RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 21

RUGBY LEAGUE

NEED .FOR GROUNDS

Preparatory to the holding of the annual meeting of tho Wellington Rugby League ou Hth April, a small meeting of league enthusiasts was held last evening to discuss matters connected with tho code. Mr. W. L. Davies piesided. The Town Clerk wrote with regard to thu leaguo's application for a ground that the Reserves Committee'desired'a copy of thu league's annual report and balancesheet, and particulars of affiliated clubs. Tho Reserves Committee would receive a deputation from the league on" Sth. April. Particulars were given of the- proposed visit, t)f an Australian league team to New Zealand this season. An English leuguo team would probably visit New Zealand next year. Notice was given of the intention of six teams to participate in the senior competition tliis year. It was stiitsd that the • following letter liud been sent by the secretary to the various 'league bodies in New Zealand: — "[.have been instructed by my committee to -circularise the various leagues regarding the position of the code in Wellington, which has not made progress during the past seasons, due absolutely to the lack of a playing area. With the support of fellow-leagues the drawback cau now bo. overcome, and i£ not done; at once, it would seem that tho league has lost it's chance to secure a- foothold, in the capital city.. . . . The matter of securing a ground in Wellington is vital to the code in- Ne»' Zealand. The southern league must be joined up with tho noi'thcrn league, and Wellington is the connecting link. By making league only a local interest a short-sighted policy is encouraged, and to send a touring team through a city with over 100,000 inhabitants without playing a fixture is not reasonable. Interchanging games with Canterbury would be inexpensive and would be of the greatest value to the code pen- ! erally." Reference was made in the letter to tiie need for securing the Show Association's ground. A special committee wn« ■ set up from tho meeting to act in conjunction with the New Zealand Council in tho matter-of* grounds'."