OF OTHER DAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1934, Page 11

OF OTHER DAYS

RUGBY VETERANS MEET

ANNUAL REUNION

One Saturday in every football season is made the occasion of a gathering of "old timers"—-men who have worn representative jerseys in otheryears and men who havo held official positions in the management of Rugby football. All are brought togethor as guests of the Wellington Rugby Union, first at a.representative match, for which there is spoeial accommodation for them in the stand, and then at an informal social gathering immediately af tor the match. This year's gathering took palce on Saturday,l and the "veterans" turned out in good force to see tho Auckland-Wellington match and more particularly to meet in happy reunion.

At the social function, attonded also by the present-day representatives, the "old timers" were cordially welcomed by Mr. W. F. Hornig, president of the Wellington Rugby Union. "They i say that old soldiers never die," said [the president. "The same can be said [of old footballers." Ho.paid tribute ito the management eommittoo for hav[ing introduced the gatherings of old ' representative players and trusted that tho reunions would long continue. On behalf of the Wellington Union's management committeo, Mr. J. Prendevillo (chairman), in also welcoming the old players, expressed the hope that it would bo a regular custom for many years to come to hold such gatherings. It had teen truly said that Rugby football was the greatest club in the world, as all its players were rdem* bers of that great family of friends on tho • football field. That was the spirit they wanted to inculcate. Mr. P. J. Ohlspn, who has been connected with the Auckland Bugby Union in an official capacity for thirty-eight years, complimented the Wellington team upon its performance that day, and spoke of the lasting friendships built up through being eonnoctod with Bugby football. "On the field we fight hard against on© another, and when the gamo is over wo are the best of friends —that is football," he added.

Among tho many veterans at the gathering wore Alessrs. F. t M. Jervis, E. Davy, and Of. Hirschberg,' whose playing days date back very many years. Also present was Mr. A. Tillcy, of the Auckland Rugby Union, who has the unique record of having witnessed forty-five Auckland-Wellington Bugby representative matches.