RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1934, Page 16

RUGBY LEAGUE.

GAME IN AUCKLAND. LAST SEASON REVIEWED. The 24th annual report of the Auckland Rugby Football League, to be presented at the meeting of delegates on Monday evening, attributes its progress to the improved standard of play on that provided iu previous seasons. This was made evident during the visits of the representative teams of Taranaki, South Auckland, Northland, West Coast, Hawke's Bay, and, finally, in the club fixtures with the St. George (Sydney) team, upon which fixtures comment was made The balance-sheet figures showed increased revenue for the season. "The principal of sharing the gate receipts with the clubs competing," the report adds, "has, without doubt, proved very beneficial in creating the team spirit to improve flic standard of play required for No. 1 ground qualification each week-end and also has been reflected in a greater esprit de corps amongst club members, as well as a correspondingly enhanced friendly rivalry between the contestants that in turn excites public patronage to Carlaw Park. This accounts for the high gate takings culminating in the large sum of over £400 being available as grants to senior clubs last season. The working account showed gate takings at £1953 12/0 from club matches, an increase of £158. Ground rents of £154 7/ were lower, but any deficiency was made up by profits of £iO6 18/ from visiting provincial teams." The increase in the number of players was denoted by the item of £99 12/ as registration fees, which, with vice-presi-dents' and other donations, made the total receipts £2630 2/5. On the expenditure side of the accounts ground rents were £487 17/6 and the maintenance and upkeep of the park and grounds £340 17/2, whilst stafling of grounds, cost to officials £175 arid minor expenses, leaving a balance of £21 4/8 to be carried forward. The profit and loss account showed surplus assets valued at £6415 19/7. The valuable services to the code of the late Mr. George Rhodes, latterly as chairman, from 1921 until early last year, during which period effective policy changes had been adopted, were referred to. VISITS FROM AUSTRALIA. MR. G. GREY CAMPBELL'S RETURN. "There is a possibility that the Sydney University team will make a visit this way, to be followed later by the Sydney premiership winners," said Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the Auckland Rugby League, who returned this morning from a trip to Australia. Mr. Campbell stated that he had taken (he opportunity to confer with the New South Wales officials and several important matters beneficial to the code in the Dominion would be subjects of a report he had to make to the New Zealand Council and to the Auckland League. He found a marked optimistic spirit prevailing everywhere for the coming season's football in Australia. This seemed to arise from the success of the tour of the Kangaroos in England, and particularly the rfecords of the younger players, such as Dave Brown, of Eastern Suburbs.