NEW GYMNASIUM OPENED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 155, 29 March 1937, Page 11

NEW GYMNASIUM OPENED

Athletic Football Club PRIDE AT AN ENVIABLE RECORD The new gymnasium of the Athletic Football Club in Arlington Street was officially opened by the deputy-mayor, Mr. M. F. Luckie, on Saturday morning in the presence of a large gat 1 - ving of present and past members. Added interest was given to the ceremony by the fact that the club is at present celebrating its diamond jubilee, and the note struck by the speakers was one of pride and pleasure at the progress through the years. The president, Mr. IV. 8. Ridler, recalled the stages leading up to the erection of the new’ gymnasium, and said that the perseverance of members and supporters of the club had been well rewarded. He hoped that the facilities would be availed of to the full and that the club would continue to flourish. Mr. Luckie apologised for the unavoidable absence of the mayor, and on behalf of the city of Wellington extended to the club hearty congratulations ou the attainment of its diamond jubilee. His own recollections of Rugby in Wellington went back to the days when there were only two clubs —Wellington and Athletic. Those two fought each other every Saturday throughout the whole season, aud he doubted whether the rivalry that existed had ever been eclipsed. The club, said Mr. Luckie, was to be complimented on securing a home for itself, and he was sure that it would play a part in maintaining the high standard of sportsmanship for which the Athletic club was renowned. Both on and off the field its members had always played the game as it should be played. He had much pleasure in declaring the new gymnasium officially open.

Mr. J. N. Millard, president of the Wellington Rugby Football Union, said that some great players had been associated with the club. He mentioned in particular Mr. Cliff Porter and Mr. “Ranji” Wilson. He had never heard of anyone pointing the finger of scorn at the Athletic club for its type of play. It had built up an enviable reputation for sportsmanship which he felt sure would not be sullied by future generations. It must be very pleasing to present members to see so many old members rallying round the club. Mr. F. C. Atkinson, Wanganui, who was secretary of the club many years ago, addd his congratulations to members on their new gymnasium, which he said represented a dream which had come true.

“LONG AND HONOURABLE CAREER” Tributes at Jubilee Dinner Memories of some great players of the past and of Rugby incidents in the early days of Wellington, were revived at a diiixier held at the Empire Hotel on Saturday night to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Athletic Football Club. There was an attendance of about 80, and among the guests were members of the visiting Hui Mai team, which, as part of the jubilee celebrations, play a match against the Athletic club. The chairman was Jlr. W. J. Ridler, president of the club, who replied to the main" toast, which was proposed by Mr. J. Preudeville, president of tbe Wellington Rugby Union. Mr. Preudeville said that the Athletic club was older than some of the big clubs in England, and was second to none in maintaining the high traditions of the game and in fostering good fellowship. The club had played an important part in training men for the game of life, and one and all were proud that it had won the senior championship in a year that marked so important an event in its loitg and honourable career. He trusted that the club would go on to celebrate its centenary. Jlr. Ridler, in replying, said that the members had always tried to do their best and to play the game. The club took a keen interest in the younger players, and hoped some day to produce another Tmtoast of “The Wellington Football Club” was proposed by Jlr. J. W. Heenan, who described the Wellington club as the mother of all football clubs in Wellington. Mr. J. Thompson replied. Jlr. H. I. Austad proposed the toast of “The Wellington Rugby Union." Mr. H. Jfurphy and Jlr. Prendeville replied.