RUGBY REFEREES CONFER

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 29 March 1935, Page 12

RUGBY REFEREES CONFER

—ft . ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING SUCCESSFUL YEAR REVIEWED.

.In reviewing the 1934 Rugby football season, it was . pleasing to see that the standard of previous years was maintained, said Mr L. H. Clapham, in moving the adoption of the annual report of the Taranaki Referees Association last night at the annual meeting at Stratford.

The enthusiasm shown by members last year, if continued, pointed in many ways to a very successful and encouraging position for the future of the association, stated the annual report. It was satisfactory to note that very few games were played without the presence of an accredited member of the association. The membership roll, which started the season at 104, had at the end increased to 111.

The financial statement showed a credit balance of. 14s; the association was entirely supported financially by the Rugby Union, to which body thanks were expressed. Members chosen to control representative games —Messrs.- A. Spratt (Wellington v. Taranaki), N. Frost (Wanganui v. Taranaki and Wanganui B v. Taranaki B) and F. J. Eggleton (Wellington Colts v. Taranaki Colts) —were congratulated. It was pleasing to mention that the New Zealand union had shown confidence in the associations outside the main centres by appointing from those associations referees to officiate at games above inter-provin-cial standard. The Taranaki association expressed its pleasure in this departure. The experiment was a great success. The Taranaki representative so honoured, Mr A. Spratt, controlled his game in an admirable fashion and to the entii-e satisfaction of all concerned. Mr Spratt was first choice for t)ie biggest game of the year, New Zealand v. The Rest, but was unable through illness to officiate. However, he was able to prove his worth later when, controlling the (Wellington v. New Zealand Maori game. Certain members of the Northern DiVision sat for the written examination set by the New Zealand executive, and it was pleasing to note that in instances . congratulatory remarks were made by the examiners. Those instances showed that the Taranaki association could produce referees whose knowledge of the game both in theory and in practice was equal to any tin New Zealand. The committee acknowledged the work done by the various committees and the senior appointment board, which worked very satisfactorily, though a change in its constitution was made last year. Mr L. J. Furrie, Stratford, creditably represented the association on the management committee of t.he Taranaki Rugby Union. It was reported that the practice of bad language which was prevalent on the field last year would have to be suppressed. Statements regarding dangerous play called to notice the point that sprigs in boots should be carefully examined by referees before games. Mr Retter took the secretaryship when Mr R. Rl. Tyrer resigned after many years of. very capable work and had done excellently.

The election of officers resulted: President, Mr R. Bullot, New Plymouth ; vice-president, Mr R. It. Tyrer, Stratford; secretary and treasurer, Mr Ll Better, New Plymouth; auditor, Mr B. J. Furrie, Stratford; delegate to the Rugby Union, Mr L. J. Furrie; delegate to New Zealand conference at Invercargill, Mr Better.