A RUGBY PROTEST

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1924, Page 17

A RUGBY PROTEST

POWERS OF rTHE EEFERBE.

A' protest, against the powers of. the Rugby referee-was entered by.! the Wellington College Old Boys' Football Club, in a letter read at; 1 ast night's meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, bearing upon the suspension' of' L. S. Preston, of that club, for three playing Saturdays. '-' ..■•;. ■.: \ "Whilst-in no way questioning the decision of the union in the "'matter,'.', the' club secretary.wrote, "nevertheless the club consider a protest should be lodged against . the system which allows any player to be so penalised, on the'statement of the referee alone. v We recognise that the union_!must support' the Reforees' Association, and rightly so,' but at the same time we consider there should be some avenue of appeal in a case sucli as this, where it is: honestly thought'the referee made a mistake. In this case several players could have'been brought forward, not only from our own senior team, but also from the," Harist side, who were quite prepared to state that Preston did not strike a blow1 lii fact, the Marist player alleged to' have been struck was quite -prepared, of his i owji free will, to" attend the union .meetins 'and deny the allegation. My committee desire to_ say that they do not' wish this protest to be .regarded'as a reflection on the integrity of the referee's action.in,.the'..pattft't,",; % .■ • . k Tlio luttor -was rscsuvsa,1 ■ ' "'".