THE WELLINGTON UNION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1208, 17 August 1911, Page 7

THE WELLINGTON UNION.

KING'S SUSPENSION. TROUBLE WITH THE REFEREES. A meeting of tho Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Lmon was held last night. There were present: MessTS. . O. Hales (in the chair),. \V. Perrv, E. W. Hardham, J. Burns, J. bweeney, E. Little, W. F. Hornig, A. B. \\ llson, and W. G. Talbot, secretary. In regard to tlio third-class match, Porirua v. Southern (ployed six weeks ago, and won bv Southern), it was reported bv Porirua that Southern had ployed Whiterod, who was not eligible on account of the fact that he had been selected to play for the juniors on the samo day, and had not been transferred. Southern were called on for an explanation, and a letter was received last night, admitting tho facts, but stating that the transfer was not obtained on account of insufficient time after it was found necessary to play Whiterod. It was decided that, as the Southern Club had broken the rules, the match must go to Porirua. Tho Horowhcnua Rugby Lmon wrote regretting that they would be unable to send their junior representative team to Wellington on August 19. It was decided to close the nfti-class championship, which has been won by the Athletic team.' >~ ,■ A deputation from the St. .Tames Club (Messrs. Alpe, IJrquhurt, and lung) waited on the union to ask that Kings case bo reconsidered, and that suspension be removed. The deputation expressed, the opinion that the offence was a very trivial one, which could have been met by a. caution. Tho club ™s?™°f. to J£Jj. the services of King for the match against Oriental on Saturday next.-Mr. Little moved that the suspension be removed. This was seconded by Mr. Sweeney, supported by Messrs. Burns and Hornig, and carried by four votes to- three. Messrs. Hardham, Wilson, and Perry i oted against the motion. Mr. Hales who was in tho chair, did not exercise his vote The trouble between tho Wellington Referees' Association and the union regarding tho mutual agreement question ?ame lip again, when a letter was received from tho association stating that he members would refuse to sign mutual agreements, on the grounds that these agreements were detrimental to the interests of tho association. Mr J Burns moved that the letter be reoeived, but thero was no seconder to th MeSr°s. io Hardham and Little, were of opinion that the Referees' Association was takin" up a wrong attitude in regard to this question. Both speakers were ot opinion that the mutual agreement rule sfiould obtain for imwrtant matchte. Mr. Sweeney remarked that he wond like to see the mutual agreement rule iped right oul, and the appointment of «&«* left solely in the hands of the AnpointTuent Board. The rule necessarily hampered the work of tho association, vim haS to provide so. many referees every week. If the union did not want odation if should tell the association so but, if the union did want the "association, then thUatter';h«d r should" bo encouraged. . . ~ ~, ~„,„ Mr. Hales was of opinion that the whole thing was a matter of petty jealousy between .three or four members of the association, who had not.the support of tho whole body, but who happened to ■be leading members. He had been assured by a member of the association that he could supply fifteen referees next balurday under a new management. Mr. Perry supported the views of Mr. Sweeney to a largo extent. He thought that the association had taken up a wrong attitude, but still the union could not very well do without the association unless they were going back to tho old state of affairs that existed ten years ago when it was very difficult to get referees for third and fourth-class matches. Tho matter of tho appointment of referees should be left in .the hands of an appointment board. If that board wanted reconstructing that was another matter. Apparentlv there was dissatisfaction with the present constitution of the board and he air. Perry) was of opinion that it would be better if the union made all the appointments. Considerable discussion followed and when it was becoming heated. Mr. Burns suggested that it was all out of order as whatever decision the committee came to. thev could not alter the rules. Mr. Hardham moved and Mr. Little seconded a motion to the effect that this union very much regrets the attitude taken up bv tho Referees' Association and .requests that body to keep to the rules iroverning the appointment of referees — This was carried. • It was further decided, on the motion of Mr. Perrv, that Ihe Rugby Union is willing to have a conference with the Referees' Association to discuss matters in difference between them, and suggests that the referees, prior to the holding of ihe conference, thrash tho matter out among themselves and come to some definite decision regarding mutual agreements and appointments.

REFEREES GO ON STRIKE. {By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, August 16. The Auckland. Rugby .Referees' Association went on strike this evening. The association last week voted for a free haind in connection with the appointments for club matches, and for consultation when appointments were being made for reprcseatativos matches. The Auckland Eugby Union decided that the bylaws prevented the first request, but agreed to the latter proposal. The actual cause of the strike is said to have arisen from a remark made by the secretary of the Auckla.nd Rugby Union to tho president of tho Referees' Association regarding past appointments for representative matches and, a withdrawal of this was demanded and refnsed; hence the strike. A conference will be held to-morrow.

The Manawatu Public Schools representative team is to be entertained at a dinner by the Wellington Public Schools at Godber's to-moTrow evening.