FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16202, 12 April 1916, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE LEAGUE GAME.

ANNUAL MEETING TO-NIGHT.

The sixth, annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Football League will be held in the Waitemata Hotel this evening at eight o'clock. The business of the meeting is to receive the annual report and statement of affairs, to elect officers, and general. The following is a resume of the report " The season just concluded chronicles tho second year of the great war, and the deatns !ot many of our toremost players, mo League Executive at tue commencement ot the season deemed it advisabio to carry on the game during the winter, so as to main tain the physical fitness of the many players then awaiting orders, and who have since sailed ior tna front. The sporting puclic patronised the matches in all grades. Victoria Park was largely attended every Saturday, and the suburban grounds received their share of patronage. Several of the senior teams had their strength depleted by departures for tho scone of war, nevertheless, the six teams requisite for the first (pad® competitions were registered, and played without default. The most notable removals from tho league by the call of the Empire are: C. Savoury, H. Fncker, S. Magee, hFox, G. Scager, Rogers, K. Ifwerson, J. ! Hines, Reke, C.. Halley. G. Smton, W. Moeki, F. McWhirter, F. Mansell, C. Owen, C. Walker, 8. Jones, R. Denize, J. Bnggs, A. Carlaw, Muir, A. B. Cummins, A. E. Powell, W. Shaughnessy, J. Goodwin, A. V. >iyer. Brown, Quane, Rope, and J. Huntley. Amliated clubs playing under the jurisdiction of the league number 13, with 44 teams in the five competitive grades, and 740 players and 1467 members. During the year tne committee sought for a. suitable ground tor the purpose of establishing ft home for Nor thern Union football in .Auckland, lhe result was highly successful, and the league members are to be congratulated on having the right to acquire ior athletics an area of six acres of valuable city land on on extensive lease, and at a low rental. The illcoming executive is earnestly requested to seriously consider the advisability of accepting the option now held by the present committee. The senior grade was won by Oralton Athletic, tho second grade by Uty Rovers, tho third and fourth grade:.' by Sunnyside, and the fifth grade by City Rovers. The finances of the league are ra ft gratifying condition* , The policy of the league during the past year was to help toe Hospital Ship Fund, the Auckland Patriotic Association, and , the , funds of deserving charities, rather than hoard up war profits, when so much could be done and so many wcro'in need of financial assistance, very penny of profit was voted away. The various office expenses, amounting to £<8 14s sa, were borne by the league, and paid out. o. the consolidated funds. . Thus, by carrying on the sport the executive wr.s able to donate no less a sum than £367 3s lid to the following institutions: Auckland Hospital Ship and War Relief Association, amounts totalling £280 5s 2d; Salvation Army Rescue Home, £16 7s Id; Salvation Army Maternity Home, £16 7s Id; Door of Hope Rescue Home, £15 7s Id: Sister Esther s cause, £li> 7s Id: Soldiers' Waistcoat Fund, £o Is lOd. To date 72 per cent- of tho league players totalling 487, have left for the front, and as the lower grades are composed of players under age, the number who have donned tho uniform to play the greater game supplies a record of which the league is rightfully proud."