THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

Evening Star, Issue 21821, 10 September 1934, Page 2

THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

KAIKORA! FOOTBALLERS FOREGATHER JUBILEE SMOKE CONCERT The platonic handclasp between two distinct branches of Rugby football, the past and the present, fittingly symbolised the fifty years’ record of the Kaikorai Club, winch concluded the social programme of its jubilee functions on Saturday night with a most successful smoke concert in the Early Settlers’ Hall. There was an attendance of nearly 300, representative of players of the first team to the fifteen of the present day. . A pleasant feature of the evening was the rendering of the song ‘ The Boys of the Old Brigade ’ by performers traditionally garbed in the Alhambra and Kaikorai Clubs’ football jerseys. The Alhambra Club has also been celebrating its fiftieth anniversary during the past week. Mr J. Sinclair, the president of the jubilee executive, was in the chair. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. A hearty welcome to both present and past players, and also to representatives of other bodies, was extended by Mr Sinclair, who expressed his pleasure at such a large gathering embracing a wide period ot years. After asking the assemblage to honour in silence deceased club players, he remarked that, though Kaikorai had not been successful in this the jubilee year, iu annexing the senior premiership, the club was at least sporting enough to recognise the performance of the winning club, ’ Varsity A, and also the runners-up. Southern. Mr Sinclair said there was something about the Kaikorai Club which enabled many lasting friendships to be made, and he was sure that many old players would be meeting again that night for the first time for many years. The success of the jubilee functions was due in a largo measure to the splendid work of the committee, which had worked very hard. Most members of the Kaikorai lived in the district, and the splendid co-operative spirit could be attributed to the fact that interest was centred within its confines. Following the announcement that two members of the original Kaikorai team were present— Messrs Dave Torrance and Joe Davie—the chairman read a message from another early player, Mr J. Eliott, who was unable to attend the function. Mr Torrance said that bis first recollection of the club was in 1899, when a banner was presented by Mr Robert Chisholm, on behalf of the ladies of the district. They were all proud of the men who had represented Kaikorai on the field. They also had the greatest admiration for some who had not been' players, but who had kept the spirit of the club together, right from its existence up to the present. Before concluding, the chairman introduced Mr E. E. (“General”) Booth, who received a vociferous reception. RUGBY UNION’S WORK. The toast of the “ Otago Rugby Football Union ” was proposed by Mr AV. J. Holden, who said that there was no need to elaborate on the work the union had accomplished _jn the last fifty years or more. Its efforts stood as a monument to all that it had done for the game and its players. From the legislative viewpoint Otago’s standard was as high as any other part of New Zealand, and an instance of this was the splendid co-operation that, existed between the parent %ody and the subunions. The speaker said that one administrator whom he would particularly wish to mention was Mr Harry Harris. (Applause.) Comparisons had been drawn during the Alhambra and Kaikoi-ai functions to the past and present conditions of the game. In that connection the Management Committee of the union had been responsible for modern facilities', such as pavilions and various appointments for the comfort, of the players. The toast was then honoured, coupled with Mr T./O’Shea’s name.

In tlie course of his reply, Mr O’Shea said that when he first acted in an administrative capacity lie was under the impression that the dlub representatives were appointed to boost their own particular club, but since joining the Management Committee he had noticed that the partisan spirit was sacrificed for the furtherance of Otago football. Mr O’Shea congratulated the Kaikorai Club on the work it had achieved for Otago Rugby. The results of its efforts were seen in a very fine ground and a large membership. He wished the club every success. CLUB’S PROUD RECORD. After expressing his pleasure at being given the privilege of proposing the toast of “ The Kaikorai Football Club,” Mr Harry Harris said that the club held a signal position in being a district club, and in that respect he had often wondered if it would be safe for one to play for another club if he were a resident of Kaikorai. (Laughter) The club was expeedingly lucky in haying a host of supporters, and also in owning its own ground—a position which not many clubs in the dominion could bdast. The speaker referred in reminiscent mood to Kaikorai players of the calibre of Pat Keogh, Jimmy Duncan, Jim (“Snowy”) Torrance, “ Gus ” Miller, Andy AVedderspoon, Tom Sonntag (an uncle of Mr Charlie Sonntag), “ Barney ” Armit (whose fame as a three-quarter had yet to be eclipsed), Joe Davie, and Sam Ballantyne (who were a great pair of hookers). Tommy Wood, J. Sinclair, and “ General ” Booth, whom they were very pleased to have present with them that night. In later years the club had produced Charlie Sonntag, Alex. M'Donald, Dave M'Meeking. George Dickinson, Lcn Williams, and many others who had distinguished themselves on the field. He doubted whether any other club in New Zealand had supplied more representatives than had the Kaikorai Club, and also whether there was a better club supporter than Mr Frank Farley. (Applause.) When the administrative capacities of the men who controlled its affairs were considered it was not surprising that the Kaikorai Club held such a wonderful position. Mr C. Sonntag, who responded to the toast, said that players of the later period were often subjected to criticism for not producing the form displayed by participants of the earlier days. " Ho would remind them, however, that defensive play had become a specialised art, a factor which militated against individual brilliance. Again, it was often said that dribbling was now a lost art. In defence, he would draw attention to the difference in shape between the footballs of yesterday and to-day. Its diameter in earlier years was HJin, but the shape of the football in later years had undergone a marked change, which made control of the ball more difficult when dribbling. Ho would ask the old members to remember that the modern player was as keen as they themselves were, and as far as the Kaikorai Club was concerned, he assured them that the younger members would maintain its traditions.

The emulation of the Kaikorai teams of later years in being runners-up in the senior competition for five successive years, whereas in its youth the club had gained leading honours seven seasons running, was mentioned by Mr R. M'Lcnnan, in proposing the toast of “ Old Players.” The effect of social activities, said the speaker, had tended to take toll of a largo part of the present-day youth’s spare moments, but in the time of Duncans, Millars, and Keoghs their lives had not been enveloped b3’ such modern tendencies. EARLY REMINISCENCES. The replies, which were given by Messrs D. Torrance, Alex. M'Donald, and E, E. Booth, took the form of reminiscences of the respective footballers’ periods of participation. Mr Torrance said that Mr Sonntag had mentioned the training conditions of yesterday and to-day. In his lime the members of the team used ,o nwet at the old fire brigade station, Roslyn, for a Jong run, after which each man was swilled with a bucket of water. The rub-down that followed served to remove the remainder of the skin undisturbed from the previous Saturday’s game. Should a man be injured during the progress of a match, he was not carried off, as was the case to-dav. but removed to the side-line, should the injury merit such action, and the game continued. Mr Torrance referred to Mr Farley’s administrative services to the club, and remarked that the ground should be termed Farley Park. Mr Farley, who was greeted with prolonged applause, said that since its inception he had endeavoured to do all he could for the club. He had been connected with the ground since 1892, and his ambition was to have it regarded as Otago’s premier area. (Applause.) An appeal to old players to rally round the club and assist in its management was made by Mr A. M'Donald, who apologised for the absence at the function of Mr J. Turnbull, whom he termed one of the best forwards produced in ■ the dominion. During the evening the chairman read a congratulatory letter from the Wellington Old Boys’ Club, of which Mr M'Donald is the coach.

Mr Booth said that one thing he had always been taught when he played for Kaikorai was ‘‘ to put your man down.” Mr Booth said the Bledisloe Gup had been placed on the grass and was shining in the sun on the Sydney football ground ready to be played for in the second test. The cup had, however, been left behind. He thought, nevertheless, that this would ultimately be a good thing for New Zealand football. Football in Australia had made enormous progress. The people in Australia had a great admiration for New Zealand football, and still thought the New Zealand footballers were the best in the world. Mr Booth said he brought a message from Dick Baxter. (Applause.) He was in Brisbane, where he had done very well. He was the head overseer of a large wool-buy-ing concern. A presentation was then made to Mr Perry, who, in returning thanks, said he would like to mention the great assistance he had received from Messrs Holden and MacLellan. OTHER TOASTS. Other toasts honoured were “ Sister Clubs,” proposed by Mr A. T. Francis; “ The Jubilee Committee,” proposed by Mr J. Torrance and responded to by Mr D. Cunningham; and “ The Press, the Referees’ Association, and the St. John Ambulance,” proposed by Mr J. J. Ross. The proceedings were considerably enlivened by the presence of an orchestra, which provided appropriate numbers during the evening. Other contributors to the musical programme were: Songs, Messrs W. E. Crewes (Wellington) and E. Stephenson; trombone solos, Mr J. Marshall; cornet duets, Messrs E. Kerr, jun., and K. Kerr, sen.; humorous items, Mr R. P. Murphy, who also conducted a community sing. The parade of past and present members of the club to the Kaikorai Presbyterian Church last night was largely attended. The members assembled at the Kaikorai School, and, led by the Kaikorai Band, marched to the church, where the Rev. J. Douglas Smith preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion. Mr Smith’s subject was ‘ The Game of Life,’ and in his early remarks ho referred to the Christian attitude towards games, which, he said, was not one of hostility, for it was recognised that recreation was a necessity in all useful lives. He emphasised, however, that the Christian standpoint was that all games must be played unto God and not unto man. He stressed the advantages to be derived from the combative type of game, both by the man individually and by the team as a whole, and also mentioned the influence of the spectator on the game and the influence of the game on the spectator. In conclusion Mr Smith spoke of the great game of life, which must be regarded as being of more importance than any mere recreational games, which were really a preparation for life itself. In the end all must face the Great Referee with the hope of hearing His “ well done.”