RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 56

RUGBY.

ASSAULT ON REFEREE.

PLAYER DISQUALIFIED FOR LIFE

WELLINGTON, October 1.

“ To debar Roebuck for all time from holding any office in the Rugby organisation is merely an hysterical gesture,” is an extract from a letter received from the Tananaki Rugby Union at this evening’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union dealing with the latter body’s decision to disqualify for life Roebuck who struck the referee in a match played in Taranaki during the past season. The Taranaki Union considered that the New Zealand Union’s decision was too harsh, and pointed out that its own decision —disqualification for a period of five years—had not been made hurriedly, and also it had been made with a better knowledge of the facts. The punishment or ordering Roebuck off all Rugby grounds for life, the Taranaki Union considered to be no punishment at all, because in the Taranaki province at anyrate nearly all the grounds were public reserves.

There was little discussion on the letter, and the union decided to adhere to its previous decision.

BROADCASTING OF MATCHES.

A FINANCIAL LOSS. WELLINGTON, October 1.

From further letters received from Rugby unions on the subject of the radio broadcasting of matches, it would appear that the season’s experiment in allowing descriptions of matches to be broadcast has not been altogether a success from the point of view of the union’s finances.

Two letters, one from the Waikato Union and the other from the Auckland Union, were received on -the '&ibject at this evening’s meeting of the New Zealand Union. The Waikato letter “ protested against the broadcasting of Rugby matches," and mentioned that several letters had been received from affiliated sub-unions asking that action should be taken to prevent further broadcasting, as it was seriously affecting the finances of the unions and sub-unions. While admitting that the Auckland delegates had supported broadcasting generally at the annual conference, the letter from the Auckland Union stated that experience had proved that country football had been seriously affected thereby. It was suggested that instead of broadcasting running descriptions of games, an account could be dictated into a dictaphone and put over the air in the evening.

The chairman (Mr S. S. Dean) said he thought the question was one for discussion at the annual meeting, and also observed that he had been one of those most strongly opposed to broadcasting. It was generally thought that the opinions of all the affiliated unions should be sought, more particularly with regard to what further action was to be taken. A motion to this effect was carried, and the whole question will be discussed at next annual meeting of the New Zealand Union.