“WE MADE A MISTAKE"

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12456, 26 May 1926, Page 10

“WE MADE A MISTAKE"

RUGBY POSTPONEMENTS DISCUSSION AT LOCAL COMMITTEE. The management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union are convinced that they made a mistake in postponing last Saturday’s matches. But it must be also pointed out that they are not weather prophets, and when at 1.30 p.m. the decision of the postponement committee, which met at 11.30 was reversed, the rain was coming down in bucketfuls. The chairman, Mr J. Prendeville, said that the decision of the postponement committee to play was made at 11.30 a.m., but a few minutes to one o’clock he received a ring from Mr Millard saying that the position had changed, and that the games ought to be postponed. It was teeming at that time. Messrs Griffiths and Murphy both concurred with Mr Millard and later on Mr Griffiths was communicated with, and he too was agreeable to a postponement. Soon after the decision was made, however, tho weather cleared, and many ignorant of the new decision made their way to the grounds. He felt that a mistake had been made, and he thought that in future they should adhere to the decision made two years ago; that the judgment of the postponement committee be not reversed unless by the referee. Mr Millard said that they would be in difficulty if they money at the gate, Mr H. D. Morgan; We could give them passes. Mr A. Griffiths said that iu a match between Taranaki and Wellington some years ago it was decided during the game to call the match off, and the crowd made a demonstration. Mr Millard: As things turned out we were wrong, but at the time of % the decision there seemed to be no likelihood of a break. As a member of the grounds committee 1 am glad the games were put off. Mr Prendeville: I am afraid we will not be able to postpone the senior matches again tins year. Mr Morgan: What will you do if it is just as wet as Saturday. Mr Prendeville: Play them. The only practical way is to make a decision at 11 o’clock and abide by it. Major T. King said that the spectators saw the notice to play at 12 o’clock, and made their arrangements accordingly. Mr Griffiths: Tho players are the first consideration. It was decided to adhere to the decision of two years ago. Tho committee Jater in the evening decided that tiie senior B games played were to stand. The Johnsonville v. Athletic is to be played on June 3rd if the game can be arranged. Mr Millard moved that all junior matches in which objections arc mads be replayed. Mr Griffiths moved that all matt lies be struck out. but the amendment lapsed through the want of a seconder, and the motion was carried.