50 YEARS' PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 14, 9 May 1933, Page 13

50 YEARS' PROGRESS

PONEKE RUGBY CLUB

JUBILEE DINNER

A gathering unique in many respects was held last eveniug many present and past Rugby footballers met in a spirit of conviviality at the jubilee dinner held j by the Poneke Club to celebrate the completion of 50 years' activity in Wellington Rugby. The president of the club, Mr. A. P. Wiren, one of the club's foundation members, was in the chair. In welcoming the. visitors, Mr. Wiren said that the gathering was the most important in the history of the club, and was representative of all stages of the club's career. Among those present were many former international players, together with some who were admired and respected for their play against the club. He was particularly pleased to see Mr. W. J. Sewell, who had come all the ' way from the Malay States, where he was president of the local Rugby Union. Many apologies for absence, with congratulations and good wishes, were received from Australia and various parts of the Dominion. The loyal toast was followed by that of "Departed Members," in proposing which Mr. Wiren said that' the few enthusiasts who started the club in lSß3Jittle thought that within three years Poneke would-have members in the Wellington representative team and, in a few more years, in international sides. He paid a particularly fine tribute to the late Mr. S. Nicholls. founder and one of the early captains of the club. He was pleased to' welcome two o£ Mr. Nichplls's sons, Mark and Geoffrey. Tom Ellison, Davey Gage, Harry Lee, George Williams, Dr. Newman, Sir Charles^ Skerrett, and Harry Mclntyre were others specially mentioned. STRATEGY INTRODUCED. In proposing the toast 61 "The Poneke Club," Mr. J. Prendeville, chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, apologised for the absence of the union's president, Dr. P. F. McEvedy. There were few clubs in New Zealand, or in the Old Country that could look back on SO years of Rugby football as successful as had been the case with Poneke. Sid Nicholls and Tom Ellison, in the Poneke Club, had really started tactics and strategy in New Zealand football. In 50 years Poneke had built' up great friendships, both in the club.and among its opponents, a.nd great traditions which,.were ... excelled by no other club. He trusted'that the;present members, in .another 50 years, would have carried on the fine heritage: that had been handed down to them, and.would have left the. club's: fine name; untarnished. . Mr.'Wiren responded.. ■ :' i. '" ■ The ;toast ..of. "The New Zealand Rugby ..Football Uniou" - .was ,propb'setl':';by Mr. W. Beck, who' said it Was the most important Rugby union in the world from the point of view of the number of players controlled. Since its inception the N.Z.R.U. had managed the game in the Dominion wisely and well. The opinion that Rugby was better controlled in New Zealand than in any other part of the world was expressed by Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the union's management committee, in his response. Other toasts honoured were "The Wellington Rugby Union" and "Old Members." '