MERIVALE FOOTBALL CLUB.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7172, 6 October 1888, Page 6

MERIVALE FOOTBALL CLUB.

The Merivale Football Club brought its season to a close by holding a smoke concert, which took place last night in the Foresters' Hall. There was a large attendance of footballers, including guests from the Christchurch, Canterbury College, East Christchurch, Sydenham and Linwood Cluba. Mr A. B. G. Bhodes, M.H.R., President of the Canterbury Rugby Union and of the Merivale Ulub, occupied the chair. He was supported by Dr. Hacon (Vice-President of MerivaJe) and Mr W. M. Allardyce (captain of Sydenham), the senior club of the season. After several toasts, including that of "The Queen," had been duly acknowledged, Mr Uarrard (captain of the Merivale) proposed "The senior club of the season, Sydenham." He coupled the toast with the name of Mr Allardyce, who, in responding, suggested to the Rugby Union that representative teams should be selected at least three weeks before the match, this would allow players an opportunity of studying that combination of play which was prominent in interclub matches. The principal feature in the proceedings of the evening was the presentation to the second fifteen of the Merivale of the Junior Challenge Cup, awarded for competition by the Canterbury Rugby Union. Mr Rhodes, as President of the Union, performed the ceremony, aud said he thought it was a matter for congratulation among footballers that the Junior Cup matches had been so successful, especially after the question of introducing the Cup had been so hotly contested. He had great pleasure in presenting the cup to Mr Hawkes, captain of the successful team. (Applause.) Mr Ha wkes suitably acknowledged the honor, and requested the President of the Club to hold the prize for the team until the succeeding season, when he hoped the Merivale Club would win it right out The Junior Cup team was then warmly toasted, together with the teams which had cdmpeted against it -in the cup matches. Among the other toasts were those of *' The Presiding Officers of the Merivale Club," "Canterbury Rugby Union," "Other Clubs," " The Ladies," and " The Press." During the evening a great many songs were sung, and the time was spent enjoyably by all who were present.