1931 Auckland Rugby League season


The 1931 Auckland Rugby League season was its 23rd.

First Year of the Fox Memorial Shield

It was the first season where the premier senior teams had competed for the Fox Memorial Shield. Prior to 1931 the trophy awarded was the Monteith Shield, and before that the Myers Cup. The donor of the Monteith Shield wrote to the league asking permission to withdraw the trophy from club competition and that the league play for a new trophy named after Edward Vincent Fox who had passed away the season previous and who had been heavily involved in Auckland Rugby League for a long period of time. The new trophy was being donated by friends of Fox. The trophy was finished and presented to the league in September. It was described thus; "measuring 27 inches across by 22 inches deep, the base is a handsome sample of polished rimu, with overlay of contrasting puriri, on which is an ornate centrepiece in oxidised silver depicting an incident of play in the New Zealand v Australia match of 1926". The donators of the trophy even went to the extent of sending the silver piece to England to have it effectively reproduced.
The Fox Memorial Shield was won by Marist Old Boys who defeated Devonport United 12–5 in the final round to win the competition by 3 competition points over the same side. Devonport United did however win the Roope Rooster competition defeating Ponsonby United in the final, and they beat Marist Old Boys to win the Stormont Trophy. Alongside these feats Devonport also won the inaugural reserve grade competition with a 5–5 draw in the final securing them the 1 competition point they needed. Richmond Rovers won the Stallard Cup by winning the reserve grade knockout competition. On the final day of the season Mr. Samuel Harris of the Newton Rangers team had a heart attack while running with the ball in the final of the Seven-A-Side charity tournament. The game was called off with no result given. He had played with Newton for 2 seasons after moving to Auckland from Hikurangi. He was single and 26 years of age.
The Auckland City Council Parks Committee designated the following of its grounds to the league code: Auckland Domain, Outer Domain, Victoria Park, Auckland, Walker Road, Western Springs, Grey Lynn Park, and 1 additional ground at Grey Lynn to alternate between rugby and league.

Financial statement and annual report

The annual report to be filed at the annual general meeting showed that the league had a £9,711 5/9 surplus with total assets of £10,534 19/4. As there were smaller crowds in 1930 the gate receipts were £2,282 12/, down from £3,465 10/5 in 1929. The Junior Management Committee reported that the number of juniors registered was 1,930 compared with 984 the previous year, and 63 teams took the field. At the annual general meeting Mr. James Carlaw said that "this is a very important meeting, as we have now reached our twenty-first birthday, and have developed from childhood to manhood". Mr. Phelan presented trophies to the various winners from the previous season. At the Devonport annual meeting Mr. A. Ferguson who was a member of the New Zealand Council and who was presiding over the meeting said that the league game in New Zealand needed to follow the Australian model. He stated that they "demonstrated the value of physical fitness, which was produced by intensive, scientific training".

Senior competition restructuring and Carlaw Park gate takings

An early key development was that a management committee meeting which also included the special committee setup the previous year to look into the restructuring of the Senior A and Senior B competitions adjusted their plans. It had been decided at the end of the 1930 season to reduce the Senior A competition from eight teams to six, thus forcing teams into mergers. This was adjusted to seven teams after this meeting. The teams would be Devonport, Richmond Rovers, Ellerslie-Otahuhu, Marist Old Boys,,City Newton, and Ponsonby United. The Kingsland team which had been removed from the A grade asked for permission to join with the Marist Old Boys.
The B grade was still to be eliminated. The league would encourage B grade players to try out for the reserve grade teams in the A grade clubs.
In a major development for the rugby league game in Auckland the special committee recommended that winning teams would be granted 12.5% of the net gate takings each weekend with losing teams sharing a "trifle less". The league would also enforce a rule where every Senior A club must field a reserve grade team "of sufficient calibre to satisfy the management committee". If they failed to do so they would be vulnerable to being removed from the A grade. The league also reserved the right to set the two lowest teams together at the end of the season against each other in a match and eliminating the losers, or compelling them to improve their standard of play or withdraw from the league.

Eastern Suburbs Tour of New Zealand

In mid October the Eastern Suburbs club team from Sydney toured New Zealand. They played three matches at Carlaw Park against Devonport, a combined Marist-Devonport team, and an Auckland colts side.

Rule changes

At the Management Committee meeting prior to the start of the season it was decided to adhere to the latest rules, where a team forcing the ball in their own in goal area would take a drop kick from the 25-yard line as opposed from their own try line. There was an adjustment to the weight allowance from the fourth grade down, and sixth grade players should be under 18 and a half on 1 May. At a following Management Committee meeting it was reported that the English Rugby League had advised that at scrum put in's the loose head would be transferred from the defending team to the attacking team.
On 15 August a referee was assaulted by a player after a match between the City and Newmarket Fourth Grade teams at Western Springs. He had ordered off a player from each team. The City player came back on the field and his team refused to remove him so the referee called the match off. He was then harassed by a number of players and one of them then fought with him, "the pair rolled on the ground fighting for a few minutes, the referee holding his own until some spectators intervened and separated" them.

New clubs at Papakura and Glenora, and several amalgamations

On March 26 the Papakura Rugby League club was formed with 60 players enrolling. They applied to the Papakura Town Board for use of the reserve at Papakura. This was granted as the entire club had switched over from the Rugby Union game thereby meaning they had no competition for the field. The council said that if a representative rugby game was being played on the field then the league team could use Prince Edward Park. On Saturday, 18 April they played a practice match with Mount Wellington at Papakura at 3pm. The match was won by Mount Wellington by 8 points to 5. Papakura's points came from an unconverted try to Johnstone, and I. Wilson kicked a penalty goal. They held their first social on the evening of Wednesday 22 April at the Paragon Theatre.
The Kingsland club amalgamated with the Marist club which meant that their senior players would be joining those of Marist. Kingsland were already an amalgamated club involving Kingsland and Grafton Athletic. This placed Marist as one of the early favourites to win the Senior Grade. This was discussed in an article on the prospects of all the teams in the New Zealand Herald.
The Ellerslie, Otahuhu, and Mangere clubs combined to form a senior team with the Mangere Senior B team being regraded to first junior with the team playing as part of the Ellerslie-Otahuhu side. However Mangere Rugby League Football Club then sent a deputation to a Management Committee meeting asking to be able to play as a separate institution as a junior club rather than be a part of the Ellerslie-Otahuhu amalgamation. They wished to be affiliated to the league under their own name rather than amalgamate with Ellerslie. Several speakers were heard by the league and they said that they wished to play league football but maintain their own identity as a Māori team. The League said that there should be a conference with Ellerslie and in the meantime they would play for one week with Ellerslie. At a league meeting on 27 May the league decided to uphold their earlier ruling and enforce the amalgamation with the decision reviewed at the end of the season. It was expressed that the Mangere players were willing to play as the league suggested. Mr. Jim Rukutai suggested that Mangere be granted permission to retain their identity for twelve months, subject to all transfers being through the Ellerslie-Otahuhu United Club. The chairman of the league said "he did not think that there was any objection to Mangere playing as the Mangere section of the amalgamated club, but it was the duty of the League to uphold Ellerslie-Otahuhu Club". In the meantime he thought "moral suasion should be used by the members and the position would right itself". At the Management Committee meeting on 10 June it was reported by the chairman that the Mangere and Ellerslie clubs had reached a satisfactory agreement and that "the Māori senior team,… was willing to continue playing the league code. It was intended that Mangere should apply for the resignation of its players who had already played for Ellerslie" The matter would be deferred for one week.
It was announced at a City Rovers club meeting that the Parnell club had amalgamated with them. They would enter teams in the senior, reserve senior, first junior, third intermediate, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grades, and also in the primary school competition. Ten of the Parnell senior B players were regraded to first class juniors and would play for that particular City Rovers side.
In June a new club was registered in the Glen Eden district and was named Glenora. They entered a team in the third grade intermediate.

Fox Memorial Shield (Senior Grade Championship)

The Senior Grade was reduced from 8 teams to 7 for the 1931 season. Each team had to field a reserve side and their matches were to be played prior to the A team's matches at the same venue.

Senior A grade standings

Senior A Grade Fixtures

In Round 1 Marist won after time however the play was continued erroneously. Time was up but the time keeper allowed additional tackles and did not ring the bell until after the winning try had been scored. Richmond protested the result and after multiple meetings it was eventually decided by the league Management Committee to replay the match.
The Round 3 match between Richmond and Newton was the first ever senior league match played at Western Springs Stadium which had opened for cycling and field sports in 1929.
The Round 12 match at Devonport between the hosts and Ellerslie-Otahuhu was one with paid entry after permission was granted by the Devonport Borough Council. A sum of £12 5/ was raised to assist the Devonport Welfare League's funds.
The Round 13 matches were played in terrible conditions which saw the cancellation of almost all league in Auckland. The Ellerslie-Otahuhu v Marist match played at Papatoetoe was abandoned at halftime with the result 21–3 in favour of Marist standing as the final score.
DateScoreScoreVenue
Round 12 MayDevonport23City18Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–2 MayMarist11Richmond10Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–2 MayEllerslie-Otahuhu5Newton5Ellerslie, 3pm
Round 29 MayMarist20Ponsonby9Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–9 MayRichmond28City15Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–9 MayDevonport28Newton0Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
Round 316 MayPonsonby24City13Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–16 MayDevonport23Ellerslie-Otahuhu12Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–16 MayRichmond6Newton3Western Springs Stadium, 3pm
Round 423 MayCity16Marist2Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–23 MayRichmond17Ellerslie-Otahuhu9Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–23 MayPonsonby20Newton8Western Springs Stadium, 3pm
Round 530 MayDevonport13Richmond5Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–30 MayMarist18Newton9Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–30 MayEllerslie-Otahuhu8Ponsonby24Ellerslie, 3pm
Round 1 Replay6 JuneMarist13Richmond7Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
Round 613 JuneDevonport9Ponsonby8Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–13 JuneCity0Newton0Western Springs, 3pm
–13 JuneMarist39Ellerslie-Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
Round 720 JuneMarist11Devonport4Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–20 JuneRichmond2Ponsonby2Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–20 JuneCity20Ellerslie-Otahuhu2Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm
Round 827 JuneDevonport16City5Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–27 JuneNewton14Ellerslie-Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–27 JuneMarist8Richmond3Western Springs Stadium, 3pm
Round 94 JulyMarist25Ponsonby10Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–4 JulyRichmond11City8Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–4 JulyDevonport20Newton5Devonport, 3pm
Round 1011 JulyDevonport14Richmond10Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–11 JulyPonsonby20Ellerslie-Otahuhu17Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–11 JulyMarist17Newton9Western Springs, 3pm
Round 1118 JulyMarist18City10Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–18 JulyRichmond32Ellerslie-Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–18 JulyPonsonby12Newton7Northcote, 3pm
Round 1225 JulyPonsonby18City7Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–25 JulyRichmond8Newton0Carlaw Park #2, 3pm
–25 JulyDevonport12Ellerslie-Otahuhu6Devonport Domain, 3pm
Round 131 AugDevonport13Ponsonby0Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–1 AugNewton23City10Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–1 AugMarist21Ellerslie-Otahuhu3Papatoetoe, 3pm
Round 148 AugMarist12Devonport5Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
–8 AugRichmond14Ponsonby5Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–8 AugEllerslie-Otahuhu14City10Ellerslie Racecourse, 3pm

Roope Rooster knockout competition

The semi-final between Ponsonby required extra time as it was tied 20–20 at the end of normal time. This was very rare as usually tied games were replayed. Ponsonby went on to win 28–20.
DateScoreScoreVenue
Round 15 SepPonsonby24City12Carlaw Park # 1, 3:15pm
–5 SepDevonport41Newton8Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
–5 SepRichmond15Ellerslie-Otahuhu11Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
semi-final12 SepPonsonby28Richmond20Carlaw Park # 2, 3:15pm
semi-final12 SepDevonport11Marist8Carlaw Park # 1, 3:15pm
Final19 SepDevonport34Ponsonby17Carlaw Park # 1, 3:15pm

Stormont Shield

Senior Reserve Grade standings

The standings include the 'final' between Devonport and Ponsonby which was a 5–5 draw. This meant Devonport won the title as they finished the competition with one more point that Ponsonby. A Round 11 result between Marist and City is unknown as it was not reported in the newspapers while the score between Devonport and Ellerslie-Otahuhu in Round 12 is also unknown, though Devonport were the victor.

Senior Reserve grade fixtures

The Round 13 matches at Carlaw Park were cancelled due to the poor weather conditions and the necessity to protect the ground for the Senior matches to follow immediately afterwards.
DateScoreScoreVenue
Round 12 MayDevonport21City5Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–2 MayRichmond8Marist6Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–2 MayEllerslie-Otahuhu10Newton5Ellerslie, 1:45pm
Round 29 MayPonsonby13Marist5Domain # 5, 1:45pm
–9 MayRichmond16City11?
–9 MayDevonport39Newton0Devonport Domain, 3pm
Round 316 MayPonsonby8City4Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–16 MayDevonport14Ellerslie-Otahuhu2Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–16 MayRichmond32Newton0Western Springs Stadium, 1:45pm
Round 423 MayMarist21City2Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–23 MayRichmond19Ellerslie-Otahuhu6Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–23 MayPonsonby38Newton3Western Springs Stadium, 1:45pm
Round 530 MayDevonport21Richmond0Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–30 MayMarist32Newton0Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–30 MayEllerslie-Otahuhu3Ponsonby14Ellerslie, 1:45pm
Round 613 JuneDevonport12Ponsonby8Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–13 JuneCity10Newton3Western Springs, 1:45pm
–13 JuneMarist14Ellerslie-Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
Round 720 JuneDevonport10Marist6Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–20 JuneRichmond15Ponsonby10Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–20 JuneCity16Ellerslie-Otahuhu0Auckland Domain # 1, 1:45pm
Round 827 JuneDevonport15City0Carlaw Park # 1, 2pm
–27 JuneNewton16Ellerslie-Otahuhu12Carlaw Park # 2, 2pm
–27 JuneMarist5Richmond0Western Springs Stadium, 2pm
Round 94 JulyPonsonby8Marist5Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–4 JulyRichmond13City7Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–4 JulyDevonport9Newton0Devonport, 1:45pm
Round 1011 JulyRichmond19Devonport0Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–11 JulyPonsonby34Ellerslie-Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–11 JulyMarist21Newton0Western Springs, 1:45pm
Round 1118 JulyMarist?City?Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–18 JulyRichmond10Ellerslie-Otahuhu2Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–18 JulyPonsonby6Newton0Northcote, 2pm
Round 1225 JulyPonsonby13City3Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–25 JulyRichmond10Newton0Carlaw Park #2, 1:45pm
–25 JulyDevonportWEllerslie-OtahuhuLDevonport Domain, 1:45pm
Round 131 AugDevonportCCDPonsonbyCCDCarlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–1 AugCityCCDNewtonCCDCarlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–1 AugMaristCCDEllerslie-OtahuhuCCDPapatoetoe, 1:45pm
Round 148 AugMarist3Devonport3Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
–8 AugPonsonby6Richmond5Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm
–8 AugEllerslie-OtahuhuWBDCityLBDEllerslie Racecourse, 1:45pm
Final15 AugDevonport5Ponsonby5Carlaw Park #1, 1:45pm

Reserve grade knockout competition (Stallard Cup)

Charity day tournament and death of a player

On 31 October a Charity Day was held at Carlaw Park. It featured a Seven-A-Side tournament, an 'old timers' match, a match between the referees and St Johns Ambulance, and several running races. The proceeds would all go to the St John Ambulance Brigade. Mr. Samuel Harris of the Newton team collapsed and died from heart failure a few minutes from time in the final. He had played in their earlier matches and had participated in a running race but had complained of feeling too unwell to run again. He collapsed while running with the ball and despite immediate attention from members of St, John Ambulance he died almost immediately. The match was called off. Harris had joined Newton in 1930 and was originally from Hikurangi. His funeral was held in Hikurangi on 4 November.
DateScoreScoreVenue
Round 131 OctEllerslie-Otahuhu A21Ellerslie-Otahuhu B6Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm
Round 131 OctRichmondWBDMaristLBDCarlaw Park # 2, 2pm
Round 131 OctPonsonby15Newton B5Carlaw Park # 2, 2pm
Round 131 OctNewton A13City0Carlaw Park # 1, 2:25pm
Round 131 OctDevonport38Ellerslie-Otahuhu A2Carlaw Park # 2, 2:25pm
semi-final31 OctNewton A19Ponsonby5Carlaw Park # 1, 4:30pm
semi-final31 OctDevonport16Richmond0Carlaw Park # 1, 4:30pm
Final31 OctDevonportno resultNewton Ano resultCarlaw Park # 1, 4:30pm

Lower grades and other club matches

Lower grade teams

The Mid-Week competition which was running once again was made up of nine teams. It was decided to allocate the Monteith Shield to the championship. This had formerly been awarded to the winner of the Senior grade champions, but as of this year the newly presented Fox Memorial Shield would replace it. The Waitemata Shield would be awarded to the team scoring the most championship points in the second round, and the "Nuko" Cup to the winner of the two lower teams on the ladder. Marist were awarded the Davis Shield for scoring the most competition points in the junior grades.
Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold:
  • Senior Reserve Grade: City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Marist, Newton, Ponsonby, Richmond
  • Second Grade: City, Mangere, Mount Albert, Mount Wellington, Northcote, Papakura, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby
  • Third Grade Open: Devonport, Ellerslie, Glen Lynn, Marist, Papatoetoe, Ponsonby, Richmond
  • Third Grade Intermediate: Akarana, City, Glen Lynn, Glenora, Marist, Mount Albert, Ponsonby, Richmond
  • Fourth Grade: Akarana, Avondale, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Glen Lynn, Marist, Mount Albert, Mount Wellington, Newmarket, Northcote, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby, Richmond
  • Fifth Grade: City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Glen Lynn, Marist, Mount Albert, Newmarket, Newton, Northcote, Papatoetoe, Ponsonby, Richmond
  • Sixth Grade: Akarana, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Marist, Newmarket, Newton, Northcote, Point Chevalier, Richmond
  • Seventh Grade: City, Ellerslie, Glen Lynn, Newmarket, Papatoetoe, Point Chevalier, Richmond A, Richmond B
  • Primary Schoolboys: Avondale, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Newton, Newmarket, Northcote, Papatoetoe, Parnell, Richmond A, Richmond B
  • Mid-Week Competition: Auckland Loco, Birkenhead, City Markets, Green Lane, New Zealand Fertilisers, Nicholson Park, Post Office, Stonex and Stormont's, Town Board Rovers, Waterside Workers

    Other notable matches

Representative season

It was a very quiet year on the representative team front. There was a match played between North Island and South Island, but the Auckland team's only match was for the Northern Union Cup against Northland. In a surprise result Northland had defeated South Auckland to lift the trophy. Auckland challenged for it but could only manage a 19 all draw and so Northland retained it. Auckland junior teams played two matches and a colts side played against the touring Eastern Suburbs team from Sydney who were the premiers of the New South Wales Rugby League.

Representative fixtures

Only a small number of fixtures were played in the 1931 season partly owing to the fact that Auckland did not hold the Northern Union Cup. Also the touring Eastern Suburbs team from Sydney had matches with club sides organised for them.
DateScoreScoreVenue
Representative Fixture15 AugNorth Island52South Island23Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
Northern Union Cup Match22 AugSouth Auckland8North Auckland16Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm
Northern Union Cup26 SepAuckland19Northland19Carlaw Park # 1, 3:15pm
Representative Match17 OctWednesday Representatives23Auckland Junior Representatives6Carlaw Park

Annual general meetings and club news

  • Auckland Rugby League held their annual general meeting in the Chamber of Commerce, Swanson Street on Thursday 16 April. At a later meeting they voted to adopt the motion whereby its grading of referees and appointments of them for matches would be done by a group of three, consisting of two of its members and a representative of the Auckland Rugby League. Tenders were requested for the lease of the Carlaw Park Refreshment Stall, and for the rights of the Rugby League Gazette.
  • Auckland Rugby League Junior Management Committee held their annual meeting at the Grey Buildings on Tuesday, 31 March. After the reports were given by club delegates the prospect was for a record season in terms of team and player numbers. Mr. C. Adamson was elected Chairman, with his deputy Mr. W. Lusty. During the season the Junior Management Committee became dissatisfied with their chairman Mr. C. Adamson because he voted contrarily to their position at an Auckland Rugby League meeting. They subsequently voted him out of the position. Mr. George Rhodes, chairman of the senior management committee attended a later meeting to say that Adamson was on the senior board as an independent representative, not as a representative of the Junior Management Committee and their dismissal of him was unjustified. A vote was then held over who should be chairman with Mr. J. H. Eddowes nominated along with Mr. Adamson and the former won by 10 votes to 6.
  • Auckland Rugby League Primary School Management Committee
  • Auckland Rugby League Referees Association annual meeting was held at the League Rooms, Grey Buildings on 30 March. The report stated that membership had increased and the standard of refereeing was maintained at a high level.
  • Akarana Rugby League Football Club held their annual general meeting at Carlaw Park on Thursday 9 April.
  • Avondale League Football Club held their annual meeting at Hick's Tearooms, Avondale on Wednesday 25 March. There was an attendance of about twenty players and the cash credit was £7 10/8. The club voted to thank Mr. H. P. Burton for the use of his ground where the majority of their matches were played in 1930.
  • City Rovers annual meeting was held at Carlaw Park on Sunday 22 March to discuss the annual report, balance sheet, general business and to elect officers. Seventy five people attended the meeting where the annual report showed a balance of £33 10/6. They stated that their chances of winning the title the year before was spoiled by the fact that they lost four players to the New Zealand team which toured Australia. They were aiming to have teams in all of the junior grades.
  • Devonport United Football Club annual general meeting was held in the Labour Rooms, Devonport on Monday 30 March regarding the election of officers and general business. About fifty members attended and the balance sheet showed a credit of £9 7/2.
  • Ellerslie United League Football Club held their annual general meeting at the Club's Training Shed, Ellerslie on Monday 23 March. They requested that everybody attend as it would be their final meeting due to the league enforced merger with Otahuhu.
  • Ellerslie-Otahuhu United League Football Club held their first general meeting at the Ellerslie club's training shed opposite the railway station on Monday 30 March. They had practice for all grades on Saturday 18 April to make final arrangements for all teams as there was a merger of Ellerslie, Otahuhu and Mangere.
  • Glen Lynn League Football Club held their annual general meeting at the Delta Theatre on Monday 23 March. The Glen Lynn club wrote a letter to the New Lynn Borough Council asking for assistance in acquiring a playing area. The council intended to give the club details of an existing league football area on Great North Road in New Lynn which had been used by the New Lynn club prior to the joining of New Lynn and Glen Eden.
  • Kingsland Athletic Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting at Liberty Luncheon Rooms at the top of Symonds Street on Monday 30 March to discuss the annual report and balance sheet. They held a further Special General Meeting on Thursday 16 April at Donovan's Gym, Parnell with all juniors requested to roll up. The Kingsland club amalgamated with the Marist club after they lost Senior A grade status.
  • Marist Brothers Old Boys League Football Club annual meeting held at Donovan's Gymnasium, Parnell on Monday 30 March.
  • Mangere Rugby League Football Club held a meeting in the Strand Theatre Hall, Onehunga on Wednesday, 29 April.
  • Mt. Albert United Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting at the King George Hall in Mount Albert on Thursday, 5 March to discuss the annual report, balance sheet, election of officers, and general business. There first practice was held at the club's grounds on Springleigh Avenue on Saturday, 11 April. At a Management Committee meeting on 22 April Mount Albert applied to have its Senior B team regraded to first junior.
  • Mt Wellington Rugby League Football Club annual meeting was held at the Abattoir, Westfield on Tuesday 24 March to discuss the annual report and balance sheet, the election of officers, and general business. Players and intending players were requested to attend.
  • Newmarket Rugby League Football Club annual meeting was held at the Club Room 235, Khyber Pass, Thursday 26 March. All players and intending players were invited to attend.
  • Newton Rangers Football Club annual meeting was held at the Y.M.C.A on Wellesley St. East on Monday 23 March. All vice presidents, members and intending members were invited to attend including late Senior B players. There was a large attendance with Mr. W. Badley presiding over the meeting and Mr. W. Monteith was elected patron..
  • Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers Football Club annual general meeting was held at the Foresters' Hall, Birkenhead on Thursday 12 March to discuss "business important". They donated £2 2s to the Mayors fund for Napier Earthquake fund. The annual meeting of the Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers Football Club was their 21st. The president of the club was Mr. A. E. Greenslade who was also the mayor of Northcote. The club report stated that they had a membership of 115 and fielded six teams in the league competition, and that this made them the fourth largest club in Auckland.
  • Otahuhu Rugby League Football Club were given use of the Sturges Park and Princes Street playing grounds in a shared arrangement with rugby by the Otahuhu Borough Council.
  • Papakura Rugby League Football Club The Papakura Rugby Club had decided to disband and play league instead. They held their first ever meeting in the Parish Hall, Papakura on Thursday, 26 March. Officials of the Auckland Rugby League were present. All members, intending members, players and supporters were invited to attend. Following the meeting a club was formed with 60 players enrolling.
  • Papatoetoe Rugby League Club held their annual meeting in mid April. There was a large attendance and it was decided to nominate five teams for the season, namely third grade open, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, and a schoolboys. The club held its annual ball in the Papatoetoe Town Hall on 24 July. The venue was decorated in the club's colours of blue and gold.
  • Point Chevalier League Football Club held their annual meeting at the Sailing Club's Hall on Thursday 19 March to discuss business, balance-sheet, and election of officers.
  • Ponsonby United Football Club held their annual meeting at Leys Institute, Ponsonby on Monday 30 March to receive their annual report and balance sheet, elect officers, and general business. 80 members attended the meeting and the report referred to how successful the club had been, especially with the senior side winning the Monteith Shield, Roope Rooster, and Thistle Cup. The third grade open team was particularly good and the schoolboy team consisted of players from Ponsonby, Curran Street, and Bayfield Schools.
  • Richmond Rovers Football Club annual meeting was held in the Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent on Friday 20 March to discuss the annual report and statement of accounts, and general business. About 100 members were in attendance. The report showed that the club had fielded 12 teams in 1930 with four winning the championship. Trophies were presented as follows – Lauder Cup, fourth grade; Milicich Cup, seventh grade A team; Walker Shield: second grade; and a trophy to the schoolboys who tied for first place. They held an additional meeting for all prospective Senior, Senior B, and Second Grade players at Grey Lynn Park on Wednesday, 8 April. On 16 May the Richmond club performed the notable feat of having all eight of its A teams winning their matches, although its Seventh Grade B team was defeated, and the 5th Grade team's victory was by default. Prior to the start of the season the Third Grade captain for Richmond, Mr. George Williams drowned in a fishing accident in Breaker Bay, Wellington.
OWIKI.org. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.