A YEAR’S PROGRESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 14, 7 April 1927, Page 11

A YEAR’S PROGRESS

LEAGUE RUGBY CODE REVIEW OF SUCCESSES A year of advancement and success was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby League last night, when there was a large attendance, Mr. W. J. Hammill, chairman, presiding. Introducing the annual report, the chairman said it was one of the best of a fine series of annual reports they had been able to bring down. The progress of the. League code in Auckland was attributable to sportsmanship on and off the field, and the public had recognised that. During the year they had been visited by Otago, Canterbury, and South Auckland. Such visits had done, and would continue to do, the greatest good. REFEREES AND OTHERS The chairman appreciatively spoke of the work of the referees, and of the controllers of junior football. On the social side, glee clubs had been a valuable asset, assisting in the entertainment of visiting players and in raising funds for the benefit of the injured. Touching on the balance sheet, the chairman said the gate receipts, £4,216 14s 9d, represented over £I,OOO more than the previous year. Th rapid rise of the League in the last six years reflected its strong position in public favour. Notable items among disbursements were entertaining, £173; ground rents, £505; and insurance, under the free insurance scheme, £407. Further, they had added to their capital account the sum of £977. To-day the total assets were valued at £10,289. It was something to be proud of after six years’ hard work. (Applause.) EXCELLENT FACILITIES Supporting the chairman, Mr. E. J. Phelan, deputy chairman, paid a tribute to the enthusiasm of several of the League’s earlier officials, whose careful administration had founded the success of the game in Auckland. The code possessed one of the finest grounds in New Zealand, and gave its spectators facilities second to none, while its treatment of its players was surpassed in no other game. In this they hoped still further to make advances. (Applause.) The report and balance sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. J. Carlaw; vice-patron, Mr. J. Endean; president, Mr. G. Baildon: vice-presidents, Messrs. McMillan, R. S. Wood, O. Blackwood, S. Briley, H. McKenzie, H. Grange, C. Way, W. Wallace, G. Seagar, R. Benson, C. H. Drysdale, E. .T. Phelan, A. E. Powell, A. Laird, and J. A. Lee, M.P.; management committee, Messrs. Stanley (Ponsonby), W. Davidson (City), W. Deare (Marist Old Boys’), T. Feilding (Richmond), A. Brown (Athletic), J. J. Sullivan (Newton), E. Fox (Devonport), F. Butler (Ivingsland), J. Clark (Otahuhu), J. Wyatt (Ellerslie), P. Stewart (Northcote), H. Lipscombe (Mangere), J. Barry (Parnell). GENERAL Before the annual meeting terminated the trophies won last season were presented by Mr. J. Carlaw, patron of the League. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE M EETS A meeting of the incoming management committee was held after the annual meeting. The committee elected the following officials: Chairman, Mr. W. J. Hammill; deputy-chairman, Mr. E. J. Phelan; secretary, Mr. I. Culpan; treasurer, Mr. F. Ellis; delegates to New Zealand Rugby League, Messrs. E. Stalworthv, C. Snedden; honorary physicians, Dr. Tracy Inglis, Dr. Hardie Neil, Dr. Pezaro, Dr. Gwyn; committees: Messrs. W. Mincham, A. Brown, and F. Ellis: grounds committee, Messrs. T. Feilding, E. Fox, I. Culpan, W. Mincham; insurance, Messrs. Fox, Culpan, Mincham and Sullivan; advertising, Messrs. Culpan and Feilding; honorary solicitor, Mr. H. M. Rogerson: ground superintendent, Mr. G. Rhodes; timekeepers, Messrs. W. J. Gibbons and A. E. Powell. The appointment of other officials was deferred.