LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 255, 27 October 1932, Page 18

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND MANAGEMENT. OTAHUHU APPEAL DISMISSED. The Auckland Rugby League held Its final weekly meeting of the season last evening, though other meetings, it was announced, would be held probably monthly during the recess. Mr. George Rhodes presided. Mr. and Mrs. T. Johns, of Grey Lynn, acknowledged the message of condolence tendered in connection with the death of their son, 11. V. Johns (Richmond Club), which occurred in the local boxing ring. The Manukau Club advised that, the staging of the second grade knock-out final between Mangere and Mount Albert (won by the former) at Onehunga, had proved of great benefit to the revival of the code in the district. Considerable attention was given to the appeal of the Otahuhu Rovers' Club against the decision of the Junior Management Committee on the question of the eligibility of 11. A. Pollock, a player of the Papakura Club second grade team, it being maintained that he was a member of the Newton Club, with whose seniors he had played three matches in 1930; that liis application had been aecej»ted and acted upon as being in order : and that his registration, therefore, in regard to the Papakura Club, amounted to a false declaration. After examination of registration forms in each instance and the past season's team cards, the league endorsed the ruling of the chairman that the player had not been officially recognised as a .member of Newton in 1030. It could not be shown that he had signed the requisite form, which, in any case, had not been acknowledged by official receipt. The registration form was not in order. Therefore, it was held that, although the junior management may have committed an oversight in accepting Pollock's registration this year for Papakura. without insisting on his answering when and with »'liat clubs he had previously played, tills could hot be held to bo sufficient warranty for disqualification or upsetting the championship. The appeal was dismissed. It was felt that the Junior Management Committee hud accex>tcd the registration in good faith.

The Junior Management Committee reported it considered that its chairman was not entitled to insist 011 the weighingin of teams 011 demand by the chairman without consulting the committee, this being contrary to rule 37, and that the coach of the Richmond seventh grade had conformed with the rules and had instructed his team accordingly. Several members of the league complimented Mr. Kddowes upon his action, but pointed out that the rule governing the power to check the welghing-in of teams without committee concurrence, was sonier what limited. Mr. Rhodes said he thought that if there was 110 rule forbidding the chairman to act, he should have that power. Mr. Stallworthy said it seemed most unfortunate that Mr. Kddowes was not supported by his committee on the occasion under notice. It was decided to accept the explanation of the Junior Management in the matter, but Mr. Rhodes said he intended to see that in future the chairman or any executive should have the power to take action in connection with any suspected irregularity against the rules of the game. Mr. 10. Stallworthy said the League was indebted to Mr. Kddowes for his courage, which had drawn attention to this necessity. , , , t A hearty vote of thanks was accorded 10 the insurance committee for its work during the season. At the conclusion the chairman entertained members, including also representatives of the Junior .Management Committee and Referees' Association. Mention was made of the harmony which existed between the various bodies with the League.