SOCCER SOCIAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 1 September 1925, Page 10

SOCCER SOCIAL.

GATHERING AT MANAIA. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. Supporters of the ‘‘soccer” code were present in force at the smoke concert held in the Manaia Town Hall supper room on Friday evening under the auspices of the Manaia Association lootball Club. Arranged with the object of commemorating Manaia’s success in securing the Julian Cup and the Chinese Citizens’ Cup this season, the social attracted an attendance of approximately 70 enthusiasts, and while it mav not alwavs be the fortune of the club to be aide to hold gatherings for such a specific purpose, the encouraging support thus evinced fully warranted the suggestion that the function should be made an annual one. Mr W. Adams (president of the Taranaki Football Association) occupied the chair. Apologies for absence were received from Mr W. Vincent (president of the Manaia Club) owing to illness. and Mr J. Remviek (Hawera Club). An interesting toast list, interspersed with varied items of song and story, combined in rendering the prograamme highly enjoyable, while particular interest centred in the presentation of the cups and other trophies by the association president. 'Following the loyal toast. Mr G. Edwards (the Manaia Club coach) proposed “The Taranaki Association.” Mr Edwards expressed his pleasure in proposing the health of the body of men to whose efforts the game in the province owed so much. He thought that as long as such able and enthusiastic officials as those who at present constituted the executive were in charge of administrative affairs the game would go ahead. All the executive members were keen in promoting the development of the sport, and if the clubs would do their share and continue to give loyal co-operation players need have no fears concerning the future of the “soccer” code in the province.

The response was made hv Messrs W. Adams (president of the association) and M‘. H. Kendall (secretary). For the work done by the association Mr Adams gave much credit to Mr Kendall, who, as secretary, had proved an able and most enthusiastic official. The efforts of the association during the year had been centred in building un a reputation of the game, and he thought that in the near future they would have an even stronger combination than that which existed before the war, when the standard was at its best. It was honed to increase the number of teams in next season’s competition, and a movement which was afoot to establish a northern division ■augured well for the success of that objective. He was quite sanguine concerning the ultimate rise of .the game in public opinion if players would endeavour to present it at its best. Foxcourtesies extended he wished to express thanks to the Rugby- Union officials and players, who had shown the spirit of true sportsmanship in assisting the association in any way possible.

Mr Kendall expressed appreciation of the co-operation of the various clubs and the work of their representatives on the association, to whom he gave credit for whatever progress had been made. He strongly supported the remarks made by the president concerning sup.,.--ters’of the Rugby code, and drew attention to the action of the Rugby teams, which, though they had eylftaged the Hawera ground on June 3, had kindly consented to their game being played as a curtain-raiser to the Hawera "v. Wanganui representative “soccer” fixture when apprised of the difficulty in arranging a ground for the latter.

“The Chinese Citizens of Taranaki” was proposed by Mr Adams, who expressed the thanks due to the Chinese residents for their generosity in presenting two c-ups to commemorate the visit of the Chinese University students! team. One of these had gone home with the team as a reminder to the players of their contests in New Zealand, while the other trophy had been donated to the association, and would be competed for annually in the elimination contest conducted in conjunction with the provincial competition.

Mr H. A. Morgan, who was called upon to respond, returned the conventional thanks, stating he could only assume from his observation of the race that had any Chinese been in attendance they would have noted with extreme pleasure the evident appreciation of their gifts and the enthusiastic manner in which the toast had: been honoured.

The Julian Cup won by the Manaia players as the season’s champions and the Chinese Citizens’ Cup, which they secured in the elimination competition, were handed over by the president. Mr Adams referred to the Manaia Club as one of the keenest and best supported in the province. He congratulated the players on their success, and inferred that the fact they had won both trophies proved conclusively that the team had been the best one in the competition. The trophies were accepted on behalf of the club by the captain (Mr H. Pollard). who thanked the president for his attendance and took the opportunity to commend the players on their loyalty, which had been the main factor in tl'.e success achieved.

Mr R. G. Muggeridge expressed thanks to the Waimate Witness and Mr P. P. Hammonds for gold medals donated for award to the club’s two best players in their respective positions. In presenting these to I). Betteridge (right back) and W. Buck! (goalkeeper), the president, said that in their respective positions there were no better players in the competition. Other toasts were: “Visiting Teams” (Mr G. Edwards —Messrs W. Ramsay, Hawera, and H. Roberts, Auroa); Kindred Snorts” (Mr S. R. S. Blair — Messrs W. J. Badlev. Rugbv. Crawford Watson, cricket, and A. W. Lowery, hockey!; “Eeferees” (Messrs H. Pollard —F. G. Peters): “The Sole Selector.”( —Messrs W. Budd—M. H. Kendall) : “The Manaia Club” (Messrs F. Hartley—R. G. Muggeridge); “The Visitors” (Messrs Muggeridge—J. F. Ward! ; “The Entertainers” (Messrs G. Edward—o. Fnrlcin): and “The Press (Mr M. H. Kendall). The toast “The Ladies” was sponsored in happv vein bv the chairman. "In response. Mr R. C. Muggeridge extended the customary compliments, and on behalf of the club proposed a vote of thanks, which was carried with musical honours, to Miss White, of Manaia. for her appreciated, assistance in decorating and preparing the tables for the function.

During his response to the toast “Kindred Sports,” Mr W. .T. Badlev offered to donate a gold medal to the association for presentation to the best gonlkeeper in the coming season's competition. The offer was accepted by the president, at whose call three cheers were given in appreciation. The following contributed items of song and storv: Messrs T. Butler, H. A. Morgan, W. Ramsay, W. Budd, O. Furt'in. W. Marvin. J. H. Forrester, B. Badland, T. Sherlock. C. , Denman and. Crawford Watson. Pianoforte ac"ompanimfents were played by Mr Furkin. • -kjtf