LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 October 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

SEASON'S FINAL MEETING. The final meeting for the 1931 season, of the West Coast Rugby League, was held last evening. There were present Messrs W. Ryan, W. Barlow, W. O’Neill, J. Masters, J. Anisy, E. Hogg. R. Harrington, C. Hall, J. Anderson (secretary). Mr W. Ryan was elected to the chair. Apologies were received from Messrs McKane and T. Anisy. The Secretary reported that he had personally interviewed Messrs Mouat and Wright, and informed them of the necessity for a personal application for the lifting of the life disqualification placed on them by the New Zealand Council. Wright had filled in the necessary form, but Mouatt was of the opinion that an inquiry should be held, and thought that if that was granted, he could exonerate himself from all blame. —It was decided to forward Wright’s application to the New Zealand Council.

A letter from the Ahaura Club asking for expenses for three trips made to Waiuta was referred back to the club for an itemized account of the number of employed players who paid their own fares on the trips for w’hich expenses were asked. Mr V- Armstrong rwote, stating that the Referees’ Association had informed him that the Management Committee was the governing body of the League on the West Coast, and in consequence he asked that his disqualification be lifted.

Mr Ryan said that the whole trouble had seemed to hinge on the recognition by the Referees’ Association that the Centre was the controlling body.— On the motion of Mr Ryan, it was decided that the suspension be lifted. Mr Hogg said that he must say that the reply by Mr Armstrong had been very half-hearted. Waiuta Club wrote, claiming the O’Donnell Cup by default, stating that the fixture would have taken place at Wingham Park, but some of the Runanga team when on the field had pleaded ignorance of the fixture. This Waiuta declared was only said because Runanga could not get a full team. The Secretary reported that last week he had received a telephone message from Waiuta, stating that they.would not play. No fixture had then been arranged, but later in the week Waiuta advised their willingness to play. He had then informed Waiuta that the fixture could be played on Wingham Park, but that no percentage of the gate money should be made. Runanga on Saturday last had notified him that they could not field a team. He had given a message to one of the Waiuta team, but he had not. been believed at Waiuta, and the team had made the trip.

Mr Ryan said that he knew the message had been received by the Waiuta Chib.

Mr Hogg said that he did not think that the club should be forfeited. On the motion of Mr Ryan, it was decided that Waiuta should forward a list of the names of members of the team who, made the trip. Mr O’Neill said that he understood the Waiuta team was a combined one consisting of both A and B Division players. PLAYER DISQUALIFIED. The Secretary commenced reading a letter from the Runanga Club. Mr Hogg moved that the matter taken in committee. The Secretary stated that the matter was important—in fact, the accusing of a player of corrupt practices. It was up to the Centre to run the game cleanly, and he thought the matter should be dealt with openly. Mr Ryan said that he would not like to see the matter published until the case was proved. Mr Masters said that, earlier in the season, the case of Mr V. Armstrong had been dealt with in committee. Mr Ryan pointed out that the matter at present under review was a personal one, and Armstrong’s case had been held purely to deal with his official capacity to act as a referee. — It was decided to take the matter in committee. It was later announced that as the West Coast Centre w’ere satisfied with the evidence of the Runanga Club, that A. Broom was not a fit and proper person to be associated with the League code, that he be disqualified for two years, and that his name be forwarded to the New Zealand Council Accounts amounting to £l6/16/3 were passed for payment. Prior to the close of the meeting, the secretary, Mr J. R. Anderson, gate notice of resignation, stating that for reasons of health he considered it a duty to himself to retire from the position Mr Ryan said that he would like to express the appreciation that was so justly merited by Mr Anderson’s services to the code. When he had taken over the secretaryship, the League had not been in too good a position, and it was mainly due to his efforts as secretary that it ws now placed on so efficient a working basis'. Mr Ryan expressed regret at the resignation and the hope that the beginning of the next season would see' Mr Anderson again connected in some way with the workings of the League. Messrs Hogg, Masters and Harrington also spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Anderson’s fine work, the firstmentioned stating that Mr Anderson was the best secretary the League had yet had. Mr Anderson briefly responded. Mr R. Harrington was appointed secretary pro-tem, and it was decided that all general business to be transacted before the next general meeting should be carried out by the President, Mr A. H. McKane, and Messrs Harrington and W. Ryan. Votes of thanks to members for their attendance during the year, to the Grounds Committee, to the Ladies’ Committee, and to Mrs Wingham and Mr C. McKechnie (for granting the Centre permission to erect an advertising sign across' Tainui Street) were passed at the conclusion of the meeting.