The Forthcoming General Election. League Football in Papakura District.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 120, 14 October 1935, Page 5

The Forthcoming General Election.

League Football in Papakura District.

SEASON CONCLUDED. THE PAPAKURA CLUB. j ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. The annual smoke concert of the Papakura Rugby League Football Club was field on Thursday evening. Mr ID Godden, chairman of the club, presided over a large attendance, including members of the Auckland Rugby League Junior Control Board — the chairman, Mr D. Wilkie, and Messrs Ivan Stonex, G. Howe. Chapman and W . F. Clarke (secretary). The evening was very enjoyable. Special thanks were accorded Messrs H. Pollock and G. Spencer for their generosity in defraying the expenses. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem. The first toast was that of '‘The Auckland Rugby League, proposed by the president, Air Godden, who eulogised the splendid manner in which the Auckland Rugby League had given every assistance to the Papakura club. Their efforts had been the means of providing football for boys in the outer suburban area. Had it not been for the foresight, of the Rugby League officials, many of the boys would not have been enjoying a game of football to-day. . (Applause). The - Papakura club started five or six years ago and had gone ahead ever since. It was pleasing to note that country players were every bit as good as town players in as much as Papakura had been able to take trophies from them. (Applause). Advice to Players. The toast was replied to by Air Wilkie, who said that as a rule a general meeting of a football club was the one place footballers stayed away from. Seeing so many members present prompted him to appeal to them to turn up to the general, meeting of their club in full force. The fate of a club lay entirely with the members and he advised them to always give keen consideration to the election of their officers and put in the very best, men available. 1-Ie was not reflecting on any of the executive of the local club, but was speaking generally because apathy of members had ruined many a good club. Mr Norman Widdowson (secretary of the Papakura League Football Club) proposed the toast of “The Referees.” In doing so he said the players recognised that the referees’ association was a sound working organisation. They attended a weekly meeting and sacrificed a good deal of their time in the interests of the code; in fact they trained as hard as the players and perhaps harder than some Papakura players. It was no uncommon thing for a referee to take charge of two and sometimes three matches on Saturdays. In conclusion Air Widdowson said that the way the referees generally fraternised with the boys after the match was duly appreciated. Air W. F. Clarke briefly replied on behalf of the referees’ association.

“Kindred Sports” was the next toast, and was coupled with the name of Mr Gordon Wilson, who made references to the value of all true sport, whether it he tennis, howls, cricket, football or marbles —the thing was to play the game. (Applause). Mr C. Spencer replied in his usual humorous vein. He said he had played football once, but it took him six weeks to get well again. (Laughter). Mr Hobson replied. New Blood Each Year. Speaking to the toast of the Papakura Club, Mr Gordon Wilson said as far as the Papakura club was concerned, results spoke for themselves. He had played Rugby for “donkey’s” years but he turned over to- League because he could not get a game with that code some years ago. He stressed the necessity of every member of the club turning up to the annual meeting and taking an interest in the club’s working. He was a great believer in electing fresh blood every year. No club could have treated the players better than the Papakura club. It had provided equipment from a very small subscription The chairman of the Papakura Town Board, Mr 11. E. McEntee, offered his congratulations to the club’s executive and the players on their performance. Starting with two teams, the club to-day had five teams with over 100 members, a very fine record. Mr McEntee in conclusion, said as he lived opposite Ihe park, he very often used his own grandstand: he had one complaint and that, was that the referee seemed to blow his whistle just when the game was gelling unusually exciting. (Laughter). Mr R. Walsh proposed the toast of •‘Honorary members and supporters" and Mr S. L. Anderson replied. Musical items were given by Messrs Tom Cooper, Lou Beckerton, Houston, G. C Hobson, O’Donnell, and T. 0. Sciiton. Accompaniments were played’by Mr Phil Persell. McDougall’s orchestra played a selection.