COMING OF AGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 90, 17 April 1931, Page 13

COMING OF AGE.

AUCKLAND RUGBY LEAGUE. JJRIGKT FUTURE PREDICTED. PROSPECTS UNDER NEW POLICY A bright future for the Rugby League code under the new policy, recently decided upon, and which primarily restricts the number of senior teams to seven, was predicted by several speakers at last evening's annua? meeting of the Auckland Rugby League. "This is a very important meeting, as we have now reached our twenty-first birthday, aiid have developed from childhood to manhood," said the president, Mr. Jas. Carlaw, who presided, in welcoming delegates. Continuing, he commented on the fact that the executive and club delegates had had a busy time during the off season, in altering the constitution of the code, so far as the number of teams and the representation of the clubs on the management committee was concerned. "Some years back," he added, "1 advocated a reduction in the number of senior teams, and the formation of a reserve grade. The time than was .not opportune to go on with the scheme. I am.glad now, however, that we are going to work under amended rules, which, I am sure, will be of benefit to the code.'* Mr. Carlaw metioned that the League had not escaped the effects of the depression. but he was optimistic as to the future of the game. He appealed with confidence to players and supporters to work to make the coming season a success. "Too Cumbersome Control."

While being mindful of the fact that last year had not been as successful as any since 1924, owing to the depression, Mr. G. Rhodes, in moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published), felt that the game -would go ahead by leaps and bounds under the new policy. "We have had In the past rather too cumbersome management, and not sufficient commercial management of the code," he" added. He acknowledged the- services of- the officials of the various club in the furtherance of the interests of the code/ and urged actual players to help themselves more in the direction of "the financing of clubs. The clubs, he said, had not had the assistance from players that they should have received, and the various balance-sheets revealed that there was a good deal owing for subscriptions. -That position, he considered, should v uot obtain. Mr. E. J. Phelan, in seconding the motion, referred to the few representative fixtures staged last season away from home, and trusted that during the coming season more teams would be sent afield to assist the game in other districts. Election of Officers. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—Patron, Hon. J. B. Donald; president, Mr. J. Carlaw: ] vice-presidents, Messrs. G. McMillan, O. Blackwood, S. Brilev, H. Grange, C. Way, W. Wallace, C. Seagar, R. Benson, C. H. Drysdale, E. J. Phelan, A. E. Laird, J. A. Lee and R. H. Woods, with power to add; management committee, Messrs. J. Rukutai, J. W. Probert, W. Mincham, C. Adamson, the secretary (Mr. I. Culpan), the treasurer (Mr. F. Ellis) and the chairman (Mr. G. Rhodes). Trophies won during the past season were presented by Mr. Phelan, who complimented tho winners on their success, and trusted that they would continue to play the fine standard of football that had placed them at the top of their respective ladders.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. XEW DROP-OUT RULE .ADOPTED. A meeting of the new management committee was subsequently held, when Mr. Rhodes, as re-elected chairman, extended a welcome to Messrs. Probert an-d Rukutai, who had. been voted in under the new constitution by the clubs. Messrs. R. Doble and L. Bums were appointed delegates to the New Zealand Council of the League, and Mr. Rhodes was chosen as grounds superintendent for the ensuing year. The Referees' Association advised that during the coming season it had decided to adhere to the latest rules, which provided that, in the event of a forcedown bv the defending side, a drop .kick be "taken from the 25-yard mark. Last year the drop out was taken from the goal line in order to penalise the defenders for to a force. The decision of the association was approved. It was decided, on the recommendation of the Junior Management Committee, that from the fourth grade downward, the weight allowance wou not be granted until one month after the plaver had weighed in. No v eight cer tificate is to be dated prior to the start of the season, and only the round allowance is to be granted i weighing in in the second round. It was agreed that sixth grade players should be under ISi years on May 1.