SENIOR REFEREES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22571, 26 February 1948, Page 3

SENIOR REFEREES

P.B. QUALIFIERS GOOD PLAYER RELATIONS The fact that two members of the association had attained senior status during the past season was mentioned by the chairman of the P.B. Rugby Referees’ Association at the annual meeting on Tuesday night, and con-gratulations-were offered to Messrs. T. Bayliss and S. Ritchie on their elevation. The chairman, Mr C. K. Griffin, expressed the hope that several other members would qualify as seniors in the new season. The meeting was largely attended, and it was mentioned that five new members from the Waikohu sub-union area had supported the association well during the past year, and had assisted in handling the 200 competition or representative matches for which the association had provided referees during 1947. Referring to the standard of play and general behaviour on the field, the repoit stated that club coaches and players of all grades were to be commended for the high standard of football seen, and also for goodwill and courtesy displayed on the whole towards the association. “Unfortunately, on two or three occasions referees were obliged to order off players,’’ the report added, “but it is very gratifying to record that we were upheld on all occasions by the P.B. Rugby Union, and without question.” Rules and Applications Recording the results of examinations for referees during the year, which were not as good as had been hoped, the report referred to the debt owed to Mr D. McLeod for the time and effort he had expended in coaching referee students, and also expressed regret that he would not be able to continue his lectures into the new season. However, Mr O. R. Olsen had undertaken to provide a series of lectures on rules and applications. The report expressed thanks to Messrs. J. W. Kane, A. E. Drummond and M. McMahon, of the Gisborne Fire Brigade, for assistance _ in providing a room for meetings, and to the St. John Ambulance Association for its co-operation with Rugby officials throughout the year. Messrs. C. Brown, H. Duckworth and J. O’Neill were also thanked for their help in connection with the finances. Principal Officers Kc-Elected The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the unopposed return of the chairman, Mr C. H. Griffin, the deputy-chairman, Mr W. T. McKeague, and the hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr S. Ritchie. Mr H. Duckworth was appointed assistant hon. secretary and treasurer and Mr J. Lockwood was elected to the committee, with Messrs Griffin, McKeague, Ritchie and Duckworth. Other offices were filled as under: — Examination committee, Messrs N. Tasker, A. E. Ingram, and J. O’Neill; appointment committee, Messrs Ingram, McKeague and W. Rivers; delegate to P.B. Rugby Union management committee, Mr J. O'Neill; delegates to P.B.R.U. annual meeting, Messrs. Griffin and O'Neill; area appointment board, Messrs. O'Neill and G. McLachlan; hon. auditor, Mr W. S. McKee; trustees, Messrs. Ritchie and Duckworth; representatives on P.B.R.U. social committee, Messrs. McKeague and P. Buckingham. A letter from the Marist Old Boys Rugby Club conveyed appreciation of the work done by the association, and forwarded a donation to its funds. After discussion on the commencement of operations for the new season, it was decided to hold the first weekly meeting one week prior to the date of the season’s opening.