NEW ZEALAND REFEREES' ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9513, 10 April 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND REFEREES' ASSOCIATION.

; ANNUAL CONFERENCE. [Per Press Association,] NEW PLYMOUTH, April 10. The annual conference of the N»w Zealand Referees' Association, opened last night, Mt C. H. Oram being in the chair. > It; was resolved that affiliated Associations should be recommended to in--Btruc^^ga^nieinber^nflW^T6fGrG^iii ,

corned agreed to pay expenses on the seal© mentioned in the annual report. It was resolved that the nest conference should be held in Wellington. It was decided that — "If any part of a player running with the ball swings into touch or touch in goal, such player shall be considered in touch or touch in goal." "If an attacking player carries the ball across his opponents' goalline and simultaneously with his placing the ball on the 'ground an opponent places his hand on the ball, a scrum five yards out shall be awarded," > It was moved that if a player with the ball runs back over his own goalline with the intention of going back into the field of play, but before doing so is forced by opponents to make the ball dead, a touch down should be awarded. It was decided to 6tate a. case such as that referred to, in the motion to the Appeal Council for a ruling, and in the meantime to act in accordance with the motion. It was decided that " when any part of the original formation of a scrum still remains, consisting of at least one player on either side, only such part shall be considered as the scrummage." It was decided to recommend local Associations to consider the question of taking steps to afford players an opportunity of discussing the , laws of the game with ..referees so as to familiarise players with the present interpretation of the rules. It was resolved to urge' affiliated As6Kjciations to use every effort to secure the insertion- of by-laws in Rugby Unions' competition rules providing that the appointment of referees for inter-club competition matches should be left solely to the local Referees' Association. Referees were urged to pay particular regard to the enforcement of Sections B, C.and D of Law 11, concerning penalties for failing to drop the ball when held, for failing to rise from the ground when tackled with the ball and for preventing an opponent getting up or dropping the ball. Officers were elected as follows : — Patron, his Excellency the Governor; president, Mr R. M. Isaacs; vice-presi-dents, Messrs A. Cainpbell (Auckland), G. Griffiths (Taranaki), H: Powdrell (South Taranaki), G. R. Simpson (Warigamii), A. H. Gibbons (Manawatu), James M'lntyre (Horowhenua), F. A. Laws (Wellington), E. M'Kenzie (Wairarapa), W. Siiell (Dannevirke), R. Henderson ' (Hastings), . G. Proctor (Hawke's Bay), H. Nalder (Nelson), J. O'Leary (South Canterbury) and H. I M'Farlane (Otago); honorary secretary and treasurer, IVJr J. M.Robb;. management committee, Messrs F. A. Hemplefuan, J. H. A. Laughton, H. Card, G. B. Lusk and J. Siever; honorary auditor, Mr C. H. Manson. The 'executive was instructed to reprise the by-laws and report. .' '" ' . . t