CHANGE SOUGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 92, 19 April 1945, Page 9

CHANGE SOUGHT

PROMINENT PLAYER PROBLEM FOR LEAGUE There was considerable discussion at a meeting of the Board of Control of the Auckland Rugby League last evening in connection with a request that George G. Mitchell, the New Zealand League representative, who formerly played for Richmond, should be allowed to play for Ponsonby. The chairman, Mr. J. W. Watson, said that the matter came up as an appeal by the Ponsonby Club against a decision by Richmond not to give the necessary permit. Mitchell said that he had been in the Armed Forces for the last three years. For two seasons he played Rugby, but he did not play any football last season. He decided to have a spell, in view of getting a clearance to play for Ponsonby this season. As he had not played for 12 months he considered that he was entitled to ask for a clearance. Mr. W. R. Dick, secretary of the Richmond Club, said that Mitchell required a transfer, and not a clearance. There was, he said, a rule that a player should revert to his club when discharged from the armed forces. The chairman, Mr. J. W. Watson, said that the only rule on the book was vague, and badly worded. The rule did not mention Armed Forces or active service. Mr. D. Wilkie said that it would be a big injustice not to let the player go to another club after standing down twelve months. Mr. Dick said that if any application was made for a transfer it would be dealt with at a meeting next Sunday morning. Mr. R. Doble said that in the Forces a man could play for any code he liked. Mr. Watson said that the matter originally arose through Auckland players, playing in Wellington, coming back on leave to Auckland. The Wellington League asked what was the position. Mr. Watson added that what they did would be a precedent. It would be necessary to search the minutes to see if any local rule was passed to deal with the position. The board deferred its decision. Players Bceistered The following players were registered:— J. W. Sinclair C. A. Carm, Richmond; E. W. Allen, Ponsonby: C. Pearson, D. Hardy, Otahuhu; P. Warren, L.A.C. Kelly. Point Chevalier; R. S. Sycamore, North Shore; W. Rhodes, Mount Albert; A. Kerr, F. Simpson, R. Flinkenberg;, City; I. C. McKay, Newton. The followings transfers were approved:— J. A. Wilson. Richmond to Huntly: E. Opai, T. Pal, Manukau to Frankton; W. P. Brimble. Newton to Ponsonby; O. Hughes, Otahuhu to Ponsonby; D. Hardie, Manukau to Otahuhu; P. Morris, Manukau to Otahuhu; L. R. Davis. Richmond to i Mount Albert; E. Lyell, City to Marist. A clearance from Richmond was granted to A. Tittleton. Goal-Klcklns Trophy It was decided that the Painter Cup for goalkicking should be awarcea for the most points gained in the 14 matches of the minor championship. , , ' A deputation from the senior officers association brought up the question of an alteration to a rule dealing with suspensions and disqualification of players or officials, and pointed out that there was no right of appeal asainst any decision of the Auckland League. Decision was de E r nlOT fixtures for next Saturday are:—City v. Otahuhu, Carlaw Park No. 1, 1.40, Mr. H. Tate; Ponsonby v. Mount Albert. Carlaw Park No. 1, 3 0 Mr G Kelly; Richmond v. North Shore, C N a°r,a 2 w Bailey; Marist v. Point Chevalier, at Walter Park, 3.0, Mr. J. O'Shannessey.