

Mr Hooper endorsed the view that Anderson, should be a junior. The Chairman pointed out that if there was any boy -who wished to be transferred back, and who could not get a senior game in his locality, he ,was in favour of reinstating him, but jn.ihe case of older players he was hot •in favour of reinstatement. He could see that the Council would have to be fairly liberal in classifications' this season. He moved that. Anderson be (reinstated from senior to junior grade. , Mr Meyers seconded the motion.

Mr Eichards expressed opposition, giving as his reason that, in the year before last, the Shannon club tried two or three times to have Coyle reinstated from senior to junior, but without success. The year previous to that he said, Coyle was graded from junior to senior; he had since been unable to secure Iris return ,to junior status, and had been doing some, rsferceing.

The Chairman: Any player who was classified prior to our alteration of the classification by-laws could come back in twelve months as a junior, but now we have to jeinstate them, if, we want to see boys play. It is protecting the younger players and stopping the older ones; that is why the classification by-laws were strengthened. The motion was carried, Mr Eichards voting against it. ' Mr H. Tahiwi, who had refereed the Otaki-Waikanae junior match, wrote asking to be informed whether J. Clay, had been reinstated as a junior, as he had played for Waikanae in that match.

A request was received from the Waikanae club for the reinstatement of Clay, in order to clear the\ matter up. .

The Chairman' staled that when Paraparaumu had a senior team quite a number of juniors played in it, and under the old rule they all came back to their grade. 'The Committee would favourably consider any reasonable request fo/r reinstatement, because they wanted to see those boys put right. He thought that a circular should be sent to. all tlubs in the Council's district, drawii.g their attention to the r,ew rule, which provided that if any player had. played in three senior games, no matter whjen, he must apply for reinstatament; if he was a young player, the Committee would favourably consider the application, but not if he was an old player. Mr Myers: If the rule is going to be strictly enforced, we will have no football at all.

The chairman moved and Mr Hooper seconded, that Clay be reinstated. The Secretary stated that he had been instructed by Mr McGill that the Otaki Club claimed that Clay was a senior player, and that it would oppose his reinstatement. The Chairmar.: The,rule says, "Any player may be reinstated in a lower class by a bona fide transfer, endorsed by the management committee." The motion was carried.

OLD PLIYER TO HELP PABAPA RAUMU JUNIORS.

Particulars, witn reference to J. Ropata were contained in a letter from the secretary of the. Paraparaumu Club (Mr T. Climie), aylio stated that Ropata had not played senior since 1925; he played junior for Maungatuku last year. The committee of the Paraparaumu Club wished to know if the action of --he Council in. refusing him junior status was in the interests of Rugby( because the Paraparaumu •team consisted of six players who had never played competition Rugby and five who played last year their firstgames in any competition. Being a Email district, they had great difficulty in getting a team together, and <o the Council would understand what :t would mean to lose a keen and experienced player. Seven of the club's players were 17 years of age and under, and required such a man with them. Ropata was Hearing $5, and was therefore rather old to stand up to senior competition. Ropata played for Maungatuku last year and for Paraparaumu this year. It was mentioned that Ropata played in rep. football many years ago. The Qhairman! said) lie (would not like to see '; club penalised, if it was struggling, but he could not favour the re-cla.ssification sought in this instance. The old rule wa3 that a senior was one who had represented any Union in senior football in two years past. The new rule was that a senior player was one who had played more than twice in senior coat*«te.

Mr Robinson said that the cas3 with the Paraparaumu Club seemed to be on of rather unusual circumstances. They had only enough men to make a team when using senior and junior players. If the case Avere one affecting Foxton or Levin, Avhere there were plenty of young players coming on, he Avould oppose reinstatement; but if Ropata was acting as a coach to a young team, he might be of benefic to the Union and to football in his 1 district. He moved that Ropata be reinstated.

Mr Meyers seconded the motion. He ! paid that the Committee was not be--1 ing asked to reinstate a man who would be acceptable to a senior team if there were one in his locality. The only way to keep the game going for the

small clubs was for the committee to be a little lenient.

Mr Eichards supported the motion, and said it was only right that the Committee should support football in the southern clubs,. , which . were "scratching" for teams. Mr Eiiamer suggested that reinstatement be granted to Eopata during the pleasure of the Council. If old players were allowed to come back and piay as juniors, it would have the effect of keeping other juniors out. Mr Procter spoke against the motion, expressing the opinion that the. applicant was of a different class from thai of the juniors.

The Chairman: If we reverted to the old Horowhenua rules he would never get back, because it was sei out that if. a man had played as a senior rep. he could not be reinstated. The motion was carried, with the conditions added that, "''the retinstatement would have- effect during the pleasuie of the Council, provided that Eopata plays for the >• Paraparaumu Club. The voting was eight in favour of the reinstatement, and four against it. WEEAEOA JUNIOES. On behalf of the Weraroa Club, Mr Hooper afked for the reinstatement as a junior of N. Taylor, who, he stated, was too light to get a place among any senior forwards. . The chairman remarked that Taylor was playing for Wanderers thirds the year before last, after which he play ed for Weraroa juniors; he had played ior Weraroa seniors, but if he had only played three games, the chairman thought he should be reinstated.

It- was resolved, on the motion of Mr Phillips, seconded by Mr . Eobinson, that Taylor be reinstated to junior rank.

WEEAEOA. AND .HUI MAI SENIOES

The breaking-up of the Weraroa senior team resulted in a letter being received from the Hui Mai Club, applying for the transfer of the following plavers from the- Weraroa team: —Nahona, J. Edlin, H. Bull, W. Greig, J. Graham, J. McLennan, C. Cole, H. Palmer, and C. Beattie. The secretary (Mr C. Nees) added that the granting of the transfer would enable Hui Mai Seniors to continue in the competition.

The Chairman said that any of the Weraroa men couldi transfer to some elub, or they could simply obtain a transfer and name the club before playing for it. Once a man played for a club, he was a member of that club. Three of the seniors went away on Saturday, leaving the team no alternative but to withdraw. Mr Eobinson moved that the transfer be graniied, and this was seconded by Mr McLean. The Chairman. said he would have liked the names to be put in of all the seniors who had played for Weraroa this year. Graham had not played for them and did not need to apply for a transfer.

Mr Hooper: The others had not signified their intentions.

Mr Robinson: It is a pity that the team did not hang on with ten players. It seems as though Ave are inclined to encourage a Aveak senior teamJ to break up and join stronger teams. It shoAvs a t toAvards letting a- weak senior team drop put,; and it might tend to weaken the senior teams throughout the district.

The 'Chairman: It must strengthen some of them.

Mr Procter: If there had been a possible chance for Weraroa, to keep going, I think they Avould have done so. They have been noted for always keeping their engagements., If Hui Mai do not geti tome [ men they Avill have to go out; they can only muster about seven mem. A GENERAL CLEARANCE. The Chairman: .It Avill only make a team out of the two. Hui Mai have applied fjr these men, but it Avould be fairer if you give theni a general clearance. If Ave transfer jn man direct to Hui Mai, Ave are tying his hands. Mr Robinson: I think Ave should give tihem a general clearance. , ■ •' It Avas resolved that any senior member of the Weraroa Club Avho has played for that Club during the present season be given a clearance from the Weraroa Club, oAving to its senior Jeam having withdrawn from the competition. DEAD-BALL LINE. The chairman askel that, Avhere possible, the Grounds Committee would see that the dead-ball line Avas marked; it must be at an equal distance at both ends. FOXTON GROUNDS.

Mr Rotiinson stated that the Foxton ground Avould be marked for'the. nextgame. He reported that the Foxton Borough Council had accepted the offer of the Rugby Council and had given him permission to use Avhat posts ajid Avire he wanted to.erect the necessary fence, the ground only ing a fence on. one side. The Borough Council could not see their Avay to give the Rugby Council sole control of the ground, but he had given them to understand that it would only be used on Saturdays and perhaps on a Wednesday for a rep. match. Mr J. Martin, secretary of the Foxton Racing Club, Avrote stating that, at a meeting of the committee, the offer cf the Rugby Council of 10 per cent, of the gross, gate takings, for the use of the football ground for the 1'929 season, Avas accepted.—Received.

WAIROA REP. TOUR. Mr J. H. Scott, secretary of the Wai10a Rugby fcub-Union, wrote intimating that that body contemplated sending a team on tour this season. He wished to know if this Council could arrange for its reps, to play a match Avith the touring team, and asked to be advised as to Avhat grant the Council Avas prepared to make towards the expenses.

The Chairman stated that the question of a grant was bound up Avith that of a suitable date. Mr Richards said he did not think that Horowhenua could play the Wai-

roa team till the cup fixturesß The Chairman: We have noH power to aejeepfc without ,consM the Manawhenua Union. H It was decided to eommunieateH the Wairoa Sub-Union stating tln-H Council could not at present see itjH clear to accept ike proposed dH but that Avhen lurther informatioJH supplied It might give a more dcH KING'S LIKTIDAY. I The Wellington Tramways *Fo<H Club wrole asking if a maich couH arranged for June 3rd. Their tcafl eluded nearly all senior players, they had four or five Wellington The ■Chairman said that the Cci did nof; hold its matches on the of the Olaki Eaces, June Ist and Mr Eobinson said he thought this game could bo played'in Foxtc King's Birthday. He asked that mission be given accordingly. Mr Phillips moved that the de permission be granted to the Fo Club. Mr Procter remarked that it been the practice to postpone all m es for the Otaki races, hi the inte of a kindred sport. Mr Eobinson said this game, if ed. in Foxton, would not affect Otaki Eaces. The Chairman: We are doing our by postponing our club contest: the* Saturday. If the match was posed to be held nearer than FO2 I would notj be in favour of it. It was decided that, if Foxton arrange the game- the necessary mission be granted. * i OTAKI DOMAIN. Mr F. Thorpe, secretary of the 0 Hockey Association, writing in r to the Council's letter asking 'v days the Association needed the 0 Domain for its two rep. fixtures, ; ed that these two dates had .1101 yet been, definitely fixed. As he un stood that the Eugby Council's Jfixt terminated early in August, he did think that the Association's dates 1 be worried about, as they would p ably fall about the middle.of Auj —Eeeeived. ■ LEVIN PAEK DOMAIN. The Town Clerk of Levin wrot< .reference to the Council's commun tion of May 7th, and stated that Eeserves Committee had consented .the Eugby Council erecting a tem ary fence on the Park Domain dui the present football season. —Becei THANKS. A letter was received conveying thanki of Mr and Mrs A. E. Tre wan, of Shannon, for the Count message of sympathy in their rec bereavfement.

It was resolved, oh the motion of ] Phillips, seconded by Mr Mitchell, t a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Tl Hannan for his action in taking referee by car to Foxton on Satun last, at a time when there was ad: culty in regard to transport. / MAOEI-PAKEHA MATCH.

The annual Maori-Pakeha game, a set down for Wednesday, June sth, the place has yet to be decided.

SOUTHEEN JUNIOE SELECTO:

Mr Meyers was appointed junior lector for the southern portion of district.

FLXTUEES

OAving to the withfanawal of 1 Weraroa seniors, the fixtures for S urday next haA-e been re-arranged sou Avhat. The Foxton seniors Avill ha a bye, and the match to be played the Levin Park Domain will be 1 tAveen the Weraroa and Shannon ji iors. The senior games are: Shaun v. Otaki, at Shannon; and Wauden v. Hui Mai, at Manakau.