FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12602, 19 September 1906, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION

CHARGES AGAINST A SPECTATOR

The committee of tho Canterbury Rugby Union met last night, there luring present Messrs 0. H. Mason (in the chair). J. R. Evans. F. T. Evans, C. W. Hervey, S. F. Wilson, G. Scott, and W. G. Garrard (secretary). It was decided to allow the Cantorbury College Club the whole of the gnte money taken at Lancaster Park to-mor-row on the occasion of their match against Sydney University. In regard to tho D.C.L. chntnpiunsliip shield it was stated tliat so far nothing had been decided regarding its disposal for tho season, and that the Union had not yet formally come into possession ot the trophy. After a brief discussion it was decided that tho shield be presented to the Albion Club as winners of tho championship of 1906, to lie held until next year. The Chairman, secretary and trrasuver were appointed to draw up rules governing the shield competition in future seasons, and nlso to arrange for a smoke concert on thrroocasion of the presentation of the trophy to thin year's winners. Tlio charge brought by Mr T. E. Saxton, referee, against" « spectator (A. Wilson) of having used insulting language to him when leaving the ground at the conclusion of the Merivale-Albion junior match on September Ist and of bavin;.' hinted that he (Mr Saxton) had made money over the match, was further investigated. Mr Saxton stated that although lie did not question the committee's right to permit Mr Wilson to cil! witnesses, ho felt that his bring .-!.-' 1 to do so was an indication fhsvt he (.Mr Saxton.) might have lokl such a charge without any ground for it. He absolutely declined to drag any o? his own friends into the dispute. If the committee thought that such a charge could be disposed of by evidence, lie asked that Mr Wilson be allowed to go free, and if protection could not be afforded to referees he would have to take the matter into his own hands artd give as good as he received. So long as he held thewhistle ho would bring offenders before th© Union upon oveTy occasion. Wilson, in introducing hit; evidence, said ho could prow> that Mr Saxtoni bad asked a number of witnesses to given evidence in his be.half. Several witnesses called by Wilson then denied that tho former had said anything to the refero? after the match beyond asking him if ho had rceeiveu £8 from an individual to whom fhey understood he had 1-rat tho amount. A further charge preferred against Wilson by Mr Saxton of having used ii—ulting language to him on tho night of /—ust 27th was tlion investigated, Mr Vihon denying that lie" had seen Mr Saxton on the night in question, and producing two witnesses in support. The committee decided that the charges had not been substantiated, and that they bo accordingly dismissed, the committee regretting Mr Saxton's attitude in refraining from calling any witnesses to support his allegation. Mr Garrard referred to tho difference in the practice adopted by various unions in dealing with enquiries into the conduct cf players nnd spectators, and on his motion it was resolved that the New Zealand Rugoy Union be communicated with asking that a uniform system of procedure bo obtained from the English Union for adSptdcm throughout the colony. A match between the past and present members of the Dunsandel Football Club on Saturday was won by tho latter by 16 points to nil. A smoke concert was held afterwards.