FOOTBALL BETTING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18096, 11 June 1924, Page 8

FOOTBALL BETTING.

AN ASHBURTON INCIDENT.

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. , 1

Correspondence was received from the Ashburton Union, enclosing nil particulars of the incident. These showed that Brunsden, who was coach to the Celtic Club, was present' at the Celtic-Meth-ven match on May 12th. .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. Dev 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 tho 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 the Ashburton Union's penalty bo endorsed was carried bj a small majority*