RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

_ « —-— REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. CnY TELEGRAM—PEEKS ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, April 10. The annual conference of the New Zealand Referees' Association opened last night, Air. C. W. Oram being chairman. The next annual conference is to be held in Wellington. Jt. was resolved that- the affiliated associations l)e recommended to instruct tbeir members not to referee in foreign matches unless the unions concerned agree to pay expenses on the scale mentioned in the annual report. It was decided that 6hould any part of b player who is running with the ball swing into touch or touch-in-goal, such' player shall be considered in touch or touch-in-goal respectively. It was also decided that if an attacking player carries the ball across his opponents' goal-line, and simultaneously with his placing the ball on the ground nn opponent places hit hand on the ball, a scrum five yards out shall be awarded. \ A motion Vas moved that if a. player with the ball runs back over his own goal, with the intention of going again into the field oi play, but before doing so is forced by his opponents to make the ball dead, a touch down shall be awarded. A case such as thai referred to in the motion will be submitted to tlio Appeal Council for a ruling, and in. the meantime referees shall act in accordance with the motion. It was decided that when any part of tin original formation of a scrum still remains consisting of at least one player on either side only, such part shall be considered as tin scrummage. The local associations will be recommendee to consider the question of taking steps t( afford players an opportunity of discussing tin laws of the samo with referees, so as to famil iarise players with the present interpretation o the rules. Associations will be urged to use every effoi" towards securing the insertion of a by-law ii their local Eugby Unions' club contest rules whereby the appointment of referees to a clul contest match should be left solely to the loca Referees' Association. The referees were urged to pay pnrticula regard to the enforcement of Sections B, C, nni D, of Law 11, concerning penalties for fail ing to drop the ball when held, lor failing t' rise from the ground when tackled with th< ball, and for preventing an opponent gettiui up or dropping the ball. Officers for the ensuing year were elected a follow:—Patron, His Excellency the Governor president, Mr. R. 11. Isaac; vice-presidents Messrs. A. Campbell (Auckland), G. Griffith (Taranaki), W. l'owdrell (South Taranaki), G E. Simpson (Wanganui), A. H. Gibbons (Mann wutu), James M'lntyre (Hordwhenua), F. A Laws (Wellington), E. M'Kenzie (Wairnrapn), W Snell (Dnnnevirke), R. Henderson (Hastings' G. Proctor (Hawke's Bay), H. 'Nalder (Kelson! J. O'Leaiy (South Canterbury), H. MTarlan (Otago); hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J M. liobbi management committee; Messrs. V A. Hempleman, J. H. A. Laugliton, H. Card G. B. Lusk, and L. Sievcr; hon. auditor, Mi C. H. Mauson. The executive ,was instructed to revise th by-la ivs and repdrt. i A team from the Polhill Football Club joni neyed to Masterton and played.a match wit a team from the Slasterton Club, the visitor winning by' 19 points to nil.