ADAMANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 12

ADAMANT

President Retires League Tour Echoes UNHAPPY TRIP REVIEWED A tour wrecked by internal troubles —thus Mr. J. Carlow, retiring president of the New Zealand League Council, summarised the recent overseas tour of the New Zealand Rugby League footballers. On account of the losses sustained by the tour, Mr. Carlaw, in a statement submitted before he quitted the presidency last night, described the year 1926 as the most disastrous in his experience. First he referred to the progress achieved during his 15 years’ association with the management of the League game. It only required energy and perseverance to allow the game in the South to be equal, if not surpass, its prosperous condition in Auckland.

Traversing the history of the overseas tour, Mr. Carlaw said jthe invitation was received from England after years of anticipation, and the team left the Dominion under better conditions than had any other touring team. Out-of-pocket expenses were on a generous scale, each player’s life was insured for 12 months for £3OO, and the team bore the good wishes of every supporter of the game. WRECKED THE TOUR “Unfortunately,” he went on, “very early in the tour internal troubles, which kept simmering, were apparent, and eventually seven players declined to play under the management. A tour which promised to return a profit of £7,000 was wrecked, and instead a loss has to be faced.” On form revealed before the trouble developed New Zealand would have won 90 per cent, of its matches, but owing to the friction the team could not do its best. When the news of the trouble became public the gate receipts diminished, and thus there was a loss instead of a profit. He had no fear for the future of the game. All that was required was for subsidiary Leagues to work harmoniously with the Council. Unfortunately the president of an affiliated League, and vice-president of the New Zealand Rugby League, had told the public, through the Press, that the delegates cut no ice. He wished to record his appreciation of the business-like*methods and loyalty of the delegates, and regretted that circumstances would not permit him to continue as their leader. Later, when nominations for the presidency were dealt with, Mr. D. W. McLean endeavoured to persuade Mr Carlaw to change his mind about retiring. He knew it was only on account of the trouble on the English tour that he was dropping out. Mr. Carlaw: I am not a candidate for the presidency. I thank Mr. McLean for his remarks, and those Leagues which nominated me. My anticipations of the English tour were not of one year, but of ten. Before the team went away we had amassed £1,400, but now we have a debit. I had anticipated a profit of £7,000, and had mapped out what we would do with the money. Not for anything would I go through again what I have gone through in the last seven months. I shall not lose my interest in the game, but I will not be a candidate for the presidency. That is final Subsequently Mr. C. A. Snedden was elected president, and Mr. Carlaw was presented with a case of pipes to mark the Council’s appreciation of his work.

LAWN TENNIS

INTER-CLUB MATCH St Heliers will play Unity in the C Grade inter-club competition at the Stanley Street courts to-morrow Following are the teams: St. Heliers. Diamond, Cooper, Horspool, Edmonds; Misses Bradshaw, Goldsbro; Mesdames Cooper, Butler Unity;—Mullins, Potter, Alexander. hj. R. Bayley; Misses Aughton, A Dixon, B. Hiscock; Mrs. W. Booker. ASSOCIATION MEETS GENERAL BUSINESS The Auckland Lawn Tennis Associati°n met last night, Mr. E. W. Griffiths presiding. a The statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the night tournament showed a small profit Mr. Hickson’s motion to abolish the ladder competitions was defeated after a lengthy discussion. A report from the sub-committee set up to consider the finance of the associ-aH<?-n view to the reduction of the affiliation fees recommended that fees be reduced from 3s per member to Is bd and notice of motion, to be considered at the next meeting, was given. It was decided to close the Stanley Street courts on April 20. It was stated that since the Auckland team was picked to play against Waikato a statement had been brought to the notice of the selectors that Miss Richardson had been omitted from the team. The reason why her name was omitted was because no reply had been received to a letter posted to her by the secretary. It was resolved that a letter be sent to her explaining the position. Mr. Ellis gave notice of motion that the rule that teams be selected in order of their ranking on the ladder be rescinded. Applications from a number of country clubs were considered, but sub-committees reported difficulty in getting teams to travel owing to thewet Saturdays and the difficulty experienced in getting off club matches.