Arthur Singe
{{short description|NZ international rugby league & union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Arthur Singe
|fullname = Arthur Percy Singe
|image = Arthur Percy Sing Army Portrait.jpg
|image_size =
|caption = Portrait of Private Arthur Percy Sing in 1916, taken by Herman Schmidt
|position = {{rlp|HK|SR}}
|birth_date = 7 July 1898
|birth_place = Palmerston North, New Zealand
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1936|1|5|1898|7|7}}
|death_place = Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand
|height = {{convert|5|ft|11|in|cm|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|13|st|7|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|first = RU
|ru_position = Flanker
|ru_club1 = Marist Old Boys
|ru_year1start = 1920
|ru_year1end =
|ru_appearances1 = 8
|ru_tries1 = 5
|ru_goals1 = 1
|ru_fieldgoals1 = 0
|ru_points1 = 18
|ru_teamA = New Zealand Army
|ru_yearAstart = 1919
|ru_yearAend = 20
|ru_appearancesA = 18
|ru_triesA = 4
|ru_goalsA = 0
|ru_fieldgoalsA = 0
|ru_pointsA = 12
|ru_teamB = North Island
|ru_yearBstart = 1920
|ru_yearBend =
|ru_appearancesB = 1
|ru_triesB = 0
|ru_goalsB = 0
|ru_fieldgoalsB = 0
|ru_pointsB = 0
|ru_teamC = Auckland
|ru_yearCstart = 1920
|ru_yearCend =
|ru_appearancesC = 8
|ru_triesC = 2
|ru_goalsC = 0
|ru_fieldgoalsC = 0
|ru_pointsC = 6
|club1 = {{nowrap|Marist Old Boys RL}}
|year1start = 1921
|year1end = 26
|appearances1 = 46
|tries1 = 29
|goals1 = 31
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 149
|club2 = Postal Messengers
|year2start = 1922
|year2end =
|appearances2 =
|tries2 =
|goals2 =
|fieldgoals2 =
|points2 =
|club3 = {{nowrap|City Rovers (Taumarunui)}}
|year3start = 1923
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 2
|tries3 = 2
|goals3 = 1
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 8
|teamA = Auckland
|yearAstart = 1921
|yearAend = 26
|appearancesA = 15
|triesA = 3
|goalsA = 8
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 25
|teamB = Post and Telegraph
|yearBstart = 1922
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 2
|triesB = 2
|goalsB = 1
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 8
|teamC = King Country RL
|yearCstart = 1923
|yearCend =
|appearancesC = 1
|triesC = 0
|goalsC = 2
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 4
|teamD = Auckland B
|yearDstart = 1925
|yearDend =
|appearancesD = 1
|triesD = 0
|goalsD = 0
|fieldgoalsD = 0
|pointsD = 0
|teamE = New Zealand
|yearEstart = 1925
|yearEend = 26
|appearancesE = 8
|triesE = 2
|goalsE = 0
|fieldgoalsE = 0
|pointsE = 6
|teamF = Auckland Province
|yearFstart = 1925
|yearFend =
|appearancesF = 1
|triesF = 1
|goalsF = 0
|fieldgoalsF = 0
|pointsF = 3
|teamG = North Island
|yearGstart = 1926
|yearGend =
|appearancesG = 1
|triesG = 0
|goalsG = 0
|fieldgoalsG = 0
|pointsG = 0
|updated =
|source =
|new = yes
}}
Arthur Percy Singe (7 July 1898 — 5 January 1936) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented the national side in 1925, becoming Kiwi number 179 in the process. Prior to this he played for the New Zealand Army rugby team in 1919 in Great Britain and South Africa following the end of World War I where he fought. When he returned to New Zealand he played for the Marist rugby club, and then the Marist rugby league club along with several representative sides in both codes.
Early life
Arthur Percy Singe was born in Palmerston North.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =65
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} His correct surname ("Sing") was misspelt as Singe with an 'e' added to the end which eventually became an accepted spelling, which stuck. He was the son of Frances Margaret ({{nee}} Neary, later Smith by another marriage) and William Ping Sing. Arthur had three brothers named Herbert Stanley Sing, Albert Victor Sing, and Robert Francis "Frank" Sing. Little is known about William Ping Sing save that he was born in China. The brothers' mother, Frances, was of Irish descent, born in New Zealand, and came from a "fighting family". Her grandfather had served in the battle of Waterloo and her father in the Crimean War while other relatives served in the New Zealand Wars.[https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/the-sing-brothers-go-to-war The Sing brothers go to war], aucklandmuseum.com. Accessed 4 August 2023.
When Singe enlisted in the army he recorded his birth date as 4 April 1895, which was not his actual birth date.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =1
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} He was officially too young to serve at this time aged just 17 years and 4 months old however his two older brothers were already at the front. When he was discharged years later he recorded his birth date as 7 July 1898.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =65
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
He was the chief focus of an article in the Auckland Star on 31 December 1903. Arthur was appearing in court charged with stealing a horse and cart belonging to George Mills along with ten packets of cigarettes from the same man. The description of Singe was "a tiny little chap under six years old" as he was stood in the box. It was stated that he was "a half-caste Chinese, and his father cooks at one of the city hotels". He was apprehended soon after the theft by a constable while struggling to control the horse in Newton. The boy said he was taking the horse home for his father and in the meantime he had been busy handing out the cigarettes to his friends. The sub-inspector stated that it was "simply ridiculous to charge a child at that age with theft". He went on to explain that Singe's mother was away from Auckland and his father was not able to control him and he "simply ran wild, and his father wished to have him sent to an industrial school". The Bench said that the police should have brought him up on some other charge and the case was dismissed.{{cite news
| title = A Daring Child/Runs Away With a Horse and Cart
| page = 4
| work=Auckland Star| volume=XXXIV| issue=312
| date = 31 December 1903
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19031231.2.45
| accessdate = 26 April 2020}}
He and his brothers were educated at the Marist Brothers school. They enlisted in the army they were living together with their mother on Browning Street, Grey Lynn, in Auckland. Arthur was working as a driver for Marriot & Co. in Parnell at the time.{{cite news
| title = Arthur Percy Sing – WW1 13/3078 - Army
| publisher = Auckland Museum
| url = https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 8 April 2020}}
World War I
Arthur Singe enlisted in the army on 16 November 1915 at the age of 17 and served in the Auckland Mounted Rifles, A Squadron with his brother Albert.{{cite news
| title = The Sing Brothers Go to War
| publisher = Auckland Museum
| url = https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/the-sing-brothers-go-to-war
| accessdate = 26 April 2020}} He left New Zealand on the Aparima on 29 February 1916 and arrived at Suez on 4 April 1916. Arthur then moved on to France and by this time was part of the 2nd Auckland Brigade still with his brother Albert. His brother Herbert who was with the 1st Auckland Brigade at this time was killed during the Battle of the Somme on 3 July 1916. Albert wrote a tribute to his brother which appeared in the Auckland Star in October 1916 while Arthur also wrote a letter to his mother which had details published in the Auckland Star on 24 August 1916. In it, he said that Albert was about a mile away from him at the time and the bombardment was the worst that the New Zealanders had experienced at that part of the line since they had arrived. He said Albert was working a trench telephone when he was killed. He was buried with a friend who had been killed beside him in the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.{{cite book |last = Kennedy |first= Alastair |date=July 2013 |title=Chinese Anzacs |location=Canberra, Australia |publisher=New Zealand Chinese Association |page=148 |isbn=978-0-473-31881-9}}
Arthur went on to say he had secured a promise from a young French girl that she would keep the two graves in order for them. He described her as being "like a mother to us... but she is very young". Chaplain Captain Richards conducted the burial service.{{cite news
| title = Roll of Honour/Private A. S. Sing
| page = 2
| work=Auckland Star| volume=XLVII| issue=202
| date = 24 August 1916
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19160824.2.7
| accessdate = 24 April 2020}} After the war, Arthur's brother Albert and his wife had a child whom they named Herbert Stanley Singe, in honour of the child's fallen uncle.{{cn|date=July 2023}}
Arthur was wounded in France some time in 1916 though the date was unknown. He rejoined his unit on 21 September of the same year.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =19
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
On 6 February 1918, his military records show that he joined the XXII Corps Cyclist Battalion which was operating in France and "Cyclist Corps" is marked on his gravestone in Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =7
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}{{cite news
| title =Specialist Units of the NZEF
| page =4
| publisher =NZ History
| url =https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/specialist-units/cyclist-battalion
| accessdate = 1 May 2020}} In total, Singe spent 3 years and 363 days of total service with 3 years and 231 of those days served overseas in Egypt and Western Europe.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =19
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
He was discharged from active service on 15 November 1919 and moved into the Drill Hall on Rutland Street, Auckland.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =23
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} He was to live here while working for the Defence Department until his marriage in August 1921.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =33
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} Singe worked as a military transport driver for the Defence Department from 8 December 1919 until he transferred to the Post and Telegraph Department on 1 May 1922.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =23
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
Singe was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =19
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
Playing career
=Rugby Union=
==Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby==
Little is known of Arthur Singe's early years playing the rugby game; however, after he returned from the war he and J O'Brien who had also played with him in the New Zealand Army team were acknowledged at their annual meeting on 22 March 1920. Brother Calixtus "on behalf of the members welcomed Messrs J O'Brien and A Singe back to the club".{{cite news
| title = Marist Brothers Old Boys Club
| page = 5
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=70
| date = 1920-03-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200322.2.17
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}}
==New Zealand Army in Great Britain and France==
At the end of World War I the New Zealand armed forces formed several rugby teams to play against a wide variety of opponents through Great Britain and France. Singe was to play for the main New Zealand Army team and later toured South Africa with the side on the way back to New Zealand. He played in the wing-forward position which is now recognised as the flanker position.
File:NZ Expeditionary Force Rugby Representatives.pngSinge played against Wales on 1 January at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff with the match being drawn 3–3.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand v Wales
| page = 5
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVI| issue=17112
| date = 1919-03-18
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19190318.2.22
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} He then played in matches against the Australian Imperial Forces, the RAF team, and Yorkshire throughout February and March with the New Zealand side winning all of them comfortably.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand v South Africa
| page = 12
| publisher = Press| volume=LV| issue=16494
| date = 1919-04-10
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19190410.2.84
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}{{cite news
| title = Empire Rugby/New Zealand Defeats R.A.F.
| page = 6
| publisher = Southland Times| issue=18073
| date = 1919-04-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19190428.2.42
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}{{cite news
| title = Service Rugby/New Zealand Successes
| page = 11
| publisher = Press| volume=LV| issue=16518
| date = 1919-05-09
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19190509.2.90
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} This was followed by a 6 team tournament which became known as the Kings Cup. Singe played in several of the matches. The first was against South African Forces which was won 14–5 in front of 10,000 at Twickenham. Singe played at wing forward and was described as being very fast. They then beat the English side 6–3 at Inverleith, Edinburgh before a loss to Australian Imperial Forces 5–6.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand v South Africa/A Great Match
| page = 12
| publisher = Evening Post| volume=XCVII| issue=145
| date = 1919-06-21
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19190621.2.143
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}
New Zealand had already qualified for the final which was against England and they won by 9–3 with Singe scoring a try.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Defeats England
| page = 6
| publisher = Star| issue=12610
| date = 1919-04-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19190422.2.63
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} Of Singe it was said "the wing forward – really better described as a scrummage half-back – is the finest spoiler of open play who has been seen on a football field. Although Pillman manfully tried to check him he smothered practically every attempt of the British half-backs to open up the play from the base of the scrummage. And he was equally good at offensive play, not only in diving for the line, but in swinging the ball clear to his backs from the toes of the opposing forwards". His try occurred after a scrummage near the line where Singe "picked up the ball as it came out from the side of the scrummage, made a six feet dive for the line, and just got there".{{cite news
| title = Final for King's Cup/New Zealand's Victory Over England
| page = 8
| publisher = Wanganui Herald| volume=LIII| issue=15834
| date = 1919-06-03
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH19190603.2.66
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} Reporter F. J. Sellicks said that Singe "was out by himself in more ways than one. He is a great player and impressed everybody".{{cite news
| title = Greatest Rugby Match of the Season/How the All Blacks Won
| page = 4
| publisher = Hokitika Guardian
| date = 1919-06-07
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HOG19190607.2.30
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} Following the final victory New Zealand played on Twickenham again against the French Army and they won 20–3 with Singe scoring another try before a crowd of 15,000.{{cite news
| title = Details of Play
| page = 6
| publisher = Ashburton Guardian
| date = 1919-04-24
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19190424.2.37.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}
The New Zealand side then played against the full Welsh international side at Cardiff Arms Park. Singe again playing in the forwards in a 6–3 victory. A following game against United Services on 28 April saw a New Zealand victory by 20–7 with Singe scoring 2 tries. Several more matches were played before the team to tour South Africa departed.
==New Zealand Army Tour of South Africa==
File:1919 NZ Army rugby team team to South Africa.pngSinge was named in the team to tour South Africa on the way back to New Zealand. They set sail on 7 June.{{cite news
| title = N.Z. Touring Team
| page = 10
| publisher = Press
| date = 1919-06-07
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19190607.2.82
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} They played 15 matches in total with large crowds at many of them. Singe was a first choice player and he played in the majority of the games including the first two at Newlands which were won 8–6 and drawn 3–3 against Western Province Country and Western Province Town Clubs respectively.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Team in South Africa
| page = 6
| publisher = Otago Daily Times
| date = 1919-09-04
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19190904.2.73
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}{{cite news
| title = South Africa Tour/First New Zealand Win/Country Team Defeated
| page = 11
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVI| issue=17264
| date = 1919-09-13
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19190913.2.118
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} He played against Orange Free State at Bloemfontein in a 16–5 win and later played in the last match of the tour against Natal at Durban which was won 11–4 before Singe and the team departed for New Zealand after several years away from home.{{cite news
| title = All Blacks in South Africa/From a New Zealander Abroad
| page = 6
| publisher = Otago Daily Times
| date = 1919-09-13
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19190913.2.15
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}
==Matches in New Zealand==
After the Army team returned to New Zealand they played matches against Auckland and Wellington. They defeated the Auckland side at the Showgrounds 16 points to 6 and then met Wellington at Athletic Park, Wellington.{{cite news
| title = Diggers 16, Auckland 6
| page = 3
| publisher = Thames Star
| date = 1919-10-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS19191020.2.32.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} In a pre-match article Singe's play was highly anticipated, the words reading "a rare treat is promised in the play of Singe, wing-forward (the one who beat the Welsh referees with his quickness)". In the match programme he was listed to wear the number 8 jersey.{{cite news
| title = Royal Rugby/The Wellington Team
| page = 11
| publisher = New Zealand Times| volume=XLVI| issue=10578
| date = 1920-05-01
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19200501.2.97
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} The Military Service team as they were named was to beat the current Ranfurly Shield holders comfortably by 23 points to 8 in front of 10,000 spectators which included the Prince of Wales who was to become the future King (Edward VIII), and New Zealand Prime Minister W. F. Massey.{{cite news
| title = Royal Rugby/N.Z.E.F. v Wellington
| page = 7
| publisher = Dominion| volume=13| issue=191
| date = 1920-05-08
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19200508.2.60
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} Many years later in 1940 in reference to the army team Mr. J. H. Ranui was to write in the Auckland Star "Two great forwards of the Army team, Alfie West and Arthur Singe, have crossed the Great Divide, but they have left pleasant memories of outstanding personalities who played a game that forms character, and if England won battles with men from the playing fields of Eton, likewise New Zealand won hers from the Rugby fields of her provinces".{{cite news
| title = 1914-1919 Army Rugby
| page = 5
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LXXI| issue=273
| date = 1940-11-16
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19401116.2.136.23
| accessdate = 2020-04-26}}
==Return to Marist Brothers Old Boys and Auckland Rugby==
In the March AGM of the Marist Brothers Old Boys rugby club Singe was welcomed back and elected to the management committee and was also chosen as a club delegate.{{cite news
| title = Marist Brothers Old Boys Club
| page = 5
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=70
| date = 1920-03-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200322.2.17
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} Following Singe's return from the Servicemen match against Wellington he debuted for Marist in a match against College Rifles. He helped the team to a surprise 14–8 win though he played at first five and the writer for the Auckland Star said that he looked "out of his place".{{cite news
| title = Marist v College Rifles
| page = 6
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=17472
| date = 1920-05-17
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200517.2.85.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}}{{cite news
| title = Football
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=118
| date = 1920-05-18
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200518.2.76.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}}
In June, Singe was nominated by the Auckland Rugby Union for the North Island team to play the South Island in their annual fixture to be played at Wellington on 26 June.{{cite news
| title = Inter-Island Team/Selections And Nominations
| page = 6
| publisher = Evening Post| volume=XCIX| issue=139
| date = 1920-06-12
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19200612.2.79.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} He was not initially chosen in the side however after Lucas was unable to make the trip he was pulled into the squad where he was listed in the reserves.{{cite news
| title = Inter Island Match
| page = 8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=150
| date = 1920-06-24
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200624.2.85
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} With 10 minutes left in the match Jim Donald sprained his ankle and Singe took his place. The North Island team won by 12 points to 3 before a crowd of 7,000.
File:Auckland rugby team to play NZ in 1920.pngSinge was then named to make his debut in the Auckland team to play Thames.{{cite news
| title = The Rugby Game/Auckland v Thames
| page = 7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=1750
| date = 1920-06-29
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200629.2.102.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} Auckland won the match 22–15 with Singe heavily involved, breaking away with the ball several times and scoring a try early in the second half.{{cite news
| title = Auckland Defeats Thames/22 Points to 15/Fast Interesting Game
| page = 7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=17514
| date = 1920-07-05
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200705.2.105.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} He was then selected for the Auckland team to play against New Zealand at Eden Park on 10 July in the "Rover" position.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand v Auckland/The Auckland Team
| page = 2
| publisher = Hastings Standard| volume=X| issue=175
| date = 1920-07-09
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAST19200709.2.3.4
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} The match was drawn 11–11 in front of 11,000 spectators.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand v Auckland/Match Results in a Draw
| page = 7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=17520
| date = 1920-07-12
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200712.2.103
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} The following weekend Singe turned out for Auckland at Eden Park again with a large crowd of 12,000 on hand to witness Auckland win 9–3 over Taranaki.{{cite news
| title = Auckland v Taranaki/An Interesting and Fast Game
| page = 3
| publisher = Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1920
| date = 1920-07-19
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19200719.2.8
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} He then travelled to Thames to play the local side and Auckland went down 20 points to 6.{{cite news
| title = Thames Defeats Auckland/An Easy Victory
| page = 7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=17532
| date = 1920-07-26
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200726.2.89.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}}
Auckland senior club rugby matches then resumed and Singe scored 2 tries in a 26–6 win over Newton.{{cite news
| title = Senior Championship/Marist Brothers v Newton
| page = 7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=17538
| date = 1920-08-02
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200802.2.100.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} He then played for Auckland in a Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington at the Auckland Domain. Wellington won the match in front of 14,000 spectators by 23 points to 20. Singe again crossing the line for a try after he picked up a loose pass from a break and scored.{{cite news
| title = Ranfurly Shield/Retained by Wellington/A Hard Exciting Game
| page =7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=189
| date = 1920-08-09
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200809.2.67
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} Singe continued his try scoring run with a "splendid try" for Marist in an 11–3 loss to competition leaders Grammar Old Boys on 14 August, at Eden Park.{{cite news
| title = Club Championships/Grammar Old Boys v Marist Old Boys
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=195
| date = 1920-08-16
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200816.2.80
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} He was again selected for the Auckland team to travel to Wellington to play for the Ranfurly Shield for the second time in the season. Wellington easily won the match 20–3 in front of 15,000 spectators at Athletic Park. Singe played well in the losing side where he was said to be "Auckland's brilliant wing-forward" and "the most prominent forward on the field".{{cite news
| title = Wellington Meet Auckland/Home Team Retain the Shield
| page = 6
| publisher = Dominion| volume=13| issue=294
| date = 1920-09-06
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19200906.2.66
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} The Auckland team then travelled to New Plymouth where they met Taranaki and won 17–11. Singe scored an "easy try" after following up a kick from Greville in front of 4,000 fans at Pukekura Park.{{cite news
| title = Auckland Beat Taranaki/A Hard Fast Game
| page = 3
| publisher = Taranaki Daily News
| date = 1920-09-10
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19200910.2.15
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} The Hawera and Normanby Star described Singe's display as "one of the finest exhibitions of aggressive and spoiling play ever seen here for a long time".{{cite news
| title = Football
| page = 8
| publisher = Hawera & Normanby Star| volume=XLI
| date = 1920-09-18
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19200918.2.49.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} Two days later Singe was in action again for Marist against College Rifles at Eden Park where he scored 2 tries in a 14–8 win.{{cite news
| title = The Club Championships/College Rifles Falls to Marists/Marists v College Rifles
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=219
| date = 1920-09-13
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200913.2.74
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} The following weekend Singe played his final representative game for Auckland when they defeated Bay of Plenty 34–17 at Eden Park.{{cite news
| title = The Last Rep Match/Auckland v Bay of Plenty
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LI| issue=225
| date = 1920-09-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200920.2.83
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} In the meantime Marist's season had concluded without Singe required to play as Ponsonby defaulted in the last round meaning they finished 4th of the 7 competing clubs.{{cite news
| title = Senior Championship
| page = 7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVII| issue=17586
| date = 1920-09-27
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200927.2.106.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}}
=Rugby League=
==Marist Old Boys and Auckland==
At the start of the 1921 season Arthur Singe made the switch to rugby league. There had been mention in the press that he was unlucky to miss out on selection for the New Zealand team to tour Australia. While there were murmurings that he was unhappy himself with being overlooked and that he was disappointed to only be in the reserves for the North Island v South Island match where players were staking a claim to make the New Zealand team. In an 18 April edition of the Auckland Star about the Marist Old Boys rugby league club's prospects for the season they noted that there was "a certain amount of secretive whispering, which all lends to give the impression that one or two well-known rugby men are going to join up".{{cite news
| title = The Preliminaries/Prospects for the Season
| page = 9
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LII| issue=91
| date = 1921-04-18
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19210418.2.113
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} They were of course referring to Arthur Singe.
His debut match in the league code was for Marist against City Rovers. He was involved in a rush with Bill Stormont which resulted in Stormont scoring a try in a 22–5 loss in front of 5,000 spectators at Victoria Park. The Auckland Star noted that the two of them who were rugby forwards were misplaced in the five eighth line.{{cite news
| title = League Season Opens/5,000 on Victoria Park/City's Teamwork Defeats Tykes
| page = 8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LII| issue=97
| date = 1921-04-25
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19210425.2.72
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} Singe's first try in the green of Marist was to come the following week when they trounced the new Fire Brigade club team 43 to 8 on the Auckland Domain. A week later he kicked 3 conversions and a penalty in a win over Newton Rangers at Victoria Park in front of an excitable crowd which invaded the field before he could convert the third try.{{cite news
| title =Marist Too Good For Newton
| page =7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVIII| issue=17776
| date = 1921-05-09
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19210509.2.99.1
| accessdate = 2019-08-24}} He was to score 5 tries and kick 6 goals for Marist during the 1921 season.
On 21 May Singe was selected to play for Auckland after just four games of rugby league. This was coincidentally the same number of club games it had taken before he was selected to the Auckland rugby side. Their opponent was the New Zealand team which was preparing to tour Australia.{{cite news
| title =New Zealand V Auckland/Local Team Defeated
| page =7
| work=The New Zealand Herald
| date = 1921-05-23
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19210523.2.111.1
| accessdate = 2019-08-10}} The Auckland team went down 22 points to 16 on the Auckland Domain with Singe playing in the forwards but going off injured before halftime with an injured shoulder. Somewhat bizarrely the New Zealand Rugby Union at their executive meeting on 9 June asked the Auckland Rugby Union "to ascertain if Singe had played League as alleged; if so, to give him fourteen days to show cause why he should not be suspended". Given he had played five club matches and a match for Auckland in front of several thousand people on each occasion, and had been named in the matches by the main newspapers each week the answer should have appeared more obvious.{{cite news
| title = N.Z.R.U
| page = 7
| publisher = Evening Star| issue=17684
| date = 1921-06-10
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19210610.2.80
| accessdate = 2020-04-27}} It would ultimately take them most of the year and some very slow back and forth with the Auckland Rugby Union to confirm he was playing league and to ban him from rugby union.
In July Singe played a match for Auckland against Wellington which they won 31 to 8 in the first ever representative game on Carlaw Park.{{cite news
| title =Auckland V Wellington/Victory For Local Team/Game Played In Rain
| page =7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVIII| issue=17848
| date = 1921-08-01
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19210801.2.107.1
| accessdate = 2019-08-25}} He next played for Auckland against King Country and he scored a try "after a lone handed effort" and kicked a conversion in a 58–25 win.{{cite news
| title =King Country V Auckland/The Visitors Outclassed
| page =7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVIII| issue=17866
| date = 1921-08-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19210822.2.92.1
| accessdate = 2019-08-25}} His last game of the season came for Auckland in their final match against South Auckland for the Northern Union Challenge Cup. Auckland won 35–13 and retained the shield.{{cite news
| title =Auckland V South Auckland/Victory For Local Team/Fast Spectacular Play
| page =7
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LVIII| issue=17890
| date = 1921-09-19
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19210919.2.105.2
| accessdate = 2019-08-25}}
In 1922 Singe began his season with the Marist side in a 22 April match with Fire Brigade where they won 19 to 6. He scored a try on full-time and kicked an earlier conversion.{{cite news
| title =Opening of the Season/Standard of Play Moderate
| page =9
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18073
| date = 1922-04-24
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220424.2.107.1
| accessdate = 2019-08-26}} Singe was to score 7 tries, and kick 3 conversions and 2 penalties for Marist in the 1922 season. Marist finished 3rd behind perennial powerhouses of Auckland club league at this time City Rovers and Ponsonby United. They were also knocked out of the Roope Rooster by Ponsonby in a 16–13 loss with Singe scoring a try.{{cite news
| title =The Roope Rooster/First Round of Competition/Some Close Scoring
| page =8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIII| issue=203
| date = 1922-08-28
| url = https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19220828.2.111
| accessdate = 2019-08-29}}{{cite news
| title = Ponsonby v Marist Old Boys
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18180
| date = 1922-08-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220828.2.8.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}
File:Auckland v Australian Universities, June 24, 1922.jpg Singe played 5 matches for the Auckland team during the season. He played in all 3 matches against the touring Australian University side. Auckland lost the first 2 matches 12–23, and 7–18 respectively.{{cite news
| title =Australian University V Auckland/Visitors Win By a Point
| page =8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIII| issue=146
| date = 1922-06-22
| url = https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19220622.2.105
| accessdate = 2019-08-27}}{{cite news
| title =Universities V Auckland/Australians' Second Win/Good Game at Domain
| page =9
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18126
| date = 1922-06-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220626.2.105
| accessdate = 2019-08-27}}{{cite news
| title =Australians Again Defeated/Auckland Win by 24 Points to 16
| page =9
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIII| issue=152
| date = 1922-06-29
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19220629.2.130
| accessdate = 2019-08-27}} In the second match Singe "kicked a fine goal" in front of a large crowd estimated at around 13,000 on the Auckland Domain. Auckland won the 3rd game by 24 points to 16. He then played in the Auckland team against Cambridge at Carlaw Park. The Cambridge team was no match for the home side with Auckland winning 73 points to 29. Singe converted one of the 17 Auckland tries.{{cite news
| title =Auckland Defeats Cambridge/Won by 73 Points to 29
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18153
| date = 1922-07-27
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220727.2.7.1
| accessdate = 2020-03-11}} His final game in the Auckland jersey for the year was in a Northern Union Challenge Cup match against Hawke's Bay which Auckland won 23 points to 5 on 19 August at Carlaw Park.
==Post and Telegraph Team==
Singe had also been playing in the Post and Telegraph competition for the Postal Messenger team on Wednesdays during the latter part of the season.{{cite news
| title = Fixtures for Saturday
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18171
| date = 1922-08-17
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220817.2.7.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} It was a six team competition organised by the Post and Telegraph Department for their workers from different parts of their organisation. They were competing for the Engineers Cup, with matches played on Victoria Park.{{cite news
| title = Post and Telegraph Competition
| page = 8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIII| issue=175
| date = 1922-07-26
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19220726.2.134
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}{{cite news
| title = League Football
| page = 8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIII| issue=170
| date = 1922-07-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19220720.2.90
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} On 17 August he played in the competition final for the Messenger side against the Workshops team at Carlaw Park.{{cite news
| title = Management Committee
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18171
| date = 1922-08-17
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220817.2.7.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} He was then selected in the Post and Telegraph representative team alongside Wally Somers and Bill Davidson to play against the Wednesday business league representative team.{{cite news
| title = League Football
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIII| issue=201
| date = 1922-08-25
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19220825.2.115
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} They played matches against them on 30 August and again on 20 September.{{cite news
| title = Post and Telegraph v Wednesday Representatives
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18180
| date = 1922-08-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220828.2.8.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} Singe's team won the first match 25 to 10.{{cite news
| title = Wednesday Competition
| page = 5
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18183
| date = 1922-08-31
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220831.2.17.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} The latter match was a curtain-raiser to Auckland Province v New South Wales. Singe's Post and Telegraph side won 33 points to 11 with him scoring 2 tries and kicking a conversion.{{cite news
| title = Wednesday "Reps" Match/Telegraph Defeats Wednesday Reps
| page = 5
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LIX| issue=18202
| date = 1922-09-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19220922.2.21.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}
==Move to King Country, Rugby League and Cricket==
Singe moved to live in the King Country in the summer of 1922/1923, possibly being posted there for work reasons as was common at the time. He played cricket for Kaitieke (a small rural community 30 km south of Taumarunui) against King Country on 3 February 1923 where he was said to be one of Kaitieke's most successful bowlers.{{cite news
| title = Cricket/King Country v Kaitieke
| page = 6
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIV| issue=30
| date = 1923-02-05
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19230205.2.82
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} Singe was then selected to represent Taumarunui in a cricket match against Hamilton (the teams were also named as King Country and Waikato respectively) at Seddon Park in Hamilton on 28 February.{{cite news
| title = Country News/Taumarunui
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIV| issue=42
| date = 1923-02-19
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19230219.2.121
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} The match was for the Challenge Shield and he took 4 for 49 runs, and 0 for 29 with the ball and scored 16 and 5 with the bat.{{cite news
| title = Cricket/Challenge Shield Game/Hamilton v Taumarunui
| page = 5
| publisher = Waikato Times| volume=97| issue=15170
| date = 1923-02-21
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230221.2.30
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}{{cite news
| title = Challenge Shield Match/Hamilton Defeat Taumarunui
| page = 9
| publisher = Waikato Times| volume=97| issue=15171
| date = 1923-02-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230222.2.83
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}
On 19 May Singe appeared for the Taumarunui based City Rovers rugby league team. He scored all of their points with 2 tries and a conversion in an 8–13 loss to the Hauaroa B team in Taumarunui.{{cite news
| title = Results at Taumarunui
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LX| issue=18404
| date = 1923-05-21
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19230521.2.10.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} Then he captained the Taumarunui representative rugby league team against Hamilton on 21 July in a match for the Endean Shield at Hinemoa Park, Hamilton.{{cite news
| title = Taumarunui
| page = 3
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIV| issue=168
| date = 1923-07-17
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19230717.2.17
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}{{cite news
| title = Endean Shield Game
| page = 2
| publisher = Waikato Times| volume=98| issue=15292
| date = 1923-07-19
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230719.2.14
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} The Taumarunui team went down heavily by 43 to 7 with Singe playing five-eighth kicking a penalty and a conversion.{{cite news
| title = Country Matches/Endean Shield Match/Retained by Hamilton Team
| page = 8
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LIV| issue=173
| date = 1923-07-23
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19230723.2.140
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}{{cite news
| title = Endean Shield Match/Hamilton's Easy Win
| page = 2
| publisher = Waikato Times| volume=98| issue=15294
| date = 1923-07-23
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230723.2.5
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} They unfortunately had 7 players absent through illness on account of the influenza epidemic.{{cite news
| title = League Football
| page = 16
| publisher = Waikato Times| volume=98| issue=15299
| date = 1923-07-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230728.2.100.36.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} The Waikato Times two days later told their readers that Singe was "a former prominent player in Auckland league circles. In the rugby code Singe was also a noted figure, and during the war was a member of the New Zealand Army team which made a good name for itself on foreign fields".{{cite news
| title = League Football
| page = 8
| publisher = Waikato Times| volume=98| issue=15294
| date = 1923-07-25
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230725.2.72.3
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}
In 1924 there are no records of Singe playing rugby league. The game was barely played in the King Country area in this era with the teams he had played for made up mostly of rugby players trying their hand at the game. As Singe was banned from playing rugby he may not have found any opportunities to continue playing the sport in that area.
==Return to Auckland and New Zealand test debut==
In the summer of 1924/25 Singe returned to Auckland and played cricket for the Post and Telegraph senior team in the Suburban Association competition.{{cite news
| title = Suburban Association
| page = 9
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LV| issue=271
| date = 1924-11-14
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19241114.2.134
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} In a two-day match against Ellerslie he took 5 wickets and scored 11 runs.{{cite news
| title = Ellerslie v P. and T.
| page = 11
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LV| issue=279
| date = 1924-11-24
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19241124.2.132.3
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}}
Singe then made his return to the rugby league field when he was included in the Marist team for a pre-season match on 19 April against the Marist team from Christchurch.{{cite news
| title =Marist Old Boys Match/Southern Team Defeated
| page = 4
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXII| issue=18997
| date = 1925-04-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250420.2.7.2
| accessdate = 2019-12-09}} Singe's Marist won by 17 points to 6. The match marked the opening of Monica Park in Christchurch. Playing alongside Singe would be New Zealand internationals Jack Kirwan, Charles Gregory, and Jim O'Brien.
During the 1925 season Singe was to play in 14 matches for Marist, 5 matches for Auckland, 1 match for the Auckland B team, and a match for Auckland Province. But more importantly he was to play 2 matches for New Zealand which were both recognised as tests. In a round 4 game for Marist against Athletic at Carlaw Park he scored 3 tries in an 18–5 win, 2 after winning the ball from kicks and 1 after a scrum near the Athletic line.{{cite news
| title =Marist Defeat Athletic
| page = 12
| work= The New Zealand Herald |volume=LXII |issue=19020
| date = 1925-05-18
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250518.2.128.3
| accessdate = 2019-09-11}} Over the course of the year he was to score 8 tries and kick 8 goals for Marist finishing 8th on the try scoring list and 7th on the point scoring list. On 4 June Sing's well known teammate Bill Stormont died after a battle with rheumatic fever. Marist cancelled their match scheduled for 2 days later with Richmond Rovers and later in the year Singe played in a match against Ponsonby for the newly created Stormont Shield which is still competed for today in Auckland rugby league.{{cite news
| title =Stormont Shield Match/Ponsonby's Close Call
| page = 12
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXII| issue=19134
| date = 1925-09-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250928.2.122
| accessdate = 2019-12-09}}
He played in an Auckland B v Auckland C match on 27 June before being picked in the Auckland team to play against New Zealand who were preparing for their tour of Australia. He scored the first try of the match after receiving a pass from Ivan Littlewood in a 9–16 loss at Carlaw Park.{{cite news
| title =New Zealand V Auckland/Win for Dominion Team/Good Work by the Backs
| page =6
| work= The New Zealand Herald |volume=LXII |issue=19059
| date = 1925-07-02
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250702.2.9.1
| accessdate = 2019-09-12}} He then played in a 24–16 win over South Auckland in a Northern Union Challenge Cup match before another game against the New Zealand side after they returned home from their tour. The Queensland team was about to arrive in New Zealand and both sides were preparing to play against them.{{cite news
| title =Northern Union Cup/South Auckland Defeated/Local Thirteens's Success
| page = 6
| work= The New Zealand Herald |volume=LXII |issue=19101
| date = 1925-08-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250820.2.12
| accessdate = 2019-09-16}} This match saw 15,000 in attendance at Carlaw Park and Singe kicked 3 conversions and a penalty in a heavy 17–41 defeat.{{cite news
| title =Dominion Team in Form/New Methods of Attack/Local Side Outclassed
| page = 12
| work= The New Zealand Herald |volume=LXII |issue=19110
| date = 1925-08-31
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250831.2.126
| accessdate = 2019-09-16}}
File:New Zealand team to play Queensland in 1925.png
Singe clearly impressed the selectors as he was then selected to make his debut for New Zealand against Queensland. Although Queensland was a state side they were considered to be the strongest team in the world and at the time New Zealand Rugby League bestowed test status on the matches. On 5 September in front of 18,000 spectators Singe, playing at hooker, scored a try in a 24–24 win at Carlaw Park. His try was from following up fast after Bert Avery had kicked the ball past the fullback and winning the race to the ball over the line.{{cite news
| title = Defeat of Queensland/League Team's Success
| page = 11
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXII| issue=19116
| date = 1925-09-07
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250907.2.108
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} New Zealand was coached by an Australian Ernest Mair from Toowoomba. He was to later lead the side on their disastrous tour of England. Singe played Queensland three more times. The next time was for Auckland which they drew 18–18.{{cite news
| title =Visiting League Team/Exciting Drawn Game/Auckland's Good Effort/Score, Eighteen Points All
| page = 11
| work= The New Zealand Herald |volume=LXII |issue=19119
| date = 1925-09-10
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250910.2.118
| accessdate = 2019-09-02}} He then played in the second test on 12 September once again at Carlaw Park. New Zealand went down 35–14 with Singe again in the hooker position.{{cite news
| title = Queensland Victory/The Second League Test
| page = 11
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXII| issue=19122
| date = 1925-09-14
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250914.2.99
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}
His last match against the Queenslanders was on 10 October for the Auckland Provincial side who were thrashed 14–54 in front of 9,000 spectators. Singe scored the provincial team's first try.{{cite news
| title =Queensland's Easy Win/Provincial Team Outclassed/Margin of Forty Points
| page =6
| work= The New Zealand Herald |volume=LXII |issue=19146
| date = 1925-10-12
| url = https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19251012.2.9.1
| accessdate = 2019-09-16}} In between matches Singe had been part of Auckland's successful defence of the Northern Union Challenge Cup after beating South Auckland 36–19, where he scored yet another try.{{cite news
| title =Northern Union Cup/Retained by Auckland/South Auckland Outclassed
| page = 10
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVI| issue=223
| date = 1925-09-21
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19250921.2.131
| accessdate = 2019-12-09}}
In 1926 Singe again played for Marist though it was reported before the start of the season that he had applied for a transfer to the Richmond Rovers club but was refused by Marist.{{cite news
| title = League Football/Outlook for the Season
| page = 18
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19290
| date = 1926-03-31
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260331.2.190.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Richmond was based in the Grey Lynn area where they remain today which is where Singe had lived in his younger years. Singe was in fine form for Marist throughout the first half of the season scoring 2 tries and kicking 18 goals in just 8 matches, 6 of which they won.
After the round 7 matches the Auckland team was selected for their match against South Auckland. Of the players selected it was said "as far as the forwards are concerned, several players, on this season's form, practically pick themselves, and in that category can be mentioned Singe, of Marist – the best forward in Auckland at the moment...".{{cite news
| title = The Rep. Team/First Trial Match Against South Auckland
| page = 14
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVII| issue=146
| date = 1926-06-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260622.2.155
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} The match with South Auckland was ostensibly a trial to help pick the New Zealand team to tour England. Auckland won 49 to 15 and the match was so lopsided that Auckland gave 5 forwards to the South Auckland team at halftime to try and make it a fairer contest. Singe remained on the Auckland side and kicked the final conversion of the match. He was said to be one of the best forwards in the match along with Jim O'Brien, and Bert Avery.{{cite news
| title = Auckland v South Auckland/Visitors Outclassed
| page = 11
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVII| issue=151
| date = 1926-06-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260628.2.154
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}{{cite news
| title = Auckland Wins Trial Game
| page = 13
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19365
| date = 1926-06-28
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260628.2.146.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-28}} Singe was then selected for the North Island team to play the South Island. An enormous crowd of 18,000 was in attendance at Carlaw Park to witness the North Island win 31 to 22. Singe was regarded as the best forward in the Northern side along with Clarke.{{cite news
| title = Selecting Dominion Team/Two Fine Trial Games/North Island Wins Keen Game
| page = 13
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19371
| date = 1926-07-05
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260705.2.155.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} The final game before the touring team was selected was between a Probables and Possibles teams on 10 July. Singe was part of the Probables side which went down 32–15 in what was to sadly be his last ever match on New Zealand soil.{{cite news
| title = Possibles Beat Probables
| page = 10
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVII| issue=163
| date = 1926-07-12
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260712.2.125
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} In a highly anticipated team naming 200 people went to Carlaw Park to hear the names read out with Arthur Singe named among the forwards.{{cite news
| title = Team for English Tour/The Personnel Announced
| page = 12
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19377
| date = 1926-07-12
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260712.2.113
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}
==Tour of England==
File:New Zealand Team for 1926-27 England Tour.pngThe New Zealand team departed on 3 August on board the Aorangi. The manager and coach was once again Ernest Mair who had been called in from Australia to provide some experience for such an important tour. This appointment was to be a crucial factor in the acrimony to come. There were issues right from the beginning of the tour with players said to be upset by having to pay for their own laundry bills on board the ship which were more expensive than land based facilities. Then they were then annoyed at having to perform the haka whenever they were instructed to and to 'dress up' for meals on the voyage.{{cite news
| title = Many Difficulties/Incidents on the Voyage
| page = 15
| publisher = Evening Post
| date = 1927-03-03
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19270303.2.136.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} They travelled to Suva, Fiji, where they played an exhibition match before moving on to Hawaii, and then Vancouver where they arrived on 20 August. They then travelled across Canada via Winnipeg and Montreal using the Canadian National Railway to connect with another steamer which would take them across the Atlantic Ocean.{{cite news
| title = Trip Across Canada/Connection with Steamer
| page = 10
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVII| issue=197
| date = 1926-08-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260820.2.129.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} The team arrived in Southampton on 2 September and opened the tour with a match against Dewsbury on September which they won 13–9 with Singe playing hooker and having a hand in the final New Zealand try.{{cite news
| title = New Zealanders at Home
| page = 1
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19431
| date = 1926-09-13
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260913.2.81
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}{{cite news
| title = Their Opening Game
| page = 9
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVII| issue=254
| date = 1926-10-26
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19261026.2.123
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Unfortunately Singe broke his thumb in the match and it was thought that he may miss eight weeks.{{cite news
| title = Victory Over Leeds
| page = 11
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19471
| date = 1926-10-29
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19261029.2.76
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} He was indeed to miss a huge portion of the tour. Singe's regular omission from the side was to become a theme for the tour under the selection of Mair and partly contributed to him later being part of the striking group of players.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Team's First Match
| page = 10
| publisher = Otago Daily Times| issue=19891
| date = 1926-09-10
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19260910.2.113
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} A match report for their tenth game of the tour against Bramley noted that Singe was suffering from "an attack of the flu" but "should be available again soon".{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Team's Tour
| page = 3
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 1926-11-29
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19261129.2.13
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Singe had still just played in the one match to that point.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand's Fine Win/Strong Hull Team Beaten
| page = 16
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19463
| date = 1926-04-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19261020.2.171
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}
thumbTrouble had begun to boil among the team in late October, and a cable was received from London intimating that four of the team were to return home. The players were not named but it was speculated that they were from a group of several players that was regularly missing selection. Singe was named among the possible players but it was also noted that he had been injured. He had only played in one match since the 2nd test at this point which meant that after 16 tour matches he had played in just two in total.{{cite news
| title = Discontented Players/Four to Return
| page = 11
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LVII| issue=264
| date = 1926-11-06
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19261106.2.96
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Then on 9 November a cable was sent to New Zealand stating that seven forwards had "sent an ultimatum threatening to embark for home on 19 November unless their demands are met". The seven forwards were Singe, Neil Mouat, Lou Petersen, Jack Wright, Alphonsus Carroll, Bill Devine, and Frank Henry. The English Rugby League had tried to mediate with a meeting held on 28 October in Manchester but had ultimately been unsuccessful. The seven players had totally refused to train or play under Ernest Mair's control. Mair then withdrew himself from the selection committee and said that he would be "passive" for a period of time. He was formally suspended by the English Rugby League who acted on behalf of the New Zealand Council throughout the tour after being authorised to do so. Some of the issues stated had been the strict discipline throughout the tour starting with the travel to England. Examples cited were the 11pm curfews, and Mair's Australian training strictness which was "unpalatable to New Zealanders, who were accustomed to different methods". Singe and the other striking players promised to "do their best now that Mr. Mair has resigned the selectorship".{{cite news
| title = Forwards on Strike/N.Z. League Tourists/Threaten to go Home
| page = 5
| publisher = Stratford Evening Post| volume=LVIV| issue=35
| date = 1926-11-10
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19261110.2.33
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}
Singe was then selected to play in the second test against England in the second row after Bill Devine was chosen for the hooker spot. The match was played at the Boulevard ground in Hull on 13 November. The Evening Star correspondent said that "both Singe and Peterson, who were playing their first game for some considerable time, were playing great games, their tackling being deadly".{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Team's Tour/Salford Beaten by 8 Points
| page = 3
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 1926-12-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19261222.2.12
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Early in the second half Singe made a break and passed to Bert Avery who scored which made the score 13–6 to England. New Zealand would go on to lose 11–21. After the game an "old international" player in the Observer wrote that "the New Zealand team is purely amateur. The England team was entirely composed of paid professional players" and they went on to say that "Dufty, Petersen, Singe, and Avery, of the New Zealanders... were good enough for any team in any country...".{{cite news
| title = Rugby League Test/Opinions of Old International
| page = 4
| publisher = Otago Daily Times
| date = 1927-01-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19270120.2.15
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} It was also stated that Singe and Avery were the most prominent of the New Zealand side.{{cite news
| title = Our Touring Footballers/Leaguers Well Beaten in Second Test
| page = 7
| publisher = Stratford Evening Post| volume=LVIV| issue=39
| date = 1926-11-15
| url = https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19261115.2.49
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}
New Zealand's internal issues were common knowledge by this point and it was affecting public interest in their matches. They had also been performing relatively poorly and only 8,000 turned up to watch the test match. Singe played again in the next match alongside five of his fellow dissenters. They played against Wigan Highfield on 17 November and were victorious by 14 points to 2. In one section of play Singe was described as playing a "hard, bustling game, [and] came away with the ball at his feet, and dribbled many yards".{{cite news
| title = Dominion League Team
| page = 13
| work=The New Zealand Herald| volume=LXIII| issue=19489
| date = 1926-11-19
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19261119.2.79
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}{{cite news
| title = New Zealand team's Tour/Wigan Highfield Beaten
| page = 9
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 1927-01-06
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19270106.2.83
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} He was again in the side three days later in a 19–17 loss to Batley in "atrocious" conditions with "heavy rain and a wet ground".{{cite news
| title = Battley Beat Leagues by Narrow Margin
| page = 5
| publisher = Stratford Evening Post
| date = 1926-11-22
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19261122.2.26
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Singe was to play his third consecutive match days later against Keighley where he was again one of the "most prominent" forwards. He scored a try in a 23–3 win.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Leaguers/Another Easy Victory
| page = 6
| publisher = Stratford Evening Post
| date = 1926-11-24
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19261124.2.38
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} He then missed the match against Swinton, the test against Wales, and the St Helens match. His next game was against Wigan where New Zealand was comprehensively outplayed going down by 36 points to 15.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Beaten/Wigan wins by 21 Points
| page = 9
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 1926-12-13
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19261213.2.114
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} Fullback Charles Gregory was injured early in the match and eventually succumbed to it with Jack Kirwan moving back to fullback which necessitated Singe moving in to the three-quarter line due to his mobility. Kirwan was later cut badly over his eye requiring stitches and Singe again had to move into the fullback position. As substitutions were not allowed during the second half of rugby league matches at this time it meant that New Zealand was now playing with only 4 forwards and 11 players in total and Wigan ran away with the match.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Team's Tour/Game Against Wigan
| page = 11
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 1927-02-04
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19270204.2.110
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}
It was at this point in the tour when things took a severe turn for the worse. Mair resumed his managerial duties and immediately five players refused to play. Amongst them was Singe and given there were several injuries in the side by this point of the tour where 25 matches had already been played it meant that only 15 men were available to choose from for the match with the Yorkshire representative team.{{cite news
| title = N.Z. League Team/Coach and Players
| page = 11
| work=Auckland Star
| date = 1926-12-17
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19261217.2.130
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} New Zealand subsequently lost the match 17 points to 16. An article appearing in the Evening Post on 20 December went into considerable detail about the issues that had arisen throughout the tour and speculated that their match with Hunslet may be their last which would result in a £2,000 loss for the New Zealand Rugby League. This did not turn out to be the case but laid bare the significance of the problems.{{cite news
| title = Tour May End at Once
| page = 12
| publisher = Evening Post
| date = 1926-12-20
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19261220.2.73.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}} After the refusal of the players to play in the match with Yorkshire, Mair decided that six of them should be sent home but "the English League intervened, and informed Mr. Mair that it would not be responsible for the return fares of the players. There upon there was another conference at which the English League Council considered the claims of the disaffected players and the financial position of the tour. It was around £2,500 short of breaking even and so they made the decision to carry on without Mair and the striking players. On 22 December the New Zealand Rugby League Council endorsed the suspension of Mair along with 5 striking players which included Singe. The Council decided to carry on the tour with Mr. G. H. Ponder the financial manager of the tour managing the side. Mair and Ponder were the New Zealand Council representatives during the tour due to the distance from New Zealand and it was consequently them and the English League Council that had to make these decisions with the New Zealand Rugby League largely being relegated to observers from afar.{{cite news
| title = N.Z. League Team/Mr. Mai Stands Down/Management by Mr. Ponder/The Tour to be Continued
| page = 7
| work=Auckland Star
| date = 1926-12-23
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19261223.2.63
| accessdate = 2020-04-23}}
Then on 13 January a report out of London quoted Singe as saying "we were left at Harrogate at Christmas almost penniless. The Welsh Rugby League Council was very good, and presented money to take us home. We claim that the best team was not played throughout the tour". Meanwhile Neil Mouat had stated that he had no intention of publicly defending himself or the other dissentients, but they have been grossly misjudged. Recently we frankly stated our case to the Rugby League Council, who are now laying the matter before the New Zealand Council demanding an inquiry into the conduct of the tour" of which it was thought there would be a £1,500 deficit to take care of.{{cite news
| title = New Zealand Team's Tour/An Inquiry Demanded
| page = 3
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 1927-01-15
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19270115.2.16
| accessdate = 2020-04-29}}
Singe, along with Mouat, Devine, Thomas, Petersen, and Carroll all then returned to New Zealand ahead of their teammates and were accompanied by Mr. Ponder the manager. Bert Avery, the captain after arriving home, said "it has been a wonderful trip... our team was a great one if all had held together, and I think we did very well... we were left with only five forwards to carry on for two months. Players were being shifted about all over the field, and under the circumstances the record of winning 50 per cent of the matches must be considered satisfactory". Others who had been on the tour felt that Singe and the other "malcontents" were wrong with the attitude they adopted, and that "there may have been conditions imposed which we did not entirely agree with, but most of us were prepared to put up with them, and it was the same for all".{{cite news
| title = League Team Returns/Open Inquiry Wanted/Sensational Disclosures Expected/Allegations of Favourtism Also of Mismanagement
| page = 10
| work=Auckland Star
| date = 1927-03-01
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19270301.2.83
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}
==Life ban from rugby league and lifting of it in 1962==
After an inquiry by the New Zealand Rugby League on 2 March by the New Zealand Rugby League that lasted for 4 hours it was decided to ban Arthur Singe along with his fellow 6 strikers for life. The banned men were represented by Mr. E. Inder and Singe was present with 5 other strikers (Frank Henry had remained in England where he was from). After the inquiry Mouat, who had been named vice-captain at the start of the tour and who was the chief leader of the strikers, said that the only question considered during the hearing had been whether or not they had gone on strike rather than why they had gone on strike and they were "not allowed to bring evidence of justification".{{cite news
| title = Seven League Strikers/Disqualified for Life
| page = 12
| work=Auckland Star
| date = 1927-03-03
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19270303.2.146.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} The official press agent for the team Mr. J. O'Shaughnessy gave a lengthy statement on his version of events detailing many of the issues on the tour. He cited the players having to pay their own laundry bills on board, having to wear collars and ties at meals in spite of the tropical heat, and being asked to perform the haka in public multiple times. On one occasion at the Vancouver railway station Singe and Mouat refused to perform it with Mouat saying he felt they were "cheapening the haka and the team was not a theatrical troupe". Then players were absent from training on several occasions including Singe, Wright, and Mouat. They were called before a full meeting of the team and claimed to have slept in, this was not accepted and they were each fined 10s. The three of them claimed that this was unfair treatment and asked for their tickets back to New Zealand. After Mair had been stood down for a month the original agreement was for there to be a review of the situation at the end of the month but Mair resumed his previous role without a review. O'Shaughnessy stated that the seven players notified the managers that unless the situation was reviewed as previously agreed upon they would again refuse to play. The English League Council decided to suspend Mair for a further month but "thereupon Mr. Ponder, financial and co-manager with Mr. Mair, suspended the seven players" and "Ponder stopped their allowances ... three weeks before Christmas. Thus for eight weeks in England, and six weeks on the boat coming home the malcontents have had no allowance paid to them". The English League stepped in and gave each of them £10.{{cite news
| title = Many Difficulties/Incidents on the Voyage
| page = 15
| publisher = Evening Post
| date = 1927-03-03
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19270303.2.136.2
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} Acting on legal advice the New Zealand Rugby League never released Mair's version of events.{{cite book |last1= Coffey |first1= John |last2= Wood |first2= Bernie |date=2009 |title=Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009 |location=Wellington, New Zealand |publisher=Huia Publishers |page=87 |isbn=978-1-86969-366-4}}
On 30 March Singe was "warned off" Carlaw Park for life. An amendment that he only be excluded for three years was defeated.{{cite news
| title = Warned Off
| page = 10
| publisher = Evening Post| volume=CXIII| issue=77
| date = 1927-04-01
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19270401.2.96
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} Thus Singe's oval ball career came to an end. Banned from rugby union for playing rugby league, and banned for life from rugby league.
At the end of 1927 Singe turned out for the Greenlane second grade cricket team where in a match with the Public Works Department he scored 17 runs and took 2 wickets for 8 runs.{{cite news
| title = Tomorrow's Games
| page = 14
| work=Auckland Star
| date = 1927-11-04
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19271104.2.178
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}{{cite news
| title = Greenlane Club
| page = 16
| work=The New Zealand Herald
| date = 1927-11-08
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19271108.2.175.1
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}} There is no mention of Arthur Singe on a sporting field beyond this though many of his nieces, nephews, and descendants have carried on the family's sporting exploits.
In 1962 the New Zealand Rugby League administration lifted the ban on Singe and his 6 teammates. By this time however 4 of the 6 who had returned to New Zealand had died.{{cite book |last1= Coffey |first1= John |last2= Wood |first2= Bernie |date=2009 |title=Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009 |location=Wellington, New Zealand |publisher=Huia Publishers |page=87 |isbn=978-1-86969-366-4}}
Personal life and death
Arthur Singe married Hazel Lily (Lockwood) Plant on 3 August 1921 at Kingsland, Auckland. They had three children, Norma Marie Singe (1922–1986), Barbara Singe (1928–2004), and Arthur Barry Singe (1932–1999). It is unknown if his father William (who died in 1929) attended.{{cite news
| title =Arthur Percy Singe
| publisher =Ancestry.com
}}
Arthur died on 15 January 1936, aged just 37. His cause of death was recorded as "general paralysis of the insane", a severe form of dementia.{{cite news
| title =SING, Arthur Percy - WW1 13/3078 - Army
| page =20
| publisher =Auckland Museum
| url =https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20905052
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} He was buried in the soldiers section at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden. Newspapers (Evening Star and Thames Star) 10 days after his death said "the death has occurred at Auckland of Mr A.P. Singe, wing forward of the New Zealand Army Rugby team which won the King's Cup in 1919".{{cite news
| title = Personal
| page = 9
| publisher = Evening Star
| date = 15 January 1936
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19360115.2.94
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} The Auckland Star wrote a more lengthy obituary.{{cite news
| title = Late A. P. Singe
| page = 21
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LXVII| issue=13
| date = 16 January 1936
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19360116.2.199
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} While the Evening Post said that he had been in bad health as "the result of war injuries for some months prior to his death".{{cite news
| title = Confused Position
| page = 25
| publisher = Evening Post
| date = 18 January 1936
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19360118.2.196
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
Arthur's brother Frank moved to live in Wellington where he lived with his wife and children. A year to the day after Arthur Singe's death, Francis and his family placed a notice in the newspaper remembering Arthur. It stated "In loving memory of our dear brother and uncle, Arthur, who died on 15 January 1936. Ever remembered by Frank, Jessie, Mick and Shona".{{cite news
| title = In Memoriam-Singe
| page = 1
| work=Auckland Star| volume=LXVIII| issue=12
| date = 15 January 1937
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19370115.2.4
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}{{cite news
| title = Sapper Francis William (Mick) Singe – 7th Field Company
| publisher = Porirua War Stories
| url =https://poriruawarstories.com/singe-francis-william/
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} Arthur's other brother Albert moved to Te Araroa after the war in 1919. When Arthur was completing his discharge papers he wrote that "A.V. Singe, Te Araroa" was his present employer indicating that he may have intended to move there to work at the time. Albert continued to live with his family in the Poverty Bay area for decades to come. As well as working in the Poverty Bay area he also refereed rugby.{{cite news
| title = Te Araroa-Hicks Bay
| page = 2
| publisher = Poverty Bay Herald
| date = 13 November 1920
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19201113.2.8
| accessdate = 2020-04-30}}{{cite news
| title = One Poverty Bay Win/Thirds Beat Tolaga Juniors
| page = 3
| publisher = Poverty Bay Herald
| date = 23 July 1928
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19280723.2.7
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
After Arthur's death in 1936, his wife Hazel remarried on 1 August 1939 to George Geoffrey Plant. She died on 30 May 1997 in Auckland aged 93.
Arthur's son, Barry Singe, played rugby league in Auckland too. He represented Auckland on several occasions. On 17 May 1953 he played for Auckland against the West Coast in a 12–2 win where he scored a try.{{cite news
| title = Auckland Beats West Coast
| page = 7
| publisher = Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27042
| date = 18 May 1953
| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19530518.2.39
| accessdate = 21 January 2023}} Barry was also chosen in the North Island side the same season. He played well in a 20–23 loss to the South Island. He represented Auckland in a 4–26 loss against the touring Australian team in the same year, while in 1958 he played in a 16–15 win for the Ellerslie senior side against Manly-Warringah.{{cn|date=July 2023}}
Arthur and his brothers were the subject of an article on the Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph on 7 February 2017.{{cite news
| title = The Sing Brothers Go to War
| publisher = Auckland War Memorial Museum
| url =https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/the-sing-brothers-go-to-war
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}} Helene Wong and Ant Sang wrote comics which appeared in the Being Chinese in Aotearoa exhibition with one of them on the story of Herbert Stanley Sing in the First World War. It was titled "What did you do in the War, Goong Goong?".{{cite news
| title = What did you do in the War, Goong Goong?
| publisher = Helene Wong and Ant Sang
| url =https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/the-sing-brothers-go-to-war
| accessdate = 30 April 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singe, Arthur}}
Category:20th-century New Zealand sportsmen
Category:Auckland rugby league team players
Category:Auckland rugby union players
Category:Marist Saints players
Category:New Zealand Army personnel
Category:New Zealand military personnel of World War I
Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:North Island rugby league team players
Category:People educated at St Peter's College, Palmerston North