FOOTBALL.

Otaki Mail, 16 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

j The fixtures for to-morrow should j I prove very interesting, and the senior | j clash between Old Boys and Manakau j i should alone ckraw tho sports of the | j district. Tho match should be an ev- ' only-contested one and good x ,lav ( should be witnessed from start to fin- ; ish. The junior matches are also wor- ' thv of patronage, and the two local J rivals—Old Boys and Otaki —will meet in earnest. Both sides will be well reI presented and a ding-dong game should j result. Tho Kuku-Te Horo match and I the Faraparaumu-Hui Mai game should also draw crowds. It has been decided that the North v. [. youth junior rep. match be played at I Otaki on June 24. j Mrs Sotheran has generously given '■ fi\ Is towards the Old Boys' Club's ! funds. SATURDAY'S TEAMS. Otaki Juniors: Meta, Ferguson, Bailey, Uiblin, Tuna, Kobinsou (2), i\ewlaiid, Coleman, lama, Batten, Jacob, Hubritzky, Kutta. Kaukawa. Emergencies: Debrecony and Nilssou. To Horo (juniors): B. Wells,. W. Puti, Kehu, H. Wilson, Fist, P. Thomas, P. Wells, Mack, W. Farseu, G. Edginton, S. Marino, D. Uagan, F. Best, D. Morgan, T. Harvey. Te Horo (3rd grade): G. Bernhard, hi. Tait. B. Windley, N. Windloy, J. Piki, A. Day, V. Cottle, W. Marino, F. Morgan, K. Kopata. P. Guy, C. Gawler, W. fielding, W. Faith. W. Watts. Old Boys (seniors): Clark. Udy, Puna, M. Ahipene, Jacob, Hapi, J. Hakaraia, Rhodes, Kehu, Webby, Taksrei, Gobo, Hnydon. Mahi, 11. Aheru, O'Kourkc. I Old Boys (juniors): Flutey, Pohio, j Honia, Grey, Winterburn, Fmoka, Beahy, King, Mclntyrc, Bowden. C. Enokti, Giddeus, D'Ath (2), Ferguson. Emergencies, Kuiistieid, Utiku, King, Winterburn. j ASSAULTING A .REEERBE. SHANNON FOOTBALL INCIDENT. I'LAYEHS EINED £lO AND I'D. 'liie ease arising out of the assault cut j.. li. Claridge, the releree in the jl'lhJjuU mulch, Levin Hovers v. Shannu Juniors at Shannon on Saturday, Mav M, was heard ui the Magistrate's Court hi Levin yesterday. The attention that the tnatxer lias attracted naturally centred mute than usual interest in the cast-, and the Courthouse was cixwded to hear tiie proceedings. Mr J. L. Stent, S.M., was on the bench, Senior-Sergeant Eraser prosecuted lor the police, Mr G. I. Macgregor appeared for defendants, and Mr K. E. Adams watched the proceedings on behali of the Horowhenua j Bugby Union. \ TUB CHARGES, j l'he iniormuuons luiu were as lul tiugu McDonald with (I; Assaulting Cdgar riereioru Ciartuge by striking nun u biuvv un the race, allU (~J using indecent language in a public place, . me snuiinun iootbah ground. The charges against Lionel Buckman were. 1; Assaulting Edgar Hei'etoiu Ciaridge bj striking mm on the face; ;-) iudeceni language; and (3) eouuseiimg tne commission ol an offence, 'to wit, he did counsel Hugh McDonald tu assault F. 11. Claridge. Charles Voting was charged wiin I assaulting E. it. Claridge by striking luiu on the lac*. ; To the flrst charge (alleged assault) t Hugh MsDonald pleaded not guilty, and guilty tu the use of indecent language. Lionel Buckman pleaded guilty to assauit. Senior-Sergeant Fraser ached leave to withdraw the charge of indpeem language against Buckman, which was I granted. To the third charge, that of inching to the commission of an offence, Buckman pleaded not guilty. The other defendant, Charles Young, entered a plea oi not guilty of assault. It. was decided that all the cases be taken together. Senior-Sergeant Fraser briefly outlined the charges. A Levin team visited Shannon, and during the game bad language was used, and a Shannon player was ordered olf. At that another Shannon player caller out to him to come back and strike the referee, even if he had to do six months lor it. The referee had his jaw broken on both sides, and had to be treated in the Palmerston Hsspital. THE REFEREE'S STORY. Edgar Hereford Claridge. the referee in the match, said on May 20 he went to Shannon with the Rover* football team. He was coach to the team. On getting to Shannon they round the referee appointed had not turned up, and after a conversation Buckman, the Shannon captain, approached witness and asked him to referee. As the game went on he had occasion to caution some of thj? Shannon players for bad language. He ordered McDonald oft* the field for had language. Witness heard someone say. "Don't go off, go back and crack him." McDonald came hack, but witness could not say if McDonald was one of those who assaulted lypi. Several hit him, but he did not kntfcv who they were. His jaw was broken in two places, two teeth knocked out, and his braces torn off. He was dazed by the assault. He eventually went on with the.', game. After the game I McDonald came along and wanted to fight. Witness went on with his friends and left him. Witness had to be treated in the Palmerston Hospital i for a week. He did not, know who ' : it was that told McDonald to hit wit- ■ ness. . ' I Cross-examined by Mr "lacgregor, witness said he was a member of ifte ' Referees' Association, and had rc-fer-eed in several matches th> season. Mr Macgregor: Did you have any ■ pioney on the game?— No, 1 did riot.

i. .The Magistrate: 1 am hot trying the! referee, Mr Macgregor, but the ehargee I of assault and bad language. 1 Mr Maegregor: Did you caution any, player in the spell lor bad language? I —Yes, it, was a Buckman, but not the ! captain. Counsel: After you were assaulted did you speak to any of the Union offi-cials?-—No; but they may have been there. Counsel: When you were hit did you have your whistle in your mouth? —No, I always cany it. on my wrist. Counsel: It is suggested you had it in your mouth, and it was the cause of your teeth being broken.—That is not so. "GIVE HIM SOMETHING." Carl Frechtling, a member of the Rovers' team, said an argument arose from the referee awarding a free kick against Shannon. McDonald then called the referee a foul name, and the referee replied, "That's enough; you get off." Lionel Buckman called McDonald back and said, "Give him something to go off for, even if it costs you six months " The crowd gathered round fhen. Then someone on the line called out, "Go on, give him something, hit him." McDonald then struck Claridge in the face. McDojiakl hopped back afteti striking. Lionel Buckman then struck Hie referee with hi* open hand. Young also shaped up to the referee, but witness dd not see him strke. The disturbance continued for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. Later Claridge blew his whistle and the' game was playe dto a finish. Claridge's mouth was bleeding. From what he saw witness thought McDonald struck the heaviest blow. Counsel: Are you prepared to say ; that McDonald was tlfa first to hit the referee? —Y'es. , How long was it between McDonald ' being ordered off and the assault?— About three minutes, | There had been a lot of trouble j about the referee's decisions right; along?—The right referee did not turn ; up, and Mr Claridge was asked to re- 1 | feree. \ His Worship: It does not matter who | referees. If the prayers do not -iceept i the decisions like sportsmen they sbottld give up the game. Counsel: Did yon see the referee hit, anyone?—No; hut one of our own players was hit by someone. PLAYERS' IiVJUIiNOE. i Cornelius Kelieher, another member of tfhc Hovers, gave corrooorative evidence and stated he saw both McDohaid and Buckman strike Claridge. CrossfCXamiuejd, witness said he ' was certain that McDonald .-.truck Claridge. There was no play between ; the time McDonald was ordered off and the releree being hit. There was a lot of talk and argument. j Counsel: Did you see the referee hit .McDonald.—No, but he put his arms around McDonald. .James Daly, who went with the P.overs to Shannon on May M, said as McDonald was going off alter being told to do so by the referee, someone called out for him to come back and hit the referee. He did not know whs it was who culled out. McDonald came back and alter arguing with the referee struck him on the jaw. Witness only saw one blow struck, lie sav\ Lionel Buckman and Young strike the j-eferee. The spectators swarmed on io the ground and crowded round the players. He saw the referee sting- ! gling on the ground with a Shannon 'player. He did not know who the player was. When the releree got up he was bleeding at the mouth and his jaw was swollen. To the police, witness said he was certain McDonald, Buckman and Yo- | ung struck the referee. Cross-examined: Witness said McDonald was the first to strike. "DON'T INTERFERE." Vietor Redfern, another of the Rovers, gave supporting evidence as to McDonald striking the releree first and Buckman and Young did likewise i after that. "1 went to stop the fight," said witness, "and they struck fine." Witness was struck se-veral times. He heard someone say: "Don't interfere." He taw the referee struggling oh the ground and when he got up he was bleeding at. the mouth. Mr Macgregor: After McDonald struck the referee, what happened'.'— The referee ordered « tnan off. Counsel: what was the nest?— There was a dispute between Buckman and th,e referee. Counsel: And Buckman hit him?— Yes. Counsel: What was the start »t Young and the referee havimg a "go"? —I don't knor.-; 1 saw thewi standing close together and the referee g* down. WITNESSES OF THE ASSAULTS. Lawrence Williamson, of the Rovers, gave corroborative evidence ef the principal incidents Witness saw McDonald come buck after being ordered off and strike the referee. Buckman was the next to strike the referee, and Young then stepped in and struck Clariflge and both fell to the ground. When Claridge got up his jaw was swollen, his mouth was bleeding and his braces broken. Cross-examined: He saw the three Shannon men strike the leferee. He was certain it was Young who fen to the ground with the referee. Arthur Channings, the next witness, said he remembered McDonald being ordered off in the Rovers-Shannon match. Someone called out to him to come hack and give the referee something to remexiber. Senior-Sergeant Fraser. Who was it who called out?—l can't swear who Jit Was. Senior-Sergearif Fraser: But you have an idea?—^s. Mr Macgregor: I object to the question. The witness says he cannot swear. His Worship: Well, he can answer. Witness: I think it- was 1 ionel Buckman who called out. Mr Macgregor said there seemed to ■ as to the identity of th« : Shannon players concerned. His Worship: There is ho doubt so far. Mr Macgregor *aid there might be before .the ease •was apncluded. He

said McDonald was ordered off end u dispute ai-oae between Buckman and the referee, and the referee used an obscene term, and Young asked the referee "What about ordering yourself off?" His Worship asked why this evidence had not been called. THE DEFENCE. Lionel Buckman, captain of the Shannon team, stated that Mr Reeves, the referee appointed, did not arrive, and Mr Claridge was asked to officiate. Before halt time witness told the referee he did not. agree with some of his rulings, tn the second half McDonald was ordered off, and the game went on. The referee penalised witness lor oil-side play and called him a "dirty thing." Young asked Claridge, "What about oi deling yourself off for obscene language?" Claridge stepped towards : Young and struck him. The next witness saw was the two men on the ground with Claridge on top. Claridge got up and the game went on Witness asked il McDonald could come back, and the referee said no. he denied calling out to McDonald to come back vn the J ground. The referee asked who was using bad language, and witness said ) lie did nut. know. Senior-Sergeant. Fraser* What, happened altar McDonald. w r as ordered off —did you go on? —Yes. You heard what the other witnesses said; are they right or wrong?— Wrong. Who called out to McDonald to come back?—l don't know; it was not me. Did he come back?—No; not till alter I smacked the referee. You smacked the referee for using this language?—Yes. And what caused ttie referee to hit Young?—l-'or asking him to put himself Off. "ORDER YOURSELF OFF." Henry Charles Young, of Shannon, gave evidence that- lie saw the referee speak to McDonald, and the latter go off. Witness did not think McDonald came back. Witness heard the referee use bad language to Buckman. Buckman hit the releree, and witness said to Claridge "Releree, what about ordering yourself off for obscene language." Claridge replied: -'Close your nap or I'll give you a smack." Claridge walked towards witness and hit twice, blackening one eye and cutting the other. Witness felt, himself tailing and he grabbed Claridge and they tell together. He may have hit Claridge in falling. The game went, on then. Crossrexamined by Senior-Sergeant Eraser, witness said he ran a boxing saloon, but> had never knocked a man out in his life. He did not know what McDonald was ordered off for. The game went on while McDonald was going off, but stopped just after. Senior-Sergeant Eraser: Who struck the referee first?—Buckman. Did you get any bumps that day?— No. Any black eyes?—No. Do you know who called to McDonald to come back?—No. Where was McDonald?—l don't know. "MISTAKEN IDENTITY." Hugh McDonald gave evidence that when ordered off lie went over to the Adeline. Alter being oft u quarter ol an hour he went back. He went ' back of bis own free will. No one j called nun back, lie was on the line when the light, took place, lie did not hit the referee. The trouble was over and the game started when he went back. You were ordered off for bad language?—l did not hear any. Did you come back;—No, 1 went lo the line. Do you know what happened after your being ordered off.' —No. Do you expect the Ceurt to believe that?—Yes. Then jsou don't knaw any tiling of the assaults on the referee.'—No. What have you got to say to all the witnesses who say you were the; ✓flrst to strike tho referee?—lt is a case of mistaken identity. Hat-e you ever heard the referee use bad language?—No. A SPECTATOR'* VERSION. Arthur Grnustone, a spectator of tho Rovers-Shannon game, stated he knew McDonald was ordered olf. He next saw Young and the releree approach each other, and the referee hit Young cm the. lace. The releree missed the next blow, and Young struck him. They closed and fell on the ground. Witness went over as the men gc< up, and there was no more trouble. He did not see McDonald hit the referee. McDonald went back after the assault and continued to play. Questioned by the Senior-Sergeant, witness said tie drd nat know why McDonald was ordered eff. It would b. 3 about five minutes alter McDonald left Thai thf assault t»ok place. McDonald was with witness on the line when Young started to. mix things with the referee. Witness only saw Young hit the releree once, John H«!den. a member of the Shannon Juniors, said after McDonald was ordered off, the teferee called Bucrjinan a foul name for dumptog a man. and Buckman hit hkn. The referee then hit Young for calling him a name, and Young retaliated Under cross-examination, witness said there was five minutes' play between McDonald going off and the assault. The referee used indecent language to both Buckman and Ypung, Senior-Sergeant. How is it Young did not hear it?—l don't knw, Harold Hardy, a spectator, gave evidence that, after McDonald went off the scuffle started on the fieldWitness was not within hearing- distance theft, but. saw L. Buckman hit the referee with his open hand. The referee struck at someone, but witness 'did not see who he hit at. The referee then came out with Young. under his arm, trying to c/Wv. him a hiding. He folding Young with one arm and hitting him with the />ther. W'itness w.as on the sideline

when the reigrfg >yks struck.' 5. A WITNESS REBUKED. « Henry Robinson, a mernDsr-. pi Ihe Shannon team, said he saw Buckman i liit the rcieree, and the referee hit Young. ' ' Senior-Sergeant Fraser: Where was McDonald when the assault was going on? —On the line. ! Senior-Sergeant: How do you Know? ! —I was watching him. j Senior-Sergeant: How do you know about the assault them? —I was watch- ' ing both. t His Worship: I don't believe a word ' you say. II you say you were watoh- j ing McDonald all the time, that taints the .whole of your evidence. REFEREE RECALLED. Mr Claridge was recalled at the instance ui his Worship, and said lie | knew nothing of Buckman dumping i a man, nor did he call Buckman a certain name lor doing so. He never heard Young say: "Order yourself off for obscene language." Witness was dazed, but was certain he did not use bad language. He may have hit some- ' one after he was dazed, but he did | not know. / ! To Senior-Sergeant Fraser, witness i denied calling Buckman by a foul name. He had never used bad ian-1 guage on a football held. CONVICTED OF ASSAULT. In giving judgment, his Worship j said whether the suggestion was made to McDonald or not to come back and strik.e the <referee, he was satistied McDonald came back and hit the reterue. The evidence given by the . police witnesses appeared lar more i probable than that given by the j other side. All the witnesses spoke j ol Buckman having struck the re- | feree with his open hand. This was \ not likely to be the blow that did the real damage, and his Worship did nut think it was. Nor did he think j it was Young's blow. He thought I that it was McDonald who had so seriously injured the referee when he struck him. There was no doubt the j referee was first assaulted by McDonaid, and later by Buckman and Young. As lar as Young was concerned, it was inconceivable that lie had received a black eye and had the other cut before he struck at the referee. It seemed a pity that in a game of football players could not take the decisions of the referee in the right spirit, and if they had a grievance to appeal to the Union afterwards, instead of taking matters into their own hands and eommitting an assault. In McDonald's case there had been an assault. It was a class of offence that if a man had a previous convtiction He was liable to imprisonment. McDonald would be convicted and fined £.lO, half the tine to go lo Mr Claridge. On the charge of indecent language the defendant would be convicted and discharged. Buckman and Young were both convicted of assault and fined £5 each, the charge of counselling an offence against Buckman being dismissed. The costs in each caae were £1 14/4, with 7/ each Court expenses.