GENERAL GOSSIP.

NZ Truth, Issue 471, 27 June 1914, Page 11

GENERAL GOSSIP.

A ' correspondent, "New town," writes expressing the view that the city referee unduly favor Athletic. In the course of his remarks,- he, says:— "lt seems to roel a remarkable 'thiiig that ' every time the Athletic team crosses., their opponent's Jine; thq referees invariably award them a 'try. Now, m the'AthletiCTPetone match,, the first, try ded to Athletic was to my mind ridicu-V lous., W. Ryan tried to cross Petono's line, was held ;up for at least 20 sec- ' onds, and then both forward teams went oyer m a| heap, the Teferfee .came up. and awarded Ryan a try. I think the- majority pr the' spectators < will : agree with, ine that, Petone should have; been awarded 'a free kick for Ryan holding the: ba^l. If. they g-ive tries' to Athletic m this manner,' why riot ■ treat both teams alike? Petone crossed' Athletics line on at least three occastions, but the referee • did not hesitate to rule a fdrce44own. Not only m this game, but on j maiiy • other, occasions have we seen :the samo .thing done." "All Black 1 ' thinks -that m , the match; m questiori, Mr. Ki tip; proved' a very impartial referee.' "In 'reference to W ; Ryan's try,. there is^aiyays an'elemenfcf of doubt. and generally' much' dlssatisfaction" at tries obtained from scrambles on the-line. When! the referee disentangled the heap Ryan was found to be the bottom dog- witii t"he bail ln'hls ; possession. ' "Newtown's" • assertion that Petone went over their 9pponent's llne^at^ least three - times- -andi forces were given against them, , is one ..that is dbubt. Aa far' q*- this scribe cpuld see, Pettiiie only. went over once, and'-inji/^oingf^- took away the .flag — touclt'-Jri-goarv being the verdict A hint , to the WIR.F.U.— Why not extend the stand'roundVall sides^ of the .ground and mak*e an. even charge of i/- for all' games?' The initlkl; expensQ might be heavy but the publip would appreciate the change and w6uld roll up In great numbers, wet or • fine. The suggestion is ono- that jn.ight_be considered. "All Black" very rospectf uily calls the, attention of the Management Committee of tho New Zealand Rugby; Union to the fact" that when any-, thing edlld is going, In the way of advertisements, "Truth" is very carofully left out m tho cold. On tho faco of it this seems hardly fair, as, all along the line, it has catered for New Zealand's national winter game, and, prior to the Inauguration of tho 1914 season, it expressed Its intention of continuing its support, despite tho fact that a serious rival was m the field. Perhaps this gentle reminder! will, m the meantime, bo sufficient. The return inter-State football ! match. between Now South Wales and | Queensland, played at Sydney on Saturday last, resulted after a close thing m a victory for the latter by 16 to 14. Tho curtain-raiser to the inter- \ Island fixture between St. Pat's Col- | lege first fifteen and University"B third ! grade team ended m a draw — -3 points j each. Kolly and Harvoy scorod tor ! their respective sides.