SEDDON SHIELD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 August 1928, Page 4

SEDDON SHIELD

OBJECTIONS RAISED TO MATCH AT WESTPORT LETTER FROM! BAY UNION A meeting of the Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union was Held - on Saturdaynight at Takaka. There were presents Messrs H. Manoy (in the chair), K. .M* Feary, E. L. Bensemann, J. A. Smith, J. Johnson, C. Thompson, S. G. Smith (proxy), \V. J- Smith (proxy), L. E. Reilly and Father Carmine, hon.*sec. The chief business of the meeting was the discussion arising from a letter from the Nelson Union in reply to the Bay Union’s letter re the proposed Seddon Shield match at Westport. It was decided, that the following letter be sent to the Nelson Union and a copy of same be sent to all Seddon Shield Unions:— “Referring to your letter in this connection, I have to say that this matter has been given ' consideration by my Union, who desire to inform you as follows:

We cannot accede to your request for the following reasons:— (1) Your arrangement with Buller for \ them '■ to establish a guarantee of £IOO is contrary to Rule 10, and is decidedly not in the interest of Seddon Shield football. (2) By proceeding to Buller-to play the match, you are acting in direct conflict to Rule 5. (3) We consider that these rules .are ..mandatory and cannot be departed from. , ’ .. ' (4) We also consider; that by sanctioning such; a precedent a dangerous one would be established, and one that- sooner or later would cause friction, and probably result in unfair charges being laid upon another team for a failure to follow the precedent-.; . 1 - - -; (5) 'At a conference of delegates from the Seddon Shield Unions held at Westport, one of the principal .resolutions carried was that, permission .be granted to the holders: of the Shield to play challenge matches away from home under certain conditions. The other principal question at issue was the gate charges, and it was decided that a uniform ptioe. be charged to all Shield matches. These resolutions have not been ’confirmed by your Union, therefore we must carry put the rules as they stand in their entirety. “We regret that we are not able to agree with" you in this matter, but at the same time feel sure that you will appreciate our position, and realise that the stand we are taking is the only one possible, without committing a serious breach of trust with our-players.” , The following are the rules referred to: —Rule 5: All challenge matches shall be played on the ground of the holder of the Shield. Rule 10: All matches to be played on a 50 per cent, basis of the gate.'