DINNER TO ATHLETES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 192, 14 August 1911, Page 7

DINNER TO ATHLETES.

FOOTBALLERS AND RUNNERS. On Saturday evening the Auckland Rugby Union entertained the Thames football representatives and the competing teams in the Xew Zealand crosscountry championship at the Royal Hotel. Mr. A. E. Devore, president of the union, presided, and after dinner had been disposed of, proposed the toast of "The King," and then welcomed the guests. Mr MeDougall, clmirman of the Thames Union, and Mr. Cooper, selector, responded on behalf of the footballers. Mr. MeDougall expressed the pleasure of the team at their treatment at the hands of the Auckland Union, which would always have the support of the Thames body. Recently there had been signs that the Northern Union game ■was creeping in, and was threatening the amateur game, but they were alive to the danger, and he could assure the Auckland Union that the Thames footballers would remain loyal to the mother union. Mr. Ohlson, president of the Auckland centre of the Athletic Association, proposed the toast of the visiting athletes, and expressed the gratitude of the Auckland Centre to the Wellington and Otago centres for sending teams to compete, for without their assistance Auckland would have been unwble to hold the event. He congratulated the Otago centre on their success, and regretted that Wellington had not secured some of the trophies. He further referred to the fact that J. Beatson, of the Otago team, had run second for the New Zealand championship on the three occasions on which it had been contested. He then presented the prizes for the scaled handicap to the successful competitors, J. N. Beatson securing the first prize, a silver cup; D. R. Thompson, second prize, a pair of opera glasses; and O. G. Notman, third prize, a case of safety razors. O. N. Hill, the Auckland aid New Zealand champion, was also presented with Mr. T. B. O'Connor's medal for the Auckland championship. After presenting the prizes, Mr. OJtlson reforj-ed to the success of the race, which, he said, was entirely due to the efforts of Mr. H. Frost, secretary of the Auckland centre, who had practically carried out the whole of the arrangements single-handed. The mention of Mr. Frost's name was the signal for a loud outburst of applause. Mr. F. Wiltou (Wellington), in responding, paid a high tribute to the reception accorded them by the Auckland centre, and they would never forget their treatment. They had been honestly and fairly whipped, and Auckland were lucky in having a runner of O. J. N. Hill's calibre. Although beaten, they would come again, and he hoped that when the event was run in Wellington, Auckland would send a team, although they could not promise them a fast course like the one they had competed on that day. Mr. Lisk Otago) endorsed Mr. Wilton's remarks, and added that they had been overwhelmed by hospitality since their ar.'ival. They would never forget Mr. Frost's efforts" on their behalf. Mr. Isrecn (Otago) also replied, and urged Auckland to go in for harrier-running. In Otago they had some thirteen clubs, with a membership of a/bout 350. He congratulated the winner, G. N. Hill, on his great performance. Other toasts, honoured and replied to were the Referees' Association, the Auckland selector (Mr. D. Oallaher), Mr. H. Frost, Mr. CI. N. Hill (the champion), and the chairman (Mr. A. E. Devore).

Yesterday afternoon the visiting athletes were taken for a drive throug-h Ponsonby, round Cox's Greek, through Avondale and lit. Albert, and to the top of One-tree Hill, returning home through Retmiera. The visitors left by the Main Trunk express last night, highly delighted 'with their slay in Auckland.