RUGBY LEAGUE DINNER

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1933, Page 7

RUGBY LEAGUE DINNER

I NORTH LANDERS ENTERTAINED, HAPPY ATMOSPHERE EVIDENT. At the conclusion of the Rugby League representative match in Auckland on Saturday, members and accom- | panying officials of both the Northland and Auckland teams assembled at the Commercial Hotel, the headquarters of the visitors, to participate in what proved to be a most enjoyable dinner. The 'president of the Auckland League, Mr Grey Campbell, presided, and after dinner had been partaken of, opened proceedings by proposing the loyal toast, which was duly honoured. Mr Grey Campbell then proposed the health of ‘‘the Northland Team.” In j so doing he said that it was a fitting j representation of the League in North- j land, and congratulated them on their j fine display. He reminded them that they, we re pitted against a very strong combination, which, owing to its having suffered defeat at the hands of South Auckland, was determined to notch a win on Saturday. The speaker complimented the players on the wonderful spirit in which the game had been contested and expressed ap-, preciation of their visit, as of any outside team, which, he said, were the means of helping the game along. Mr Campbell also offered congratulations on the fine calibre of player selected to represent Northland. In responding on behalf of the visitors, Mr J. F. Johnson, president of the Northland League, congratulated ! the Auckland representatives on their meritorious win, and commented on the fine spirit evidenced in the game. Although beaten, Northland gained, consolation from the ! fact that the Auckland body was noticeably opening itself up, a policy of immense benefit to the country districts. Visits such as the present one afforded country players a new insight into the ganie, and he quoted Kaikohe’s visit to Whangarei as an instance of\ the remarkable manner in which the liner points were mastered. The speaker concluded by thanking the Auckland officials for the wonderful welcome accorded

Ills eolleagues. The previous speaker’s remarks were substantiated by Mr C. E. G’Callaghan, secretary of the Northland Rugby League. Mr O’Callaghan also commented on the ideal spirit in which the game had been played and intimated that his men had not produced their contemplated form. However, he acknowledged the fact that Auckland were a better side.

Mr O’Callaghan touched upon the non-uniformity of the Auckland and Northland' hooking rules, but quoted the old saying of a team playing as well as it Avas alloAved to play. The more such -visits were encouraged, the better Avould be the standard of play in Northland, and Mr o’Callaghan expressed a desire for a visit to the North by an Auckland representative team. In closing, the speaker complimented Mr Brisbane on the tine display of his men. Congratulations were also extended by Mr j'L Dunn, the visiting captain, avlio considered that in q! year or two Northland could produce a team to loAver the metropolitans’ colours, / Mr Johnson then sponsored the toast of the Auckland Rugby League, which Avas enthusiastically honoured.

In reply, Mr H. C. Brisbane, the captain, thanked the previous speakers for their kind remarks and complimented Northland on their fine exhibition, expressing' the surprise of the Aucklanders on their wonderful positional play. Applause greeted his genuine assertion, when referring to the line spirit in which the game was contested, that it was the best battle in club or representative football that ho had ever taken part in.

The next toast honoured was that of the New Zealand League, proposed by the chairman, Mr Grey Campbell. Mr C. A. Sneddon, as the responder, expressed thanks on behalf of the governing body in Now Zealand for the honour accorded. Northland was at one. time regarded as the baby League in this country, he went on, but since its inauguration several other Leagues had sprung into existence. Mr Sneddon wished each body to look on the N.Z. League not only as the governing unit, but a body working with the interests of the game as a whole at heart. The speaker regarded this year as a rod-letter one for the game, and assured all that the next season would bo outstanding. He voiced the hope that within a very few years the thirteen-a-sidc code would be the national game in New Zealand. In finalising his remarks, Mr Sneddon referred to Mr Walmsley by saying that if the officials battled on in their capacity as Mr Walmsley—a cripple —had done as a supporter, the League would undoubtedly prosper. The function then terminated.