HOCKEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 210, 17 June 1933, Page 2

HOCKEY.

TEAM REFUSES TO PLAY. NO RULE AS TO PENALTY. i (Per Pi ess Association). Juno IG. The default of Wellington senior men's A hockey team, last year's champions, to Hutt on Saturday was discussed in committee by th emanagement committee of the association last night. Mr Browne, who presided, stated after the meeting that, on behalf of the Wellington Club, it was stated that the default was due to the captain's objection to the appointment of Mr R. P. Staples as one of the referees, not on personal grounds, hut because it was felt that the team did not get a fast, open and enjoyable game under his rulings. Tho meeting was unanimous that the action was wrong, but on the question, whether there had been misconduct within the definition of the rules, there was a division of opinion, as such a case was not specifically provided for. On a vote, by a very narrow margin, it was decided that there had been misconduct, but as the .rules did not cover such cases, no guide was available as to the penalty. Finally, it was decided that the Wellington team should bo instructed to tender ' an apology covering the situation to the management committee of* the Wei-

lington Association, who would forward it to the management committee of the Referees' Association and on to Mr Staples. It was agreed that the default should stand.