LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2778, 30 August 1924, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

LOCAL CLUB FORMED. THIRTY PLAYERS ENROLLED. A Rugby League meeting was held on Thursday night at Mr Jack's shop for the purpose of arranging committees and teams for (his season. Mr M. E. Perroau presided over a large attendance. In stating the objects of the meeting, the chairman said he was always out to help good clean sport, especial* lv when the proceeds were kept in the town. He then invited Air Jack In explain the details in connection with the game and to read correspondence lie had received. T]h‘ objects of the game were fully explained and also its benefits to players in regard to payment of travelling expenses. Air Horace Reid spoke interestingly of the Rugby League game, since its. introduction in 1908. He stated that in Queensland League had replaced the Union game completely and was now played in the schools and colleges to the total exclusion of the other code. He said it was now a fact that a N.Z. Rugby Union team visiting Australia could not get a match outside the Sydney Metropolitan area. He thought that in spite of the Union endeavours to prevent .the public from seeing the League game, it would eventually become the predominant code in N.Z. as had happened in Australia. The attractiveness from the public point of view was the fact of the elimination of tiresome line-out play and the “sacks on the mill” episodes seen in the Union game. The rules in which League Rugby differed from the Union all aimed at the speeding up and cleaning the game of Rugby. From the players’ point League introduced less liability of accident, more opportunities for both combined and individual play and a much less opportunity for dirty play to creep in, which was kept.down by the increased powers of iTic line umpires. Mr Reid said he had played both games and was unite satisfied with the superiority of the League game. Air -T. Desmond said he had been a prominent Rugby man nil his life but <m summing up the rules u-s played, he could only say League was far ahead of the present game.

AD Delnny spoke at length as to how he had been coaxed to witness a .League match in Auckland by the secretary of the Auckland Union, and he stated although going there prejudiced against League, he came away with a different opinion and always visited the League code at Carlow Park afterwards. Correspondence was then read from the Wellington Rugby League, Canterbury Rugby League and Auckland Rugby League and N.Z. Rugbv League Council, which was received. . The secretary's action, as regards correspondence and other matters, was endorsed. ft was moved by Air Delany and seconded by Air E. Bryant, that the Centre he in Foxton, and he called the Alanawatu Rugby League Incorporated. —Carried. Afoved bv Mr E. G. Alartin, seconded bv AD Shaw, that the name of the local club lie the “Athletic Rugby League Club.”—Carried. The following committee was elected: Alessrs E. Bryant, V. Delany, ,J. Desmond, R, Cochrane, F. Shaw, J. Ryan and M. E. Perroau. Mr Jack was elected 1 secretary and 2ti signed applications for membership. The matter of grounds and matches was left in the hands of the committee. Messrs Desmond, Delany and H. Reid were appointed Foxton selectors. Air Dooley offered liis services as referee Saturday matches. On the motion of Mr Neville, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman.