STEADY GROWTH

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 57, 9 March 1939, Page 24

STEADY GROWTH

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND POSITION.

COMMENT BY PRESIDENT.

INTEREST IN COMING TOUR,

In an address to a crowded annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby League last evening, the president, Mr. J. -A. Lee, M.P., said that, as the report emphasised, the code was steadily progressing, so far as the quality of players and public esteem were concerned.

It was opportune to congratulate the secretary, Mr. Ivan Ctrl pan, who this year leached his twenty-first year in office. That compliment was extended to the control board and its units on tlie wonderful evidences of progress last season in every direction. A strong foundation had .been built upon for the future, thanks to the officials. The standard of national Rugby League was set in Aucklard, and that was proved by the NewZealand team to Australia last year. Similar success for the coming English tour would be gauged largely • 110111 the same quarter. Therefore a big responsibility rested on the Auckland administration, its clubs and players. The best w M v to build the code was to build the clubs.

ilr. Lee referred appreciatively to the referees, selectors. ladies' social committee and commended the management for the financial position.

Speaking of a pending club visit from Sydney, ill'. Lee said that the early season and hard grounds uould favour the visitors, ibut with a tour to Entrland offering Auckland players could be relied upon to be ready and fit. The visit would be something of a prelude to the trying out of the type of players who would be suited to arduous play for months in England, where the honour of Xew Zealand would be in their hands.

' The Will to Succeed. ''There are always pessimists, oppositionists and croakers shrieking when the Rugby League decides on some enterprise,'' said Mr. Lee. "They say we will not do well in Great Britain and that the tour Sf too soon. These people are the great minority, for most supporters desii'e our l>oys to have the greatest test overseas. The game suffered by the 1926 venture, but, thanks to comradeship and love of the game, the code has well outlived the past. Tours are not necessarily made successful by good footballers, but •by good footballers who are good sportsmen. too. There has to be team spirit and I am sure we have the boys with the virility, ability, experience and weight to blend for a side that will do New Xeai land credit."

"I -have a feeling" added Mr. Lee. "that Britain will find our players most worthy opponents. We have to make this team and tour a great success and when the team has gone, we have to carry on our championship with even greater success. That is in the hands of the clubs and of the officials who are striving so magnificently in the interests of the young players who will be the stars of the future."

Mr. .T. C. Gleeson, a member of the "All-Golds" to England in 1007-8, expressed confidence in the ability of Xew Zealand to send a great side abroad.

Mr. G. Grey Campbell thanked the president for his most appropriate speech, which, he said, covered points that had been addressed to the individual club meetings.

The speaker then referred to the generosity of a vice-president, Mr. R. H. Wood, in presenting the handsome Edith Wood Roll of Honour for tlie inscription of the names of men who had given 25 years of continuous special service. . The gift was dedicated to the memory of the donor's wife. The memorial was draped with tlie Hags of all tlie clubs. Roll,of Honour Names. Declaring the memorial unveiled to those who had given great service. Mr. Lee hoped it would be an inspiration to others to carry on a fine sporting tradition. The names on the roll are: —D. W. McLean, founder of the New Zealand Rugby League, and J- Carlaw (deceased), Messrs. K. Iv. Asher. R. H. Benson, A. .f. Ferguson. I. t'ulpan. B. Longbottom. C. Raynes, A. Campney, F. Thompson, W. t T. Livernidge, W. Mincham and M. J- Hooper. Mr. Campbell explained that other names are to be added. The president of the New Zealand Rugby League, Mr. J. A. Redwood, congratulated the i Auckland League on its success and said that 1939 promised to be a red-letter season for the game. His council felt confident of the success of the tour to England, or would not have accepted tlie invitation. Election of Officers. Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr. J. B. Donald: vice-patron, Mr. J. FW. Dickson; president, Mr. J. A. Lee. M.P.: vice-presidents. Sir Ernest Davis, Messrs. J. Donald, C. Drysdale, H- Grange, R. J. Laird, W. J.' Lovatt. E. Morton, F. W. Schramm, M.P., W. Wallace, W. H. Brien, L. C'oakley, H. Luke, R. J). Bagnall, O. Blackwood. E. Montgomery. T. G. Synionds, G. T. Wright, R. H. Wood. H. Walmsley. J. Sayegh and R. H. Benson, additions being Messrs. Allan Moody, E. Grey and J. C. Gleeson; trustees, Messrs. G. Grey Campbell (chairman) and E. J. Phelan and A. Stoiniont: control board, Messrs. G. Grey Campbell (chairman), E. J. Phelan (deputy), .T. F. McAneny, T. Davis, .T. W. Probert and J. Rukutai (re-elected by clubs), W. Mincham (Referees' Association), D. Wilkie (chairman junior management), R. Doble (delegate to New Zealand Council), Mr. Ivan Cnlpan (lion, secretary) and Mr. J. E. Knowling (lion, treasurer); auditor, Mr. R. A. Spinley: solicitor, Mr. H. M. Rogerson; time-keepers, Messrs. T. Hill and A. E. Chapman; representatives on referees' appointment board, Messrs. R. Benson, with'T." Davis as deputy: appointment board. Messrs. P. Rogers, R. Benson and G- Grey Campbell; committees were allocated the name as last year; lion, physicians, Drs. F. J. Gwynne, H. N. Holdgate, S. Morris, G. W. Lock, J. N. ■Waddell, M. G. Pezaro, H. Burrell and W. Bridgman. Nominations for selectors have .been called for neJct week.

OTAHUHU CLUB.

At the annual meeting of the Otahuhu Rovers' Rugby League Football Club, presided over by Mr. C. Hall, he stated that the past season was the most successful since the formation of the club. It won the points Junior Trophy, was runner-up to Richmond Club in the Senior Points Trophy, won the Senior B championship and the Fourth Grade Knock-out Cup.

Officers elected. —Patron. Mr. H. T. Clements; president, Mr. Con Hall; secretary, Mr. Owen McManus; treasurer, Mr. C. Clark; committee,-Messrs. W. Clayton, W. Gordon, C. Duane, C. Kelly. A. Porteous, J. Rond, W. Hart, W. McConnell and B. McDonnell. Club captain, J. Rond.

It was decided to start training operations for the schoolboys' senior team for a curtain-raiser contest in connection with the visit of the Australian team at Easter. O. McManus assisted by W. McCcnnell to act as coaches.

THE R.V. CLUB. At the annual meeting of the R.V. Club held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, there was a guild muster of playtrs, including a number of new members. Officers elected : Patron, Mr. A. G. Harvey: chairman ami president. Mr. W. Halvei>on ; vice-presi-dents Messrs. \Y. Harvey, sen., A. Har\ej, \V. Harvey, jun., K. Harvey. I). Harvey, A. Harvey, jun.. K. Martin, W. Rest, ti. Martin, <i. Taberner. A. Couper, \Y. (iussey, ti. Mctielian, K. Simpson, C. Hamilton, E. Griffiths, t'. Smith, A. (Moke: secretary, K. McXlilne: treasurer. \Y. Hamlen: committee. K. Kelson, Mel.eaii, T. Adiims, 15.. Knight, v.'. l.vons. T. Yercoe.: elub captain, K. Mullar: delegate. K. McMiln-c; coaches, \Y. Hamlen. 1.. Baiciiard, Heron. ,\ vote of thanks h.v the. , players and eomiuit<ee was accorded to Mr. E- Mullar, chairman, and Mr. I>ines, secretary, for their services during the past t \v.> years, and regret was expressed at'their resignations A •iresentation was made to Mrs. Dines for 'her valuable assistance to the committee.