RUGBY MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11248, 28 June 1922, Page 8

RUGBY MATTERS

THE BERHAMPORE AFFAIR ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. POSITION FULLY EXPLAINED. The usual weekly meeting of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union was held last night at the Union’s offices, with All* J. Prendeville in the chair. The other members j)resent were: —Messrs J. N. Millard, E. Perry, E. 11. Ward, W. J. Hardham, J. London, F. A. Laws, J. F. Jackson, A. E. Nielson (chairman of the Wellington Referees’ Association), 11. McLeod, and F. J. McComiskv (secretary). A JUDICIAL COMMITTEE. The correspondence was then read, after which the chairman moved that the letter from the Berhampove Club in regard to Mr Evenson be received, a cony of the .same to be sent to both Mr Lvenson and the Referees' Association. As lo the suggestion made by Berhampore Club that a special judicial committee be appointed, the chairman said he thought that matter should be allowed to stand over for further consideration. NO DEFAULT ALLOWED. The chairman, referring again to the Berhampore Club’s default last Saturday, said that according to the rules a senior club could not default. It was not allowed to' As to dealing with players who were guilty of offences, but who had not been officially reported by the referees for unfair and unsportsmanlike conduct, that matter also should be allowed to stand over for further discussion. THE WHOLE CLUB. , If, said the chairman, .the report as published in last .Saturday's papers was 1 correct, it would be proper to default ; the whole Berhampore Club. But, he continued, he had been in touch with i some of the chib’s officers, and he was quite satisfied that the default had practically been forced upon the club by the hasty and hot-headed action of only a few or the players. The default was decidedly a breach of Rugby rules, but the chairman felt that no good purpose would be served by pushing the matter further. He moved—" That no further action he taken in regard to the Berhampore Club's default." ‘ SUSPENDED. The committee was then asked to deal with the matter of a junior player, A. Fisher, who had been warned off the field on Saturday last by referee Martin. Fisher, being called in, gave his explanation of the incident described by Air Martin. After a full discussion of the matter, Fisher was suspended for four playing Saturdays. BERHAMPORE'S APOLOGY. At this point of the proceedings Air R. T. Bailey, vice-president of the Berhampore Club, was admitted. Mr Bailey explained that he came with an apology from the Berhampore Club, who felt that the committee were entitled to know exactly why their default had taken place. A few of, the players, he said, had felt aggidved at Alouatfs suspension not being removed, and their action had made it impossible for the club to get up a full team in time for the match. Tli© members now agreed that they had not done a wise or right thing in the interests of the club, anil they had lost two points by their action. Air Bailcv was thanked for his sportsmanlike interest. -The matter of a special cap and badge for school representatives was then moated, and it was agreed that prices should be obtained. REINSTATEMENT APPLICATION. Tho application of William Wilson fni reinstatement w-as then dealt with, tho committee recommending his case to the New Zealand Union for favourable con sidcration. THE TARANAKI AIATCH. It was then agreed that notice be given that any player selected for tins forthcoming match at Taranaki who might be unable to go must, notify the union secretary at once. INTER-ISLAND AIATCH. As to tho match to take place at Auckland on July Ist, the committee d© cided that players unable to attend must notify the union secretary by ’5 p.m. to day. # SUSPENSIONS FIXED. A letter from the Wellington Hockey Association wa» accepted acknowledging the union committee’* letter as to suspensions, and concurring in the proposed agreement, the following suspensions having been fixed for tli© current season : J. (?) Gaines, four Saturdays, terminating 24th instant, and F. J. Price (late treasurer of the Wellington Hockey Association) until such time as advised by that executive to tli© contrary. A SPECIAL MEETING. Tt was decided that a special meeting of the committee and the union officials should be held at No. 1 committee room of the Town Hall to-morrow evening at 7.30, to consider financial matters in connection with improvements needed at Athletic Park and other places.