LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 82, 6 April 1922, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. A FUTURE OF PROMISE. SEASON OPEN'S APRIL 22. Last evening the thirteenth annual meetins of the Auckland Rug-by Football League was held in the Chamber of Commerce. The chairman. Mr. .7. Carlaw, presided, and there was a large attendance.

The trophies won by the victorious teams in the several grades last season were officially presented. Monteith 'Shield, Endean Shield, Roope Rooster, and a set of caps going to the seniors of the City Rovers Club: while the second *rade cup and a set of naps was presented to Newton, and the Myers Cup. for the victors in the third grade to the Kingsland Club. The sixth grade A cup was presented to Richmond, and the sixth B banner to Ponsonby, while a set of caps for the fifth grade was given to City and to Ponsonby for winning the sixth It championship.

The annual report and balance-sheet was the subject of favourable comment by Mr. D. W. Mcl Jean. president of the X.Z. League, and he heartily congratulated tbe Auckland body upon the position it now held. .Mt. Carlaw was deserving of the thanks of both playere and supporters for nis great work for the league. Mr. McLeaii also mentioned the coming visit of a delegation from the New South Wales ■League. The party would arrive next Wednesday, and they were coming at the invitation of the X.JS. League to see what means could be devised to assist the codein the Dominion. In some of the Southern cen-tres the game had not progressed co much us It might have done under more favourable clrcumstan-ces, but this was due in great measure to the lack of playing grounds. Efforts would b« made to improve this position.

The chairman rend a special report upon iCarlaw Park, wlile-h lie- said was the flret privetely-owned football ground in Xβ w Zealand. The grandstand had been enlarged for the coming season so that it would hold over 900 spectators, and when completed It would accommodate 2000. Also some 3300 feet of drain pipes had been laid since last season, and it was the Intention of the league as soon as was possible to complete and lmpVove the terraces, so that they would be capable of accommodating, in comfort, between 18.000 and 10,000 people. £4322 had already been spent on the park, anil except for £700 lent free of Interest by the X.Z. League, the Auckland body was free of debt. The future of the game was very promising, and all necessary was clean sport and clean administration.

The meeting passed a resolution in appreciation of Mr. Cariaw's sen-ices, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Mr. J. 11. Gunson: presidents, last year's vir>e-presidcnts were re-elected; trustee. Air. AY. Boss; hon phyriclan. T>r. R. Tracy Infriin: hon. solicitor. Mr. H. M. Rogerson; management committee. Messrs. G. Hunt, W. Uversldge, X. D. Culrwn, C. Brookliss, .1. Endenfl. R. Doble. T. Dixon. J. Kddowes. and A. Freeman.

Discussion reached no finality upon a suggestion that the number of teams in the eenlor competition should be' limited, though most of the speakers upon the subject advocated no maximum.

Mr. I. Culpan. the secretary of the league was the recipient of a handsome clock as a wedding present. After the annual mectlnz the Management Committee, which consists of delegates elected by senior clubs and other affiliated bodies, held its inangural meeting for the year. It was derided to open the season on Saturday fortnight. April 22. and the Richmond Club was crafted affiliation ac a senior club. Messrs. E. Phelan and E. Stallworthy were elected delegates of tJie Auckland Lea sue on the New Zealand League Council.