HOCKEY DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21982, 17 June 1933, Page 19

HOCKEY DISPUTE

WELLINGTON TEAM DEFAULTS OBJECTION TO REFEREE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 16. The default of the Wellington Senior men’s A hockey team (last year’s champions) to Hutt on Saturday was, discussed by tne Management Committee of the Association last, night in committee. Mr Browne, who presided, stated after the meeting that it was stated on behalf of Wellington that the default was due to the captain’s objection to the appointment of R. P. Staples as one of the referees, not on personal grounds, but because it was felt that the team did not get a fast, open, enjoyable game under his rulings. The meeting was unanimous that the Wellington team’s action was wrong, but on the question whether there had been misconduct within the definition of the -.rules there was ia division of opinion as such a case was not specifically provided for. On a vote it was decided by a very narrow margin that there had been misconduct, but as the rules did not cover such cases no guide was available as to the penalty. Finally it was decided that the Wellington team should be instructed to tender an apology covering the situation to the Management Committee of the Wellington Association, which would forward it to the Management Committee of the Referees’ Association, and on to Mr Staples. It was agreed that the default should stand.