RUGBY LEAGUE'S YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 16

RUGBY LEAGUE'S YEAR.

GOOD PROFIT SHOWNj ©ATE RECEIPTS REACH £1791. RETIREMENT OF MR. G. RHODES. Despite the depression the gate attendances at Rugby League matches played at Carlaw Park last season were only a shade "below normal. The revenue for the year totalled £2373, of which £1791 came from sate receipts, £416 from ground rents, £6S .from advertising and £45 from subscriptions. Actually the profit on working expenses for the year was £754 9/3, but of this amount .£572 4/3 was distributed in grants to clubs, honoraria, junior management committee, primary schools, Referees' Association, and trophies, leaving a profit on the season of £182 8/ to be carried forward. This position was shown in the balancesheet, presented to members at the annual meeting 'of the Auckland Rugby League, held at the Chamber of Commerce last evening. There was an attendance of about 100, the' president of the League, Mr. J. Carlaw, presiding. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president, Mr. J. Carlaw, congratulated the management upon the result of the past season's working. He recalled the position of 16 years ago, when it was doubtful whether the League code would continue to function. Since that time over £9000 had been expended on Carlaw. Park, and to-day they, lad what was probably the best football, ground in Auckland. He understood Mr. George Rhodes, who had filled the position, of chairman of the Auckland Rugby League for some years, had announcedhis retirement, and the position would be filled by Mr. Grey Campbell. .The latter gentleman, lie was quite sure, would carry on the good work successfully.- 1 In seconding' the motion Mr. E. Phelan congratulated the marfag'emeht. He commended the League's action in throwing its galtes open to the unemployed. The receipts from the gates last season were very little below normal. This reflected the greatest credit upon the officials and said much for the popularity of the code. Last season they had been visited by an English team and although such visits meant a considerable loss in revenue to the Auckland Rugby League, benefit might eventually be derived from the visit. Although the assets of the League had been written down the position was very sound; in fact, there was no sounder sports body in the Dominion. New Trustee. Mr. E. Phelan, one of the trustees, reported that Mr. Grey Campbell; had been appointed, a trustee for the forthcoming year. ' Mr. Grey Campbell, acknowledging his appointments, said, he had not been connected with-the League code in any admin-" istrative capacity, but had been.a "sideliner" for ' many-years. He had watched the progress of the code and believed it to be the best Rugby game played in the world. He had met the executive and was sure the members would make it easy for '"in- They wanted the code to enjoy the .'highest prestige possible, and that could only be done by the executive, referees and players working together in harmony and giving the public the very best football and sending them home satislied that.they had witnessed a "great game.". He mentioned the Queensland teahi.'wliicli had visited Auckland a few years ago, and hoped to see that standard of play reached in Auckland. Retiring Chairman, *" Replying to speakers who' paid tributes to his services to the League, Mr. Rhodes said that while he had not always agreed in opinions sometimes expressed, he had made many staunch friends. The officials had proved staunch and had given him every assistance. Although he was Severing his connection with the committee he would always take a keen interest and keep in close touch with the game : and would 'be. always ready to help the cbde-"(applause).' The Auckland selectors, Messrs. E. Asher, R. Avery and W. Mincham,. were each presented with an enlarged framed of the Auckland representative - team and selectors, and Mr. G. Rhodes was presented with an enlarged framed, photograph of the! executive committee. Officers Elected; The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. J. B. Donald; vice-patron, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson; president, Mr. J. Carlaw ; vice-presidents, Messra G. McMillan, O. Blackwood, S. Briley, H. Grange, W. Wallace, C. Seagar, B. Benson, C. H. Drysdale, B. J. Phelan,": A* E. Laird, J. A. Lee, 1 R. H. Woods, R. T. Sharman; chairman, Mr. Grey Campbell; referees' delegate to management * committee, Mr. W. Mineham; club' delegates to committee, Messrs. P. Probert and J. Kukutai. At . a subsequent meeting of the management'committee' the following officers were elected: Hon. secretary, Mr. I. Culpan; hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Ellis; delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Leajgue Council, Messrs. R. Doble, L. Binns; auditor, Mr. R. A. Spinley. . The appointment of selectors was deferred yntil the .next meeting of the committee.