RUGBY REFEREEING

Evening Star, Issue 18668, 24 June 1924, Page 3

RUGBY REFEREEING

PIRATES CLUB’S PROTEST.

« NO CONFIDENCE ” IST LEADING

REFEREE.

An nnnsnai letter, expressing a lack of confidence in one of the leading reiereea in local Rugby, was received by the committee of tbo Otago Rugby Union last night. It read:— l We beg respectfully to bring under the notice of your executive the fact that members of the Pirates Football Glub have lost confidence in_ Mr G. M'Kenaio as a referee. This is not a party decision, but is tho outcome of a fooling which has been steadily growing during the last three years. At a full meeting of the club’s committee hold on Tuesday, 17th test., it was unanimously decided to write and suggest that Mr G. M’Konzfe be not appointed as referee in 'any of our future matches, cither senior or junior. We arc desirous of avoiding any possible risk of unpleasantness, and would esteem it a favor if you can arrange this matter as desired. l —■(Signed') W. J. Barnett, secretary Pirates Football Club. Tho Chairman (Mr H. H. S. White) said the union had not had 1 many cases of tins kind before it. Ho thought tho matter should b© dealt with in committee by the executive. Mr Harris: “What can we do with a letter like that? . . . Wo can only say that unless tho club makes a definite charge tho committee cannot do anything with it.” Mr Stuart,said he thought it would bo just as well to take any discussion on tho matter in committee, Mr Harris: “What can you discuss?’’ Mr Mitchell moved, and Mr Strong seconded 1 , that the meeting go into committee. The motion was lost by 10 votes to 8. Tho Chairman said he did not see how there could be trouble over the matter. Mr M’Kcnzks could scarcely wish to referee in a match in which one of tho teams hail lost confidence in him. Mr Harris: “ Has not tho referee to act in any match for which tho Appointment Board puts him down?” The Chairman : “ Quite correct, Mr Harris.” That was to get over the difficulty of any dub taking exception to a referee.

Mr Harris said that if ho were a referee and a ciab took exception to him he -would ask the Appointment Board not to select him to referee matches in which that club took part. Mr Woodrow suggested that such a recommendation, bo made to the Appointment Board. Mr King asked what the position would bo if other clubs adopted a similar- attitude. Mr Stuart said lie thought the Pirates Club had brought the matter forward in a fair and just manner. The reason he wanted the matter taken iu_ committee was to say that Mr M'Konzio had lost the confidence not only of the Pirates dob, but of two other clubs, A year or two ago the Kaikorai Club and the Club strongly objected to him. . Iho Pirates had him seven times last year, and wore not sntisf.-el. Is a spectator of the match ii qi-w.' ■" - ■■ "ot a matter of Pirate ■ ,!< ’ 1 Mr M‘Kei.. • - ■ at all. Thai • ■ ■■'■ brought the .-ii.,. finite charge, but the i...-. The club had lust confident f u; Au zie as a referee, and it was net the ....... dub. Mr 'Wilson said there must be something at* the back of the letter the club did not tell them about. It was a serious thing to write such a letter. Mr Stuart said there was no tiling at the back of the letter. Mr Mitchell said ho thought it was quite a sufficient charge that the club had lost confidence in the referee. Dr Evans said a copy of the letter should have been sent to Mr M'Kenzic. Mr Harris said the Pirates C ub could got over the difficulty by agreeing with the club it was playing against as fo who should referee. The Chairman, said that he '.'-ought Mr M‘Ken/,ic refereed exceptionally well in the Pirates-University match. 'llie letiet was a serious one, and would have seen better taken in committee. Mr Strong : “Hear, hear.” Mr Harris: “Ho.” Mr Heffcrnan agreed with Mr Harris, and said they should have no holc-in-thc-corncr business. Mr Woodrow moved—“ That it he arecommendation from the committee lo the Appointment Board 1 , not to appoint Mr M‘Kena© to referee in any match in which teams from the Pirates Club take part.” The Chairman, who would not accept the motion, said there was no k-mwing where a matter like that would cud. Mr Wilson moved —■“ Thai, the Pirates Club bo informed that u tl wishes to pla, i;-. the flag competition it must piny under the flag rules.” Mr Harris said the motion was rather dogmatic. Mr Wilson agreed to withdraw his motion in place of the following one by M r Harris;—“That the Pirates OluD be miformed that uulnss it is prepared to make a specific charge against Mr t,, MTvei./.ie the committee, cannot recommend liie Appointment Board lo accede lo its re-luest-”1 uest -” Dr Evans seconded- the motion, whicn was carried.