FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4374, 4 June 1901, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION.

The Referees’ Association met last night. Fourteen members were present Mr A. C. Norris, who was referee m the, match between Old Boys and Poucke, referred to a report in Monday’s "New Zealand Times” which took exception to an action of one of his line umpires in the game under notice. Mr Norris then proceeded to say that he -‘took exception” to line umpires being singled out in such manner, and pointed out that “personally ho had l nothing to object to” in the actions of the line umpire referred to in the “Times. A geneial discussion ensued, in which the opinion was given expression to that it was extremely difficult for referees to obtain line umpires at all—good, oad or indifferent.'-' A discussion took place on the actions of clubs which intended to forfe ; t matches and yet did not give notice rf such intention to the Rugby Union in time to permit the latter body giving due notice to the association. It was generally hoped that the dilatoriness would bo remedied in the future. Mr Burke was of opinion that it was necessary for a wing player to have both feet behind the ball when a scrum was being contested. His argument was disagreed with, and it was held that >t was only necessary to keep one foot behind the ball. It was decided to ask tho Referees’ Conference to discuss the question of whether or not a goal could be scored if kicked after the player supposed to place tho ball has accidentally droppe 1 it; also, as to when a “placer” shall he considered to bo “in a position to place the ball,” in th 0 words of the case law decision of the English Rugby Emeu bearing on the matter. On the motion of Mr D. McKenzie it was resolved to ask the English Rugby Union to elucidate sub-section k of iaw 11, relating to a player wilfully preventing a ball from being put futriy in a scrum. On the motion of Mr Katterns it was resolved that a team forming a scrum

raage partly behind its line and par. l / in tiie field cannot behold to nav; heeled over its line by passing tho baK backwards, since it is against the laws cf tnc game for a scrummage to exist m it team’s own goal. It wa.s also decided to ask tbo Referees’ Conference io rule on the Point. Mr Norris mooted tiie advisability of a series cf lectures being given by referees to players who might care to attend them. He had seen a lack of knowledge of the rules displayed by certain players which lie thought might '.-0 corrected by .some such moans as lie had suggested. His idea was for two players to take a section of the rules and lecture on for half an hour, and answer questions for a quarter of an hour. A definite decision was d?forrod till next meeting.

Tiie following are (he appointments for matches to be, played on Saturday ; —•

Senior.—Atldctic v. Melrose, Bark No. 1, Air Beck; Wellington r. Old Boys, Park No. 2, Mr Laughton; Petone v. Oriental, Petone Ao. 1, -Mr Grant.

Juniors.—Wellington v. AthHdc. Miramar No. 1, Air O’Connell; Oriental v. Kia Ora, Butler’s No. 1, Air D. McKenzie ; Pcncko v. Wellington College, College No. 1, -Mr J. Robb. __ Third-class.—Alelroso v. Sout'teitn, Aliramar No. 2, Mr Weir; Old Boys v. Wellington, Aliramar No. 3, Air AV. Johnson ; Pctouo v. Oriental, Petone No 2, Air Lark. Fourth-class.—St. James t. Athletic, Aliramar No. 4, (to be apnoinlel later); Alelrose v. Old Boys, Aliramar No. 5, Air Craig; Wellington College v. PcCollege Ground No. 2. Mr G. Facho. PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, June 3. At a Rugby Union Executive meeting a letter was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Union stating that as the referee in th c Wellington-Otago match hud made no report to the Wellington Union, i'e AlcGnirk’s conduct, which led to Porteons striking him, the Wellington Union had not deemed it necessary to make an inquiry, neither did it intend doing so. Under tho circumstances the New Zealand Union declined to tak e any action. It was resolved unanimously “That the committee express disappointment that tho New Zealand Union failed to utilise the powers conferred upon it by its by-laws to hold an inquiry into tho matter of AlcGnirk’s alleged misconduct.” It was resolved to reply to the Kaikorni Club that while the Now Zealand Union had failed to hold an inquiry. the committee was unable to recognise that a failure of justice in McGuirk’s case constituted a valid reason for a remission of tho'suspension of Porteons.

A member of Southern second was suspended until the end of tho present season for striking a member of tho Union second, the latter being reprimanded for having made use of words taken by tho Southern player as a threat.