SEVEN SENIOR TEAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 18

SEVEN SENIOR TEAMS.

RUGBY LEAGUE PROPOSALS. ORIGINAL PLAN DROPPED. RESOLUTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The Auckland Rugby League, acting in concert with the special committee which, at the end of last season, submitted a special amalgamation scheme to improve the status of the game—this being adopted —last evening adopted a drastic amendment to its proposals. The committee reported that, having considered the various suggestions, _it was of opinion that to meet the peculiar circumstances which had arisen, the previous resolution nominating six teams be altered to read seven teams, which should be: Devon port, Richmond, Ellerslie-Otahuliu (United or such name as decided by the club), Marists, City, Newton and Ponsonby. At the end of the season the committee reserved the right to match the two lowest teams in the competition with a view either to eliminating one team or compelling the weakest club to build up to a higher standard, or withdraw from the A grade. As this left only one club, Kingsland, unprovided for, the committee recommended that the seniors of this club be given open transfers.. Chairman's Remarks. The chairman, in reviewing the new position, said members had to realise that certain contingencies and facts were involved in the abandonment of the scheme, which was proposed after considerable work. He did not want to have it said that officials had made the original recommendations untenable for any club, because this might imply that there had been unfairness. That was not so. The authorities had made an honest attempt to reorganise the seniors, and was doing so. The committee made the change guided by all club opinions, . with a knowledge that an extra team with the bye would be able to arrange country fixtures. Mr. Stallwortliy said what was now done was as effective as the original plan. The wishes of City and Newton had been met, and the B grade had been eliminated. The speaker also assured Mr. Rhodes of the appreciation of his services. Mr. Redmond supported the remarks and felt that Kingsland was the only club which might seem to have been inadequately considered. Kingsland's Position. Mr. Huxford for Kingsland asked if there would be any objection to this senior team joining up with Marist Old Boys, and was informed that the League would not oppose such a move. Mr. W. J. Davidson suggested that the Senior B teams might be assisted by receiving a lead from the special committee. It was stated that B grade players would be eligible for senior A teams or the reserve seniors. These players would also have the right to revert to juniors. Mi'. Adamson moved that tlie special committee's latest recommendation be adopted. Mr. Redmond seconded, and the resolution was passed unanimously and with applause.