LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 124, 23 April 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

TRUSTEE’S RESIGNATION. AUCKLAND, April 22.Reasons why his life membership badge should not be returned were recently sought from Mr H. Oakley, a trustee of the New Zealand Rugby League, and a lengthy discussion on the matter took place at last flight’s meeting of the. League Council. Mr C. A. Snedden presided. The secretary, Mr 0. Carlaw, alleged that Mr Oakley had taken an active part' in the formation of a city Rugby Club, and, further, at different times, had written letters to the Press detrimental to the League code. Mr’ Oakley in his letter said “ duly received your letter, and I did not reply to it earlier as I had decided to treat-it with the contempt it assuredly deserved. It may interest you to know that for the last three years, up to the time I received your letter, I have not been actively connected with any • form of football whatever. With reference to the position of trustee of the New Zealand League, I have very great pleasure in resigning it.” Continuing. Mr Oakley said lro had absolutely dissociated himself from League football ill Auckland, but could not recollect having at any time brought discredit on the League game, which was the only penalty for forfeiture of a life members medallion. He refused to accede to the council’s request in this connection.»The.letter concluded: “After the recent disreputable business with the New Zealand team, I should have thought, the council would have no difficulty in finding an offender against this clause of your life membership rules, but I most certainly refuse to be made the scapegoat. Moreover, after many years of faithful service, I take this matter as a personal insult, and unless your council itself can find reasonable cause I shall consider seriously taking the matter further.” Mr E. Stallworthy (Auckland) said Mr Oakley, by his acceptance of a position in a city Rugby club had dissociated himself from the League code, and lie moved that Mr Oakley’s resignation as trustee be accepted. The motion was carried unanimously. It was decided to take no further action regarding the recovery of the life membership badge.