LEAGUE RUGBY.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 29, 11 March 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE RUGBY.

PAPAKURA CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING.' There was an attendance of 30 at the annual meeting of the Papakura Rugby League Club held last week. Mr S. H. Godden presided. Officers elected were: Patron, Mr E. G. Foote; president, Mr H. A. Pollock; vice-presidents, Messrs G. Spencer, L. McVeagh, G. Chamberlain, F. J. Verner and V. Hardwick; executive, Messrs G. Wilson, V. Ashby, G. Spencer, W. Elliott and L. McVeagh; club captain, Mr E. B. Pope; treasurer, Mr R. Walsh; social committee, Messrs Hawley, E. Ashby, R. Richardson, J. Mclnnes, A. Verner, junior, and H. T. McDonald; grounds committee, Messrs Wellm, A. Hill, A. McVeagh and King; honorary physicians, Drs. G. W. Lock and H. Burrell; auditor, Mr W. K. Francis, junior. Mr D. Wilkie of the Auckland Junior Control Board, congratulated the club on the class of men appointed as officers, and the elder adults who took an interest in the game. He also expressed his thanks to the club for the way it had conducted its business. Mr I. Stonex of the Auckland league, informed the meeting that the league was going to introduce a card index system which would mean reregistration of every junior player. He referred to insurance, saying that 10s a week for 10 weeks would be about the maximum paid to injured players. As to senior matches at Auckland, he strongly advised the club to make application at once as fixtures were rapidly filling up. An invitation to New South Wales was possible if the league team made a good showing against the Englishmen.

Services Appreciated. Mr H. D. Spinley moved a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing president for his valuable services, and this was carried by acclamation. In returning thanks, Mr Godden said it was good to have a spell from office. He was not losing interest and might even be washing the jerseys this season. (Laughter). “I am the oldest member of the league here to-night,” said the newlyinstalled president. He said he recognised that he had a hard road to follow after Mr Godden. Mr Polloctt’s offer to give the senior team a set of new jerseys was received with great applause. The question of colours was left to the incoming committee. Votes of thanks were accorded to the secretary (Mr N. Widdowson), executive, social committee and any others who had helped the club last season. • • The financial statement showed a credit of £35 ss. The secretary in his report stated that the performance of the club’s teams maintained a very satisfactory standard. Last season’s membership totalled 73 players'and honorary members. Four teams were entered in the Auckland competitions but no ground was really lost. The senior B team was successful in winning the knockout competition. It is also the holder of the Foster shield and won#the Walmslev shield, for which a special round was played. A notable feature was the admission of senior B teams to the senior reserve grade knock-out competition played for the Stallard cup. The second grade team, comprising chiefly young players, proved a valuable asset as a training place for the senior teams. The fourths battled well in a difficult grade and played a definitely more spectacular type of football than the other teams. A number of young players gained valuable experience into league in the fifth grade, though weight and inexperience mitigated against their success as a team.

Cost to Players. The club still retained a district, character. The players who lived a mile or two out of Papalcura had been among' tiie most dependable of the members and were deserving- of thanks lor their extra effort. The policy ot producing football for all who wished to play, at a minimum of cost to the player, had been strictly followed. As jerseys and stockings were provided, the cost to the player did not average more than 6d a week over the whole season. Despite this, many members had been very apathetic. At the commencement of the season the cooperation of members of teams was requested, each team being invited to send a representative to the weekly committee meeting, but about only on two occasions did any representative attend. Through disinterestedness of players the training nights were a farce. Payment of club fees was disregarded by more than two-thirds or the players. * A difficulty which laced (lie club each year and which restricted progress and success, was I hat few of the football supporters would become active workers. Jl the club was to be carried on successfully additional help had to be forth- | coming.

A splendid feature of the past year had been the harmonious working of I lie executive, Messrs G. Wilson, McVeagli. G. N. Spencer, 11. A. Pol-

lock. V. R. Ashby. Grey and R. Walsh. Thirty-three weekly meetings were held. On June 5. Mr Ashwho resigned to undertake a trip ic b. v was re-elected in place of Mr Grey, Australia. Tiie report placed on record [he services of the chairman. Mr G. Wilson, who had ably performed a tremendous amount of important work, and also commended Air Walsh on his activities. The wck-end trip to Hikurangi proved the most successful social undertaking sponsored by the club. Next in importance was the i smoke concert held on October 10.

Several dances were held, the social committee doing good work.