LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 77, 31 March 1936, Page 17

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AFFAIRS OF REFEREES. ANNUAL MEETING BUSINESS. Opening the annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby League Referees' Association last evening, the president, Mr. L. Bull, "expressed confidence in the association to do its part in furthering the progress of the game. He urged that in voting for their officers and executive members should not allow themselves to be swayed by sentiment or comradeship, but should look to the major interests of the code and the success of the association as a contributory unit. •In adopting the annual report, details of which have been published, tribute was paid to the work during the past season of the honorary secretary, Mr. Simpson. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mr. L. E. Btrll; vice-president, Mr. J. McCowatt; hou. secretary, Mr. W.' Simpson; treasurer, Mr. A. Chapman; auditor, Mr. B. Emirali; delegate to the Auckland Board of Control, Mr. W. Mincham; delegate junior management committee, Mr.. Thompson; delegate to New Zealand Referees' Association, Mr. Bull; delegate to lleterees' Appointment Board and grading committee, Mr. A. Rae, Mr. A. Sanders being elected as third man to the Control Board; executive, Messrs. M. Wetherill, T. Evans and 11. Otto; social committee, Messrs. Mincham, Otto, Wetherill, Sanders. It was announced that Mr. W. Mincham was celebrating his 25th active year in the code, and he was extended the association's hearty congratulations. Regret was expressed at the resignation, owing to ill-health, of Mr. Arthur Ball, who served last year as a member of the Appointments Board. Mr. Ball intimated that he felt it wise to have a season's rest from official duty. Mr. Bull stated that the New Zealand Council was endeavouring to re-form the New Zealand Referees' Association, with local delegates representing other centres who were not members of the Auckland Referees' Association. He agreed that there was need for the council's action, but it was doubtful whether the change could be effectively put into operation. Attention was drawn to the fact that among last year's amendments to the laws of the game, one amendment had been wrongly applied in New Zealand. This was the ten yards rule, which applied only to the play-the-bali movement. Mr. Bull agreed to refer this matter, through the New Zealand Referees' Association, to the council. ' It was decided to ask the junior board to request its clubs to appoint official line umpires to co-operate on outer grounds.

MANUKAU CLUB REPORT.

HOME GROUND ACQUIRED. At a meeting of Manukau Rugby League Club, Mr. H. E. Kemp presiding, it was reported that an ideal site for a ground had been acquired in the heart of Onehunga, and training sheds were to be erected. The club was in a sound financial position as the result of reorganisation and profitable off-season social activities, and now sought senior status with sound senior and reserve grade sides for competition. Teams were to be entered in every junior grade of the Auckland League, and besides school teams in the open competition, a local competition was to be instituted for the six schools of the district. The report was adopted with enthusiasm. "I

STREATHAM-MITCHAM WINS.

(Received 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. In a Northern Union (Rugby League) football match Streatham-Mitcham beat Halifax by 18 points to 10. Streatham-Mitcham is the London club which in October last engaged Nepia, C. Smith, Holder, G. Harrison and McDonald.