THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23303, 23 March 1939, Page 9

THE LEAGUE CODE

SYDNEY TEAM'S VISIT NOMINATION OF SELECTOR DRAW FOR OPENING MATCHES The combined Sydney team to play a series of matches at Easter will include 17 players, according to advice received at last evening's meeting of the Auckland Rugby League. The chairman, Mr. G. Grey Campbell, said arrangements had been finalised for the team to arrive in Auckland on April 3 by the Mariposa and it will sta.V at the Hotel Auckland. Mr. Campbell said it was understood that the famous Wigan Club would pass through Auckland en route to Australia. So far. he said, no. official advice had been received whether the team would stay in Auckland or ,go straight to Australia. The tour arrangements provided that the visitors would arriVo at Auckland on June 2, but. until something more definite was known, it was not possible to further discuss the auestion of playing matches in Auckland. It was decided to nominate Mr, H. Brisbane as Auckland's candidate for the nosition of North Island selector. Tho New Zealand Rugby League will make the final choice from nominations submitted by each affiliated league, Mr. it. Benson, a member of the Referees' Appointment Board, intimated his inability to accept tho office this season. Mr. Campbell said he was sorry to lose Mr. Benson's services, and in the meantime Mr. T. Davis was appointed to act temporarily. Mr. D. Wilkie claimed that tho senior reserve grade competition occupied a false position, and he argued in favour of stronger consideration of status being given to junior clubs with senior B grade teams. Ho stated that several of the present senior grade clubs were devoid of playing strength in the juniors, and there wa3 no incentive for juniors to get past the highest grade in a junior club. Mr. R. Doble said the present senior reserve grade diet not fulfil the earlier intentions of its organisation, and ho preferred one competition as senior B grade. After a prolonged discussion it was decided to carry on with the reserve grade competition for this year, and to advise senior clubs of their obligations under the rules governing affiliation.

The application for playing membershin from C. Blacklaws, who recently returned from England, was deferred pending a clearance. The Rochdale Club. England, advised the transfer of M. Stephens, who was registered with tho Newton Club.

The following additional applications for membership were approved:—T. E. Lawrence, L. C. Sanders, W. "White (Newton) i R. Shilling, B. W. McDonald (City): R. G, Day (City); A. J. Saycrs (Richmond): L. Cremer (Ponsonby). Keen interest was taken in the draw for tho preliminary round of matches to be commenced on Saturday week. It is as follows:

April I.—Richmond v. City, Marist v. Newton. Ponsonby v. Manukau. Mount Albert v. Papakura, North Shore, a b.ve. April B.—Ponsonby v. Marist, City v. Manukau, Papakura t. Richmond. North Shore v. Mount Albert. Newton, a bye.