LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVES ENTERTAINED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 383, 18 June 1928, Page 6

LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVES ENTERTAINED

SOUTH AUCKLAND’S VISIT “We hope to establish the game throughout the Dominion, and it on as sound a footing in the southern districts as it is in Auckland,” said Mr. Snedden, who, as chairman of the council, replied to the toast of the New Zealand Rugby League at a dinner given to the visiting South Auckland Leaguers on Saturday evening. Mr. Snedden made reference to the flourishing way in which the game was taking on in many of the South Island districts, especially Dunedin, Canterbury, and the West Coast, where new players were joining up all the time. From the point of view of the New Zealand Council, at least, 1928 showed every sign of finishing up a record season. In proposing the toast to the New Zealand League, Mr. Hammill had emphasised the important duty this body was left to perform, and to improve the position it would take the cooperation of every official, player and supporter. It had had a hard fight against an extremely strong opposition, but he hoped that the day would not be far away when New Zealand would hold the “Ashes” of the Rugby League world. Mr. Taylor, of the South Auckland

team, proposed the toast of the Auckland Rugby League, which was replied to by a pioneer of the code in this city, Mr. J. Carlaw. Mr. Carlaw traced the history of the code since 1908, when the first game was played in Auckland on a rough ground at Potter’s Paddock. The Auckland League was formed, and kicked off with a debit amounting to £B7. In 1919 Carlaw Park was opened, and the

league then had assets amounting to £9OO, and two years later, when Mr. Hammill took over the chairmanship, there was £3,600 to the credit of the league. When Mr. Hammill retired from the chairmanship, the Auckland Rugby League then had assets amounting to £10,600.

Mr. Cyril Snedden presented the Northern Union challenge Cup to Mr. Carlaw, who received the trophy on behalf of the Auckland Rugby League. Mr. Snedden congratulated both teams on the fine game they had played, and the fine sporting spirit which played such a prominent part in the big clash. The manager of the visiting team, Mr. Harlock, remarked that the better side had won on the day, and he congratulated the Auckland team.