RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 25, 5 March 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

THE PAPAKURA CLUB. : ANNUAL MEETING. The sixth annual meeting of the Papakura Rugby League Football Club was held last evening, the president Mr G. Wilson, presiding over an attendance of 70 enthusiastic young footballers.

The financial statement showed the club to be in a very strong position, the credit balance being £BB 17s sd. This is said to be a record balance for any junior league club in the Auckland district. The . club has been generous to its members in providing a smoke - concert and picnic free of charge. Transportation charges cost the club £55 and. profits from dances amounted to £7O 17s 8d and subscriptions to £9 7s 6d. Other profits are set-down at £46 0s 6d, and collections £43 4s 3d. 'Such an achievement reflects great credit on club officials.

The meeting was attended by Mr A: Wiilde. chairman of the Auckland junior management board and Mr J. Stonex, a member of the hoard.

Officers elected for the ensuing year were:—Patron, Mr I-I. A. Pollock; president, Mr Les McVeagh: vice-presi-dents, Messrs F. J. Verner. A. McGreg--01, G. Chamberlain, S. H. Godden, A. Richardson and V. Hardwick; executive, Messrs G. Wilson, V. Ashby. W. If. Francis, jnr., W. Elliott, N. Widdewson, E. Ashby and R. S. Williams; treasurer, Mr R. Walsh; ground committee, Messrs. A. Hill, R. Bates, A. McVeagh, F. W.ellm and Schwartsfeger; hon. physicians, Dr. G. W. Lock and Dr. Warren Young; club captain. Mr F. Osborne.

The secretary is elected by the executive at a later meeting. The season opens on April 24. A votO of appreciation of his valued services to the club as secretary during last season, was accorded Mr <_. Spencer. On the motion of Mr F. J. Verner, seconded by Mr S. H. Godden, a vote of thanks was accorded to ail retiring officials. “Progress has been the dominant rote of the annual reports of the club since its first annual meeting six years ago,” stated the report presented oy the secretary, Mr N. Widdowson.

• Increased Membership. “The membership slightly exceeds that of the previous year and five teams were entered in senior B. third fifth, sixth and seventh grade competitions. The senior B team was as fine a side as has ever represented the club and won the championship without suffering a defeat. It also won the Walmsley shield. The third grade was the club’s model team. Without any special “stars” it improved during the season to become the most solid combination in its grade and it deserves appreciation for its outstanding example of conscientious training ind team spirit. The fifth grade started the season with hopes high and pros pects bright, and placed itself in an outstanding position in the first round of the competition. The spirit of perseverance and loyalty to each other was apparently lacking however and after experiencing a defeat the team steadily degenerated. The sixth gode was the club’s first attempt to provide football for boys who mainly have just left school. The attempt was well worth the making. Of last year’s team, happily two-thirds will lie of value to the club. The taking unde” j ls care of a team of schoolboys from Manurewa and making it possible for it to play some football in the seventh grade was in accord with the broad district policy which has always been followed. The enthusiasm of the hoys and the good Mends that were made in the Manurewa district lias fully justified the action.

Burden on Too Few. “The club suffered a distinct loss by the departure of Mr C. N. Spencer, who carried the secretarial burden so capably throughout the season. The executive, under the chairmanship and direction of Mr Gordon Wilson, worked harmoniously. Weekly meetings were held from March to November and altogether 32 were held. Recent years’ experience has proved that too great a burden of club management has fallen on too few individual worKers and an alteration in management was suggested. Socially the club's year was a great success. The dances proved as popular as ever and contributed substantially to the club’s finances. The members of the social committee deserve thanks. The smoke concert excelled all previously held. Mr Spencer’s effort in securing the band from the R.M.S. Remuera to assisl with the programme was greatly appreciated. A most popular innovation was the holding of the club picnic. As a success it greatly surpassed even the highest hopes of tiie executive. Messrs L. McVeigh and H. A. Pollock earned gratitude by their presentation of cups for athletic events, also Mr and Mrs Allan McGregor for trophies and Mr Sutherland of Glevedon, I lor permitting the use of his splendid picnic ground. Additional to those already mentioned thanks were extend- | e" to the Auckland Rugby League, the :

junior control board, the Papakura Town Hoard, Mr A. McVeigh, Mr A. Hill, Mr Schwartsfeger, Mr Green, Mr F. J. Verner, Mr E. Searle, Mr F. Wellm, Mr J. A. Wishart, Mr W. Galloway, and honorary members.