SMOKE-CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1922, Page 5

SMOKE-CONCERT.

NORTH TARANAKI REFEREES. A PLEASANT GATHERING. The Taranaki Referees’ Association (northern division) held their annual smokeconcert at New Plymouth last night, the president (Mr. E. Jackson) presiding over an attendance of about 40 referees and representatives of football clubs. The loyal toast was enthusiastically honored on the proposal of the chairman. “The Taranaki Rugby Union” was proposed by Mr. G. Hopkins, who said he had been connected with Taranaki football for 20 years, and had had many dealings with the union, who, he had always found, were “with the referees,” heart and soul. He referred to their fairness to referees even before the Referees’ Association was formed, and that good feeling had continued ever since. The union was composed of business men who ran their affairs on business lines. Mr. Malone had been appointed by the union as chairman of the Referees’ Association, a very wise choice. He had reorganised the rules, a new set of rules—the first step in the new era of the greater Taranaki Referees’ Association—having been made. The total membership of the association, which was now composed of three divisions, was 45. The union had, indeed, proved a friend to the association, their thought and attention to details being greatly appreciated, and, on behalf of the referees, he expressed thanks to the union.

Mr. A. Papps, with whose name the toast was coupled, thanked Mr. Hopkins, on behalf of the Rugby Union, for his kindly remarks. Speaking as the referees’ representative on the union, the speaker said he had been treated very fairly. The union recognised that a strong referees* association was needed in the interests cf Rugby, and he knew members appreciated the weekly meetings of the northern division, which aimed at uniformity in rulings. Speaking for the Rugby Union, Mr. Papps thanked the Referees’ Association for the work they had done in the interests of football. The management committee appreciated the self-sacrificing service given by referees, who had travelled all over Taranaki to control games. OTHER SPORTS. The next toast, “Kindred Sports,” was proposed by Mr. F. C. Ferry, who, after referring to Rugby, “the game par excellence,” spoke of the merits of hockey, which, he said, was very little known at this end of the province, but was a really splendid game. Speaking of boxing, Mr. Ferry made reference to the impartiality of New Plymouth audiences. Turning to summer sports, the speaker asked for support for cricket, especially in view of the coming visit of the English team this year. Those responding to the toast were the chairman, who referred to the aim by all sporting bodies to keep sport clean; Mr. R. Barlow, who congratulated the referees an their fair decisions and the way they had controlled the various games; Mr. W. Roch, and Mr. Day, who referred particularly jo the merits of hockey. “The Clubs” was proposed by Mr. J. O’Shea, who said it was very pleasing to see that Tukapa had practically brought home the senior championship to New Plymouth after many years. He said the present teams contained the men and material, but they badly needed coaching. The High School team played excellent football—probably the best football in Taranaki to-day. (Hear, hear.) Their success showed what coaching could do for a team. He thought that next year the Referees’ Association might arrange lecturettes to bring clubs more in touch with the rules of the game. Responses were made by Messrs. R. G. Howell (Old Boys), who referred to the fact that most of the championships were coming to New Plymouth clubs this year; Mr. P. Sims (Star), who spoke of the able way in which the referees had controlled ail games; Mr. G. Hooker (Tukapa), and Mr. F. J. Eggleton (Boys’ High School). “The Referees’ Association” was proposed by Mr. G. E. Jago, who first thanked the northern association for the help they had always extended to him as secretary of the Rugby Union. The referees had proved a very efficient body of men. He thought that if the three divisions of referees had

one governing body and a board of appointments, these would be an advantage. The need for a gymnasium in New Plymouth was stressed by the speaker, who commended the spirit of the Patea people in erecting a gymnasium at a cost of £l2OO. He wished the Referees’ Association every success in the future. IMPROVING GROUNDS. Mr. Hopkins (chairman of the northern division), who responded, spoke in appreciation of the services of Mr. Jago, who had been in close touch with the Referees' Association. He also specially mentioned several others who had assisted the referees. Mr. J. Scrimgeour proposed “The Sports Ground Committee,” and said the men who had raised money for improving the grounds were deserving of great credit. Mr. Ferry acknowledged the kind references to the sports ground committee. He specially mentioned the valuable work done by Messrs. Humphries, McLeod, and Little, who was an ideal secretary. The committee had already spent £630 in improving the surface of the ground. Later it was hoped to erect a grandstand, with a gymnasium underneath, if public support was behind the committee. Other toasts were: “Veteran Sports” (proposed by Mr. H. Driscoll and responded to by Messrs. T. Petty and A. R. Davis), “The Performers” (Chairman—Mr. K. Ward), “The Ladies,” ‘The Old Referees,” “The Press,” and “The Chairman.” The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” concluded a very pleasant evening. The success of the evening was enhanced by a musical programme, to which the following contributed songs: Messrs. Fred Andrews, E. Andrews, A. R. Davis, W. L. Hay, F. C. Ferry, Wood, and K. Ward, the latter playing the accompaniments. A recitation by Mr. G. E. Jago “brought the house down,” whilst Mr. F. Webb was heartily applauded for his rendering of “The Man from Snowy River.”