RUGBY REFEREES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 374, 4 March 1937, Page 4

RUGBY REFEREES.

CENTRAL DIVISION. Membership of Association Well Maintained. The excellent work accomplished in the interests of Rugby football was indicated in the report presented to the annual meeting of the Central Division of the Taranaki Referees’ Association, held last night. Mr. R. R. Tyrer presided over a large attendance of members.

The membership was being well j maintained, stated the report, there i being 15 active referees, six honorary members, and four life members Well-attended meetings were held twice monthly, providing a forum for tho free discussion of various points. A large number of games was controlled by members, and it was pleasing to note the general satisfaction of the public and players, showing the confidenoe reposed jn members. Members of the Junior Appointment Board were deserving ot special thanks. With the double half-holiday, members were not always available and were sometimes unable to notify inability to take matches in good time. Town members of the board were untiring in their efforts to fill gaps. It was hoped in the coming season some method of obviating last-minute changes would be found. “We have for some years been blaming the double half-holiday for most of these difficulties,” added the report, “but now that all games will be played on Saturdays, it is thought there will be nd cause for complaint. The Rugby Union may have difficulty in arranging grounds, but all members of this Division will do their utmost to cooperate.” Mr. L. J. Furrie had ably represented the Referees’ Association on the Rugby Union ,and Mr C. Pellowe, the secretary, did his work with his usual efficiency. The balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £5/15/-, which included £2/7/6 subscriptions, £l/0/6 donation, £/13/- grant from Taranaki Rugby Union, and donations for conference 14/-. Expenses included meeting and entertainment costs £3/4/1, stamps and advertising 12/-, secretary’s honorarium £2/2/-, and 1936 debit £l/13/6—a total of £7/11/7. There was a loss on the year of 3/1, leaving a debit balance of £l/16/7. Great Year Anticipated. This year should be a great year tor football, and should see a great revival, said Mr Tyrer in moving the adoption of the annual report. With

the one half-holiday there should be little difficulty in players getting away and referees would also be able to

get away from business, and last-min-ute changes would be avoided. He was very hopeful this year that there would be few instances where referees were unable to take their matches. He recognised that it was sometimes unavoidable for referees to take their appointments. With the tour of the Springboks the year would be a big one in Rugby football. In the past Taranaki referees had not received due recognition and he hoped that this year some of them would be afforded the opportunity to .referee some of the big matches. He was rather disappointed at the subscriptions received, £2/7/G, and he appealed to members to support the Association. There were 15 active members, six honorary, and four life members. He had attended the Referees’ Association Conference at New Plymouth, and was somewhat disappointed that Central Taranrki was not better represented. Pleasure at the large number pre sent at the meeting was expressed by Mr L. J. Furrip in seconding the motion. It was gratifying, he said, to see such a fine type of men taking an active interest in the game. Difficulties Overcome. i Mr. W. Eagar also expressed pleas-] ure at the year’s operations. There] had been difficulty at times in regard ! to appointments, but members gen- j orally had done their utmost to fulfil ] engagements. Mr A. E. Pollock expressed the • hope that the bi-monthly meetings

would be well attended and that they would be a source of instruction for young members. Any advice or comment in regard to errors observed should be reserved for the committee meetings, said Mr Tyrer after some further discussion. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr R. R. Tyrer; vice-presi-dents. Messrs. W. Eagar, G. P. Harkness. and F. Brisco: executive, Messrs G. Carter and J. J. Sheppard: Junior Appointment Board, Messrs. W. Eagar and G. Carter; Senior Appointment Board nominee, Mr A. R. Davis; Taranaki Rugby Union representative, Mr L. J. Furrie; -Classification Committee, Messrs. A. R. Davis, W. Eagar, G. Carter, G. P. Harkness; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. Pellowe. Messrs. G. C. Grace, W. Davis, R. Horsup, and D. Phillipson were elected -new members. A suggestion advanced by Mr. Furrie. that members be allotted to attend matches and submit a report on the refereeing for discussion nt the committee meetings, was endorsed.