PONSONBY FOOTBALL CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 131, 4 June 1901, Page 4

PONSONBY FOOTBALL CLUB.

XEW TRAINING HALL OPENED.

The Ponsonby Football Club celebrated the opening of their new training hall, off Jervois Road, last evening with a smoke concert- in the hall, which was profusely decorated for the occasion. The attendance must have been a record one fora football reunion here, nearly three" hundred members and friends, Eugliy Union officials, and representatives of other clubs and kindred sports, sitting down at the tables. Mr. A. E. Devore, president of the club, and also of the Auckland Rugby Union, occupied the chair, and in a neat speech declared the building open. He described how a few enthusiasts had organised a concert, and collected subscriptions in aid of the hall, with the result that sufficient money, was raised to pay for the land. The total cost of the building and the site was about £470, of which only about £240 had yet to be paid.. Mr. Raw, the architect, had kindly prepared the plans free of cost. The chairman went on to pay tribute to the merit? of football as a game, and took the: opportunity, .as a folio . of the game for many years,' to deny the allegation that local football was getting rougher. He then declared the building open, amidst loud applause. Mr. J. Stichbury proposed the toast of "The Auckland Rugby Union," and promised a set, of boxing gloves as. a nucleus of a club gymnasium.. Mr. Devore responded. Mr. A. H. Cotter,* a member of the Ponsonby Club in, the.days before the district sehetn****.; proposed the toast of "The Ponsonby District Football Club," Mr. Devore and Mr. A.. Braund responding. "Kindred Sports" was proposed by Mr. W. Coleman, and other toasthonoured were "Visiting Clubs" and "The Ladies." Numerous songs, recitations and instrumental items all helped to pass a pleasant evening. Mr. S. W. Buck, l#te of the Ponsonby Club Hotel, who was present,, announced his intention of presenting a clock for the hall, and photos of oldtime Ponsonby teams were presented by Messrs. Alf. Cotter, M.- Keefe and W. Wright. Tbe gathering was a complete success, and the energetic committee and officials must be con« gratulated on the result of their ci* forts. ' - -'.-. •-.>