HOCKEY DISPUTE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 499, 22 July 1932, Page 3

HOCKEY DISPUTE

I i INCIDENTS AT PORIRUA j INQUiRY BY ASSOCIATION Press •Association.—Copyright. WELLINGTON, Thursday. Recent incidents at a women’s hockey match at Porirua were discussed at a meeting of the management commit, tee oi: the Wellington Ladies’ Hockey Association tonight. Besides several members icf both teams, prominent ! Maori residents of the Porirua district were present. After the report of the referee, Mr. G. F. Armes, had been read and evidence heard the committee arrived at rile following finding: “That from the evidence given there was no rough play or unseemly iconduct on the part cf the players as mentioned in the Press reports oi the match, the incident having beer grossly exaggerated. The match was not properly under control by the referee. By the referee approaching the Tda captain and asking her to delay the starting of the match til! the Hospital team was ready Ire showed partiality. He states that the play wag rough with undercutting cf sticks, etc., but he did not penalise the offenders. He referred to the Hospital team as ‘our players’ in his evidence tonight, which showed bias The referee states that he stopped the play and explained the rules This constituted coaching of both teams and is not allowed. In fairness to the referee we might say that the influence of the spectators, apparently was the cause of the indifferent refereeing.” The referee wrote regretting hav iug to report upon “the disgraceful attitude and open hostility displayed by supporters of the Tea Club.” H> referred to one of the players being 'n’t. He had cautvned both players in the incident. Evidently Tea, supporters were determined to show disapproval that he should be refereeing the game. He stepped the game throe times to caution the players and explain the rules. Miss Leiteh. captain of the Hospital team, told the committee that the game was very rough and the referee had frequently to blow the whistle. Miss Katene, captain of the Toa team, said the game was delayed for tlxrfee-quarterg of an hour at the request icf the referee. The referee did not. control the game well. Ho allowed infringements by the Hospital players to go without penalty. Other evidence was given of hostility shown by spectators. After the witnesses bad withdrawn Mrs. Poulter said that the management committee must take a. certain amount of blame for having allowed a coach to act as referee in a match in which his own team was playing. It was very difficult, however, as many referees were coaches. It was decided that the match should be replayed Inter in the .seasou.