OKAIAWA CRICKETERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 13 April 1927, Page 2

OKAIAWA CRICKETERS.

PRESENTATION OF DISTRICT SHIELD.

CLUB’S ANNUAL BALL

The annual ball promoted by the Okaiawiai Cricket Club- has- lor many years been regarded as a- most popular fixture, but, with the additional attraction of the presentation -to. the- club of the South Taranaki championship shield, this year’s ball, which was held iu the Town Hall last evening, was very successful. : There was an attendance ol over 300 couples, including visitors from all parts of South Taranaki, the accommodation of the ball being taxed to the utmost. The ballroom had been tastefully decorated by members of the club and the ladies’ committee, with streamers, bunches of dowers and greenery. The supper room was similarly decorated, vases of many beautiul and choice dowers, most of which were from the garden of Air. E. G. Betts, president of -the club, being set out ufion the neatly arranged tables. The door was in excellent condition for dancing, and music was -supplied by Boulton's orchestra. Just prior to -supper the presentation of the- -shield was made by the representative of the South Taranaki Cricket Association.

The president of the club, Air. B. G. Betts, expressed his pleasure at the large attendance ol : and supporters of tire club. He announced -bliat Air. B. McCarthy, president of the South Taranaki Association, had intended to make the presentation, but in his unavoidable absence, Air. J. Nielsen had consented to hand i-he shield to the club. He expressed himself as being proud of his association with the club, not merely because its team had won the district competition, but oil account of the gentlemanly behaviour of its members, both on and off the held. He said that a better set of sportksmen would be difficult to meet anywhere, for, in addition to winning the shield, they hail played the game for the game’s sake. He expressed appreciation. of the sporting spirit shown by the Hawera players iu arranging matches each week to keep tiie team in an efficient state for its meeting with the northern winners (Western Park), which would take place on Easter Afonday'. In presenting the shield to the captain of the team, Air. Nielsen congratulated the club upon its win, and remarked that the present was the third occasion upon which he had attended at- the presentation of the shield to the Okaiawa team. He considered that the success was due to the splendid combination of the -players, and the marked consistency of the opening batsmen. In a jocular vein, he mentioned that the Hawera teams were very keen to carry off the championship, and next year proposed to make a strong bid for supremacy. In conclusion, he wished the team every success for the provincial championship match. Air. F. G. Treweek, a member of the Hawera Club, also- added to the congratulations of the town players, who, he -said, had enjoyed the matches with the Okaiawa team. He referred to the splendid support given to the team by the Okaiawa residents, the -ladies as well as the men -being most enthusiastic, and he felt -that this was largely responsible for the -club’s -success. Afr. H. R. Penny, captain of the team, -referred to the (loyal Support which had -been given to him by each member during the season, and he hoped that this would be continued in the Jean periods as well as the successful .years. He expressed appreciation of the remarks of the visiting speakers, and -said that the team had particularly enjoyed the games played at Hawera, on account of the excellentplaying ground there. He referred to the fact that the occasion was the third upon which he had accepted the Shield on behalf of the club, and pointed out that- the trophy had been originally carved by Air. P. M. Pratt, a promiuent member of the club. He hoped that the team would secure further honour for the club by winning the match to be played against Western Park.

A splendid supper was provided by the ladies’, committee, upon whom the bulk of the work of organising the ball had fallen, and, as usual they had carried out their duties in a most efficient manner.

The popular joint secretaries, Alessrs A. Betts and B. Barclay, acted as Al’s.O., and did splendid work in. ensuring the pleasure of the dancers.