RUGBY TO LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22719, 4 May 1937, Page 17

RUGBY TO LEAGUE

BAY OF PLENTY MOVEMENT RUATOKI MAORIS PROMINENT [ritosi OUR OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE, Monday Dissatisfaction with the schemes adopted for the centralisation of Rugby matches and the amalgamation of weak and redundant clubs affiliated to the Whakatano Rugby Sub-union has recently led to much talk of a swing-over to the League code in this district. The first step to this objective came at a largely-attended meeting last week at Tancatua, when, after an address by Mr. E. Stalhvorthy, a member of the New Zealand Rugby League Council, it was decided to secede from the Union code and form a body to be known as the Bay of Plenty Rugby League. The resolution to this effect was carried by a large majority. ' Mr. Stallworthy, in his address, dwelt on the benefits- of- Rugby League as a fast, open and spectacular code. He said he had not come to offer encouragement to district footballers to play League, as that was not the policy of the council. They allowed those interested to prove they were capable of running a solidly-organised competition, and then the council gave them all the help possible.

The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. C. McCready; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. Tane Wilson (Ruatoki), H. Bell (Waimana), W. Senunens (Taneatua), W. Trainor (Ruatoki), Tui Tarawcra (Ruatoki), B. Hughes (Waimana), G. Collins (Taneatua), V. Mead (Taneatua); provisional committee, Messrs. McCready, Semmens, B. Hughes, H Bell, Tui Tarawcra, T. Wilson (Ruatoki); secretary pro teni. Mr. P. Mora. At a later meeting, attended by a large number of Ruatoki Maoris, it was decided to abandon Rugby Union and join up with the new code as the Ruatoki Rugby League Club. The election of officers resulted: —Patron, Mr. C. 11. Burnett, M.P. (Tauranga)j vice-pat-rons, Messrs. A. F Moncur, M.P (Rotorua) and A G. Hultquist, M.P. (Bay of Plenty); president, Mr. 'fane Wilson (Ruatoki); vice-presidents, Messrs. Takurua, Tamarau, Edward Biddle, D. P- Hawiki. M. Hohua, llutene, J. Dempster, Paki Pouwhare; chairman, Mr. Takurua Tamarau; hon. secretary, Mr. W. Edwards; treasurer, Mr. T. Wilson; hon. auditor, Mr. Eretina Hohua; delegates to the Bay of Plenty Rugby League, Messrs. W. Edwards'and Mr. J. Biddle; management committee, the president, chairman, secretary, J. Biddle, Ei-etini Hohua, Tom Whetu, Rangitane Teepi, W. P. Bush, Makamaka, Mike Hohua, Nashie Hohua, C. Nikora.