A SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19971, 4 July 1930, Page 18

A SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL.

TRIBUTE TO MR JOHN ANDERSON. The following message has been received by Mr John Anderson, of Christchuroh, from the secretary of the Scottish Rugby Union, Edinburgh:— "At a luncheon before the match between Ireland and Scotland on Saturday, February 22nd, 1930, I was instructed by Sir Andrew Balfour, K.G.M.G., C.8., who was in the chair, to Bend you the following resolution, which was formally proposed and carried unanimously:— The ex-presidents, vice-president, and committee of the Scottish Bugby Union send greetings to one of Scotland's oldest living Internationals, and trust he will be long spared to enjoy health and happiness. "I may say that tho luncheon was attended by jnany ex-presidents, including Leslie Balfour and Melville, with whom I think you played in 1873."

REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. About 80 warq present at the annual smoke concert of the Canterbury Rugby Referees' Association, held in the Cadena Tearooms. Mr A. E. McPhall, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, occupied tho chair. Mr James Baxter and Mr F. D. Prentice, manager and captain respectively ot the British team, to whom an invitation had been extended, were unable to be present. Air McPbail said that the Canterbury Referees' Association wag a loyal body, and had always givon his organisation good support. So long as this condition of affairs existed the future ol Rugby football was assured. Mr McPhail congratulated Mr S. Hollander on his appointment as referee for the second Test. "We always knew ha would turn out a good referee if given the chance," he said, "and ho is a jolly good sport." It was unfortunate that Mr James Baxter, manager of the British team, could not be present, but he had been doing a great deal of travelling lately, and was glad to get a chance to rest. Proposing the toast of "The Referees' Association," Dr. 0. J. Adams, president ot the New Zealand Rugby Union, said that in meeting the referees one was meeting those who controlled the game. He congratulated tho Association on having Mr Hollander an a member. In the two matches tho speaker had seen him oontrol he had upheld the dignity of the Canterbury Rugby Union and tho Referees' Association. He would not bs surprised if Mr Hollander controlled all four Test matches. The laws of Rugby should be known to the players, but the enthusiasm of the game caused certain faults, and the referee had to correct them. All had judged referees, sometimes rightly and at other times wrongly, but it was to the referees that they had to look to make the game. A Bk&ly-Controlled flame. - Tha speaker bad seen one game this season in which a laxness ot control had led to certain deplorable results, and which had thrown on the players something they did not deserve. Once liberties were given they increased, and there came a stage when the referee could not check them. An important aspect was otter overlooked by the referees—their first duty was to watch the man and only second the ball. If a referee watched the 80 men first and the ball 81st, it would be better tor the game. No ene had store anxiety for Rugby football than he had, and he felt that the futnre ot it was still in. the referees' keeping. They could make it open, as the British team played It, and so that it would give the thrills which the players and spectators enjoyed. Mr W. B. Fuller, president of the Canterbury Referees' Association, who responded, said the feeling between the parent body and bis was very fine. "We are jnst as proud of Sam Hollander as Dr. Adams," he said The Association had a membership of 90, and with It might be numbered the School Teachers' Association, having another 61. "We don't take ont hats off to anyone else In New Zealand," said Mr Fuller. "We believe we know the rules, and we' try to administer them." "The Canterbury Rugby Union" was proposed by Mr R. T. Bailey. He said he had watched its work closely, and could say truthfully that the men composing it were Imbued only with the Idea of fostering Rugby football. One and all should be prepared to give them credit for this, and for having the interests ot the Referees' Association at heart. Sometimes they might think they were not being supported, but in Canterbury the game was being governed in the true spirit. Members of the Union gave a great deal of time to their work, for which they received very little in the way of thanks. Perhaps they all thought they were espable of filling the shoes of Mr Hollander, but every appointment of a referee was made in toe best interests of Rugby football! "Let ns ell help the Union In carrying ent its part ot the work," said Mr Bailey. "If we •'1 hjd the same spirit as the members of the Unlen, it wonld be better for the game, and If players appreciated what members of the Management Committee are doing for the game, there would not be so much grousing." The Canterbury Union was socond to none In New Zealand. Union's Biggest Problem. "Next Saturday we are up against the biggst problem we have ever had," said Mr W. Britton, who responded, "and we hop# tho public will help us out* We aro sot actuated by n desire (or gain, but we want to find a place for everybody, Including tha ehap who comes from the West Coast and th« fellow who arrives at two o'elock." It was the sub-committees of the Union whloh did the work, and It tried always to meet lbs wishes of the referees. Perhaps sometimes there was an Inclination to kick over the traees. Mr J. K. Moloney, proposing the toast of "The New Zealand Rugby Union," said it was shot at more than any other body , I*' Nsw Zealand. Although there was a movement afoot to-day that might put football back In New Zesland, he hoped the Dominion wonld be allowed to work out its 1 destiny In Rugby as a nation. To follow the English Union blindly was weak and foolish in the extreme. Possibly football 1 here was passing through a lean time, bnt they should not be unduly pessimistic. The New Zesland Rugby Union wonld be wise if 'it followed its own counsels and conscience. (Applause.) Mr H. telth, who Is travelling with the British team as the representative of the New Zealand Union, said his body had been striving for a say in the control of the game. There was no desire for dictatorship, and the New Zealand Union had been in communication with the British authorities with a view to the establishment of an Imperial Rugby Board. A very big light was showing, and Mr Baxter's visit hed come at a very opportune time. He felt that he wonld give material assistance in attaining the objective for whloh they were striving. When anythinr in regard to the rules of the game eame up. for discussion, the New Zealand Union should have a voice. For the past two or three years the latter had advocated the appointment of outside referees for the control of interprovlncial matches. The result of sueh a step shonld be a uniformity of interpretation of the rules. There should be, only one set of rules for the control of the game. The whole trouble was that the handbook to-day contained too many notes and rulings, when the real requirement for a referee was to have commonsense and sound control. That was his opinion ss sn individual and a referee. , Mr J. R. Hampton proposed the toast of The Press." The toasts were Interspersed with vocal and elocutionary items.

LINWOOD CLUB. Lin wood Schoolboys under Bst r. Albion, toh! « M r P s rk °T #1 ' ltU5 (player* to be on ground not later than 10.80 a.m.) — B. KJnsnisn, G. Leeco, E. Woode, 0. Bond, w" T i' « Ji£. HorwrtJ, M. Keate, ft" £ *5S r ' ' Trottman, °- °r*y. F. Sears, Q. McPheraon, 6. Leggatt. 'R. Knteo. Emerceneies: S. Terry, V. Pollard, V. Bayers, D. J agger, D. Pattorion, A. Day.

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. C9>ri»tobmob 6«t 71b v. Sydenham. Lancaster Park, 11.45, Saturday. (Boys must bo at Park gates at 11 o'clock)—J. Sbipton. It. Moore, J. Sarelius, I.: Webber, W. Luke. R Simmer, J. Bailey, M. Laweon, D, Stemmer, A. Stemmer, M. Cheshire, J. Beid, J. Win•or, J. Sheppard, J. Henry. Emargenciea, O. Wells, H. Sundertand, T. Bedeph, A. Snitfl*