THE ALGAR INCIDENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11302, 30 August 1922, Page 8

THE ALGAR INCIDENT

d « i- PLAYER BEFORE UNION e ( PLEADS PROVOCATION AN© IS CAUTIONED, r __ t B. Algar, the Poneke centre three-quax* 1 ter, who was ordered, off the field by the - referee, Mr H. Leith, in the play-off be- - tween Poneke and Petone for the tooti ball laurels for 1922, came up before the management committee of the Welling- . ton Rugby Union last evening, t The report of the referee was that AJgar had been seen to kick M. Corner, of the Petone team, after the latter had made a relieving kick to the Hne.^ This having been received, Algor s ex» plantation was taken _ and the matter considered in committee after Mr Leith and Algar had retired. ''TACKLED ILLEGALLY.” Algar stated that he had been tackled, . as he considered, in an illegal manner i after getting in his kick, had had; some - objectionable language used towards him . whilst he lay on the ground and had lost his temper. The referee had simply done his duty in ordering him off. , Both men having retired, the meet. - ing considered the matter at length. At the close of the discussion is was decidi ed to administer a severe caution to the man. "We must nip this sort of thing m the bud,” said Mr J. Prendeville, chairman . of the oommittee, in administering the y caution to Algar. "We look at it this a way—os an old international player, an old representative player, and also as captin of your team, it is more incum--3 bent upon you to keep control of your >, temper than upon any other player. "A SEVERE PUNISHMENT.” 0 "We recognise that you having received a severe punishment in the publicity which has been given the incident and also in being ordered off before one of the biggest attendances that has assembl--9 ed this season. The incident is re- - gretted, and we haVe considered your a plea of provocation and consider that you have had some justification for it. Your account and that of the referee fit in together, and we have given consideration to the frank manner in which you have acted in the matter, and decided a to go no further than to administer a I - severe reprimand.” 3- "Thank you, gentlemen," said Algar as he turned to go out added; *'l must congratulate Mr Leith on the fact that t. h* (his* dntrv.**