FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 688, 13 April 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

N.Z. REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. SOME REMARKABLE READINGS ALTERING THE RULES. (Press Association). New Plymouth, Last Night. The annual conference of the New Zealand Referees' Association was opened on Thursday night, Mr 0. W. Oram, ohairman. It was resolved that affiliated Associations lie reoommended to instruct theix members not to referee in foreign matches unless the Unions concerned agree to pay expenses on the soalo mentioned in tho annual report. The next conference is to be held in Wellington. It was decided:

1. That should any part of a player running with the ball swing into touch or touch in goal, suoh player shall be considered in touch or touch in goal respectively. 2. That if an attacking player carries the ball across an opponent's goal line and simultaneously with his playing the ball on the ground an opponent places his hand on the ball, a sorum five yards out be awarded.

It was moved that if a player with the ball runs baok over his own goal with the intention of going in the field of play, but before doing so is foroed by his opponents to make the ball dead, a touch down shall be awarded. It was decided to state this proposition as a case to the Appeal Oounoil for a ruling, and in the meantime to act in accordance with the motion.

Deoided that when any part of the original formation of a scrummage still remains, consisting of at least one player on either sido, only suoh part shall be considered as the scrummage. It was deoided to recornmond looal associations to consider the question of taking steps to afford players opportunity of disoussiug the laws of the game with referees so as to familiarise players with the present interpretations of the rules. Associations were urged to use every effort towards securing the insertion of a by-law in their local Rugby Union's olub contest rules, whereby appointment of referees to such matohes should be left solely to the looal Referees' Association.

Referees were urged to pay particular regard to enforcement of sections b, o and d of law 11 concerning penalties for failing to drop the ball when held, for failing to rise from the ground when tackled with the ball, and for preventing an opponent getting up or dropping the ball, Officers elected wero:—Patron, his Exoellency the Governor. Piesident, Mr R. M. Isaac Vice-Presidents included Mr A. H, Gibbons, Manawatu, and Mr James Mclntrye, Horowhenua. Hon. sec. and troasurer, Mr J. M. Robb.

Management committee, Messrs F. A. Hempleman, J. H. A. Laugh ton, H. Card G. B. Lush and L. S. Siever.

ORIENTALS V. PALMERSTON.

The Oriental Olub team came from Wellington six men short on Saturday, owing to the heavy rain falling there in the morning. Here it was beautifully flue. Neither Roberts nor Mathesou came. The game was played with local substitutes. Stewart, Boon and MoKewen soored tries for Falmdrston, the first being oonverfed, For the Orientals Arnott soore a try, and Stalker kicked a goal from a mark, the looal side winning, l3 to 7.

OLD BOYS V. LEVIN. On the Showground yesterday tha above teams met, there being a fair attendance of the public. Old Boys won by 14 points to 6. For Old Boys R. Monro (2) and Knowles scored tries and Ooutts kioked a very fine penalty goa) from half way. for the visitors Winiata 'scored a good try. and a penalty goal.