A CELEBRATION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 6 December 1930, Page 11

A CELEBRATION

■MARANUI SUEF CLUB

Although they do some of the most humane and valuable work in the communT ity, life-saving clubs generally nrenot endowed with too much ■of ... this world's goods, and such an event as the completion of a new clubhouse is for-them an occasion of considerable importance. The members of the Maranui Life-saving and Surf Club, therefore, with a proper sense of the fitness of things, are not letting the official opening of their fine new clubhouse on the Lyall Bay beach pass without due ceremony. On the eve of this landmark in the club's history, a dinner was held last night to celebrate, as the president of the club, Mr. Theo. Queree, said in his opening remarks, the dream of members for many years at last come to pass. There was a large attendance of club members and old members, and as might- be expected the evening was a pronounced social success. Iv proposing the toast of "The Club, Mr. Queree referred to a number of former members who had done much to place the club on its present foundation. He also mentioned the fact that the architect for the new building (Mr. H. Claridge) was a club member. Mr. Queree read a number of letters from old members of the club, including one from Dave- Murrell, now in Australia, who wished his old club "all the best" for the future. Apologies were also received from the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup), Messrs. Martin Luckie, Ralph Smith (an'ex-club captain), R. Semple, M.P., and C. Collier "(one of the club's foundation members). Mr. A. H. Ross (the chairman of the club's executive committee) replied. "Every concern must have supporters, and I am glad to know that there are a number of people in Wellington who are willing to stand behind this club and other similar clubs," said Mr. K. A. Wright, M.P., in proposing the toast of ''Our Supporters." It was a great thing,' he said, for the club to have such a solid body of supporters. He mentioned amongst others whom the club had to thank for assistance, the Mayor, the City Council, Councillor Burns, and the Reserves Committee of the City Council, and the- club's vice-presidents. - Mr. <T. Kober replied.. . . The toast of "The Ladies' Committee was proposed by Mr. E.- Hughes, the club captain, who said that the club had a very energetic ladies' committee at the present time, and the club was very much indebted to them. In replying Mr. F. Chapman said that in the past practically 90 per cent, of the money to purchase. the surf : boat ' had been raised by the lady supporters of the club, and the ladies had already given' £70 towards the new clubhouse, with the promise of a lot more before they had finished. "If we do nothing more than follow the example of the old members, then the better off we'll be," said' Mr. P. Edwards, in proposing the toast "Old Members." Mr. ,T. A.' Duffy replied. . The toast of the Royal Life-saving Society was proposed by Mr. A. H. Eoss,- and replied to by Mr. G. S. Hill. Very much appreciated items, were given'by the Aeolian Quartette (Messrs. B H. Maynall. A.Coe, T. Watson, and T). 11,-iin, ilr. D. Foley, and the Maranui Quartette (Messrs. X Chapman, J. Alexander, V. S. Wilson, and D. Hughes). Mr. Thomas was the accompanist.