THE LEAGUE GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16529, 3 May 1917, Page 8

THE LEAGUE GAME.

PROSPECTS. FOR THE , SEASON. • The ■ annual meeting of • Auckland " Rugby , ■'. league, Northern Union, was held last • ■ night - : at 'tho: '; WaitordataV Hotel, Mr. '-. Jaa. V. Citrlaw, 4 vice-president, presiding. .' • - In moving the adoption of tho;report;and balance-sheet, a. ! .summary of• which o was published Jn hist Monday's| HERALD, the chairman- congratulated the league upon : the results achieved -• Ins, . season. Ho j emphasised the fast that tlio' playing teams comprised married men, ineligible?, returned . soldiers, etc. • The games had all been keen, and had been appreciated by the public. Ha referred -to the • disability of v tb©,. league i m regard to the taking away 'of the fencing around Victoria Park. N This would increase ill financial burden, and make it • difficult to carry on during the coming season, as tliero would bo revenue coming in from tho public till the new grounds were • available, 1 on which a, lot would hove to he spent. $ He mentioned that in ''past two «years the league had donated £580 to ;patriotic-; and charitable funds. Tho chairman .mode feelins reference to the part played m.the war by members; GOO of whom had'; enlisted twenty-five'from affiliated clubs having given their lives for their country. ,:•...; ; ■■: ■'. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The followin? officers were elected:— sident, Hop. A.-11. Myors; .vice-presidents, Messrs. J. iCarla-w, S. Dickson, . Scalar, J. Endean, A. Seccombe- R. Mascfield, 0, Drysdale, M. Wallace, and A. E. Clover,' M.P.; horn auditor, Mr. P. Usslier; delesate to 'the- New Zealand Council, Mr. R. Benson; executive, Messrs. A. W. Tatton (North Shore Albums), o.' Baiter (Otahuhu); J. Endean (Grafton Athletic), W. Ross (New; ■ton Rangers), K. McDonald (Ponsonby United},'lt Pollock (City Rovers), Fiela. ins (Junior Advisory Board), and R. Benson (Referees' Association). The- secretary, Mr, R. A. Spinloy, slated fiat so far as ho could ascertain, these ■would only be fivo senior, teams hi tho held this season. Junior crabs- were being -largely depleted' by men going to the i front, and Bomo would not lie able" to raise teams. To, overcome the difficulty it had been proposed j •that the league Should allow some laxity in regard to transfers, enabling the stronger teams to pass men -over to" tho weaker teams and so equalise matters. • -The point was referred to tho incoming executive.