FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8158, 17 July 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL

TARANAKI REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. HARKXESS' CASE. During (lie mutch bchvrcn the Inglcuood !\ml Stratford senior fifteens, Mr Petty, tho referee, had occasion to order Harknos-f, a Stratford player, off the ground for kicking an opponent. This was darkness' second offence this season, on the previous occasion the Union having practically passed the offeuco over because of Harkness' " manly admission." An inquiry into Ihe latest <!i irge was held at Stratford last Thursday, Mid the Union took evidence, eventually exonerating Harkncss on the ground of mistaken identity. In connection with the matter a meeting of the Turauaki Referees' Association was hold on Monday in the secretary's office, Mr F. T. Bellringer (president) presiding. There were also present Messrs Hopkins, Martin, and Griffiths (hon, see.) Mr Petty wrote in reference to ordering the man off the field in the lnglewood - Stratford senior match. Mr Bellringer moved, and Mr Griffiths seconded, That whereas Rule 3 of the laws of the game " expressly provides that the referee shall be sole judge in all matters of fact this Association respectfullysubmits that the laranaki Rugby Union had no power to review the act of Mr Petty in ordering a player off the field in the Inglewood-Stratford senior match, or to accept evidence rebatting the evidence of the referee; that the course adopted by the Union will tend to weaken the powers of referees in controlling players in matches and putting down rough play; that under these circumstances the Union be requested to rescind the resolution passed at their last meeting. On the m tion of Messrs Griffiths and Hopkins, it was deei led, That in the event of a satisfactory reply not being received from the Union the President be authored to place the foregoing mitter Vfore the New Zealand Referees' and the New Zea'aad Bugby Union.

The following have been chosen to represcut the Southern Division in the North v, South match at Stratford on Thursday :—Full-b mk, Pini (Watmate); three-quarters, Dive (Eltham\ B. Burke (Waimate), C. Shcab.au (Patea); five eglilhs, Hunter (Hawera i; Ward (Waimate); wing, Guy (Opunak ■) "half, Thurston; forwards, McKav (Waimate), Cooper (Hawera), O'Sulhvan (Okaiawa), Crowley (Okaiawa . Smith (Opanake), W. Baker (Oka - awa), T. Sheahan (Patea). Emerge..cits; Backs, Goodwin (Hawera). .). Martin (Opunake); forwards, Whiitingcon (Hawera), and J. Glenn (Hawera), The New Plymouth High School senior and junior teauis tried con. elusions with the Stratford High School teams on Satirday. The seniors suffered defeat by 12 to 3, but the juniors notched a noteworthy win by 40 points to nil. .

HOW FO3TBALL IS KILLED. TO ME EDITOR. Sin,—The action of the Rugby Union in reference to a player ordered off for t<ul play m the Steal ford-Inglc-tvood ma'.ch 'last Thursday week, came a* a great surprise to all lo~al enthusiasts of the game. It would appear as if the Rugby Union wish to encourage rough play. T,ic logic which governs the Union passeth uiuhrstanding. For the benefit of the Management Committee, I quote lac following ruling of the International Board : " The referee shall be sole judge of fact, but as to matters of law, there shall be right of appeal to the union." This rule lias been adop.id by llie New Xeilanl Rugby Union, and as there is no point of law involved, it will indeed be interesting to sec how the Taranaki Un : on propose to explain their action when the matter comes before the New Zealand Uuiou. Not the fact of the player being a probable "rep," nor even the fact of his being a " Str. tford" man will suffice to alter the whole constitution of the referee's power. Enthusiasts do not like to ac. cuse the Union of partiality to any one club or man, but it can only lie that, or ignorance of the governing rules. I hope to see all the clubs take this matter up, and demand a full meeting of delegate* tothrash it out. It is generally recognised that Mr Petty is a lirst class referee, and as the players are well known to him, it is unlikely that he made an " error in judgment," as the union is pleased to say. No doubt the Management Committoe will instruct for futii'e guidance of the referees, that probable " reps" and players of the Stratford and Clifton teams are not under the jurisdiction of the referee. What we require.in football is firm and clean administration. Clean play will follow.—l am, etc.

ExTDT-SIAST." THE ASSOCL, lON GAME. Mr L. Frost, sec, .:ry of the Tai'.inaki Association, '. i< received word that the Auckland representative team will leave Auckland ou its southern tour ou August 25(h. Matches will be played at Hawera, Elihain, Inglewood, and Xcw Plymouth. Three of these will be against north and south Tara naki teams and the fou"th against the Taranaki reps. This match will probably eventuate at New Plymouth i'l'hc louring team will probably be th : bet that has ever left Auckland, an.', some lirst-class interesting "soccer" should be see ~

The Aucklundcrs meet Wellington at Wanganui. A meeting of the Union will be held at Inglewood on Thu.'sday to arrange details.

The Eltham " Argus" reports that at a meeting of the New Zealand Football Council, held in Wellington, the qticstion of the Brown Shield Competition was discus.ied at sonic length, and it ] was deeided this year to bold Uiie touriian cut at New I'.tin mill, next year in Auckland, and V.iilS in Duncdin. It was further decided that the centre iu which the competition is held should make all the necessary arrangements. This year, it was resolved that the council should lake the gale and pay tournament expenses. OIT the surplus, if any, it was deeided to deduct 5 per cent, and divide the balance proportionately beitteeu llie t i-il nig teams.