SELECTOR RESIGNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 9

SELECTOR RESIGNS.

THE HOCKEY TROUBLE.

DECISION OF SPECIAL

MEETING.

NEW SELECTOR APPOINTED.

A-t a special meeting of the Auckland Hockey Association Executive last night the situation, which had arisen in consequence of Mr. L. C. Kent having notified in the Press that as selector he had been refused a trial, match and the executive having denied this and asked for Mr. Kent's resignation, was further discussed. Mr. Kent tendered his resignation and. it was accepted.

: The full executive was present, as well I as three vice-presidents, and one of the j latter'moved that in view of Mr. Kent's explanation the resolution calling for his resignation be rescinded. This was seconded by another vice-president. At this stage Mr. Kent and the vice-presi-dents .were asked to retire while the executive discussed the matter. When the meeting was resumed, Mr. W. Ritchie moved that the motion be rescinded ■if Mr. Kent was prepared to make an apology through the. Press and to .withdraw his statement that he had been refused a trial game. This amendment was carried by II votes to 3 as against the original motion.

Mr. Kent declined to withdraw his statement, which he held was justified, and he tendered his resignation, which was accepted.

The" secretary was then instructed to notify. Mr. W. Newsham of his appointment as selector. •

I a his written resignation as selector] and president of tlie association. Mr. Kent said: "I wish to state that my comments in the 'Auckland Star' were far from being contrary to facts as your association certainly has refused to give , an 'A' and 'B' trial this season from which I or any selector could have chosen a rep. team: Fancy asking the players to play in an 'A' and 'B' trial last Saturday after the Somervillc-St. Luke's match. The fact that your association considered it unfair to play cup matches after the 'A' and '13' trial is surely strong enough .argument for not playing the 'A' and 'B' '■after cup matches, and to grant permission for an .A' and '1?' trial under conditions in,which it is impossible to p'.ay such 'A' and 'B' trial, is to my mind the most effective way of refusing such trial match." Outside Opinion. Writing on this subject, "A Club Vicepresident" says: "After reading the ex-,)>:-.::tions, for and against, any sane ci. tiidast, or disinterested person;, will a.i .• at the conclusion, that the asso-v'.-a • v has impetuously acted, and has certainly no reasonable br just grounds to warrant its action. Matured and experienced men hold the association responsible, at this stage of the season, of a most unworthy condemnation, and as seven-eights of the senior players, club supporters, and the general public have entire confidence in Mr. Kent, the only action left to the association is to rescind the resolution, apologise to Mr. Kent, and. resign from office. In the true of the game. I suggest that a meeting of all senior teams be held on the ground next Saturday, voice their opinions, and pass their resolution on to the association." ,

Another correspondent, "Sport." writes: "The hasty resolution passed by the Auckland Hockey Association calling upon its selector to resign, almost on the eve of the Auckland v. Indian Army match is to be deplored, and it is to be hoped that the committee will reconsider its decision. In the interests, of the association, and the province as a whole, : the matter should be reconsidered and any differences between the commit-tee-and the selectors should be held over until after the teams have played. From the statements appearing in the Press it would appear as if the association'place I more importance on club, fixtures for one .Saturday than giving the selector a fair opportunity to select a strong representative team. Mr. Kent.has gained the esteem and respect of'every hockey association in the Dominion, including the New Zealand Association, both as selector and referee, and no one is better qualified than he is to select a representative team."