PROTESTS TO RUGBY UNION

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 11 June 1932, Page 3

PROTESTS TO RUGBY UNION

PLAYERS’ ELIGIBILITY DOUBTED OPUNAKE CLUB’S APPLICATIONS. On the grounds that their residential qualifications were not in order, protests were made to the Taranaki Rugby Union last evening by the Opunake Club over the Okaiawa Club having played W. Robinson (ex-Ath-letic) and R. Greenough in the Opu-nake-Okaiawa match on Saturday last. The protest against Robinson was 1 adjourned to enable the Okaiawa Club to substantiate claims as to Robinson’s qualifications to play, but it was held that Greenough was fully entitled to play for Okaiawa and that liis residential qualifications were in ordoc. The Opunake Club stated that it disputed also the decision of the union’s executive in approving of til© transfer of Robinson prior to last Saturday’s game when the union’s rule stated, definitely that a player had to reside in his new district at least 14 clear days before he could play for his new club. I Robinson had not been at Okaiawa for the required time and therefore was not eligible to play. Greenough’s permanent work and residence was at the- Palmer Road branch of the Joll Dairy Company, which was in the Kaponga district.

The Okaiawa Club’s claims were that Robinson had gono to Okaiawa. on Thursday, May 19, and had rented a house on that date. He had arranged to shift his furniture to the house on the following day, but this had not . been done until the following Monday. Robinson had again gone to Okaiawa on the Saturday morning, returning to Hawera in the afternoon to play for Athletic. He returned to Okaiawa directly after that match and had stayed at the Okaiawa Hotel until the Monday morning, when he occupied his house. Since then he had been a permanent resident at Okaiawa.

i TEMPORARY RESIDENCE. The club also advised that Greenough had. been living in the Okaiawa district 1 since April In, although at present he i was relieving at the Palmer Road factory in a temporary capacity, but his permanent residence was within the Okaiawa Club’s boundary, j The Athletic Club advised that Robinson’s clearance was forwarded to the Okaiawa Club in accordance with rule 12, after he had been a resident in the Okaiawa district for 14 days and 14 nights. Till he had done so he was not entitled to write for his transfer, but had done so after nine days’ residence. The chairman (Mi* J. McLeod) said that prior to the applications for a transfer being granted by the executive the necessay conditions had been complied with, providing the particulars given were correct. The Opunake Club’s contention was that Robinson should have definitely removed to Okaiawa prior to the afternoon of May 21, said Mr J. S. Hickey. It was practically admitted, said. Mr ' McLeod, that Robinson had arrived at Okaiawa at 6.30 p.m. on May 21 l which, according to the strict letter of the law, made him a few hours short of. the required 14 days. “The union has always dealt with such cases in days only, not as a matter of hours,” added Mr McLeod.

“It’s a fine point,” commented Mr L. J. Furrie.'

“The rule says ‘at least 14 days,’ ” said Mr Hickey. “There is quite a lot of this sort of thing going on and it will continue to do so unless checkred. The Opunake Club does not worry about- the two points which might be gained, but only with the principle that the rules must be observed.” i Mr K. Jury moved that the Okaiawa. Club be given the opportunity to substantiate that Robinson arrived at Okaiawa on the Saturday morning, the meeting agreeing to the suggestion. Concerning Greenough the union ruled that Greenough was entitled 1 to play for Okaiawa as his permanent address was within that club’s boundary. Mr W. A. Guy said that Greenough was employed at a factory in the Kanonga district, but- since April 13 had been residing a mile away in the Okaiawa district. For seven years he had resided with Mr W. A. Guy -during the winter when not engaged at the factory.

The Opunake Club maintained that this year Greenough’® permanent' home was at the factory, where he was first assistant, said Mr Hickey. At present he was relieving the manager, who was away on holiday. Mr It. Clarke said he had bached with Greenough all the summer, but when he left Greenough removed to the Okaiawa district.