RUGBY UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1940, Page 7

RUGBY UNION

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MEETING AT CARTERTON.

PUTTING OF BALL IN SCRUM. ("Times-Age” Special.) The fortnightly meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union management committee was held in the P. and A. Society’s room last evening. M: H. A. McPhee presided. There were also present Messrs S. Henson. V. Welch. F. Morton. K. G. Fairbrother M. J. Parker. C. E. Gray and Scott. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs K. Reid and R. B. Booth. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £47 15s lid. Amounts received to date- from various sources totalled £72 Ils 7d. Accounts amounting tc £l2 0s 6d were passed for payment. At the last meeting of the committee it was decided to write to the Featherston Club regarding the playing ol Fluty, a senior player, against whom the Old Boys’ protested. The secretary explained that he had written to the Featherston Club about a fortnight age relative to the matter but so far had had no reply. On the motion of Mr V. Welch, seconded by Mr S. Henson, i' was decided that -the Old Boys’ protest be upheld and the game awarded to that team.

Two accident claims were received in respect to injuries sustained by players. The weight of fourth grade players came up for discussion. It was resolved that all players be weighed and any over 10.7 be rejected; also that ages must be supplied. The Referees’ Association wrote notifying that their association would not be represented on the Appointment Board of the Union.

Mr J. B. Jury wrote forwarding a donation of £2 2s toward the Union funds.

The following transfers were granted: W. J. Clemens from Masterton to Red Star; J. Burt from Carterton to Dalefield: R. MacDonald from Gladstone to Martinborough juniors. The seerfetary of the New Zealand Union wrote notifying that accommodalows regarding the placing of the ball in the scrum by referees:—We have noticed by newspaper reports that one or two unions have decided to allow referees to put the ball into scrummages and I have been directed to point out to Unions that this is con-' trary to the laws of the game and the practice should not be permitted. Law 15 (a) definitely states that referees shall award to the team not responsible for the stoppage of play, the right of putting in the ball, and further under Law 10, the referee is not entitled to contract out of the laws of the game. The letter was referred to the Referee's Association who are to be asked to comply with the laws of the game. The secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Uion wrote notifying that accommodation for visiting Wairarapa players had been arranged at the Caledonian Hotel. Mr Keith Reid was appointed manager to the Wairarapa team and he is to be accompanied by the chairman of the Union. The question of transport fo:« the team was left to the secretary to arrange. It was decided that nineteen players be in the team. The Hawke’s Bay Union notified that its junior team would travel to Wairarapa on the King’s Birthday. Mi Gordon Udy was appointed manager and Mr Bert Hurley was selected as the referee for the game which will be played at Masterton. The charges for admission were fixed at gate Is grandstand Is. The question of charges in connection with admission to Rugby matches in the Wairarapa was discussed at length. Mr Welch being of opinion that no charge should be made to the grandstands. He felt sure that were this carried into effect it would have a considerable bearing upon the gate returns at matches. The small revenue at present received from the stands did not warrant the expense of gatekeepers. He moved that admission to grandstands be free. The motion was seconded by Mr Fairbrother. The chairman questioned whether it was a wise move. To give free admission would not help the finances of the Union. Last, year the receipts were £75 and so far this year they totalled £34, a very considerable drop. He quite appreciated Mr Welch s motion but the financial part of the business was at stake.

Mr Welch: “I consider the move a good one and feel sure that if free admission were given to grandstands i< would induce a larger attendance; II it did not the Union would not lose much. It might be worth while trying, in order to see the result. Other members considered that the price of admission was not what had to be considered. If the standard of football improved people would attend the matches.

On a show of hands the motion wai defeated.

It was resolved that the next meeting of the Union take place on Friday evening. June 7. at 7 o'clock.