FOOTBALL BETTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10134, 11 June 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL BETTING.

AN ASHBURTON INCIDENT. CANTERBURY UNION'S DISCUSSION. At last night's meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union the case was considered of Arthur Brunsden, who was "warned off" for three years by the Ashburton County Rugby Union for openly betting on a football ground and using abusive language to a union official. Correspondence was received from the Ashburton. Union, enclosing all particulars of the incident. These showed that Brunsden, who was coach to the Celtic Club, was present at the Celtic-Methven match on May 12. The betting took place at half-time and the Ashburton Union official heard Brunsden say: " I'll bet you a pound Celtic wins," and saw the money covered. After the match Brunsden approached the official, and in the ensuing conversation (according to the particulars supplied by the Ashburton Union) used abusive language. At a subsequent meeting of the Ashburton Union, Brunsden pleaded guilty and apologised to the official. At the Canterbury Rugby Union meeting the chairman (Mr S. F. Wilson) said that the union had to deal with the matter in some. way. Mr A. Duggan moved: " That the union endorse the Ashburton Union's action and forward it on to the New Zealand Union." Mr A. E. McPhail seconded the motion. Mr A. Dey suggested that the penalty : was too light. Mr W. Maxwell said that he thought the matter should be left for the New Zealand Union. Mr Wilson: Why put the responsibility on the New Zealand Union ? The man should go up for life. Dr. W. S. Seed moved as an,amendment, and Mr H. North seconded, that Brunsden be disqualified for life.

This was lost on the voices. Mr A. Dey's amendment that the penalty be increased to seVen years lapsed for want of a seconder. Finally Mr Duggan's motion that th© Ashburton Union's penalty be endorsed was carried by/a-sks^H-majority.