Rugby Teams In “Sit Down” Strike

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1939, Page 13

Rugby Teams In “Sit Down” Strike

At Kensington Park on Saturday was seen what has been called a.“sit down strike” by two of the Junior teams—Old Boys and Central. They took charge of the centre of No. 2 field, and refused to move when requested to do so by a referee so that another match could be played on that ground. The root cause of the whole trouble was influenza, as, if there had not been- so many officials and referees away with the malady, the incident would never have occurred. Referees were in short supply, and the match that should have commenced at 1.30 did not get under way until nearly 2.30. This meant No. 3 ground was not free at 3 o’clock, and there was no referee available to take the Old Boys-Central junior match on No. 2 ground. Hora Flora and Onerahi Juniors had a referee but no ground, so the referee suggested that they make a start on No. 2 ground. Thisdid not suit the ideas of Old Boys and Central, who were in possession so these two teams just “stayed put.” Disapproval of this action was expressed at the meeting of the management committee of the union last night and a letter of rebuke is to be forwarded to the two clubs concerned.

Busy Days At Town Wharf

The earlier part of this week has been occupied by a full schedule at the Whangarei Town Wharf. Yesterday the Watchlin Line moto vessel Port Whangarei made its firs! visit to Whangarei for the new sea

son. berthing at the Town Wharf early in the day, with a cargo of 150 tons of general produce and goods from South Island ports. The vessel left again at 10 p.m. for Auckland, en route to the south being scheduled to leave Auckland for Wellington tomorrow night. The Northern Steamship Company’s motor vessel Kapiti berthed after her regular run from Auckland on Monday and again today, on each, occasion carrying a full cargo of general goods.