PETONE CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 51, 2 March 1937, Page 18

PETONE CLUB

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

• Satisfaction with the results of the I past year and optimism, regarding the ■ prospects-lor the..coming season were expressed at the annual meeting of the Petone.Eugby Football Club last night j by the,president, Mr. J. R. Robertson. About 150 members and supporters were present. Mr. J. Smith, ex-caretaker of the Eecreation Ground, was presented wiln a reading lamp as a token of the esteem in whicti he is held by members of the club. In making the presentation, Mr. Kobertson maae eulogistic reference to Mr. Smith's great -service to Rugby football and sport in general. In responding on behalf "of Mr. Smith, Mr. E. Price Uianked the club for its generous action, and said that Mr. Smith had enjoyed his long association with the club, and the Kugby game in general. An apology for absence was received from tne secretary, Mr.' A.. W. Henry, who is at present ;in the Wellington Hospital. Mr. Robertson expressed the hope that he would soon be restored to health and again able to take his placS in the,club. ■ " < Mr. C. P. Bfockelbank, in moving the adoption-of the report and balancesheet, congratulated members on the - maintenance of the club's position, and said the past season was an unqualified success. There was room for improvement in the training of the older members, and unless this,' aspect was given better "attention, close 'association and fellowship could not be. attained. Mr. Brockelbank "also commented upon the outstanding success of the jubilee, and made 'special reference to the success of the junior grafles. . ' Mr. L. Pointon said that if the' seniors would only show the same keenness as the juniors no doubt- - better results would be achieved. , ' • Mr. Bobertson made special mention of the success, of the jubilee celebrations, and said "that he was very impressed by the feelings the older members had for the club. Special tribute was paid to the " good work of the ladies' committee. The following "officers were elected: — Patron, the Hon. W. Nash; president, Mr.. J. R. Kobertson; vice-presidents, same as last year, with the following additions, Messrs. P. A. Brown, A. Patterson, and B. Ffrost; club captain, Mr. A. Miller; deputy club captain, Mr. J. Martin; hon. auditor, Mr. A. Warden; hon. solicitor, Mr. W. P. Coles; hon. secretary, Mr. A. W. Henry;, assistant hon. -secretary; Mr. B. Fleet; hon. treasurer, Mr. W. H. W. Sweeney; delegates to W.R.F.U.,.. Messrs. J. D. King, M. F. Nicholls, ■ and J. Prendeville; committee, Messrs.' W. Sundgren, E. Reid, D. S.-Petersqn, ,C.- Green, and J. LaTTibourn: . • ' The members of the Petone -Rowing Club senior fours.-.were congratulated on their success in' winning a New Zealand title. The stroke, J. Clayton, is one of the club's senior players, and two others, A. Hope and K. Boswell, are ex-members.^ A welcome was extended to Mr. J. "' Craig, an ex-player, who is on holiday leave from Western Australia. '

The following nominations were received for coaches:—Messrs. C. Green, F. Brockelbank, E. .Edwards, U. Wickens,, I. Thompson, W. Sundgren, J. Spence, J. Lambourn, T. Corkill, J. W. Perkins, P..Byrne, and E. Reid. - After much discussion, it was proposed to forward'for consideration at the annual, general meeting of delegates a remit to the effect that the age limit for fourth grade be: reduced ;to 18 years. • Twenty-three' new members were elected,1 including F. Kearie, ex-Poneke, R. M. Gillespie, Manawatu wing threequarter, B. Smith, a Bush representative, A. .Jackson, a King Country representative, and R. Skilton, Marlborough.