THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23613, 25 March 1940, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

BUSY PAST SEASON REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES HIGH JUNIOR STANDARD "It was a most historic season, the longest on record, and was remarkable for many reasons,' states the report to be presented at the annual meeting of delegates to the Auckland Rugby League next Wednesday night. "The visit of the Eastern Suburbs combined team, the sending of. the Kiwis to England and the declaration of war that brought the tour to an :abrupt conclusion, followed in rapid sequence. Tne club champions of the season were Mount Albert, and they fully deserved their double success of being both club champions and winners of the Stormont S lield for the champion of champions. jV'.'arist Old Boys won the Roope Rooster trophy and the City club closed' the season by winning the Phelan Shield." The report states that the following Auckland players were chosen in the New Zealand team to tour England:—J. Heim, A. Mclnnarney, W. Tittleton, D. Solomon, P. Ririnui, E. Jones, J. Smith, T. Chase, V. Scott, it. Stirling, H. Mataira, B. Leatherbarrow, L. Mills, A. Kay, E. Bannam, H. Milliken and G. Mitchell. Again efficiency and co-operation characterised the work of the junior control hoard under the chairmanship of Mr. D. Wilkie. In his unavoidable absence during a portion of the season Mr. E, Chapman ably directed the affairs of the junior board. Mr. \V. F. Clarke, honorary secretary, is offered thanks for the valuable services he rendered to junior fotoball. Mr. I. Stones:, ground allocator, had a very busy season and the board was indebted to hini for untiring and methodical work ill a sphere which, while entailing long hours of routine work, often passed unnoticed. The trophy presented by the junior control board for the best-turned-out junior club at the farewell to the Kiwis went to Point Chevalier, but only by a narrow margin, as all clubs acquitted themselves well, and judging was extremely difficult. Fifty-eight teams, numbering upward of 1000 players, contested the competitions, playing a very high standard of football. With the calibre of player in the junior ranks the League need entertain no misgivings for the future. Loyalty and keenness were manifest in all grades, largel.v a tribute to sound and co-ordinate organisation of the managing executives. Forty teams competed in the four schoolboys' competitions, showing that they are still making progress. Work 'of Referees The Referees' Association records a very sucessful season. From every viewpoint it; was pleasing to note the number of new members joining the ranks each season, and the membership now stands at 50 active referees. The appointments hoard, Messrs. P. Rogers and A. Gallagher, deserved the thanks of the board for their splendid judgment, and it was pleasing to note that the third member of the board, Mr. Grey Campbell, was not called upon once during the season. The official critic, Mr. H. Saunders, hold lec tures during' the season, and gave much valuable advice, which was appreciated. The thanks of the board of control are extended to the executive committee of the association tor (he able and efficient manner in which the affairs were administered. The board also wished to place on record appreciation for services of all referees who controlled matches during the year. The Amalgamated Senior Club Officers' Association continued its good work in fostering goodwill throughout the code. Mutual co-operation with the board of control resulted in many matters being attended to for the benefit of the League. Special thanks were due to Messrs. F. T. McAneny, chairman, and H. Shaw, secretary. Again the Auckland Rugby League Ladies' Social Committee carried out its work splendidly and during the season paid visits to the injured. Many letters of appreciation- had been received by the board for the work of the ladies. The Auckland Rugby League selectors. Messrs. TT. Avery, H. Brisbane and E. W. Cloke, showed sound judgment in their choice of various teams, and thanks were due to them for the time and attention they devoted to a very responsible task. Statement of Accounts The annual accounts show that the material position of the League had been more than maintained and, taking into account all circumstances, the season may be considered to have been very satisfactory. Notwithstanding the fact that no international matches were staged by the New Zealand .Rugby League during the season, the sum of £1537 16s 4d was transferred to the appropriation account, as compared with £l-180 13s 7d in 1938, this after providing for depreciation to the extent of .€295. Toward the end of the season the revenue from club competitions was affected by the departure of 17 leading Auckland players for the tour of England and France. A pleasing feature- in this year's accounts was the increased amount of registration fees received from clubs and players, due to the greater number of players actively participating in the code. In keeping with its policy to consider the interests of the players the board made a grant to the injured players' fund of £441, and this, together with other funds, was administered by a special committee. The League under its general insurance scheme made payments amounting to another ,C'2( 37 for the benefit of injured players. The balance-sheet showed that the assets of the League totalled £11,430, an increase on last year's figures of approximately £IOO. The amount of the investment in Kiwi Tours, Limited, had been written off against, consolidated /unds, leaving a surplus of assets over laibilities of £7781.

The report records with regret the death of Messrs. F Ellis and JL Rukutai. ANNUAL MEETINGS OF CLUBS Marfst.—The annual meeting of the Marist Old Boys' League Football Club was presided over by Mr. J. Sayegh. As a mark of respect to the memory of the club's oldest vice-president, the late. Mr. J. McSweeney. and of Mr. J. Rukutai, a member of the control board, members . stood in silence before business was taken. The report congratulated the senior team upon making a great recovery to win the Roope Rooster. Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, His Lordship Bishop Liston; president, Mr. J. Sayegh; vice-presidents, all were reelected, with power to add; secretary, Mr. J. Kirwan; treasurer, Mr. P. Fletcher; club captain, Mr. F. Webberley; delegate to junior board, Mr. J. McKeown; school board, Mr. E. J. Foster; auditors, Messrs. J. F. Hollingrake, B. Cotterill; committee, Messrs. R. Haslam. J. Ball, P. Hughes, W. Maddigan, J. Delihoyde; masseurs, Messrs. J. Duffy, G. Allen. Richmond Rovers.—Special reference to the success of the senior B team, which won the championship and knock-out competition, was made in the report presented at the annual meeting of the Richmond Rovers club. Mr. B. W. Davis presided. The sixth and seventh grade teams won championships, the schoolboys did well and the club retained the Davis Points Shield. Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr. J. A. Redwood, sen.; president, Mr. B. W. Davis; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. R. Dick; club captain, Mr. R. Hyland; schoolboys' delegate. Mr. E. ! J. McCarthy; auditor, Mr. J. A. Redwood. ! Newton Rangers.—The sound position of the Newton Rangers League Football Club was emphasised at the annual meeting, held at the Auckland League's board room. Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr. M. J. Hooper; vice-patron, Mr. A. Blakey; president, the Hon. W. E. Parry; club captain, Mr. J. McKinnon; secretary, Mr. J. Gibson; chairman, Mr. G. Steven; committee, Messrs. R. Bell, E. Cowley, J. Davison. I. Railey, R. Anderson, J. A. Neitch.