RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19911, 13 June 1936, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REFEREES RESIGN. \ ORDERING-OFF EPISODE. UNION FAILS TO SUPPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DARGAVILLE. Saturday. At a. special meeting of the Northern \Vairoa Rugby Referees‘ Association last night three referees tendered their resignations and walked out of the meeting. The meeting had been called for the purpose of discussing the attitude adopted by the Northern \Vairoa Rugby Union over the ordering-oft of a spectator during the progress of a match a fortnight ago. The referee reported the matter to the union. which decided to call the spectator to give his version. At a subsequent meeting of the union. after hearing the spectator's denial. which supported two members of the union, that he called the referee an offensive name and suggested the referee should be wearing one team's Jersey. the union took no action. _ _ .

After a lengthy discussion last night the referees decided to send & deputation to the union, this resulting in the resignation of Messrs Vennell. Houshion and Parore, who considered the union should have backed up the referee. Mr Vennell was the referee concerned in the ordering-off incident.