RUGBY FUNCTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 8, 9 July 1935, Page 17

RUGBY FUNCTIONS

PLAYERS HONOURED

Several functions, arranged by football clubs and enthusiasts, are. being held in honour of- local players who have been chosen for the New Zealand team's tour of the Home countries. E. W. Tindill was the guest at an enjoyable party at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. H. Murphy, there being over 100 people present at this function. Again on Saturday evening the same player was honoured by a large gathering at the studio of Miss Dorothy Daniels, where a -most enjoyable dance was held. During the evening Mr. H. 1. Austad, on behalf of the company, congratulated the guest upon his being selected as a New Zealand representative and spoke appreciatively of the Athletic player's qualities as a player and as a sportsman. The player had the confidence of all that he would fully justify his inclusion in the touring team. As a token of the esteem in which he was held, Eric Tindill was presented with a leather wallet. During the evening clever dance items were given by Misses Dorothy. Daniels, Audrey Daniels, I'sme Chalk, and Constance Chalk, and Miss Meryl Daniels contributed a much-enjoyed song. A vote of thanks was passed to Miss Daniels for the use of her studio and to Mr. .and Mrs. Bezzant and Mr. D. Bezzant for organising, the function. There was a large gathering at the Onslow Cricket Club's smoke concert on Saturday night, when the opportunity was taken to pay tribute to J. L. Griffiths, a member of the club who has been selected for the Rugby football, tour of the Home countries. Mr. A. Gibbons, congratulating the guest, paid tribute to Jack Grifflths's sportsmanship, and said that the player had ecrned a well-deserved reward. In going forward with the New Zealand team their guest that evening would have the confidence of all as a player who would live up to the best tradit tions- of New Zealand Rugby. Messrs. G. L. Agar (chairman), J. Brmghans, and J. McM. Elliott also paid tributes, and extended best wishes to Onslow's representative in the latest New Zealand team, who was presented by the chairman with a morocco case of military hair brushes. The recipient suitably replied; The senior' players .and officials of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Rugby Football Club recently farewelled J. Butler, who has transferred to Auckland. Eulogistic speeches were made by Messrs. li. Cuming (president of the club), O. Johnson (senior coach), F. Cummings (club captain), and V. M. Gormly (hon. secretary), and the following players:. E. Barry (now a mamber of the Hutt Club), J. Murphy, H. Bowman, A. O'Connor, J. Ottaway, A. Mac Donald, P. Keegan, R. McLean, and R. Frost. The chairman said that it was with regret that J. Butler's services would be lost to the club. The player had been associated with the club for eight years, and had brought honour to it. During the last two years he had been a valued committeeman also, and his place in the club would be hard to fill. The guest was presented with a suitcase as a mark of appreciation of his - services. In reply he said that his association with the club had been a happy, one and that he would always follow with interest \he club's activities.

The esteem in which L. M. Johnson, a former New .Zealand Rugby representative, is held by the Wellington Football Club, ..with which he is actively connected, was shown at a recent gathering held to do honour to him on the occasion of his marriage. On behalf of members, of the club. Mr. O. H. Weir, (club captain) presented Mr.. Johnson with a handsome clock and extended to him and his bride best wishes for their future happiness. Mr. Weir referred to Mr. Johnson's Splendid record of service for the club from the time he joined it as a player some fourteen years ago. At the present time. Mr. Johnson- was coaching the Hub's first-fifteen.. The'senior captain. F. D. Kilby. also paid tribute, as did Mr. J. Thompson, a vice-enntain of the flub. -