'BAMAS JUBILEE

Evening Star, Issue 21811, 29 August 1934, Page 3

'BAMAS JUBILEE

FIFTY YEARS OF RUGBY CLUB'S PROUD RECORD COMMENCEMENT OF JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS The 280 ex-members and visitors who attended the smoke concert in the Lyceum Hall last night to mark the celebration of the jubilee of the Alhambra Football Club had reason to bo proud of the occasion, for the record of the Alhambra Club stands high in the annals of our national game. ’ Many men have passed through its ranks who have left their mark both in playing and in the administrative side of the game, and it is generally admitted that it was the Alhambra Club that originated the back passing game in Rugby in' New Zealand, thereby laying the foundation of new methods which revolutionised the code, made it brighter and better, and really paved the way for New Zealand s success in after years. The gathering last night, an enthusiastic one, included a number ot the original members of the club when it was formed fifty years ago, and many players of very early years, as well as a large number of players of more recent times. The president (Mr ■ A. Restieaux} himself a foundation member, was in the chair. The ..Chairman welcomed club-mates and visitors, and said his only regret in looking around was to see so many grey hairs among the . old-timers. “ What a real pleasure it is to see ‘ here men who assisted in the formation of the club fifty years ago,” added Mr Restieaux. ‘‘lt shows what the club feeling is when ■ friendships stand the test of half a century of years. There are men here who played with the club nearly fifty years ago, as well as gome of the originators of the club. Old-timers who were asked to stand were cheered by the gathering. These included Mr Fred Lowry, the first secretary of the club, and one who contributed towards the cost of the first ball; Mr H. Pellett, a tall man on the line-outs: Mr Ned Gibb, an early player; Mr Alex. Downes, one of the originals; and Mr Andrew Grieve , the first member of the club to have a leg broken. . , At the call of the Chairman, musical honours were accorded Mr Roy Archibald, who made a large, birthday cake as a gift to the club for the jubilee celebrations. _ The toast of the “ 0.R.F.U.” was proposed by Mr R. Bennett, who said ft was only right and proper that it should be honoured at such a gathering. The Otago Rugby Union had celebrated its jubilee in 1930, and during the years had controlled football wisely and well. Anyone who had attended the OtagoSouthland match last Saturday could not but have been favourably impressed with the arrangements made for everyone. There was plenty of criticism after the election of the Management Committee at the annual meeting, but they always found that the delegates dropped any club feeling and worked for the gfiod of the game in general. One outstanding personality on the Rugby, Union was Mr Harry Harris, yvho had given great service to the game, and not far behind him was Mr V. G. Cavanagh. There were others who had done much for the game, and it was owing to the work of those men that the management of the game in Otago was on such a high plane. - (Applause.) lii responding to the toast Mr J. B. Wootton expressed thanks for the fine tribute paid by Mr Bennett to the O.R.F.U. He said he thought it was a very fine thing the way the old members stuck to the Alhambra Club, which was one of the leading clubs both in regard to sociability and playing the game. “ The Alhambra Club ” was proposed by, Mr V. G. Cavanagh, who said the club had always had his greatest admiration. It was difficult to realise that fifty years ago some of those present formed the club. The Alhambra Club stood pre-eminent as one of the finest clubs in the world, not only in football, but in the way it trained its young members to know what the club spirit meant and just . what was the value of good social organisation within the club. The club brought the members together for the purpose of getting what enjoyment they could out of life, and taught them that if they played the game of sport cleanly they would also play the game of life cleanly. They were men who had helped materially to make the world a little better. The speaker went on to refer to the eaply days of football in Otago, and expressed admiration of the work done by the Alhambra Club for football in New Zealand. It was always a fine thing to see clubs helping themselves, and in this respect he wished to congratulate the Alhambra Club on the very good pavilion it had secured entirely through its own efforts. He also wished to express his admiration for the iway in which members of the club who had concluded their days of active participation in the game freely gave their services as referees and on the governing body. In conclusion Mr Cavanagh extended his best wishes to the club, and expressed the hope that the next fifty years would be as successful as the first. (Applause.) Mr Restieaux, in replying to the toast, thanked Mr Cavanagh for what ha bad said about the club. The club was certainly the first to introduce the passing game into Rugby in New Zealand. They learned that from the first English team that visited here, and

the other clubs had later followed suit One of the reasons for the success of the club was that it had had very fine secretaries, men who had been enthusiastic in their job. It had been the policy of the club to train its young men to have respect for the older men. and the result was very satisfactory. Another factor which had made for success was the very fine committeemen they had had through the years. The club had also hod some excellent captains. Mr Restieaux went on to refer to officers of the club who had given distinguished service, mentioning Messrs J. King and I. Grant as energetic members of committee, Messrs J. M'Cleary and “ Toby ” Hobson ns two outstanding captains, and Mr G. A. Nelson as a very efficient treasurer over a long period. A great ovation was given to Mr J. M'Cleary when he responded to the toast. “ A great secret of success in football is to hove a good captain,” he said. “ I do not believe too much in coaches. A captain should know enough to coach his own team. _ Let him study the rules, and play within the rules, changing the tactics in a game to suit the circumstances.” Mr M'Cleary went on to talk in reminiscent mood of the early days of the club, and expressed good wishes for its success in the future. An equally enthusiastic reception was accorded Mr Alick Downes, who also spoke interestingly of the early days,

particularly of games against the Kaikorai Club. Other toasts honoured were: “Absent Members,” “ Referees’ Association,” and “ Old Timers.” During the evening a presentation was made to Mr A. (“Punch”) M'Dougall, the president referring to Ips valuable services ever a lengthy period both as a player and as a coach. It was in recognition of his work in the lattfer capacity that the presentation whs being made. He then asked Mr M'Dougall to accept a bowler’s bag as a token of the appreciation felt by the members of the °^ U Mr M'Dougall suitably returned thanks. , , . Begg’s Orchestra, under the baton ot Mr JTF. Himbiifg, provided enjoyable music during the evening, and items were contributed by the following;— Messrs C. Hawes, J. E. Davies (songs). C. Paine, C. H. Russell (recitations), J. Coutts (instrumental item), J. Epgers (ventriloquist). The accompaniments for the singers were played by the orchestra. Mr I. Grant acted as toastmaster.