League PROTEST TO COUNCIL

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 5

League PROTEST TO COUNCIL

Appointment Of Selectors

The Canterbury Rugby League board of control decided to write a strong letter of protest to the New Zealand Council about the appointment of New Zealand and South Island selectors.

The Council last week appointed Mr E. Butts (Christchurch) as New Zealand selector but decided that he could not be a South Island selector, as well. Messrs D. L. Blanchard (Canterbury) and A. O’Donnell (West Coast) were appointed to the South Island panel with Mr W. Telford (Auckland) as arbitrator.

The notification of the appointments gave the nominations. Mr Butts had been nominated by • Canterbury and West Coast. Mr Blanchard had not been nominated but by the Council itself. Mr O’Donnell was nominated by Canterbury, West Coast and Otago. The chairman (Mr D. C. Wilson) said that this was “purely and utterly ridiculous. We should give a strong protest.” Mr W. E. Massey: We sent nominations to the Council and they elect a different man.

Concerning Mr Telford’s appointment as abitrator, Mr Massey said that there was no need to send him down as the province had a New Zealand selector (Mr Butts). The board then decided to protest to the Council about the ignoring of the South Island league’s nominations.