RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 76, 25 February 1930, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. The eleventh annual report to be presented by the secretary (Mr E. W. Low) at the meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association is as follows: —“The season ending 30th September, 1929, was the busiest in the history of our association, partly due to the holding of the annual conference and meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association at Palmerston North during Easter week for which purpose it was necessary to hire the committee rooms of the Manawatu A. and P. Association. Delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion and were welcomed to our town by His Worship the Mayor and Messrs. J. A. Colquhoun and C. IV. White, presidents of the Manawatu Rugby Council and Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association respectively. Much useful business was transacted and it is a pitv that more of our members did not avail themselves of the opportunity of attending the conference and hearing the discussions on the various rules, etc. Our president, Mr C. W. White, was elected a member to the executive committee of the New Zealand Association, and we extend to him our congratulations on hia appointment. Our association furnished referees to control three Bebbington Shield matches, Mr B. Hands at Foxton, Mr A. Gordon and Mr A. McKegg at Pahiatua, whilst there was also an interchange of referees between the Bush and Manawatu Associations. Mr A. McKegg went to Mangatainoka to control a cup final, while Messrs. Ryan and Stone, of the Bush Association, controlled two senior fixtures at Palmerston North. An invitation was received from the Bush Association for the members of my association to visit Pahiatua to spend a convivial evening and give two or three short addresses on the laws of the game. Some 14 or 15 members made the trip and were treated right royally. Messrs. White and Hands each gave a short address on the laws and rulings, /which were both interesting and instructive. My association will have to consider the question of extending them the same courtesy during the coming season. I have to report the loss of two of our keenest members; Mr I. D. Parsons has gone to Levin and Mr W. Kirkpatrick to the Taranaki district. Both thes.e members had the interests of the association at heart and were real live men. Appointments during the season were made to just on 300 club matches, besides the seven-aside tournament, which was held on 3rd June, at which those officiating as referees assisted in no small way in helping to make a success, which the tourney undoubtedly was. On many occasions the services of members of my association were availed of by the Primary School’s Association and were much appreciated by that body. A classification committee was appointed during the year and referees were classified. I would suggest that the list'be available early in the season so that members- may know how they stand. The attendances at the weekly ihcetings were well up to the average and members showed keenness in the problems submitted. The expenses were heavy during the past season, due partly to the fact that the annual conference was held at our centre, and the large amount of travelling that was involved, being double that of the previous season. Our thanks are due to the president for his able guidance and tact in tbe chair, to the Rugby Council for the generous manner in which they met our requests, to the Press and to Mr W. McKenzie for the use of his rooms.”