PRESIDENT OF REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION TO RETIRE NEXT SEASON.

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 October 1949, Page 2

PRESIDENT OF REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION TO RETIRE NEXT SEASON.

President of the Rangitikei Rugby Referees’ Association for the past 14 years, Mr. Guy Thomson, told the assemblage at the referees’ dinner on Saturday night that he would not be seeking re-election next season. As the new president would be the association's delegate on the management committee of the Rangitikei Rugby Sub-Union, he would likewise not be attending any further Union meetings in an official capacity. Mr. Thomson has been connected with the administration and control of Rugby in the Rangitikei district for 31 years. For a long period he was an active referee and when age took its toll he devoted his time to the Referees’ Association, taking a speial interest in the coaching of young members, many of whom have won high honours in various parts of the Dominion. Mr. Thomson has served continuously as the Referees’ Association’s delegate on the manage; ment committee of the Rangitikei Rugby Union since 1936. Sincere tributes were paid to Mr. Thomson at the dinner on Saturday night. "Mr. Thomson is going to be missed by the Rugby Union’’ said Mr. H. G. Stewart. He spoke of Mr. Thomson’s ability over a long period of years and expressed a hope that he would continue to take an interest in the association, even thought it might not be an active one. In replying, Mr. Thomson thanked the referees for their co-operation over the years. He also thanked th® Rugby Union. "Anything that I asked for on behalf of the Referees’ Association, was always granted’’ said Mr. Thomson.

FOOTBALL FIELD SANDED AT MARTON PARK. Some 60 yards of sand were spread over the No. 1 football field at Marton Park on Saturday by a ‘‘working bee’ comprising members of the Marton Old Boys and Athletic Football Clubs. The work was under the supervision of the Marton Borough Council’s overseer, Mr. W. R- Brant. Later on it is proposed to harrow the ground and then roll it. The sanding was financed by the two local clubs who raised between them £4O, another £5 grant being made available by the Borough Council. Three lorries were employed on the job and the work took about seven hours. It is hoped that will help bind the mud along the touch lines. In wet weather these wet spots soon churn up into liquid mud and are a drawback to good football.