1945 Auckland Rugby League season

Prior to the annual meeting the annual report of the Auckland Rugby League was released. The Auckland Star reported “after a 1944 season which is officially described as a trail of wet Saturdays, the Auckland Rugby League finished with a record revenue of £5295, an increase of £975 on the 1943 season. The thirty-fifth annual report, which will be presented at the annual meeting, states that following a deputation and conference with the Senior Officers’ Association, the Board of Control decided as a trial for the 1945 season that the senior competition be played on a minor and major scheme, which will allow more Saturdays for the playing of representative football. The report states that the working expenses show an increase of £477 over the previous year. The amount paid to clubs and for the benefit of players for the past two years, with the figures for 1943 in parentheses are; Grants to clubs, £772 (£474); insurance to players, £172 (£180); injured players, £236 (£256); total, £1180 (£910). Principal revenue items are:- Grandstand receipts, £679; gates, £3539; revenue from two minor representative games totalled £465, ground rents, £186; representative matches, £455. The total assets are £11,667 and liabilities £1542. Investments in war loans amount to £1690. The report mentions that the Junior Control Board conducted a full schedule of grade championships, but a difficulty was experiences in getting sufficient playing grounds. The trustees of the Injured Players’ Fund dealt with a large number of cases during the season. Since the inauguration of the fund over £2000 has been paid to disabled players.[6]

William Mincham, the referees delegate to the ARL board. He was a referee from 1920 to 1940 including test matches.

The 35th Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 28 at 7.45pm in the League Rooms in the Chamber of Commerce Building, Courthouse Lane. The honorary secretary prior to the meeting was Ivan Culpan.[7] At the annual meeting the president, Mr. J.F.W. Dickson said “there was a splendid response from the Auckland public, and the past season was one to be proud of”. He also paid tribute to the work of the former president, the late Mr. George Grey Campbell. Chairman of the Board of Control, Mr. J.W. Watson said “that there was a feeling of great satisfaction over a record past season. The teams had given the public the class of football that was needed, and great credit was due to the club members, players and officials. The Junior Control Board had functioned well, and for schoolboy football. The league owed a lot to the people who took an interest in the schoolboys. The standard of play had been good, and there was every reason to anticipate a successful coming season”. Watson then went on to discuss the shortage of playing grounds, commenting that “there had been short-sightedness on the part of the local authorities in providing sufficient playing grounds for sport. There was a great difficulty, and it was deplorable that in a city like Auckland that all kinds of sport should be in a bad position about grounds.

ARL patron, James Donald. He was a former MP and served on Auckland City Council. His granddaughter is Desley Simpson, the Auckland Council deputy mayor.

President, Ernest (Ernie) Osborne. He was the mayor of Birkenhead from 1936 to 1953.

The war had been partly responsible, as some of the playing areas had not been restored, and there was no indication that there would be any more grounds available in 1945, with the possible exception of Waikaraka Park in Onehunga. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. James Bell Donald; vice patron, Mr. J.F.W. Dickson; president, Ernest John Osborne (newly elected); senior club delegates to the board of control, Messrs. Jim Clark, William John Probert, M. Horan, David Wilkie; chairman of the board of control, Mr. J.W. Watson, E.J. (Ted) Phelan, Archibald Stormont; referees's delegate, Mr. William Mincham; auditors, Messrs. Garrard and Bennett; hon. solicitor, Mr. H.M. Rogerson. The following officers were elected at a meeting of the Board of Control, which followed: Deputy-chairman, Mr. Ted Phelan; hon. secretary, Mr. Ivan Culpan; time-keepers, Messrs. T. Hill and G. McCowatt; hon. treasurer, Press steward and delegate to the New Zealand Rugby League, Mr. Robert Doble. They also decided to open the season on April 14, with nominations closing on April 4.[8][9] On May 16 at the league meeting it was announced that Mr. Edward (Ted) Knowling, who had been away from New Zealand with the Armed Forces was reappointed as the treasurer to the league.[10]

At the board of control meeting on April 4 it was decided to play the senior competition with the same ten teams which had competed in it the previous season.[11] On April 11 chairman J.W. Watson said that there would be a new format with major and minor championships being competed for in the second round. After the first round the competition would be split into a top half and a bottom half.[12] At the same meeting the president of the Referees’ Association protested against the present method of appointments of referees for senior matches and that qualified referees were in a better position to make the appointments”.[13] In mid May the league decided that the Senior B competition should fall under the control of the Junior Control Board, though it took the casting vote of the chairman to pass. They did however decide that the players should receive senior insurance.[14]

At the May 23 board meeting, chairman Watson raised concern about the continued lack of form shown by the Newton and Pt Chevalier sides. He said “that the Newton team had not shown improvement. The Point Chevalier team was now in its second year, and it did not seem to have made a serious step forward”. Mr. William Mincham said that the Point Chevalier team was endeavouring to improve its position. It had put up some good performances against other teams and had not been annihilated”. The league decided to ask both clubs to send representatives to the next meeting.[15] Following the meeting on May 30 which involved a discussion in committee, the chairman reported that “the officials of the clubs were working hard, and that there was every prospect of considerable improvement in the standard of play in the near future”.[16]

At the April 18 board meeting it was decided that the Lance Painter Cup for goal kicking should be awarded for the most points gained in the 14 matches for the minor championship. As in the previous season, Colin Riley of the Ōtāhuhu side would go on to win it in a closely fought battle with John Anderson neck and neck with him until the final round.[17]

At the annual meeting chairman, Mr. Watson said that “it was necessary to improve the condition of the terraces at Carlaw Park. It was their intention to do concrete work once building restrictions were lifted. And it was proposed as an urgent matter to rebuild the gate entrances in the form of a memorial to fallen soldiers and a number of past officials”. It was also proposed that the future home of the Auckland Rugby League management committee be at Carlaw Park with rooms to be constructed.[18][19] On April 4 word was received that the district building controller had not approved of an application in connection with the proposed improvements to the main entrance gates. However they were prepared to approve of work to make the existing ticket boxes structurally safe and weatherproof.[20] The prices for entry to weekly club matches were set at 1/ for ground admission, 6d for entry to the railway stand. Returned Servicemen with the New Zealand Shoulder Badges would be admitted to the ground for free.[21] On May 18 it was reported that attendances were up 28 percent on the previous season.[22] On June 20 the board thanked Mr. A. Stormont for the gift of Acmena trees to “beautify Carlaw Park”, while Mr. D. Stormont gifted £10 10/ for the same purpose.[23] In July it was reported at a weekly meeting that £524 had been given to the injured players’ fund from gate receipts.[24] It was reported in the Auckland Star on September 28 that a glass bottle had been thrown at Carlaw Park on July 21 which struck a female spectator in the terraces. The police investigated at the time and found two empty bottles “close to where the defendant (William J. Gemmell) was standing”. It had occurred during the Auckland – Wellington match following Wellington's first try. It was prohibited to take liquor into the ground, though Mr. Teape said at the trial that the notices were disregarded. The Senior Magistrate, Mr. J.H. Luxford said he was “very surprised to hear that. If it is generally done I have not seen it any time I have been there”.[25]

In April the Onehunga Borough Council advised the league that the playing area at Waikaraka Park would not be available for use by the league this year. The park had been handed back to the council by the Army authorities after they had used it for war time activities and it was now being reconstructed by the Works Department. They were hopeful that part of the ground might be ready for use by 1946. There was a large amount of metal that “would be left to work through the soil”. [26]

In early May the Manurewa Borough Council advised the Auckland Rugby League that Jellicoe Park would be available for rugby league matches on alternate Saturday's.[27]

The Glen Eden Recreation Ground.

On May 16 the Ellerslie club requested that two senior matches be played in the area. One at Ellerslie and one at Mount Wellington. “It was pointed out that the Mount Wellington area was a growing district, which covered Mount Wellington, Penrose, and Panmure. The chairman, Mr. Watson said it was “a very good idea” and that they might as well play matches there as at Point Chevalier and Mount Albert. It was also indicated that rugby league might be “revived” in Mount Wellington in 1946.[28] A senior match between City and Pt Chevalier was played at the Glen Eden Recreation Ground on August 18.[29] At the July 25 meeting the Pt Chevalier club protested the decision to play their match at Glen Eden as they had been made to play at an outside ground on 6 of the 11 weeks of the competition. Mr. R. Doble said that “Walker Park was the club’s home ground”. Chairman, Mr. J.W. Watson said that it was the club's first year and did not feel that it had suffered any hardship”.[30][31]

Late in the season permission was granted for Ōtāhuhu to travel to the West Coast, Richmond to New Plymouth on October 6, and Ponsonby to play an exhibition game in Cambridge on October 13.[32]

On Thursday, August 2 the Ladies’ Social Committee organised a dance at the Peter Pan Cabaret. The special guests were the West Coast rugby league team. Mrs. Rowe was the honorary secretary of the Ladies’ Social Committee.[33] On August 8 Mrs. I Scott on behalf of the Ladies’ Committee presented a cheque for 100 guineas to the injured players fund.[34] Then on October 4 they held the Auckland Rugby League Dance at the Peter Pan Cabaret with the South Island team being the quests for the evening.[35]

In late June the Balmain club side from Sydney sent a proposal to the Auckland Rugby League to play a series of matches. It was decided to discuss it at the next board meeting on July 4. The Balmain side had won the championship the previous season and had five players in the New South Wales side which had recently played Queensland.[36] After meeting, the Auckland Rugby League offered to arrange matches for Balmain on October 12, 20, and 22, with the possibility of a match on Wednesday, October 17.[37] Plans later firmed to begin the tour on October 13. It was originally attended to try and fly the team to and from New Zealand but this was not possible due to a lack of space so they would travel by boat.[38] The tour was abruptly cancelled however on August 1 when the Balmain club notified the ARL that they were unable to secure confirmed return transportation. Their secretary, Mr Harold Matthews wrote “we can get over all right, but because of lack of regular shipping facilities there is no guarantee we can get back”.[39]

In December it was reported that Brian Nordgren had been signed by Wigan following a magnificent, record breaking season in Auckland rugby league. He was also a well known sprinter and co-holder of the New Zealand junior 100 yards record. Nordgren transferred from the Manukau Rovers rugby club towards the end of the 1944 season and joined the Ponsonby rugby league club for their last few games. He scored 267 points across all teams and was the first player in New Zealand to ever score 100 points from tries alone in a single season.[40] After moving to England he played 294 games for Wigan from 1946 to 1955 scoring 312 tries and kicking 109 goals. After returning to New Zealand following his playing retirement he practices law in Auckland and Hamilton and also coached Ponsonby.

In March rumours surfaced that Allan Wiles was going to switch from rugby union to rugby league. Wiles had been one of the best centre three-quarters in Auckland Rugby the previous season and played for New Zealand Services against New Zealand. Wiles had also represented the Auckland rugby side. He was rumoured to be going to play for Mount Albert United and the rumours turned out to be true. Wiles would go on to become Kiwi #312 in 1948.[41] Wiles also played 5 first class cricket games for Auckland in the 1946/47 season while representing the Ponsonby-Balmoral club.

On April 19 it was reported that a request had been made for George Mitchell to be allowed to play for Ponsonby, having previously been a member of the Richmond club. Ponsonby had appealed after Richmond had decided not to give permission for him to transfer. Mitchell said that he “had been in the Armed Forces for the last three years For two seasons he played rugby, but he did not play any football last season. He decided to have a spell, in view of getting a clearance to play for Ponsonby this season. As he had not played for 12 months he considered that he was entitled to ask for a clearance”. Mitchell, a Pacific Island born player had represented New Zealand in 1939, while his older brother Alf Mitchell also played for New Zealand in 1935.[42] A week later it was announced that Mitchell would be allowed to play for Ponsonby after Richmond no longer objected.[43]

Opai (Albert) Asher in his playing days.

On September 8 a testimonial match was played for Opai (Albert) Asher who was the groundsman at Carlaw Park. He had been a well known New Zealand international playing 7 matches for them from 1910 to 1913. Prior to that Asher played rugby union for the All Blacks in 11 matches in 1903, scoring a remarkable 17 tries. After switching to rugby league Asher played 63 matches for City Rovers from 1909 to 1917 scoring 16 tries and kicking 22 goals. His representative rugby league career included 22 appearances for New Zealand Māori, 2 for Australasia in 1910, and 18 for Auckland. At the end of the 1945 season he was retiring and moving back to Tauranga to spend his retirement years with his family. The match was a Roope Rooster replay between Ōtāhuhu and City who had drawn 7-7 the previous week despite 20 minutes of extra time being played.[44] It was reported after the match that £150 had been received and that more money was expected to come in.[45] He was eventually presented with a cheque for £164 by Ted Phelan.[46]

Jack Kirwan, one of the three Auckland selectors

Auckland selector, Dougie McGregor (A.J. McGregor) in the 1915 Grafton Athletic side which won the Auckland senior championship.

In April the Auckland representative selectors were appointed and were Jack Kirwan, J Clark, and Dougie McGregor.[47] On the motion of Mr. Watson it was decided that admission to representative matches in 1945 the charge would be 1/6, plus 1/ to the grandstand.[48] On July 26 Auckland beat Wellington 46 to 7 at Carlaw Park. While the result was extremely one sided the match drew 12,000 spectators and earned £744 in gate takings with the net being £709. This was divided equally among the two league's which would receive £354 each.[49]

Maurice Wetherill who travelled with the junior side to the South Island. He was a former NZ international and test referee.

In August the Auckland Schoolboys toured the south with L Rout and Maurice Wetherill travelling with the side. Their first match was played against Canterbury in Greymouth and was won 14 to 3.[50] They lost their next match to West Coast on August 26 by 14 points to 2.[51] On September 19 at the ARL board meeting the lack of a grade between primary school and post high school was lacking for boys of that age. L. Rout from the Schoolboys grade management committee was part of a deputation to the board meeting and he said “school football in New Zealand is at sixes and sevens, and there is a need for uniformity about weights and ages”. He went on to point out that “when the boys left the schoolboy ranks and went to secondary school no provision was made for them. The Schoolboys’ Board asked the league to provide a grade to take care of those boys. The Junior Control Board, it was stated, was in agreement with the proposal. They wanted to cater for boys up to 16 years in the secondary schools, with a weight limit of 8st 9lb. The Junior Control Board could then carry on. At present there was a big gap and it should be filled. Maurice Wetherill said that at present there was a gap between schoolboy football and the seventh grade”. The chairman, Mr. J. W. Watson suggested that further discussion on the matter.[52] It was decided a week later that the School Control Board be given permission to organise a secondary schools’ competition for 1946 with the maximum age to be 16 on May 1, and the maximum weight 8st 9lb.[53] At an Arl meeting on October 16 Mr. E.J. Osborne said that “it was necessary to get the game into the schools to make a real success of the code in the Dominion”. Maurice Wetherill said that they had “450 schoolboys playing the code. The aim now was to get the game going in the secondary schools, and to start a competition with a weight limit of about 8st 9lb”. Mr. I Stonex said that in the past season they had 55 teams in the schoolboy competition.[54]

Phil Donovan on the right with Marist team mate Gordon Crocker in 1937.

On March 10, 1945, Phillip (Phil) Donovan was accidentally killed in Italy aged 28. He went to school at St. John's Convent and Parnell School where he had lived with his parents who predeceased him. He played juniors for Marist and then for Marist Old Boys seniors from 1937 to 1941 as a five eighth along with his brother Jack who had retired and become a senior referee. The Auckland Star wrote “he was a powerful attacking back and perhaps best known by his fine sportsmanship”. His other brothers, Alan and Eugene were current players for City. Phil joined the Army in 1941 and left New Zealand in May, 1943. While in the Middle East he “played good football in games between the divisional teams”. He left behind a wife (Nora) who lived in Onehunga. He was buried at Ancona War Cemetery in Italy.[55][56][57]

On December 3 at 8.50pm, Ivan Douglas Urukaraka Gregory died in an accident at Rotorua. He was a well known Māori rugby league player who had joined Manukau in late 1940, playing with them until 1942 scoring 8 tries. He then joined Newton Rangers in 1943 and scored 48 points including 8 tries. He played 1 match for Auckland Māori in 1941 against Auckland Pākehā scoring 3 tries, and again for the same side in 1943. He also represented Auckland at centre in their match with South Auckland (Waikato) on September 18, 1943 at Davies Park in Huntly. Gregory had also played for South Auckland against Auckland and represented Rotorua as well. He died “as the result of injuries received when he fell into a hot pool” near Tarewa Road on the morning of December 3. It was “understood that he was cooking his breakfast over a pool in the morning when the ground on which he was standing suddenly caved in. He was precipitated into the pool and suffered severe scalding from the chest downwards. He managed to scramble out of the pool and, despite his injuries reached his home some 25 yards distant. Awakening his wife he told her of the accident and aid was summoned. He was rushed to Rotorua public hospital in a critical condition but failed to respond to treatment during the day. Gregory was aged 25 and was survived by his wife and a young child. He was a nephew of Steve Watene.[58]

Prior to the matches at Carlaw Park 2 minutes silence was observed to mark the passing of United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The season was opened with Auckland Rugby League president E.J. Osborne kicking off.[59] The Marist side featured former New Zealand international, and prodigious goal kicker, John Anderson who had transferred back to the club after a season with Point Chevalier. He scored a try and kicked 4 goals in their win over City. For Mt Albert there were three rugby transfers making their debut, including future Kiwi, Allan Wiles.[60] The Ōtāhuhu side featured 4 brothers in the forward pack. They were Joffre Johnson who would become a Kiwi in 1947, Ivan, Mick, and Norm. Norm had previously represented Auckland and weighed 14 stone. While the North Shore match with Manukau saw the debut of Jack Russell-Green who was said to have played gamely at halfback against the huge Manukau forward pack. In 1949 he was selected for the New Zealand side and became Kiwi #321.[61] The others were Ray Neary and Des Pike. Richmond had Des Ryan on debut in their game against Pt Chevalier. Ryan had switched from rugby union where he had represented Auckland three years earlier. In the same match Pt Chevalier had promoted Doug Anderson from their 4th grade side. He was said to have shown promise and would go on to represent New Zealand from 1947 to 1954. Following the matches it was reported that the gate takings for the opening round were the highest for years.[62]

Wilfred in the '0' jersey with Claude Dempsey being tackled in a match between Newton and Devonport in 1935

Wifred Brimble debuted for Ponsonby after having returned from the war. He had previously played for Newton from 1935 to 1939, and represented Auckland in 1939 and New Zealand in 6 matches in 1938. It was reported following the second round that the gate takings had thus far been more than double the amount from the corresponding period in 1944. Chairman Watson said that “it was an augury of a successful season and showed the great interest being taken in sport”.[68] Arthur Desmond (Des) Pike scored a try for Mt Albert. He had switched codes and had represented Auckland rugby previously, as well as being an Auckland junior cricket representative. He was heavily involved in the war effort, making specialist equipment for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and midway through the year began playing rugby union once more for Army sides. He later represented Wellington at rugby union.[69]

A Manukau player carrying the ball in their match with Mount Albert.

The match between Richmond and Newton on Carlaw Park 2 saw Richmond win by an Auckland senior club record score of 70 points to 0. The score at halftime was 34–0. H Hobman was on debut as a senior grade referee in the same match. The main match saw the two best goal kickers in Auckland going head to head with John Anderson representing Marist, while Colin Riley was kicking for Ōtāhuhu. They each kicked 3 goals, though Riley was to go on to kick the most in the season, a feat he achieved the year prior also. In the match between Manukau and Mt Albert Tommy Chase was forced into the fullback role for Manukau in the absence of Ralph Martin who had transferred to Ōtāhuhu. Chase had first “come into prominence as a rugby union player in the Whanganui district when, at 17 years of age he was a member of the New Zealand Māori team which visited Australia in 1935”. He moved to Auckland and joined the Manukau club along with his brother Rangi Chase. George Mitchell had joined Ponsonby and scored for them in their loss to City. He had come to Auckland from Feilding Old Boys rugby side in 1937 along with his brother Alf Mitchell and joined the Richmond club. In 1939 he was selected for New Zealand to tour England. Both brothers were born in the Pacific Islands to a Samoan mother and English father and were two of the first ever Pacific Island representatives in the New Zealand rugby league side.[75]

Ponsonby had suffered a large number of injuries early in the season and had a weakened side in their loss to Ōtāhuhu. It included Don Mullett, who was also a well known champion heavy weight boxer. Dick Hull, their captain was also out injured with a bad leg injury. Arthur Kay had broken ribs in their final practice match and had not played thus far but hoped to back a week later. While Wilfred Brimble was also thought to be a spectator as well.[81] The Auckland Star wrote a piece on match day about the various hookers in the competition. Kenneth Finlayson was back playing for Marist after having played for them several seasons earlier (1937–41) before a move to Ōtāhuhu (1942–43) and then to Manukau (1944). He was the son of Charles Finlayson who had played cricket for New Zealand and also rugby league for New Zealand in 1913. The merry-go-round continued with Owen Hughes starting his career with City now playing for Ponsonby after having played for Ōtāhuhu in between, Raymond Lohenet moving from Ponsonby to City. It was also rumoured that the veteran Bert Leatherbarrow, who had represented City in 1944, would turn out for them later in the year, after stints with North Shore (1931–34) and Mt Albert (1937-43).[82] Ron Neary scored his first try for Mt Albert. He had switched from rugby union at the start of the season from the Marist club and had previously played centre for the Auckland representative team.

Ron McGregor made his first appearance of the season for Richmond after having been injured.

Round 6 was originally scheduled for May 19 but due to very wet weather the grounds were “sodden” with “large pools of water on the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, and the decision was made to postpone the round early on Saturday morning.[93] It was then played on the following weekend.

In the match between Richmond and Ponsonby Travers Hardwick and James Morrell both left the field injured for Ponsonby. They were replaced by former New Zealand internationals George Tittleton and Arthur Kay.

Des Ryan, an ex-Auckland rugby union representative played a good game for Richmond in their win over Manukau.[104] John Anderson had a very rare off day with the boot for Marist. He missed all 7 shots for goal in a 2-point loss to Mt Albert.[105] With Ōtāhuhu's heavy defeat of North Shore at Ellerslie Reserve they passed the 1,000 points scored mark for first grade rugby league matches in the championship. They had first played in the grade in 1914 but struggled during the war years to field competitive teams and it wasn't until the 1943 season that they became properly established again in the top grade.

Both Ron McGregor and Bernard Lowther were absent for Richmond however they still managed to defeat Marist 13 to 5. Following City's 7-7 draw they became the first club in senior rugby league in Auckland to pass 6,000 points scored in first grade championship matches.

W Topia scored for Manukau in their 21–13 loss to Ōtāhuhu. He had recently moved to Auckland from the Hokianga District.[116]

Round 11 saw Puti Tipene (Steve) Watene turning out for City. He had debuted in 1929 for City and also spent time playing for Manukau, and Newton before returning to City for the 1945 season playing over 170 club matches in total and 38 representative matches.[122] The match between Richmond and Pt Chevalier was played in Mount Wellington in inner east Auckland as an exhibition match. Richmond won 15 points to 7, though like several of the matches played on suburban grounds no individual scoring was reported in the Monday newspapers. R Merrick debuted as a senior grade referee in the game between Newton and North Shore at Carlaw Park.

Stuart Billman

The match between Newton and Marist was played at Fowlds Park in Morningside in a “sea of mud”. Newton who had been having a terrible season caused an upset by winning 5–4. Leo Davis made his first appearance for Richmond in the season against Ōtāhuhu. He was an Auckland representative from 1941 to 1943. Royce Speedy was missing for Ōtāhuhu through injury while L Williams for Richmond had to leave the field due to an injury and was replaced by Rennie. Frank Furnell was reported to have played his best game for Richmond since his return from service in the Middle East where he was serving in the war.[128] In the same match referee Stuart Billman became the first ever referee in Auckland to officiate 150 senior rugby league games.

Round 13 saw ‘Chairman’s Round’, an initiative started in 1944. The chairman (Mr. J.W. Watson) was given the task of choosing a head to head match up to be the main game at Carlaw Park with Richmond and Manukau selected. Mr. Joseph Patrick Moodabe, who was a well known sportsman had donated a ”handsome trophy for the winning side”.[134] An unprecedented situation unfolded following the match. An inquiry was held post match due to an injury received by former New Zealand international, Jack Satherley who was playing for Richmond. A scrum had been set and he saw seen to “reel and fall” and stayed down “on the ground for some time receiving attention”. At the inquiry referee Jack Hawkes and some players gave evidence.[135] After their Wednesday board meeting the Auckland Rugby League suspended Joseph Zimmerman of Manukau for the remainder of the season. Given the referee had not witnessed the incident and no action was taken on the field against him it must have only been through the statements of players that he was found guilty of misconduct which had never happened before in the code in Auckland.[136] At Ōtāhuhu the local team played North Shore and won 18–7. They were missing some of their regular players but fielded D Smith at fullback. In somewhat of an unusual cross over he was the Auckland B grade table tennis champion. In the same match Ivor Stirling, the former New Zealand international made his first appearance of the season at halfback for North Shore.[137]

The final round of the competition had Richmond sitting on 22 competition points and Ōtāhuhu on 21 points. A win to Richmond would have seen them declared ‘minor championship’ champions however they lost to Mt Albert 12-7 while Ōtāhuhu beat Marist 10–0 to claim the title. The curtain raiser badly cut up the field for the main match.[143] Ahead of the matches Marist's John Anderson, and Ōtāhuhu's Colin Riley were equal with 43 goals each for the season. Anderson did not kick any goals in their 10–0 loss, while Riley kicked 2 goals in Ōtāhuhu's win thereby giving him the Lance Painter Trophy for goal kicking for the second consecutive season.

Following the completion of the minor championship rounds Auckland Rugby League played major championship semi finals. This was the first ever time they had done such a thing in the history of the competition and it had an element of being made up as the season went along. Ōtāhuhu were knocked out in the semi finals, and then belatedly later in the season the ARL decided that they, as minor champions would play the winner of the major championship to decide the ARL champion for the season and winner of the Fox Memorial Shield.

Brian Nordgren continued his record breaking point scoring season with 16 points in Ponsonby's 28–18 win over Ōtāhuhu with 2 tries, 3 conversions and 2 penalties. Veteran player, and former New Zealand international George Tittleton played at scrum half for Ponsonby, with Arthur Kay, another former New Zealand representative and long serving Ponsonby player taking the field at first five eighth. He was in his 13th season for them and to this point was their second highest ever scorer with approximately 531 points points, behind only Frank Delgrosso with 767.

This match was played to find the overall 1945 senior club champion and winner of the Fox Memorial Shield. Ōtāhuhu had won the regular season competition while Richmond had won the ‘major championship’ playoffs. Auckland Rugby League then decided that these two teams should meet to find the best side.

The game between City and Ōtāhuhu was tied at 7–7 at full time. An unprecedented 4 periods of extra time were played of 5 minutes each but no winner was found. It was the only time that many minutes had been played with no victor. In the past 10 minutes extra had been played with no winner. It meant that the two teams had to play a replay the following weekend. Another of the matches also went to extra time with North Shore and Pt Chevalier tied 15–15 at the conclusion. Horace Hunt kicked a penalty for North Shore to take the match for the Devonport side.[154]

The round 1 replay also doubled as the main match in a testimonial day to Opai (Albert) Asher who had played rugby union and rugby league for New Zealand, as well as New Zealand Māori rugby league, Auckland, and represented the City Rovers from 1909 to 1907 in 63 matches. He later became the custodian of Carlaw Park but was retiring to return to his home area of Tauranga. He paraded in red and black (City's colours) and kicked off. There were also two curtain-raisers played between City and Glenora 3rd grade sides (won 13-6 by City), and the City and Pt Chevalier 4th grade teams (won 19-4 by Pt Chevalier).[159] The main match saw City win 13–10. Ōtāhuhu lost Pattilo and Ralph Martin in the first half, meaning Seymour had to play fullback and D Harris, a forward, moved to the wing. Norm Johnson, another forward shifted to five eighth.[160]

With his 7 points in Ponsonby's 19–13 loss to Mt Albert, Brian Nordgren passed Jack Hemi's point scoring record of 218 points which he achieved in 1941 through 206 points for Manukau, and 12 for Auckland. Nordgren moved to 227 points.[162][163] Flags flew at half mast at Carlaw Park due to the death of Mr. G.J. Chapman, who was a life member of the Ellerslie club, and Lou Hemi who died in Wellington. In Richmond's match with Marist, 36 year old former international George Tittleton was concussed with a possible fractured jaw and was taken to Auckland Hospital.[164]

North Shore were said to have fielded their best team of the season after being reinforced by Verdun Scott who had returned from the war. He had been selected for New Zealand for the aborted tour of England and France in 1939. In 1946 he would become the first and only player to also play test cricket for New Zealand when he debuted against Australia on March 29, 1946. Joining him in the side were other former New Zealand players Jack Smith, and Ivor Stirling. Smith converted 2 of their 3 tries and also kicked 2 penalties in their 17–12 win.

Jack Smith kicked 5 goals in North Shore's 22–12 win. Roy Clark also scored 2 tries for the winners in a match described by chairman J.W. Watson as being “the best game seen at Carlaw Park for a long time”.[169]

North Shore claimed the champion of champions title for 1945 when they beat Ōtāhuhu in the Stormont Shield final. C.S Peterson, the representative forward turned out for North Shore after returning from the war effort. North Shore led at halftime 15-5 after playing with a strong wind, however Ōtāhuhu came back strongly with two tries including one to Jim Fogarty on fulltime. Unfortunately for the south Auckland team Colin Riley's conversion attempt which caused the crowd to gather near the posts missed. During the second half Joffre Johnson was sent off for Ōtāhuhu at a stage when they were getting on top.[171] After winning the match each member of the North Shore side was presented with a medal by the family of William (Bill) Stormont whom the trophy was in honour of.

Referee A Stevenson officiated in his debut first grade match in the Pt Chevalier game against Ponsonby.

The scoring includes Fox Memorial matches including the playoff type matches, the Roope Rooster and Phelan Shield competitions and also the Stormont Shield final. It does not include the exhibition matches that Ōtāhuhu played in the West Coast or the match between Ponsonby and Mt Albert at Cambridge on October 13.

On June 4 a benefit match was arranged for former Marist player James (Jimmy) Chalmers. He had played for their senior side from 1935 to 1940 before enlisting in the armed forces.[179] He was seriously wounded in the Middle East and had his leg amputated at the hip.[180] The match was played between a Town side made up of players from the Marist and City clubs and a Country side made up of players from Ōtāhuhu and Manukau. Robert Grotte made his first appearance for the year in the Town side.

On September 26 the Auckland Watersiders played in an Inter-Port Challenge Cup match against the Wellington Watersiders at Carlaw Park.[182] The Auckland side were the current holders and they retained the Cup with a 14-6 win which included the clinching try late in the match to representative player John Anderson. A curtain-raiser was played between another Auckland Waterside team and Glenora.[183]

The Ōtāhuhu senior side travelled as a party of 23 to the West Coast to play 2 matches against very strong opponents. Otahuhu was coached by Con Hall who was formerly of Greymouth. They were at full strength except that Ralph Martin replaced the injured Royce Speedy at full back.[185] Ōtāhuhu arrived on Thursday, September 27 and departed on October 2.[186][187] They were officially welcomed at the Trotting Pavilion on the evening of the 27th and an official dinner was held on the 30th following their second match.[188] A welcome dance was held for them on the Saturday night also, at the Miners' Hall.[189] They lost both of them to Blackball, the local champions, and then Runanga. After the match with Blackball their opponents travelled to Auckland as the majority of them were in the South Island side to play the North Island. Following their second match, against Runanga, the team was hosted by the West Coast Rugby League at the Club Hotel for a dinner.[190]

The Blackball side featured future New Zealand internationals Bill Mountford, Bob Aynsley, Charlie McBride, Ray Nuttall, Ken Mountford, and Ces Mountford who signed with Wigan two months later.[191]

On October 13 the Ponsonby and Mt Albert senior sides played an exhibition match at Victoria Square in Cambridge, Waikato. It was the first rugby league game played in Cambridge for 22 years. A crowd of 800 paid for admission to witness the match which was won by Ponsonby 40 to 28. Frank Delgrosso coached the Ponsonby side as he had done during the season and his son, Francis (also known as Frank) possibly made his debut for Ponsonby. "K Hardrave" was listed as coaching the Mt Albert side which was possibly Roy Hardgrave as there were several spelling errors in the article. Brian Nordgren scored a try and kicked 7 conversion and a penalty, while for Mt Albert, Basil Cranch converted 5 of their 6 tries. A local league committee had organised the match along with the two Auckland clubs and the Frankton club. Following the match the teams were entertained at the Oddfellows' Hall in Cambridge. The following day on Sunday the Auckland sides were taken to visit the Karapiro Hydro Works and then traveled to the Frankton Club. The match raised money for the "Kiwi" Flats fund and gathered £40-£50.[196]

Newton, North Shore, City, Pt Chevalier, Mt Albert, Marist, Manukau, North Shore, Ellerslie, Papakura, and Otahuhu.

Won by City Rovers. Other competing teams included Ellerslie, Richmond, Ponsonby, and Marist.

Won by Mount Albert United.

Won by Point Chevalier. Other competing teams included Ellerslie and Ōtāhuhu.

Won by Green Lane.

Won by Marist Old Boys. Other competing teams included Ellerslie, Marist, and Newton.

Ellerslie, Green Lane, Richmond, Mount Albert, and Newton

Ellerslie, Point Chevalier, and Richmond

Ellerslie, Ōtāhuhu, Glenora, and Richmond

Mount Albert, Manukau, City, Ponsonby, Richmond A, Richmond B, Newton, Point Chevalier, Marist, and Ōtāhuhu.

Auckland won comfortably with an extraordinary performance by winger Brian Nordgren who scored 5 tries and kicked 5 goals for 25 individual points. Bernard Lowther played on the other wing and kicked 3 conversions before retiring injured and being replaced by Roy Nurse. The South Auckland side was missing L. Allen through injury and then O. Brookes, their star back was forced off through injury. Future New Zealand representative Albert Hambleton played at prop for South Auckland. N Dowling, who had played for Richmond in 1944 also turned out for the visiting side. In a curtain raiser the South Auckland 4th grade representative side beat Auckland 6 to 3.[198]

Ernie Asher selected the Auckland Māori team. At the conclusion of the game at a social function life membership was conferred to Brownie Paki.

A feature of the match was the goal kicking on each side. For the Māori team Silva kicked 5 goals, while Brian Nordgren did likewise for the Pākehā team. Nordgren also scored a try from halfway after Allan Wiles had made a “brilliant burst down the middle of the field” to create an overlap for his winger. The Māori team found themselves down by 15 points in the second half before a strong comeback made the game close following a try to Pita Ririnui with 10 minutes to go. Then with 5 minutes left Joe Murray came close to levelling the scores but the Pākehā defence hung on for the win.[201]

Jack Hemi and his brother Lou, of the Wellington rugby league team

Auckland won comfortably and would have won by more but only 3 of their 12 tries were converted. There was a good deal of interest in the appearance of Jack Hemi, the great player who had represented New Zealand in 10 matches, New Zealand Māori (2), Auckland (2), Auckland Māori (12), and Manukau (103). His younger brother Lou played at full back for Wellington. They both lived in the Wairarapa but travelled to Wellington in the weekends to play for Randwick.[203] As it stood they could do little to stem the flow of Auckland tries. There was surprise before the match when it was found out that Pita Ririnui had been dropped from the Auckland side after failing to attend training.[204] He was replaced in the starting side by Abbie Graham. Les Clement and A Rogers had been unavailable due to injury.[205] The Wellington side fielded Harvey Kreyl at lock, he would go on to represent New Zealand 7 years later in 1952.

The West Coast team was the first to play in Auckland since 1933. Auckland won a very hard-fought match in front of a large crowd of 13,000. During the second half Brian Nordgren and Jack Forrest were injured in a tackle. Despite protests St Johns said that neither player could carry on after both received head cuts. This meant both sides had to play on with 12 players. For Auckland Travers Hardwick moved from the forwards to play in the wing, while Ken Mountford did the same for the West Coast. After the match Nordgren and Forrest both went to Auckland Hospital to be treated. Earlier in the match B Lowther was injured and was replaced by Roy Nurse at halftime. During the following week the “local” (Auckland) replacement rule was clarified as typically players could not be replaced at halftime unless they were in the hands of St Johns or a doctor at the conclusion of the first half, which in this case Lowther was. This differed from the English rules where replacements at halftime were not allowed. The referee also needed to be notified that a replacement was happening which he was. However the opposing captain, Ces Mountford was not told as “everything was done in a rush”.[207] It was also stated during the week that the gate receipts of £435 were a record since the outbreak of the war in 1939, and were a record for such a fixture.[208]

Brian Nordgren had scored 9 tries in 3 games for Auckland already in the season and followed up with a remarkable 5 more in Auckland's easy win over Wellington. With the 7 conversions he kicked his personal tally was an extraordinary 29 points. His last try came in the second half when he “pounded past the Wellington defence for 75 yards for an unconverted try which brought the crowd to its feet”. Allan Wiles and Roy Nurse were originally chosen amongst the travelling reserves for Auckland but were unavailable and their places were taken by Jack Zane-Zaninovich (Mt Albert), and G Prenter (Richmond).[210] The match saw 2,239 tickets sold at the gate with gross takings of £143 with the Auckland share being £49. It was pointed out by Auckland treasurer that when the Wellington team played in Auckland the share for Wellington was £354.[211]

Brian Nordgren was once again in scoring form, crossing for 3 tries and kicking 3 conversions and a penalty in Auckland's 26–13 win. In a surprise selection Jack Smith was selected in the reserves for Auckland over Warwick Clarke at fullback. He had only recently returned from the war and had only played 2 games. Allan Wiles collided with another player in the second half and went off to get stitches. Reserve Rex Cunningham played at five eighth and scored a try for Auckland. As replacements were not allowed during the second half it is possible that he started the match in the halves ahead of the originally named Roy Nurse.

The South Island team featured 2 Wellington players (F Moses and H Mallinder) for the first time in its history, rendering it a South Island team in name only. G Moyes, chosen at lock from Waikato was unavailable as he was feeling unwell so his place was taken by Fred James of the City side and he played well scoring 2 tries.[214] Veteran Arthur Kay played for the North Island in the centre position. He was in his 13th season of senior rugby league having debuted for Ponsonby in 1933.[215] The crowd was estimated at between 15 and 20,000 which was the largest seen at the ground for many years.[216]

There were patchy newspaper reports of the team named to play Huntly District and not all players were mentioned in reports so the list is incomplete.

Of the thirteen players selected for the North Island, 11 of them were from Auckland.

The Junior Control Board held their first meeting at the ARL League Rooms on Tuesday, March 15 at 8pm. Their honorary secretary was W. F. Clarke.[218] Their annual meeting was held on Tuesday, April 10 at 8pm in the League Rooms, Chamber of Commerce Building, Courthouse Lane. Their assistant secretary was Ivan Stonex.[219] At their annual meeting the following members were elected:- Messrs. G. Bathchelor, W. Dormer, A. Strong, S.M. McClure, W. W. Berger, C. Howe, E. Renner, L. Healy, and Ivan Stonex. Stonex had been elected chairman and would also represent them on the board of control.[220]

Maurice Wetherill was appointed chairman of the School Control Board.[221] Permission was given to the School Boy Control Board for an intermediate team to travel to Christchurch and the West Coast in August.[222] On October 27 Auckland Rugby League held their Schoolboy Gala. Prizes were presented by chairman Watson, and went to: Goal Kicking; Senior – Keenan (Green Lane), Intermediate – Carter (Newton), Junior – Herewini (Point Chevalier), 50 Yards; (seven-a-side midgets) - Marsden 1, Nesbitt 2; 75 Yards (seven-a-side) Osborne (Richmond) 1, Moore (Richmond) 2, 75 yards (junior): Gavin (Green Lane) 1, Gissing (Ellerslie) 2, 100 yards (intermediate): Christian (Otahuhu) 1, Hayson (Newton) 2. 100 yards (senior): Menzies (Ellerslie) 1, Keenan (Green Lane) 2. Tug-of-war (seven-a-side_: City 1, Junior representative football: East 3 West 0, Relay Race (senior): Point Chevalier 1, Marist 2. Relay race (intermediate) Otahuhu 1, Pt Chevalier 2. Relay Race (junior) Otahuhu 1, Green Lane 2. Senior football: Representatives 5 Rest 2. Grand March for Court Cup: Mt Albert 1.[223]

Former international Ted Mincham was the referee delegate to the junior control board.

The Referees Association held their annual general meeting on March 7, at the Auckland Rugby League board rooms at 8pm. Their honorary secretary was Thomas E. Skinner.[224] On April 4 they advised that the following officials had been elected – President, Mr. Les E. Bull; vice president, Mr. J.G. McGowatt; secretary, Mr. T.E. Skinner; treasurer, Mr. Roy Otto; delegate to Auckland Rugby League, Mr. Ted Mincham; delegate to Junior Control Board, Mr. J. Short; delegate to School Control Board, Mr. J. Cottingham; delegate to New Zealand Referees’ Association, Mr. Les E. Bull; auditor, Mr. Percy Rogers; critic Mr. A. Saunders; executive committee, Messrs M. Renton; examination committee, Messrs. Stuart Billman, Roy Otto, Ted Mincham, J. Cottingham, Jack Hawkes.[225]

Avondale League Football Club held their annual meeting on Thursday, March 22 in the club's rooms at Avondale Town Hall at 8pm. Their honorary secretary was W.W. Green.[226]

City Rovers Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting in the Auckland Rugby League Rooms at 7.30pm on Monday, March 5. Their honorary secretary was Ted Girven.[227] The advertised for 3rd grade players to attend a practice at Victoria Park Grandstand on Saturday, March 17 at 2pm.[228] It was reported in March that Hawea Mataira would be unavailable for City this season as he was “in camp and will probably be going overseas shortly with an Expeditionary Force draft”.[229] On April 4 the City club applied for life membership of Ernie Asher who had “been prominent in the code for many years”. A decision on the application was held over to the following weekend.[230] City advertised for a practise game against another senior side for Carlaw Park on Saturday, April 7 at 2pm.[231]

Ellerslie United Rugby League Club held their annual meeting at the Parish Hall in Ellerslie on March 15 at 7.30pm. Their honorary secretary was G. Whaley.[232] Ellerslie advertised training at Ellerslie Reserve on Saturday, April 7 at 2pm and noted that they had vacancies in all grades.[233]

Glenora Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting at Glen Eden Town Hall Library on Tuesday, March 13 at 8pm. Their honorary secretary was Alec Dracevich.[234] On June 20 the Glenora club requested that a senior match be played at Glen Eden with a decision by the board being deferred.[235] It was decided to play the City match against Pt Chevalier at the Glen Eden Recreation Ground on August 18.[236]

Green Lane Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at 8pm in the Green Lane Fire Station Hall in Green Lane. Their secretary was D. Paviour-Smith.[237]

Marist Brothers Old Boys League Football Club had their annual meetin on March 6 at the Auckland Rugby League Rooms at 7.45pm. Their honorary secretary was Jack Kirwan. [238] In mid May Marist was granted the use of Carlaw Park on Monday, June 4 for a Town v Country benefit match for Jimmy Chalmers, a member of their club who had returned from war service severely injured.[239] He had a leg amputated at the hip as a result of his injuries. The Town team would be represented by Marist and City, while the Country team would be made up from the Manukau and Ōtāhuhu sides with Jack Kirwan writing to confirm arrangements on May 30.[240] In July Marist were given permission to invite a Wellington team to visit Auckland to play the Marist seventh grade team on July 21.[241]

Manukau Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting was held in the Band Room, Queen Street, Onehunga, on Tuesday, February 27 at 8pm. Their honorary secretary was H. de Wolfe.[242] On March 17 members of the Manukau club published an In Memoriam notice in the newspapers to remember W.H. Inglis who had been killed in the war on that day in 1944.[243] Manukau advertised a practice for all grades, asking they attend Galway St, Onehunga at 2pm on March 17.[244] Manukau advertised a training for all players at Carlaw Park on Friday, March 30 at 10am.[245] Ralph Martin applied for a transfer from Manukau to Otahuhu but the Manukau club refused.[246] At the following meeting it was decided to refuse the transfer on the ground that he was registered with the Manukau club and would need to stand down for a year. It was intimated that he would therefore switch codes to play rugby union.[247]

Mount Albert League Football Club scheduled their annual picnic for Tui Glen in Henderson on January 21 but due to “unfavourable weather conditions” postponed it until February 4.[248][249] Their annual meeting was held on Thursday, March 1 at their headquarters at Fowlds Park in Morningside. Their honorary secretary was F.W. Clement.[250] Mt. Albert advertised a training at Carlaw Park for March 3, with Juniors at 2pm and Seniors at 3pm. Their honorary secretary following their annual meeting was Theo Gabriel.[251] They held another preseason practice at Carlaw Park on March 10 for all grades.[252] They advertised a special meeting of players and coaches at Fowlds Park Pavilion on Monday 28 at 8.15pm.[253] On September 19 the club held their annual dance at the Peter Pan Cabaret.[254] They also held an Art Union competition with winners announced in the New Zealand Herald on October 17.[255] They held their prize giving at the Masonic Hall on Tuesday, October 30.[256]

Newton Rangers Rugby League Club held their 35th annual meeting was held at the ARL League Rooms on Courthouse Lane on Monday, March 12 at 8pm. Their acting secretary was W. Preston.[257] They advertised for all players intending to play to attend a training at 2pm on Saturday, March 17 at 2pm. Their honorary secretary was W.G. Simms.[258] Following their “enthusiastic” annual meeting it was reported that the club was undergoing a “reorganisation”. It was said that “this old established club promises this season to play a prominent part in league activities, and good support is assured from the 50 members who attended the meeting. The following officers were elected:- Committee, J. Rowntree (chairman), F. Hayson, K. Childs, J. R. Green, G. Woolley, J. Davison, W. Condon, E. Cowley, S. Davison; treasurer Mr. W. Preston; secretary, Mr. W. G. Simms”.[259] They advertised for another practice day for all grades on Friday, March 30 at 10am.[260] On April 7 the Newton club advertised for a meeting of all its sixth grade players at Carlaw Park, Monday 7pm and that coaches were required for these teams.[261] On April 11 Newton held a “great club rally” in Te Akarana Band Hall, Newton for Wednesday, 8pm to discuss the seasons prospects and suggestions to make Newton a greater club.[262] They held another club rally on April 18 at the City Boy's Band Hall (opposite Druids’ Hall, Newton).[263]

North Shore Albions League Football Club held their annual meeting was originally scheduled at their Football Shed at Vauxhall Road on Tuesday, March 6 at 7.30pm. Their honorary secretary was M. W. Coghlan.[264] However it ultimately did not take place until Monday, March 16 at 8pm.[265] North Shore held a training at their football shed on Thursday prior to the opening round.[266]

Otahuhu Rugby League Football Club had their annual general meeting at their club rooms on Hutton Street in Otahuhu on Monday, March 26 at 7.45pm. They also scheduled a club practice to be held on Saturday, March 3 at 2.30pm on the Fairburn Road Grounds. Their honorary secretary was M. Ritchie.[267]

Papakura Rugby League Football Club advertised their first training of the year for Tuesday, February 13 at 8pm at their club headquarters at Union Street in Papakura. Their honorary secretary was A.L. Lewis.[268] Their 14th annual general meeting was held on Monday, March 5 at 8pm at their clubrooms on Union Street, Papakura. They requested nominations for president and nine committee members to be submitted by February 26.[269]

Point Chevalier Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting in their Social Club's Hall at 417 Point Chevalier Road on Monday, March 5 at 8pm. Their honorary secretary was A.G. Daniels.[270] They held a meeting for all senior players at Carlaw Park on April 7 at 8.30pm.[271] A training was held for the Senior B players on Wednesday, April 25 at Walker Park.[272] On May 1 the Point Chevalier club advertised vacancies for their fifth and seventh grade players and were asked to apply to their honorary secretary, A.G. Daniels at 16, Formby Avenue in Point Chevalier.[273]

Ponsonby United Rugby League Club held their 35th annual meeting on Monday, February 26 at 7.30pm at Leys Institute. Their honorary secretary was J. Davidson.[274] In March it was reported that Gordon Littlejohn, the former Auckland rugby union representative who had switched codes to Ponsonby in 1944 had applied for reinstatement back to rugby union.[275] On May 28 the family of Noel Martin reported that he had arrived safely in England after having been held a prisoner of war at Stalag XVIII A for four years.[276]

Richmond Rovers Football Club held their annual meeting at the clubrooms at Grey Lynn Park on Monday, March 19 at 7.45. Their honorary secretary was W.R. Dick.[277] Richmond advertised for preseason practice matches on Saturday, April 7. The third grade side was to play Manukau at 1.45pm and the senior team to play the same opponent at 2.45pm. They matches were at the clubs headquarters at Grey Lynn Park.[278] In April Mr. William Leithfield Moore died aged 46. He had moved to Auckland in 1922 and played for the Richmond club and had continued to following them since.[279] It was reported in July that Corporal Harry Meltzer had won a commission while at war. He had previously played for the Richmond seniors in 1941 and was also a well-known cricketer. He was Second-Lieutenant Meltzer who is serving with the 2nd N.Z.E.F., held a commission in the home defences but had resigned it in 1943 to go overseas.[280] On Wednesday, September 26 they held their end of season dance at the Masonic Hall on Upper Queen Street with Epi Shalfoon's Orchestra performing.[281]

On April 4 the following players were registered:- (Mt Albert): Allan Wiles, S. Rosewarne, C.I. Caples, A.L. Caples, A.J. Couper, Ronald Allen Neary, R.P. Smyth, J.T. Loza, D.W. Padle, (Manukau): T. Hira, B. Morris, S. Leefe, P. Habib, W. Webster, P. Sullivan, T. Timoko, P. Warren, D. Collier, R.E. Kirk, (Richmond): H.T. Strickland, Des Ryan, W. Graham.[282]

On April 11 the following players were registered:- (Richmond): R.M. Robertson, G. Gordon, (Manukau): W. Broughton, K.K. Rudolph, J.K. Rudolph, (Marist): Peter Suafala Sofaea, B.H. Curran, L.B.J. McCallion, (Point Chevalier): G. Gordon, T. Bradford, B. Edwards, Alfred Basil Dormer, E.J. Warner, Taurere Taurere, G. Downie, R.H. Green, J.A. Campbell, (Newton): F. Webb, G.W. Scott, H. Shepherd, C. Douglas, G.T. Beazley, A.R. Murray, (Mount Albert): Arthur Desmond (Des) Pike, Sydney Arthur Rutter, B.P. Houpapa, (North Shore): L. Klincie, (Ponsonby): I.M. Brigden, A.J. Skinner, W.K. Greer. The following transfers were approved:- John Anderson from Point Chevalier to Marist; J. McWilliams from Richmond to Marist; R.M. Robertson from City to Richmond; Edward Michael Sexton from Marist to City.[283]

On April 18 the following were registered:- (Richmond): J.W. Sinclair, C.A. Cann, (Ponsonby): E.W. Allen, (Otahuhu): C. Pearson, D. Hardy, (Point Chevalier): P Warren, L.A.C. Kelly, (North Shore): R.S. Sycamore, (Mt Albert): W. Rhodes, (City): A Kerr, F. Simpson, R. Flinkenberg, (Newton): I.C. McKay. The following transfers were approved:- J.A. Wilson from Richmond to Huntly, E. Opai and T. Pai from Manukau to Frankton, Wilfred Brimble from Newton to Ponsonby, Owen Hughes from Otahuhu to Ponsonby, D. Hardie from Manukau to Otahuhu, P. Morris from Manukau to Otahuhu, L.R. Davis from Richmond to Mount Albert, and E. Lyell from City to Marist. A clearance from Richmond was granted to George Tittleton.[284]

On April 25, E.P. Smith, D.R. Tierney, J. Brown, W. Hunia, and F.R. Calderbank were registered for Newton, while T. Masters, and K. Honiana were registered with Manukau.[285] On May 23 J.A. McDonnell of Ponsonby seniors was regraded to senior B.[286]

On July 11 a Mt Albert player, R.P. Smyth applied for a transfer to Pt Chevalier. He had played the first two games of the season for Mt Albert's senior side however he had been an emergency player for the following 4 weeks and not required to play. He then moved down into the senior B team but wished to play senior football. After some discussion it was decided that he should be allowed a transfer to Pt Chevalier.[287]