MANAIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 20 August 1910, Page 5

MANAIA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

[ The complimentary smoke coaicert | tendered to Messrs Wilson and Birchall by the members and supporters of the Waimate Football Club took place in the" supper room of the Town Hall last evening, and was well attended^ there being fully sixty present. | Mr A. G. Bennett occupied the chair with the guests of the evening on either side and Mr T. Taylor, one o| the vicepresidents, and an enthusiastic supporter in the vice-chair, supported by the captain, Mr J .S. McKay. The proceedings opened with the toast "The King," after which Mr Bennett proposed the health of t>he guests, Messrs Wilson and Birchall, and in doing so mentioned the good work Mr Wilson had done in helping to bring tho team up to its state of proficiency by his advice, and also gave a short history of Ms ca.cer as a footballer, commencing at the ago of 17 as a rep. He held him up as a thorough good sport, willing to stand out without murmuring if the selectors did not pick hire and always ready to fill a gap if required. He also dwelt on Mr Birchall's good qualities and said that the younger players might well follow his example, as he was always one of the first at practices and training, and the team were always certain that he would be on the ground when the match was on. The Chairman then presented the guests, Mr Wilson with a purse of sovereigns and Mr Birchall with a pair of siher-backed military hair brushes, and wished them every success in their new homes on behalf of the players and supporters. Both the guests suitably responded and thanked the donors for the presents which were unexpected, and saioT that they would always look back on the years spent in Waimate with pleasure. They were sorry to sever their connection with the old club and hoped to hear of its success in the future. The< Chairman also danted the medals presented by Messrs Calder and ■ C. H. Taylor for the most consistent back and forward in the team. The former was won by Mr D. Ryan and the latter by Mr J. S. McKay. Both recipients thanked the committee for the honor done to them, but thought they could have picked some one more .worthy. The following toasts were also proposed: — "The Selectors," coupled with the names of Messrs Christie and E. Burke; "Waimate Club" (McKay, Prince and C. Burke); "Old Players" (Hughes, Vine and Bigham) ; "The Ladies" (Gorringe and Garrigan) ; "The Supporters" (T. and C. Taylor); "Our Opponents" (Mr R. Roberts); "Our Rer>s." (M. McLeod, Taylor, Roberts), and Franklin; "The Vice-Presidents". (Meldon, F. Taylor, Hughes and Arniitage); "The Press" (Mr Byrne). Dunne the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Silva, Gorringe, AY. Borrie, Donald, McLeod, and C. Burke, and recitations by Messrs H. Hill and J. Barclay. The gathering broke up about midnight with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," and was one of the most successful and enjoyable social evenings field in Manaia.