BRITISH MATCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18613, 8 July 1930, Page 12

BRITISH MATCH.

QUESTION OF GROUNDS. RUGBY UNION CRITICISED. At last night’s meeting of the Management Committee of the Rugby Union, a letter was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union, asking why the British match at Timaru had been played on the Caledonian Grounds, and not on the Union's own ground at Fraser Park. It had been stated also that a large number of members of the Caledonian Society had been admitted to the match free of charge. He was directed to ask the Union’s reasons for these decisions, and also the number of tickets issued to Caledonian Society members. Mr Harley said it was a pity the two officials of the New Zealr nd Union, who had . inspected the grounds, had “hopped off the wrong‘foot.” The Committee had discussed the matter fully, and given it careful consideration. Someone had been going behind the Committee’s back and giving information. The two members who had visited the grounds between trains had roundly condemned the decision to play the game’ on the Caledonian Grounds, and stated that Fraser Park was the only place for the match. Mr Harley further asked why they had not met members of the Committee and discussed the matter with them. Mr Fraser: “In my opinion that letter is quite uncalled for.” Mr Watson said it appeared that the New Zealand Union had been wrongly advised, and that steps should be taken to discover what was the source of their information. Mr Herdman also was of opinion that the deputation which had inspected the grounds had been misinformed as regards the Committee’s action. Pie had discussed the matter with them for nearly an hour, but had been unable to convince them. Mr Watson then said that if Mr Herdman had been able to talk with the deputation for an hour in Timaru, it should have been possible for several members to have been summoned, and a meeting held. Most of the Committee were on the telephone, and in his opinion, it was a reflection on the secretary that no meeting had been called.

The secretary (Mr J. V. McKeaguel outlined the work he had done on that particular afternoon, and stated that he had done his best for the Union. Pie had given up the greater part of the day to the matter. Mr Harley: “What right had these men to go ‘butcher’s hook?’ ” It was a matter about which they knew very little.

Mr Watson still contended that members of the Committee should have had the opportunity of meeting the visitors, and fighting their own battles. “The secretary is not the Union,” he concluded.

Mr Fairbrother: “You’re getting an opportunity now, aren’t you?” Mr Harley then moved that a committee be set up to draft a letter in reply to the New Zealand Union. This was agreed upon, and Messrs Hertnon, Watson, Herdman and Harley were constituted the committee.