FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 August 1925, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

N.S.W. TEAM

WELCOMED AT WELLINGTON.

(by TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 18

To-daA- a civic welcome Was accorded the New South Wales Rugby footballers, AA’liile the Mayor (Mr C. J. B. NorAvood) also extended, a Avelcome to the members of the north and south Maori teams, avlio contest the Maori Boavl tomorrow. The Mayor expressed' extreme pleasure in Avelcmoing a, representative team from the other side- of the Tasman. He said the cultivation of a reciprocal feeling betrveen the young men of NeAV Zealand: and Australia should be encouraged in every possible way. He regretted that no provision had been made for the team to play at Wellington, hut he Avished them a -pleasant tour. Colonel Campbell and councillors also spoke. Mr Harold Baker, manager of the team, thanked the speakers for the welcomc. Incidentally he said Rugby was almost a religion in Xcav Zealand.

MID-WEEK FOOTBALL.

OHANGAI CLUB. END OF SEASON SMOKO. To celebrate the conclusion of the season a smoke concert Avas held last ni«ht by the committee of the Ohangai Football Club in the hall. The club wag winners of the mid-week championship, and therefore its concluding function attracted a great deal of interest and dreAV visitors from many parts, including a number from Hawera. There Avas a large attendance, and Mr S. J. Tidswell Avas in the chair. A long toast list Avas honoured, and proceedings Avere altogether enjoyable, and Avere conducted Avith much enthusiasm. After the toa s t of “The King” had been honoured, Mr P. She ah an gave the “Wednesday Union.’’ In proposing the toast, he said that this was .only the second year of the union, and that it had made much progress, and for this much credit was due to Mr G. Thrush (president) and Mr A. Elgar (lion, secretary), avlio had carried on the duties Avith marked ability. He said that at first people were inclined to look on it as a joke, but it had moved its solidity, and iioav was fit to compare with any other union. A delegate from each club Avas appointed, and the rules governing eligible players Avere very strict, and infringe-j meets Avere dealt Avith promptly. He would like specially to mention the help the union had received from Mr .j. Goodwin, Avhose assistance had been most valuable, and also all others who had helped in bringing the union to its present successful condition. Responding, Mr G. Thrush (president) endorsed the remarks of the mover in regard to the help th© union had received. He said the Avork of the union lmd not been all “beer and skittles,” and administrators had endeavoured to act fairly toAvards everyone. He desired to congratulate the Ohangai Club on Avinuing the championship, and commended it on its sporting spirit. He also congratulated Mr Lee on winning the Nasli medal for the best back. The union had already catered for young players Avith a view to bringing them on to be the reps, and All Blacks of the future. “The Taranaki Rugby Union” Avas proposed by Mr Elgar, who said members of unions had always to .stand a lot of abuse and submit to being “pulled to pieces.” He acknowledged the help of the Taranaki Union, and said lie Avas pleased to see the success of Ohangai. Mr J. Goodwin, in -acknowledging the compliment, said the union was out to foster good Rugby, ,nj£» matter whether it was Wednesday or Saturday. Ho referred to the ’mid-week competition in Stratford, and said that the assistant unions were necessary, because there would be too much travelling otherwise. Ho foresaw the formation of a South Taranaki Union, and believed that ;the move Avou'ld best come from Stratford, Avliere there was a central executive. They did not Avant to break away, hut all to he parts of the Taranaki Union. There were ten mid-Aveek teams in Stratford, and Opunake had a similar scheme. Ho was convinced that there Avere too many old players, and that the yo.ung men coming on should be encouraged. The mid-week competitions had been due to lack of interest in fitouth Taranaki, the country people not gritting their fair share of support. Hawera had a large and growing distrust, and it iioav had a live body controlling the .affairs. They had had a hard struggle, and the teams had .suffered because of the lack of coaches. Although in the beginning teams had been allowed to play Saturday members, that was now cut out, and all was well organised. In conclusion, he congratulated Ohangai on its win. the members and the supporters. ladies -as well as men. avlio A\ r ere all keen enthusiasts. The difficulty at first experienced of getting "good referees had been overcome, and now they wore getting really good men. “Kindred -Sports” was proposed A’ery happily by Mr J. Russell. Ho said New Zealand held her place in the sun because al< wore good .sports. She had turned out champions in every spLrt, .although the smallest and youngest Dominion, and in this connection he mentioned Fitzsimmons, A rust, Wilding, and the last body of champions, the All Blacks. He said the pursuit of sport developed friendship and good fellowship on and off the field which lasted right through life. Mr M. Kendall, secretary of the .Soccer Association, in responding, said CA'ery body had sports of its own, and lie referred with enthusiasm to the •>Y, given by the Wedensday Union to Soccer, when on June 3 it agreed to play as a curtain-raiser to the Soccer match. This Avas in accord Avith the shir it that inspired a l l sports, and the help given had put Soccer in a good financial position. He Avas certain, there was room for all sports, and for all to work together for one- common pnrD 'SO-

Mr G. Thrush gave ‘‘The Ohangai Fontbiill Club.” congratulating it on winning tlie championship, and said its were all good' sports and had deserved success. Mr S. Tidswell replied briefly, saying that he honed they would be aide to do so again. As captain, he would like to thank those players who had stood down at different times in order to allow now men to he tried out, but who came out again when required. Ho warned that they must still keen fit, because they had still to play the Saturday juniors. “The Fraser Road Team,” the run-ner-up, was toasted by Mr P. Slieahan,

\vlu> said that if it liad not been for tho Fraser Road'team there would have been no competition, and he added that members had all played like gentlemen. He referred to the difficulties experienced by the referees, and said that but for their strong action lie did not know where Wednesday football would have l>eeu. Mr Pullen, in responding, acknowledged the many kindnesses shown his team, and referred to the success of Gardner in securing the medal presented by Mr O’Shea for the best forward and to Tidswell for the best back. “The Referees” was given by Mr Eiger. who referred to the infinite trouble the union bad, especially in the early days, of getting good referees. He added that good firm action had been necessary, and that referees might be even stricter for the good of the name. He paid a glowing tribute to the work of Mr Clapliam, who had been one of the best men in the game, and said that he had helped the union very much. In .replying for the referees, Mr Clapham acknowledged the courtesy of the Ohangai Club, and congartulated it on its win. He reminded a ;1 l players that some of the games had been “over the odds.” and that this must be cut out entirely, remembering that footballer s generally went in for the sport of the game, and should be willing to learn from the experience of the referees, and for that,reason only men should be taken to referee who were deeply versed with the miles. He had suggested that two of the best referees travel and give demonstrations and lectures on tlie points of the game, and so improve the play. He personally was glad to have been of some assistance, and would, with all others, work in the nest .interests of the game. The health of Mr E. J. Nash, donor >f the two medals for best back and forward in the competition, was enthusiastically honoured. In proposing it, Mr Claphain said the very best coaches were required, because it was not always the players who won the matches, nut the men on the line, who had deep interest in the game. Mr Nash had been a great enthusiast and had previo.us'y been a representative player and head of the union in Hoipwlienua. He was sure Mr Nash would be an acquisition to Taranaki football management. Mr Nash, in reply, said he had been connected with football for over thirty years, and had played against Taranaki in the days of Bayiy, Lambie, o’Dowd a, YVata3n and Huglies, when, be s aid, he had no hesitation in stating that Taranaki was the premier football team of the Dominion. He was pleased to. do anything for the game, and would continue to do so. He thanked Mr R. Greenbanks fo,r making the choice wiliest forward and back. , Other toasts honoured were The Ohangai Selector,” proposed by Mr J. Her risk and responded, to by Messrs Sheahan and Milne, and ‘‘The Press, given, by Mr P. Sheahan, and responded to by Mr Page.

During the evening songs were given bv Messrs T. Coleman (2), A. Spice, Gardner (2), J. Russell, Thomson, Kahu Hinga, recitation and song by Mi- P- Sheahan, haka and concerted musical number by the Maoris. A 1 were extremely good and 1 thoroughly appreciated. The singing of “Auld Dang Syne” concluded a very jolly and. interesting evening.