FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2473, 12 April 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 10. The annual conference of the New Zealand Referees’ Association was opened last night, Mr. C. W. Drain ])rsliding. It was resolved—" That affiliated associations be recommended to instruct their membem not to referee ; n for mg l matches unless the unions eoroerned agree to pay expenses on too sca'e mentioned in the annual report.” The next conference is to ho held at Wellington. It was decided that should any part of a player who, running with the bali, swings into touch or toueh-in-goal, such player is to bo considered in touch or toueh-in-goal respectively. It was resolved if an attacking player carries the ball across die opponents’ goal lino and. simultaneously his placing tho ball on the ground, an opponent places his hand on the I*-’!, a scrum two yards out he awarded. A motion was proposed that if a player with the hall runs hack over his own goal with tho intention of going into the. field of play, but, before doing so, is forced'by opponents to make ciie ball dead, a touch down shall he awarded. It was decided to state 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 .also decided that when any part of the original format,'on of a scrum still remains, consisting oi at least one player on either side, only such part shall he consul; *ed as the scrummage. It was agreed to recomnmnJ the lccal association to consider the question of taking steps to afford players an opportunity of discussing the laws of the game with the referees so as to familiarise players with the present interpretation of the rules.

The Asssociation resolved to urge affiliated associations to use every effort towards securing the Insertion of a bylaw in local Rugby Union club contest rules whereby the" appointment of referees to such matches should he 'eft 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 the penalties for failing to drop Hie la!! when held, for failing to rise from the ground when tackled with the hall, and for preventing an opponent getting up or dropping the balk Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —Patron, His Excellency the Governor; president, Mr. R. Ml. Isaac; vice-presidents, Messrs A. Campbell (Auckland), G. Griffiths (Taranaki), W. Powdreil (South Taranaki), G. R. Simpson (Wanganui), A. H. Gibbons (Manawatu), James Mclntyre (Horowhenua), P. A. Laws (Wellington), E. McKenzie (Wairarapa), W. Snell (Dannevirke), R. Henderson (Hastings), G. Proctor (Hawke’s Bay), H. Naider (Nelson), J. O'Leary (South Canterbury), H. McFarlane (Otago); hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. M. Robb; management committee, Messrs F. A. Hempheman, J. H. A. Laughton, H. Card, G. B. Lusk, and L. Siever; hon. auditor, Mr. C. H. Manson. The executive was instructed to revise the by-laws and report. WANGANUI MATCHES. WANGANUI. April IJ. In the Association football matches played on Saturday, Wellington Y.M.C.A. beat Wanganui hy 4 to 1; Diamond boat Wanganui by. 9 to 1. Y.M.C.A. CLUB. A meeting of Y.M.C.A. football enthusiasts was held in the Association rooms on Saturday night, about 20 being present. It was decided to form a football club, and the election of officers took place, resulting as 4 ol!mvs: —Pre-si dent, Mr. J. R. Kirk; vice-presidents, Messrs C. P. Davies, T. Clarkson, :u.d Colonel Porter; secretarv (pro tom). Mr D. M iller. It was decided to affiliate with the Poverty Bay Rugby Union, and to enter, a senior team m the utveu matches. Messrs D. Miller am! it. Grant were appointed doles »Les to the union.

It was decided to ho Ka meeting on Saturday next, wh-m J ho election of club captain and vice-can* Vu wid be proceeded with..