FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16222, 6 May 1916, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. ■"■"" AUCKLAND UNION'S MEETING. SOME IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS. The annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union was held in the Amateur Sports Clubroom last evening. Mr. J. Arneil, vicepresident, occupied the chair. The Ponsonby. City. Newton, Marist Bros. Old Boys, College Rifles, University, Grafton, Grammar School-Old Boys, Parnell, and Hibernian clubs, and the Referees' Association, ■were represented, the delegates numbering 30. Before the business of the meeting was commenced Mr. Arneil made reference to the death of the president, Mr. A. E. Devore. who for 27 years had held office, and who had presided at every annual meetins: during that period. On the chairman's motion it was decided that the late president's services be placed on record, and that a letter of condolence be sent to his relatives. The annual report and balance-sheet, which were published in the HEEAiO on May 3, were read. The chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. There was no discussion on the report, and very little on the balance-sheet, and both were unanimously adopted. In reply to a question the secretary said that the present lease of the Three Kings ground would terminate in about a year, and it was expected that the future revenue from the ground would be sufficient to place the union beyond financial worry, and auite independent of the gate returns. On the call for nominations for new clubs a discussion arose in regard to procedure, in view of the resolutions carried at the special meeting of delegates held in April. i i wai L even tually decided to admit new clubs by the method followed in the past. J'm Newton, Hibernian, Grammar School Old Boys, Grafton, and North Shore clubs were admitted. ! _ The Newton Club had given notice of its intention to move:.."That Rule 4 of the by-laws of the Auckland Rugby Union be amended by inserting after the words 'annual meeting' (sixth line), the words ' by the delegates of the clubs comprising the union present at such annual meeting.' " The effect of the above amendment, if carried, would be that only delegates, and not honorary officers, wuld be permitted to vote at the election of officers. Mr. McElwain, in proposing the motion, said that he did not consider the honorary omcers should have a vote in the affairs of the union. In his opinion the delegates only should elect the officers. He said there was an occasion when honorary officers had thwarted the wishes of the clubs whose Players, desired a change in the personnel of the union. Mr. Langsford, as a retiring officer, said that ths honorary officers gave the executive officers considerable assistance in the conduct of affairs. It would stultify them to take their votes away. The motion was declared lost on the voices. a lie i, e c i 10I i of. officers resulted : —President, Mr. J. Arneil; vice-presidents. Messrs. P. R. Fras i er - C. V. Langsford. M. J. Shea- *„: secretary, Mr. A. Tilly; treasurer, Mr. A. rwiname; management committee, Messrs. {?;„.♦ oh , lso •{■ H - £*<!**> ». Nicholson, H. i mL..' C I ?£' M - CKConnor; auditors, £t!?4' at R V Pr , aße and T - Macky : gates to New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr. G. U} s2 n ?? d .?'« p F. Mcifvedy. Ihe Marist Brothers Old Boys' Club had 5 V M n i n> _ t,ce « of , , lts intention to move: — .♦™»+Lj « Auckland Rugby Union be inn™ 52„i to,ak \ application through the New Zealand Rugby Union to have the susE2l!?m and raised on all footballers serving their country, who, prior w« j*i"' and dur «g the war, have forfeited their amateur status." Mr. M. O'Connor, in proposing the motion, said that many associations were being formed at the front ™Jr.? loo * and _ L f a sue players, and therefore opportunity should be given to them to play side by side when they returned to the Lo,i^ on "f Mr P - a « a l. Pointed jut that lhe rules of professionalism would havs to be altered and. that could only be done by tie fcnghsh Union The Auckland Union moved in the matter last season, and the New Zealand Union endorsed its action. Mr. Ohlson considered, in view of the services rendered *?.» .i En lre r? i he oversea* footballers, ™$ th< > Ens i ,s - h Union should assist to remove the stain of professionalism from the men who had served their country. The motion was carried unanimously amid apThe Southland Union has given notice to move the following at the annual meeting of , the New . Zeal , Rugby Union, and has asked the Auckland Union's support-—"in view of the impoverished condition of many of the affiliated! unions, due to the war, all payments of interest accruing due since January 1. 1916, be foregone, and that the repayment of principal of loans he suspended during the currency of the war *' The Auckland Union decided to support the Southland Union's proposal. The recommendations from the meeting of delegates held in April were next considered, lhe-hrst. that the. Referees' Association be permitted to appoint a representative to the Management Committee, was carried a f ter discussion. There were several ijisseliting voices. A number of other recommendations, mostly dealing with machinery clauses, were adopted. It was decided to suspend the accident fund regulations. Mr. C V. Langsford, who retired from the position of secretary to the union after several years service, and Mr. M J Sheanan, many years chairman of the Management Committee, were elected life members of the union. A vote of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. Geo Donaldson. . It was decided to recommend to the incom ing committee that the question of residential trustees be discussed at an early date On the suggest;, t>. of the president the memory of the men lying on Gallipoli wa« honoured by all present standing in silence

PARNELL CLUB'S MEETING. . 1? 1^, ? Ilual meeting of the Parnell Football Club was held in the Training Hall on ihursday evening. The president, Mr P K Fraser, presided over a small attendance', ilie report and balance-sheet were read and adorned. The following officers were elected for the season:—President, Mr. P. R. Fraser; vicepresidents, left to the committee; hon. secretary, Mr HG. Chevis (pro tern.); hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Hampton (pro tern.); hon. auditors, Messrs. P. R. Fraser and A G Buchanan; delegates to Auckland Rugby Union. Messrs. S. Somerfield, A. Twiname, and H. G. Chevis; hall cus+odian, Mr. R Mundy; general committee, Messrs. Nelson. Twiname, Somerfield, D Gedye. R. Mundv, O bmn, N. O'Brien, and MacQuarrie: club cantam. Mr. A. Twiname. ' It was reported that a large number of members and ex-members of the club had jpne to the front A vote of condolence with the relatives of Maior F. Stuckey, Cantain B Kay, Kent. O. Steele, and Privates Stan. Si-lark and W. Corlieson, ex-members of the club, was passed, those present standing A donation of £3 3s was made to the hall custodian for last year's services. PUBLIC SCHOOLS' UNION. ,„ T i le u a ?? ua L? ral^ meetin & of the Auckland Public Schools' Rugby Union was held on Monday Mr. A. L. Sheppard, vice-presi-dent, presiding over a. representative gathering of 25 delegates. The annual report and balance-sheet, which were read and adopted, showed the union to be in a sound financial position. The following officers for the season 1916 were elected: —President, Mr. D. Mclnnes-vice-presidents. Mr. A. L. Sheppard and Mr. M. Wooller; executive. Messrs. W. Edgerley 1. Jones, and A. Bell: hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. B. W. Hayson. Bayfield School; hon. auditor, Mr. J. Vuglar. It was decided to open the season on May 20 and that entries 'should close with the hon. secretary at Bayfield School on May 10 at 4 p.m. The weighing-in of boys over 7st will take place at the Training College on Thursday and Friday next at from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday next from 9 am' to 12 noon. PRACTICE MATCHES. A practice of the Auckland Grammar School Old Boys' Football Club will he held at the school grounds to-day, at 2 p.m. All members are requested to attend. The 88th Company senior cadets will hold a practice at Wood's Paddock to-day, at 30 p.m. THE LEAGUE GAME. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. The annual report of the council of management of the New Zealand Rugby League reviewed a auiet but successful year's work. The review drew attention to the fact that the league did not undertake tours of any description during the past season on account of the war. Originally it was intended to exchange visits with the New South Wales League, but the council finally recognised that it was not a fitting time to tour. Notwithstanding this set-back the funds of the league were in a satisfactory state, and the policy of the council will be to conserve them for the future. The report expresses thanks to Dr. H. J. Thacker and Mr. W. Moyle, president and secretary, respectively, of the. Canterbury League, for their valuable assistance in opening up the game on the West Coast of the South Island thereby establishing another centie for the league. The league's affiliation list for the season, comprised the following centres - Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury. Hawke's Bay. TaranaH, Wanganui. Nelson, and West Coast. The council expressed deep regret at the death of two of its members, Messrs. F. J. Gladding and J. B. Morton, , during the year, the former of whom joined

the Expeditionary Force, and also- made reference to the .death of many players who gave their .lives in. the service of the country. It was intended later to compile a complete record 'of honour of all League players in the Dominion who had taken part in the war. The report congratulated the Auckland League on its fine record in regard to charitable and patriotic assistance during the past year, mentioned the fact that the council was represented at the front by Mr. A. E. Powell, late Auckland delegate, and concluded with the observation that while hoping for better times for the game at the close of the war, the present Great Game should be seen through to the call of time before the other received serious thought. The balance-sheet showed that the principal expenditure during the year was the sum of £160 general expenses, which included grants and loans to leagues (£120). Other items were the cost of Dr. Thacker's West Coast tour £20, salaries £47, and rent /.15. The only income during the year, in addition to loan interest, repayment of loans and a transference from the trust account was the Sum of £16 16 received in affiliation fees. The year commenced with a balance at the bank of £89 12s 6d. but owing to the transference mentioned there was a balance of £356 17s 7d now at the bank. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League was held in the league rooms, Mr. R. Benson presiding. Other members present were: Messrs. J. Endean. R. Pollock. A. W. Tatton, T. Feilding, C. Baker, I. Fellows and R. A. Spinley, seoretary. In connection with the league's endeavour to secure the better uniforming of players on the nek', the Management Committee has decided, if practicable, to purchase the whole of the jerseys for the league from well-known British atfcletio outfitters, in order to secure uniformity in Quality and shade of colour. .Included in the report of the Junior Advisory Board was a recommendation in regard to the new sixth grade for players under the age of 16} years. The board suggested that in the interests of the other junior grades no players should be allowed to be regraded into the boys' grade. The meeting decided that regradin* would only be allowed in very special circumstances. The board also recommended that in the event of clubs under its jurisdiction lapsing through the enlistment of members, ihe club should be allowed to retain its seat on the board until the r.nd of the year. The committee decided that only clubs having teams in the competitions at the present time should be entitled to representation, and any lapses occurring during the season should be dealt with on their merits. An application was received from members of the New Zealand Military Force stationed in the various garrisons for permission to establish a club and enter senior and junior teams in the competitions. The committee decided to hold the application over until nominations have been completed from the remaining clubs. The Junior Advisory Board recommenced that caps be provided for the champions of the fifth and sixth grades, and the committee decided to reply that, although it had been resolved not to purchase any competition trophies this year, the league would be pleased to make allowances should any donors coma forward with the offer of trophies. It was intimated that one of the officials of the league was providing a banner for the newly-formed Birch grade. A newly »ormed club at Riverhead wrote expressing a desire to participate in the third . grade competition, and the secretary was instructed to communicate with its officials with regard to the steps necessary for affiliation. The Grafton Club nominated Mr. Alderton as its representative on the Junior Advisory Board. North Shore Albion applied i.-vr the removal of the disqualification placed upon Mackay. a junior player, and the request was referred to the Junior Advisory Board. THE SEASON'S COMPETITIONS. * MANY ENTRIES RECEIVED. A nomination of 29 teams has been received to date by the Auckland League tor this season's competitions. Most of the entries are in the grades catering for youths. The list, which is open until early next week, is as follows : — Senior Grade: City Rovers, Grafton Athletic. North Shore Albion. Ponsonby United, Newton Rangers, Otahuhu. Second Grade: City Rovers. Grafton Ath- I letic, Mangere, Ponsonby United. " Third Grade: City Rovers (two teams), Manukau, Grafton Athletic, Richmond (two teams), Sunnyside, Riverhead. Fourth Grade (9st 7lb limit, with Bib allowance after three games): City Hovers, Sunnysido. North Shore, Manukau, Grafton. Fifth Grade (Bst 71b limit, with slb allowance after three games): City 'itovers, Sunnyside. North Shore, Manukau, Grafton. . Sixth Grade (under 16 years, Bst 51 b limit; no allowance:) City, Richmond, Manukau, North Shore. ! The sixth grade is an entirely new division, which will practically cater for schoolboys and very young players. NORTH SHORE CLUB. The North Shore Albion League team win hold its first practice of the season at the Devonport ground to-day. All interested are invited. It ia hoped, even with 88 members on active service, to place a team of some description in the field. The club will also endeavour to place fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teams in the league competitions. 'Ihe last will be practically; a schoolboy team, and in a way the most important, as it gives fce boy? an athletic training, and keeps them off the streets. Selectors will be on the ground. Many players who have given their names in to play have enlisted, but have not yet been called up. NOTES AND 1 COMMENTS. A practice of the Ponsonby United Football Club will be held at Victoria Park to-day, at 3 p.m. All members are requested to attend. A practice of the City Rovers Club will be held at Victoria Park to-day, at 2.80 p.m. All members are requested to attend, so as to enable the selectors to choose their respective teams. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NORTH SHORE CLUB. The North Shore Football Club will hold a practice game at the Devonport cricket ground to-day. It is the intention of the committee to place, if possible, third fourth, fifth, and sixth division teams in the competitions. In the absence of the hon. secretary, Mervyn McKellor, who iB detained in Wellington through ill-health, Messrs. D. A. Williams and A. Griffith, hon. treasurer, will carry out his duties. Members and intending members will be welcomed, and the new conditions in which football will be played this season will permit of the boys being well coached ,and catered for. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Y.M.C.A. third grade team will hold a practice at the Mount Eden Reserve today.