“A GRAVE INJUSTICE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 12

“A GRAVE INJUSTICE”

AUCKLAND REFEREES SEEK INVESTIGATION OF SHIELD EPISODE

It was stressed at a meeting of the Auckland Rugby Referees’ Association held last evening that the referee is at all times the sole judge of fact, and his decision is final, and therefore it was considered that the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay Unions greatly exceeded their powers in openly condemning the referee who had sent two players off the field in the recent Ranfurly Shield match. The following resolution was carried unanimously: “That this association desires that the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association investigate to the full the reports appearing in the Press reflecting on the ability of Mr. H. J. McKenzie, the referee in the Hawke’s Bay-Wai-rarapa Ranfurly Shield match, played at Masterton on July 9, as, in its opinion, a grave injustice has been done by the two unions concerned to a brother official, who is recognised as a capable and conscientious referee.” It was pointed out in the discussion that the referee, who had been mutually selected, suffered ignominy for fearlessly carrying out his duty. THE RANFURLY SHIELD TARANAKI "CHALLENGERS •UOIJVIOOSSV BS9.it:J NEAV PLYMOUTH, Monday. The Taranaki team to play Hawke’s Bay for the Ranfurly Shield on Wednesday is Petty, Holiaia, Brown, Bourke, Johnston. Owen. Lynskey, Guy. Young. Robinson. Kivell, O’Keefe, AValter, Espin. AVard. Emergencies: Dennis, Court. Lusk, Sturmey.