Valedictory Dinner.

Mr A. AL Ongley. The members of the Old Boys' Football Club met on Saturday evening for the purpose of entertaining their retiring captain,' Mr A. M. Ongley, who, owing to his removal to Feilding, had severed his connection with the eiub. The opportunity was also utilised to hold the club's annual dinner. The chair was occupied by Mr S. Inder, one of the vice-presidents. The Manawatu Rugby Union and the other towu clubs were also represented. The toast of the evening, " Tho Retiring Captain," was proposed by the chairman. After referring to the good influence of the game of football, properly played, upon the men who took part, he said that so loog as they had men of the stamp of Mr Ongley in the teams they need not fear that there would be any unsatisfactory or objectionable points in the game. Of course, there had been cases where blackguards had been turned out in times past, but be hgped that was now over. It was a great loss that the club would have to bear in the departure of their captain. He had ever been a most loyal member. The speaker then referred j to Mr Ongley's success in his private career, pointing out that their retiring captam had net only made the best use of his physical energies, but also of his intellectual endowments. On behalf of himself and the club he congratulated the latter on his succe-.s, and hoped he would win the same position in the legal profession as he had in sport. (Applause ) Mr Ongley was then presented with a framed photograph of the club as some memento of the esteem in which he vras held, after which the toast was drank with musical honors. In the course of lus reply, Mr Ongley highly complimented tke members of the eiub upon the way thai they had always worked together. He would find it very hard indeed next season, when he had to play against liis old clubmates. He was deeply thankful to them all for their kmdlv expressions and present. (Hearty applause). ' Other toasts honored were " The Secretary '' (Mr Freeman), "Tiie Winners of the Hankins' Shield," and ''The Manawatu Uugby Union."