RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 89, 15 April 1940, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

WELLINGTON. CONTROL

PROGRESS REPORTED

The. status of Rugby League player*with the forces was set out in atom-, munication received from the New Zealand Council at the annual meeting. of the Wellington Rugby" League. Registered Rugby League players who joined up with his Majesty's Forces were, it had been decided by the council, free to participate in football matches played under any code during the period that they, were with the Forces without prejudice to their status as Rugby League players. : There was a large attendance. of delegates at the meeting, and the plans for the season's operations engaged keen attention. ' Although the effect of the warwould be felt and the leaguewould play its part in the great undertaking-, the provision of games for the players was essential^ and it was expected that the season would be one of much activity. According to the report, the standard of football in the past season was in keeping with the. code's progress. Attacking qualities, sterling defence, ruggedness of play, arid the ability to rise -to occasions, the report stated, were factors which made for interesting competition, ! although football of a keenly-contested nature-rather than consistent football of the real Rugby; Leaguetype was evident in one or two '. games. A ; jfine' spirit' had prevailed, and another matter to which the report made special reference was the. generally smart turn-out of -players. Mention, too, was made of the formation of a referees' association, and the introduction of junior football. ? Regarding grounds,the. report stated thjat full use was made of ; five areas.' In the J- coming season; nowever, the Winter Show ground woul<i not. be available. An inspection of the ground was made recently by representatives of the board and the- Winter ShowAssociation, and by mutual agreement it had been decided not to make use of this playing area this season. It was ttie intention of the Show Association to level and top-dress. the area and . generally improve the ground, which, it was expected, would be in firstclass, condition for the players in 1941..; The v league's representatives performed .well in representative matches and trials, J. G. Cpotes winning a place in the New. Zealand League team. The election of offiers resulted:?— President, Mr.. G. H. Bassant; vice*' presidents, Messrs. W. T. Holland;; J.■■■-. A. Lee,. W. Appleton, G. Ponder, A. Candy, L. A. Benseman, E. Buckland, W. Williams, and G. Bradley; auditor, Mr. V.-.M. Simpson; The management" committee .would consist of a dele-• gate from each club^ and the com^ ; mittee would elect its chairman; \ secret , tary, and treasurer. Mr. G. H^Bassant ■ was nominated as a life member of the New Zealand Rugby League, this action : being taken in appreciation' of what he had done in the .interests of the;, game. .■-. : '■■-.■ '-■ ■ ■■• ■!■'■ ...■^'^ ■...■'•. ■•'. ■■■■ ■;..