DEPARTED CHIEFS

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19913, 28 April 1930, Page 10

DEPARTED CHIEFS

SAVAGES PAY RESPECTS. A CRISIS OF 80 TEARS AGO. In the years 1900 and 1901 the Chrhtchurch Savage Club was perilously near to dissolution, through internal dissensions. How Great Chief Sir George Clifford saved it from disaster was revealed by Savage B. R. Webb at the annual meeting on Saturday evening. (

Great Chief G. M. Smith referred to those of the tribe who had passed over the Great Divide, and said that the list published in the annual report must be increased by three additional names— Savages Sir George Clifford, T. W. Cane, and F. W. Brougbton.

Savage Webb, a past Grand Chief, said that Sir George Clifford had joined the club in 1893. He was Great Chief in 1900 and 1901. In several of his addresses he had mentioned his drive of 35 miles by buggy to Waipara to join the train for Christchurch when a korero was being held. In spite of these difficulties he was _ frequently present, and during the period he was in office he was practically the saviour of the club. It was torn by a feud when he took the chair, and he assumed the position of Great Chief with the resignations of all the members of the committee in his hand. Everything was going to pieces. Through his chairmanship, however, all of the differences were forgotten. During Great Chief Sir George Clifford's term of office, said Savage Webb, the club entertained the jour' nalists who came to New Zealand for the tour of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, now bis Majesty the King. The Bight .Hon. R. J. Soddon and Sir Joseph Ward were present, this being one of the.few occasions when the former was unable to make a speech. He sang a song instead. Great Chief Sir George Clifford had also presided when the club entertained Lord Jellicoe, and the men front the Discovery and the Morning, the ships of the South Polar Expedition. "He was a shy man," said Savage Webb, "but when you got close to him you found he was a delightful conversationalist He was a tremendous asset to the club."

Savage Webb said that Savage Cane had splendid literary taste, and composed several small plays and poems. He did a tremendous amount of work for the club. Although a great contrast to Savage Sir George Clifford in other respects, like him, he was very retiring and unobtrusive. A man of his parts could have done much more for himself. The students of Canterbury College and the High School would appreciate his qualities most. Both Savages Sir George Clifford and Cane had left their mark on the club, and he was proud to have been associated with them.

As a mark of respect all present stood in silence.