ROY REFEREES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16782, 11 July 1922, Page 4

ROY REFEREES.

UNION COMMITTEE ENTERTAINED. At a social gathering held last night the Canterbury Referees’ Association entertained the members of the Rugby Union Committee. Air J. F. Peake presided over an attendance of about sixty, and matters regarding the control of Rugby were discussed over a toast list interspersed with an enjoyable musical programme. “ The Canterbury Rugby Union was in the place of honour on the toast list. In proposing the toast the chairman welcomed the members of the Management Committee and referred to the kindly feeling which existed between the union and the Referees’ Association. For the sake of football it was necessary that they should have a good governing body, and he thought they had. The committee had the confidence not only of the players, hut also of the public. Mr Peake said that in his experience, extending over seventeen years, he could not recall one occasion on which there had been a hitch between the two bodies. In Mr Wilson, as their president, the Rugby Union had the right man in the right place. He thanked the union for the manner in which they had treated the Referees' Association.

The toast was coupled with the name of Mr S. F. "Wilson, president of the Rugby Union, who thanked the association for their hospitality. He thought the function was unique—he had never heard of referees holding a function of the kind and inviting the Rugby Union. They were all out for clean sport, and much depended on the referee. In thik connection lie was of opinion {hat they had a standard in Canterbury which was as high as anywhere in New Zealand. The executive did what they could to satisfy referees, but it was a difficult task. They had about 3000 players and eighty referees to satisfy. The sentiments expressed by Mr Peake were very much appreciated, and in reply to the praise accorded him personally Air Wilson paid a tribute to the work of the Management Committee. Responses were also made bv Messrs M’Phail, C. S. M’Cully. A. Duggan, R. W. Britton, George Pavne, R. W. Beatty. Dr Seed and Mr J~A. M’Gillivrav (the secretary). The toast of “ The Canterbury Referees’ Association ’ ’ was proposed by Mr A. M’Phail, who said he thought that the public were under o great debt of gratitude to the referees for the way they had turned out. He referred to the solendid exhibition of refereeing last Saturday by Mr Peake. FTe knew that whatever mistakes they made the referees were out to give afair deal, and he thanked them on behalf of the Rugby Union for their efforts. The names of the Rev W. B. Scott and Mr H. M’lntosh were coupled with the toast. Speaking on behalf of the referees, the Rev W. B. Scott said there wsrs a spirit of comradeship between the union and the referees in Canterbury which he had not experienced in any other districts. He wished, how'ever, that the public would get an idea of what a referee’s job really was, for they had to make many sacrifices.

Mr M’lntosh also responded. “Old Time Referees” was proposed by Air W. B. Fuller, who referred with satisfaction to the fact that referees of former days were still displaying an interest in the affairs of the association.

Messrs W. Hiddleston and W. Harman responded. Air Hiddleston attributed the success of the association to the fact that they recognised the Rugby Union was the supreme body. In the course of his reply Air Harman expressed the belief that there was a certain amount of “knocking out” which should be stopped. Air G. I>. Dennisou proposed “The Competitions Committee.” He said he thought the members had carried out their duties very well, and had catered for the public by putting on the best games at the oval. In replying, Air George Payne gave an idea of the work of the committee by stating that they had about 151 teams to control. Other toasts honoured were “The Ladies ” (proposed by Air J. Mercer and responded to by Mr C. S. Af’Oully); ” The Entertainers,” proposed by Air D. Friedlander and responded to by Air O B. Kay) ; and “ The Press,” proposed by Air B. Harrison. During the evening notice was received from the Wellington Referees’ Association accepting the challenge to a football match against the Canterbury Association, to be played in AVollington on a date to lie fixed. The following contributed to the musical programme:—Messrs A. E. Romerill, Cooper, Rennell, Hannobell, MD. A incent. R. Vagg, Gillespie, Jack Trent, Saunders and Roberts.