RUGBY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1940, Page 7

RUGBY AFFAIRS

WAIRARAPA UNION

MEETING AT CARTERTON LAST NIGHT. TWO PLAYERS SUSPENDED. I “Times-Age” Special.) The fortnightly meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union's Comi.Vttee was held in the P. and A. Society's room last evening. There were present, Messrs H. A. McPhee (chairman), K. G. Fairbrother, V. Welch, S. Henson, F. Morton, J. T. Scott, C. Gray, K. H. Reid, and M. J. Parker and the secretary, Mr E. McKenzie. The Carterton Club wrote asking that their game with Featherston third grade be replayed on the ground that the referee was in their opinion totally unable to keep up with the movements of the game. It was resolved that no action be taken in the matter. Referees in games played on recent Saturdays wrote regarding the ordering off of players for breaches of the game. The matter was taken in committee and very fully threshed out. The players concerned appeared before the committee. It was decided that Taylor, a Carterton player, be suspended for two playing Saturdays and that E. Hargood, of the Masterton Club be suspended for one playing Saturday. Both players were severely reprimanded by the chairman. The referees in question were not called upon to substantiate their statements and were, after the hearing, called into the room and thanked by the chairman for coming to Carterton. They were notified that in future a re feree’s written. statement concerning charges of misconduct would be solely taken as evidence.

T. Hood’s application for a transfer from Greytown Club to Carterton seniors was declined.

M. Schofield, of Wairarapa College, was regarded as a third grade player. Mr A. E. Reid, a vice-president, wrote forwarding £1 Is towards the Union funds. Mr Reid was thanked for his donation. Gratification was expressed that Mr Reid had recovered from his illness. The Masterton Club wrote protesting against their senior team travelling to Carterton today in their match with Greytown and drawing attention to the fact that they had travelled to three centres already. It was explained by the chairman and Mr Fairbrother (games arrangement committee) that the Carterton ground was vacant on the occasion and Masterton had more than one game. The Masterton Club explained that they were endeavouring to arrange to travel today, but it was hard to secure transport owing to vehicles all being engaged and the petrol restrictions causing many owners not to register their cars. It was decided that the secretary explain the position to the Masterton Club and chat they fall in with the appointments in the interest of the Union. The Hawke’s Bay Union wrote regarding senior and junior representative* games with Wairarapa and asking that the matches be played on Saturday, June 22, the seniors at Napier and juniors at Masterton. Tnis was agreed to and it was decided that subject to Hawke’s Bay’s approval the return fixtures be arranged for July 13. The New Zealand Union wrote asking for the appointment of referees for interprovincial games. It was resolved that the names of E. Grantham and W. Grantham be submitted. The treasurer’s statement showed a credit balance at the bank of £74 fis 7d. Accounts amounting to £44 6s 5d were passed for payment. It was resolved that the curtainraiser to the junior representative game be Old Boys versus Puketoi subunion.

The Martinborough juniors were granted permission to play a game with Trentham Camp at Martinborough. . It was resolved that a special meeting of union delegates be held on June 15 to consider the revision of the rules. Reference was made at the lateness at which home teams arrived on the field of play. Complaints had been made regarding this unsatisfactory condition of affairs. Instances were shown where visiting teams were waiting for the home side to turn up, even being as late as half an hour behind the advertised time of starting matches. Excuses were made but a membei said that it seemed to him that the only way to overcome this lack of enthusiasm was for the referee, who had the power, to declare the game forfeited by the latecomers. It was decided that clubs be advised by the secretary to try and obviate being late and to be ready for play when the visiting teams arrived. It was pointed out that the public would appreciate such promptness.

The treasurer gave a very comprehensive statement of the union’s finances and pointed out that the funds were not in a very flourishing condition. II was pointed out that the gate receipts throughout the Wairarapa had shown a decrease of £54 12s over last year and that after accounts had been paid the credit balance would be £29 19; 2d. This was perhaps the lowest point at which the finances had been for years and perhaps they had never been so low. Rugby attendances were not what they used to be, and it looked as if they were in for a lean year.