MAJOR SAMUEL FAREWELLED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2523, 31 July 1915, Page 6

MAJOR SAMUEL FAREWELLED

BANQUET 'AT PETONE.

'A banquet was given last evening at. Palmer's Rooms, Petone, under the auspices of the' Hutfc Valley Trotting Club, to bid farewell to the president (Major A. M. Samuel), prior to his leaving for tho front. Mr. 11. W. Short presided ,and there was a good attendance. The usual toasts were honoured and several musical items were rendered. 11l proposing tho toast of "Our Pre-, .sident," Mr. It. W. Short stated that the club was reorganised in 1907, and Mr. Samuel was appointed a steward. The following year 'he was elected pre-.' jsident) 'and had successfully held that offico ever since, and had dono yeoman service for tho club. Referring to the progress of the club Mr. Short, stated that in 1907 tho liabilities were, about £80, and when it was suggested that a meeting should be arranged with a programme of £650 in stakes, the stewards thought it would be a failure. But it was successful, and so had every meeting' been since then, and to-day they held a balance of £1000; As they had probably noticed their guest had donated a charger to the first contingent,: and saddles to the second. -Mr.Short, on behalf of the club, asked the president to accept a handsome saddle and equipment, stating _ that he hoped it would be engaged in many a victorious chase, and ho hoped that their guest would be spared to; como back again and.take up his position as president. (Applause.) i ■ ' ■ Mr. S. V. Burridge also paid a tribute' to the guest's sterling qualities, and Mr. E. P. Bunny said that without wishing to introduce politics 'ha would like to say that Major Samuel had recently proved himself ,to be a groat fighter in the political world, and also in South Africa. (Applause.) He would also prove to be a great fighter in this great war and when he came back he would still fight for. the good ,of the .district. _ In. replying, Major Samuel thanked tho members for their valuable presfcnt, and referring to. the remarks passed in respect to the club's progress, stated lliat he'always received the hearty cooperation of the officials, who had worked •strenuously for progress. He -also, in speaking of the way the club conducted its meetings, added that there was not a member who would be a party to any sport that was unclean'.A "very pleasant evening was spent, and closcd with the singing of'-"Auld Lang Syne." ;