LEAGUE GAME

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1914, Page 14

LEAGUE GAME

The annual report of the New Zealand Rugby League remarks that an inspection of the past season's affairs shows that the league is now on a more solid basis than in previous years. In addition to the new leagues formed the previous season in Canterbury and Marlborough^ the game received a fresh impetus _in Taranaki and Nelson. The Taranaki League had prospered under new management, and was certain to forge ahead. The game in Nelson was also strongly supported. The League's affiliation list last year was as follows : Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Taranaki, Nelson, and Marlborough. The idea oi a League in Poverty Bay seemed to be steadily' growing, according to a communication received from that district. The game was firmly established in nearly all affiliated centres, a large increase in membership being recorded, and further developments were anticipated during the coming year. At a recent meeting of the Wellington League reference was made to the large reserve fund held by the New Zealand Council, and the matter has been adversely commented on elsewhere, the suggestion being that the money, instead of being put out on loan, should be distributed among the various leagues. The annual report of the council, to be presented at the annual meeting, speaks of the funds as follows : "It will be perceived that a large amount is invested as trust moneys, but this must not be misconstrued. Your council have had no thought of hoarding up funds, but had in view the object of securing them in order to do something permanent and tangible for the benefit of the various leagues when the opportunity offers, something which will be of lasting benefit and not so much of temporary assistance. Although invested, the greater part of this money is at call and is available at any time, but is in the meantime earning an amount which will be of great use towards working expenses." The balance-sheet of the New Zealand League reveals a satisfactory state of affairs, the assets being £1249 4s and the liabilities nil. Tlie gene>ral account shows a credit balance of £89 8s 9d, and the trust account of £40 15s 3d. Tlie Australian tour of the New Zealand tepreßentatives resulted in a net profit of £1072 9s Bd. The test match between New South Wales and New Zealand at Auckland resulted in a profit of £22 16s Id, while on the second test match at Wellington a loss of £81 2s 2d was sustained. "The standard of play showed a decided improvement last season, but much yet remains to be done in this respect,'* remarks tlie annual report of the New Zealand Rugby League. "Efficient coaches and training quarters are the essential things needed, and it is to be hoped that affiliated leagues, will impress upon all clubs under their control the necessity for improvement always. Such a great deal depends on the .exhibitions given. Some 'system of advancement of younger players might well be made use of, a grading Bystem,' for instance, which is carried out in other parts. The selection of teams to represent the Dominion does not seem to be the success it should be, and we would recommend the incoming council to go well into this matter and devise some method whereby the best possible material may be available. There is a feeling existing that our best and strongest teams have not been sent in each case, and it is not without some foundation. The League should spare no expense to obtain the best with the view of building up a Dominion reputation in the League game." The important ground 1 question is discussed at some length in the report, I which expresses the opinion that with a united front, this question could be dealt with successfully, each centre being catered for as circumstances and opportunity .offer. "We trust," remarks the report, " that the incoming committee will not lose sight of this important matter, which means the future welfare and prosperity of our game. Without, permanent grounds, we can only hope for a temporary advantage and support." The Newtown-Petone match played at Petone last Saturday was a good game to watch, although the, heavy rain which fell to some extent spoiled the ground by making it very slippery. One or two matters need attention, however, if the game is to be brought up to its highest standard, even apart from the quality of the play. There was too much " talking in the ranks" for one thing; and there were evidences of rough plaj in the technical sense of the words. No football lover can cavil at the hard knocks that are inseparable from a fast and hard game ; but no one can pretend to applaud when a player's hands come into violent contact with an opponent's face, as if football was as one player remarked on- the field, "a boxing les son. 1 ' One player was warned for his breaches of the' rules of civilised' warfare as they appertain on tlie football field. . , The Athletic Club • has taken up the use of the gyninasium at the Basin Reserve, and trains there each Tuesday and Thursday. The ex-Athletic player Kelly is now in Sydney, and is playing for Balmain. In a letter he sent over recently he said that work for the season would 6tart on 2nd May, and everyone was very eager to get into the field again. He adds that he had a very good reception when he appeared at the practice matches, and that the club, to whom hie services were practically promised when he went over, was well pleased with him. The Wellington League,, which has taken over one of the grounds in the Petone Recreation Reserve, plays there alongside a Rugby ground. The position is a little unfortunate for the League, as it. has to uee an entrance which is" much further out of the way than that used by the other body. There is nothing beyond the personal inclination of League followers to make them use the League gate, because whichever way they enter they can see cither match, or both ; and the position of tho respective entrances simply means that the takings at the Rugby gate are likely to be much larger than those collected at the new entrance, because the former is so much more convenient. Whichever game is more attractive, the Rugby authorities stand to gain something from the patrons of the League, unless the latter can be persuaded by the mute signboard* now in position to "go up further. ' ' The New Zealand Council evidently intends to remain firm in its resolve to disqualify last year's Auckland executive (says the New Zealand Herald). Several members of the latter body have acknowledged themselves beaten, though they have by no meaiis changed their former opinions, and with a view to having the matter ended four of them, ! through their clubs, which appointed them to official positions, have applied for re-instatement. Wbeu first these applications were considered, the council came to a very poor decision by which the four members had their suspensions uplifted, but were debarred for twelve months from holding any office in the league or in any club. As Mr. Carlaw remarked at the council's meeting on Monday night, such a resolution "only half white-washed" the men concerned, and was manifestly unfair to them. In fact, it could hardly be termed lifting the imspeiuion at all. On the motion of hix. A. Powell, the Auckland League's

delegate, this resolution ws/s rescinded on Monday night, and another substituted which will keep the old officials oul of the game for another twelve months. There was something to be said on both sides. One cannot but feel sympathy with those members of the old executive who wish to come back into the fold. Some of them were certainly ruled by the majority, and at the time of the dispute acted against their better judgment. Two of the disqualified members have had their suspensions uplifted, though one at least fought tooth and nail against the old league's action when he was on that body. However, those who have climbed down have left their submission too late, and they now find that they cannot be received for another year at least. There is much in what was said by the members of the council to the eifect that were the old delegates allowed to re-enter the controlling body of Auck•land League football, they might soon gain the upper hand, and things would be as they were before, for although acknowledging that they are beaten, there must certainly be a rankling feeling be neath their professions of good will. At any rate, nobody will be the worse if they are given another year in which to consider their position.