OTAGO REFEREES' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14499, 16 April 1909, Page 8

OTAGO REFEREES' ASSOCIATION.

: The following report will be pr?s,Miled 'a!, the annual meeting of the (Ita.go Referees' Association:— i The season cf 1903 lias been a most successful one. The members loyally sup- . ported (he committee and made their term cf office a. pleasant one. Membership.—The membership for (lie season was 66, (he largest since the inception of the association; consequently mem- • hers wore not compelled to referee every Saturday. This is what, the association has d«ired for sonic time, for the younger members havo thus an opportunity of seeing senior matches, and probably gaining some experience in referccing from the older members. Flag and Country -Matches.—Referees were appointed for 286 matches, including 46 school m,itches. Members also ollicialed ; ill matches during country week, and at Shag Point, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, and Iho seven-aside tournaments at Lawrencc . and Roxburgh. International Matches.—Your association vva* honoured 1 by the appointment of Mr J. Duncan as- referee in the matc-li with ■till British U.am and New Zealand, played at Dunodin, and also the British team v. Southland, at Invereargill. J n both these matches Mr Duncan carried out bis duties m a very caiiabh manner. 11lW. d, Wilson also officialod vory satisfactorily in the British-South Canterbury match. i Inlerprovincial Matches.—Messrs W. J. j Wilson, 11. M'Farlanc, W. Ross, 11. White, ■ and J. Williams acted in various matches J during (he icasin. Mr Wdhams had (he lonour conferred upon him of heine selected as referee in the t.wo Ranfurly Shield matches played at Auckland—viz., i Auckland-Wellington and Auckland-Tara- , naki. I Fortnightly Meetings—Those meetings were continued as in past years, and wero exceedingly well attended. We feel sure that members received some benefit from these meetings, and trust, that tlio attendance will be satisfactory during the incoming season. Oligo Kill: by Football Union.—The thanks of the association are due lo this body lor financial assistance; £6i i2s <lr; was received during the year. Whilst such good feeling exists between the two liodlc.i the succvss of your association is assured. During (lie year n, committee from our association met a ,-rb-commitlee from the O.R F.li for the purpose of dkeussiii'* certain alterations in Ihc laws of the game as requested by tho New Zealand Rngbv Union, and wo feci sure that had some of the suggested alterations been carried out a vast improvement would have taken place in the game. Valedictory.—During the hitter part of •the seas>n Mr J. Williams received an appointment at <».ue:i'-nid as den.dv superintendent of their local Fiic Brigade lour association iegrets having (hus° lost a very valuable member, and one whose [dace will be very hard to fill. Prior to his departure your committee, on behalf of the association, met. and presented him with a sih jr-mouure-.l inkstand as a mark of appreciation and token r.f esterm in which lie was held by members. The players are again lo l:o eongrahl- - upon the :ii;.nncr in which Ihc various games were played The referees' duties '.vote consequently .ery pleasing to ibeill