LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 84, 10 April 1934, Page 13

LEAGUE CODE.

ANNUAL' MEETING. SUCCESSFUL PAST SEASON. PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. The success of hist season, financially and otherwise, was commented upon at last night't; annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Football League by the chairman, Mr. G. Grey Campbell. In moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet, a piecis of which nas already appeared in the "Auckland Star," he commented on the fact that the revenue had been well maintained, despite the depression. He congratulated the clubs on the part they had plaj'od in contributing to the success of the season.

Competitions, said Mr. Campbell, had been keen and interesting, which showed that playing members and official# took the game seriously and thus added to the prestige of the code. lie believed the success of the past year was only a stepping stone to greater achievements this year. They had still a long way to go to reach the standard ot' clubs in Great Britain and Australia, but it was his ambition that Auckland should reach the level of overseas countries. International prestige could only be obtained by the adoption of correct methods of training. His recent visit to Australia showed him how seriously the management committees of the various clubs regarded training. They had more control over the players than did New Zealand. The object of every code there was to get the. teams on the groufld in the best condition possible. They believed that the team "that gets in first" gave the others a handicap that took some getting over during the season, and no time and money were spared in preparation.

Trained Athletes. "The best way to help the code is to place in the field teams of well trained athletes, and in addition well dressed." continued Mr. Campbell. Players who went on the ground slovenly dressed in Australia were reprimanded and fined. The players should look like athletes oil all occasions when appearing before tjie public. If teams were of the calibre described Carlaw Park would draw the crowds and finances would improve. With the completion of the new grandstand and club rooms the "dream" of the Leaaufi was being realised. A great deal of credit and thanks were due to Messrs. E. J. Phelan and J. Stormont in this connection. They had taken a great, deal of responsibility. He concluded by making an appeal to ex-senior players to join the ranks of the referees. Certain restrictions would have to be imposed in connection with free passes for the grandstand. They could all assist by patronising the grandstand and paying their way. That would help to ease the financial burden. The

Ponsonby Club had helped by contributing £150. (Applause). He would like to see the other clubs raise £50 each towards the same object. It was more than probable that visits would be paid by Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, and he had certain suggestions to bring before the management committee in respect to the visits of overseas teams. Early in the year it was expected that an outstanding international player would come to Auckland to help one of the clubs. Two Now Shields. Complimentary reference was made to the action of Mr. H. Walmsley in presenting two additional shields to the League. One will be known as the Waitangi Shield, for competition solely amongst Maoris in North Auckland. The management committee was given authority to make the conditions for the other shield.

Mr. Walmsley thanked the League for kindness extended to him and other returned soldiers who were inmates of the Evelyn Firth Home.

A voto of thanks was extended to Mr. T. Davis, who has relinquished the secretaryship of the junior management committee after eight years of office.

The election of officers resulted: — Patron, Mr. J. B. Donald; vice-patron, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson; president, Mr. J. Carlaw; vice-presidents, Messrs. O. Blackwood, H. Grange, W. Wallace, C. Seager, it. Benson, C. 11. Drysdale, A. E. Laird, J. A. Lee, R. H. Wood, It. T. Skarman, J. Donald, J. Sayegh, J. Lovatt, W. S. Shrarnm, E. Morton, H. Walmsley, C. Wright, Montgomery and Bagnall; chairman, Mr. G. Gt*ey Campbell; deputychairman, Mr. E. J. Phelan; hon. secretary, Mr. I. Culpan; hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Ellis; assistant hon. treasurer, Mr. J. E. Knowling; delegate to New Zealand Rugby League, Mr. R. Doble; auditor, Mr. R. A. Spinley; hon. solicitor, Mr. H. M. Rogerson; referees' delegate on management committee, Mr. W. Mincham; club delegates, Messrs. J. Rukutai and J. W. Probert; hon. physicians, Drs. R. Tracy Inglis, M. G. Pezaro, F. J. Gwynne and K. H. Holdgate; press steward, Mr. R. Doble; board of control, Messrs. Campbell, Rukutai, Doble, L. Binns, Probert, Mincham, D. Wilkie, Ellis, Knowling and I. CuLpan; trustees, Messrs. J. Stormont, I E. J. Phelan, G. Grey Campbell.

FOOTBALL IN BRITAIN. LONDON, April 9. Results of football matches played In Britain this afternoon :— Northern Union (Rugby League).— Halifax beat St. Helens, 10—D. Soccer (second division). —Mill-wall beat Southampton, I—o.1 —0.