RUGBY DIFFERENCES.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15358, 5 October 1923, Page 2

RUGBY DIFFERENCES.

MOASCAR CUP PLAY, THE STATUS OF A SCHOOL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The New Zealand Rugby Union takes grave exception to what it stigmatises as "remarks not only unwarranted, but quite contrary to fact," by the president of the Hawke's' Bay Union regarding the Moascar Cup decision excluding the Maori Agricultural College at Hastings. The president was credited as saying that the decision was "unscrupulous and despicable to a degree.' The chairman of the union has made a statement which, put shortly, is that the rules provide that the decision of the Director of Education shall be final as to what constitutes a secondary sohool.and this decision was that the Maori Agricultural College was not registered as a secondary school, but was recognised by the Department as a private school of that class. The Hawke's Bay delegates were not satisfied with this and tried to procure an alteration, but were informed that the New Zealand Union would be no party to it. The president still persisted, and under a misapprehension, based on his statement, permission was given the Maori school to play New Plymouth. When it was found a mistake had been made the original decision had to stand, in accordance with the rules. When the question was raised the New Zealand Union had no option in the matter, notwithstanding the fact that the team might have been admitted until its status was challenged.