RUGBY REFEREES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1210, 19 August 1911, Page 12

RUGBY REFEREES.

' 'AND MUTUAL AGREEMENTS. [To tho Editor.] Sir,—As the newspaper reports of the remarks .made bv Messrs. P. Martin and C. R. Ingram, at the weekly meeting of the Wellington Referees' Association, held on Monday night, represented what they nciimlly said, I wish to refer to some of their statements, which were either misleading or entirely wrong. Mealing with Mr. Martin first, it appears that he changes his opinion every time the wind blows (which is said to happen fairly often in Wellington), as only a fortnigh't previously lio was.in a quandary as to whether he should abide by a "crook appointment board,"- or transfer"his allegianca to the mutual agreement, with tho supporters of which he voted at that meeting. He has now hedged, for reasons which are pretty obvious. As regards his remarks that Mr. Atkinson and my own action -in "nabbing" next Saturday's matches was selfish, because he and others were thus deprived oi being nominated for them: Speaking for myself, if signing mutual agreements will Jiave the effect of-keeping Mr. Martin off even an occasional senior fixture, then no further justification of such insubordination is necessary. Coming to Mr. Ingrain, let me quote irom his exact, remarks, which are too good to be missed, as tbev will be proved by the figures quoted later to apply to us own party: "Every man wants the best senior matches for himself." How, ever when it came to a question of considering tho junior matches, a man would not sign a mutual agreement because ho would rather stand down and see tlie bigger matches." If thcis sentiments are endorsed by the other members (there were at least fifteen present) who passed a motion of censure mi Mr. Atkinson and myself by six votes to one, it is an open admission that their solo aim is to "tread the light fantastic" I on No. 1. Athletic Park, but, as far as the younger brigade is concerned, Mr. jUeredith is the only one against whom tlie charge can be laid, for he invariably tails to keep his appointment if it i's nat.a senior match. Notwithstanding Mr. Ingram, I would have signed tlio agreement had it been a junior match, ami, indeed, I stated at tho meeting that,- had any matches been played in the fifth class championship, a mutual agreement was to have been submitted for my assent to control a fixture in that grade. . It will, be seen from the figures ■to follow to whom the charge of preferring, a sight of the big matches to acting in the minor ones, .applies. My own record since joining the Rsferces' Association m .1907 will compare more than favourably with that of any other member ot the body, and in every year in which I have been an active referee, I have officiated in more matches than anv other referee in Wellington. Even this year .1 acted on 13 consecutive Saturdays, "and only stood down twice, pendiu" an inquiry by the Appointment Board into a claim for fairer consideration. . Mr. Card, at the. meeting of- August 1 accused others of.Jumping at the chance ot getting "No.. 1 Athletic Park," but those-to whom he referred will not be able to jump often enough this season to exceed his record. My opinion has always been known concerning the mutual agreement question, and nothing that I havo done savours of tho "back-door policy," .or is in any way inconsistent with my principles or utterance. I say again that, it two clubs make a request to the \ppointment Board for any particular referee, such referee should be appointed, and, if tho wishes of the players are to be ignored to such an extent that (instead of the above course being adopted) :.,anv:-npppintment which,-.is./distasteful to both" sides.-is insisted upon, tlien the players are quite justified in resorting to tho mutual agreement. Whilst holding that opinion, I cannot refuse to countenance tho system. The following are the appointments of the four referees who sign mutual agreement?, and those of the three members on the Appointment Board, and a comparison will bo interesting in view of tho injustice alleged to have been suffered bv the latter:--1 , . C. Atkinson: Appointed to 1G matches-, of which seven were senior, threo of them being; played on No. 1 Athletic Park. In addition he had charge of the. College match last Saturday, and also two of the leading junior matches in the first round. Mr. Atkinson has not failed to keep a single appointment during tho season, despitn the fact that four of his last five engagements have been decided at Petone. L. Simpson: Appointed to 10 matches, including five senior games (two of them on No. 1 Athletic Park, in addition to tho meeting of tho present leading teams, Oriental v. St. James at Petone in the first round), and six junior fixtures. Like Mr. Atkinson, this referee took every match to which ho was appointed - throughout tho season. T. H. Jones: Appointed to 1G matches, of which seveu. wero senior, the second last team on the championship ladder being engaged in no foirei- thaiufivo of them. Only once appointed to No. 1 Athletic Park,' the match in question.! .being the only one in which he acted for any two of the sis leading teams; two of bes; junior fixtures; missed one match (senior), owing to nbseiicc from town, thus acting in 15 out of 1G to which he was annointed. W. J. Meredith: Appointed, to 16 matches, but acted in 12 only. Eight of that number wsto senior fixtures, whilst, of tho remaining four, one was a thirdclass match at the Wellington College ground, and an early fifth-class fixture at Athletic Park; generally fails to keep appointment umlcss a senior match, or if out of town. A. E. Neilson: Appointed to 15 matches, seveu of them senior, including six, playt'd by tho six leading teams. This means that he has referred for only one senior team below No. G. on the championship tabh. Of remaining matches, two wero on AVellington College ground, but in no mstaiioo did Mr. Neilson f.ail to act when appointed. H. Card: Appointed to 15 matches, but, owing to defaulting teams and his own failure to keep appointments he acted in eleven matches only, of which 6ix wore senior games, while two of tho others took place on the Wellington College ground. -Along with Messrs.'Atkinson and Laws, this referee- holds the record for most matches on No. 1 Athletic Park. F. A. Laws-. Appointed to 11 matches, four of which were senior fixtures, thrse being played on No. 1 Athletic Park, and the other between two of the lc-:ul-ing .six teams. Four of the remaining ."even matches to which ho was appointed were early fifth-cluss fixtures, played (it 1.30 p.m., eitlur at Athletic Park or College ground. A well-known fact that he is not anxious to referee' unless in good matches, and 'prefers the LAthletio I'ark. Thoss who have followed the controversy, and aro interested in tlie proceedings, will, I think, hove very little difficulty in SKoinp; the drift of affairs, the. reason for a lot of tho discord, and, of more importance still, tho ltasou why certain referees are in greater demand than otters. Apologising for euch a lengthy review of the situation.—l am, TOM H. JONES.