FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. PRESENTATION TO MR. J. J. O’SHEA. In view of the approaching departure of Mr. J. J. O’Shea, stationmaster at New Plymouth, on transfer to Palmerston North, the North Taranaki Referees’ Association held l a small informal gathering at the Imperial Hotel yesterday afternoon for the purpose of bidding him good-bye and of presenting him with a small memento of the esteem in which he ‘s held by the association. Since Mr. O’Shea has been in New Plymouth he has taken a keen interest in football, and many tributes to his enthusiasm and the worth of his advice as a member of the Referees’ Association were paid by those present. In the absence of the president of the association, Mr. F. 0. Ferry (vice-president) acknowledged Mr. O’Shea’s assistance on the association and as a referee. Rugby was a man's game, he said, and required very firm control, and to obtain this there were two essential factors—a strong Rugby Union and a strong Referees' Association. Mr. O’Sh ja had taken an interest in Rugby for a very long time. He had started as a boy in the Sydenham Club in 1895 and during the years which had since elapsed had played at Eltham, Marton, New Plymouth, Stratford, Wanganui and Patea, in which last place he commenced refereeing in 1907. It was owing to the efforts of Mr. O’Shea and others like him that refereeing had reached the high standard it had attained to-day. Mr. O’Shea would be missed, but they congratulated him on his promotion. Mr. Ferry then handed to Mr. O’Shea an engraved silver cigarette case as a slight token of the appreciation of the association nf ths good work lie had done in New Plymouth.

Mr. G. Hopkins, chairman of the committee, Mr. A. J. Papps, on behalf of the Rugby Union, and several others present also congratulated Mr. O’Shea on his promotion and spoke of his services as a referee. Mr. O’Shea suitably responded.