RUGBY LEAGUE PREPARING FOR THE SEASON

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 78, 2 April 1914, Page 4

RUGBY LEAGUE PREPARING FOR THE SEASON

PROPOSED ENGLISH VISIT. The Wellington Rugby League executive met last night. Mr. M. J. Reardon presided, and the others present were Messis. J. V. Saunders, W. Beale, L. Webb, W. Kerr, and W. S. Brice (lion, secretary). It was resolved that the annual meeting of the Wellington League should be held next Tuesday evening, probably at the Trades Hall. It was reported that all the Wellington Clubs have held their annual meetings except Hutt, which will meet this evening. A' telegram was received from the New Zealand Council, asking if the League could finance a match against the English touring team, paying the visitors 65 per cent, of the takings. The secretary stated that he had replied tentatively, indicating that the League would probably not bo able to do so, but that a match was greatly to be desired in the interests of the game. As the City Council took 20 per cent., there would only be 15 pel cent, left to cover expenses, and this would be quite inadequate, and would probably mean a lo*s of fully 5 per cent. As the League is to^meet the Reserves Committee of the City Council regarding the allocation of grounds shortly, \t was decided that its delegates on that occasion (Messrs. Beatc and Brice) should try to obtain a reduction in the percentage payable to the council for the grounds. It was also decided to ask the New Zealand Council, in view of the possibility of ai ranging for a match, to reserve a date for the English team to play in Wellington. Tho meeting decided lo issue v dm]longe to the Auckland Pruviudul League

to play for the English Northern Union Cup. Some discussion took place upon the allocation of a ground to the Petone Club, which has been given No. 3 ground on the recreation ground on the basis that the Borough Council receives half tho takings. The club is limited in its receipts .to the moneys taken at a new gate to bo put in specially. Members criticised the position sevei elj , e.\ pressing the opinion that tlie club would be greatly handicapped by the fact that its entrance is out of the way and far beyond the present main entrance. Their contention was that many spectators would probably use the other gates to reach the League grounds, and that the reduced takings for the League matches would be used as an argument against the game next season. They recognised, however, that the position was practically fixed beyond hope of alterafcftjn ; and it was decided to accept the terms offered and so sign a lease of the ground. Mr. C. Murphy was appointed as the Wellington delegate to a conference of League referees, to be held in Auckland on 24th April, lor tlie purpose of establishing a New Zealand Referees' Association. The conference has been convened by the Hawkea Bay Referees' Association, and the expenses of the delegates are to be borno by the New Zealand Council. | Application is to be made to tile City Council for three playing grounds for the ccming season. The Suburbs Club, newly formed in Wellington South, forwarded its formal application for affiliation, which was granted. It was reported, informally, that the old City Club was being renamefl the R.N.Z.A. Club, and would be constituted of members of the Artillery. Mr. W. A. Knox, of Auckland, attended the meeting for the purpose of laying before it the position which has lately arisen in Auckland through the Savory case. The disqualification of Savory for life by the Auckland League for rough play was followed by action by the New Zealand Council, leading to the removal of the disqualification and his suspension under the local by-laws. Hence arose a situation which terminated in the disqualification of the League itself. Then there was another meeting, at which the League was reinstated and the executive was suspended. The result of all the manoeuvres is that League matters in Auckland reached a very chaotic state, and Mr. Knox explained that he had come south to lay before the officials here tlie facts relating to the occurrences and to get their help in reorganising the control of the game It was no longer, he said ; an Auckland matter, but was of vital interest to the whole of the League organisation in New Zealand. <■"* After very lengthy discussion, in the course of which Mr. Knox related a large number of_ instances to indicate the methods of the "New Zealand Council in its conduct of League affairs in Auckland, it was decided that Mr. Beale should act as tlie local League's representative in consultation with Mr. Knox, and should report later to the executive.