THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22695, 6 April 1937, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

LAST AUCKLAND SEASON INCREASED GATE RECEIPTS NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICERS A high standard of play in all competitions and record gate receipts for club matches were features of the annual report presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland llugby League last evening The president, Mr, J. A. L«;e, M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary, occupied the chair, aijid there was a large attendance of players and officials. The senior grade competition, which marked the entry of Manukau, which was successful, proved one of the best for years, and generally there was little to choose between, four clubs. The balance-sheet revealed a healthy position, and was one to be proud of. The total gate receipts for club matches were £3584 Os, being an increase of £7OO 15s od, as compared with 1034, and .€285 12s, compared with 1035. Considering the season was interrupted by the visit of au English, team, the results were excellent. The balance carried forward to the appropriation account, from the working account was £1202 10s 7d, leaving a balance of £IBO JOr (Id, which was transferred to the consolidated fund. A pleatiiug feature of the season's operations was the marked increase in the number of club vice-presidents. The number had risen from 105 to 203, which meant more funds tor the clubs' activities. Grants made to clubs from gale percentages totalled £OSB 38s Id. Which was an increase of 20 per cent over 1035. The progress In the junior grades, with special extension of the schoolboys' competition, was highly praised, and the work of the Auckland Rugby League ladies' committee merited special recognition. Loyalty of Officials Mr. Lee said he felt honoured at being associated, as president, with a body which was dedicated to help in a worthy manner an organised game which undoubtedly provided a healthy recreation for hundreds of Aucklanders. He paid a tribute to the loyalty of club officials, who were really doing a national duty in providing organised games for the benefit of young New Zealanders. Mr. Lee said the annual report and balance-sheet were a credit to the management of the gamo. The speaker regretted that his duties in Wellington would not permit him to see many matches at Carlaw Park this season, but he would watch with interest the progress of the code. He made reference to the loss the code had sustained by the death of Mr. John Stormont, one of the trustees. Dr. Tracy Inglis, honorary medical officer, and Mr. A. A. Cowan, organiser of the Manukau Club. All present stood in silence in memory of those mentioned. Mr. <3-. Grey Campbell said the profit of over £I2OO was excellent, in view of the exceptionally wet season. The high grants to clubs were easily the best recorded in the history of the code. The assets of £II,OOO were testimony to the progress of the code and spoke volumes for the administration of clubs and the management. He thanked clubs for their loyalty and co-operation last season. Preliminary Matches Mr. Campbell said it was intended to play a series of preliminary matches, commencing on Saturday, April 17. Provided suitable arrangements can be made, one of the matches would be played at night time. The cost of lighting, he said, may be prohibitive, but an announcement would be made shortly. It was reported that the terraces at Carlaw. Park had been biturninised during the summer months, and that the work was permanent. At a subsequent meeting of the board of control, Mr. Campbell welcomed Messrs. T. Davis and P. T. McAneny as additional representatives of clubs. Both had had considerable experience in the code, and should strengthen the administration generally. It was decided to ask the senior clubs for nominations for the position of selector for the Auckland team. . The election of officers resulted as follows: • Patron. Mr. J. B. Donald; vice-patron, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson; president, Mr. J. A. Lec, M.P.; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. Davis. R. D. Bagnall, R. Benson, 0. Blackwood, J. Donald. C. H. Drysdale, H. Grange, R. J. Laird. W. 1. Lovett, E. Morton. E. Montgomery. T. G. S.vmonds, J. Sayegh, C. Seagar, P. W. Schramm, M.P.. W-.-Wallace, H. Walmsley, R. H. Wood, G. T. Wright, H. W. Brien; trustees, Messrs. A. Stormont, E. J. Phelan and G. Grey Campbell; auditor. Mr. R. A. Spinley; honorary solicitor, Mr. H. M. Rogerson; club delegates on the board of control. Meßßre. J. W. Probert, ,T. Rukntai, T. Davis. ' P.- T. McAneny; junior delegate, Mr. D. Wilkie; referees' delegate, Mr. W. Mincham; honorary secretary. Mr. I. Culpan; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. E. Knowling; delegate to New Zealand Rugby League. Mr. R. Doble; press steward, Mr. R. Doble; honorary physicians, Drs. M. G. Pezaro, F. J. Gwynne, K. H. Holdgate, J. N. Waddell. G. W. Lock. H. Burrell and S. Morris; insurance committee, Messrs. R. Doble. T. Davis, D. Wilkie; accounts committee. Messrs. P. T. McAneny, J, Probert, J. E. Knowling,