VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2801, 16 November 1931, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

:o: MR G. A. GIBSON HONOURED. FOOTBALLERS’ SMOKE CONCERT Mr G. A. Gibson, who for the past two and a quarter years has been paymaster at the local office of the Public Works Department, and who has been promoted to the head office for the Taumarunui district was, on Saturday evening, the guest of the East Football Club, at a smoke concert in the Gaiety Theatre supper room. Mr W. E. Ward, chairman of the Paeroa Rugby Union, was in the chair, and there were forty odd members and supporters of the East Club and employees of the Public Woi’ks Department present. The evening was a very enjoyable one, a long toast list being honoured and many musical items being rendered. In proposing the guest of the departig guest, Mr W. E. Ward said that in the Public Service a man had to move on to receive promotion, and while all Mr Gibson’s friends would rejoice with him nt his promotion to a head office, they were sorry that he was leaving Paeroa. In all branches of sport Mr Gibson had played the game for the game's sake and was a player who could always be relied upon. He knew that he was voicing the sentiments of all present in wishing Mr Gibson God-speed and the best of good luck. Mr Ward then presented Mr Gibson with two photographs of the teams in “which he had played, and with a toilet set in a leather case, explaining that these were slight tokens of the esteem in which he was held by the East Football Club. Other speakers referred to Mr Gibson in the course of proposing or responding to other toasts. Mr J. M. Crosby referred to him as a citizen, and of the part he had taken in various sports. Mr C. Callaghan told of the esteem in which Mr Gibson was held by all the local employees of the Public Works Department, and of their regret that his well deserved promotion could not be given him without transferring him from Paeroa.

Mr W. Taylor, captain of the Wanderers' cricket team said that Mr Gibson was the team’s star fielder, and a player who could always be depended upon. He was one of those men who did not have to be run after, but rather was the sort who did any job that required doing without being asked. This was endorsed by Mr Meacham, past secretary of the Paeroa Cricket Club, and a member of the executive of the Paeroa Swimming Club. Mi’ Gibson was a sport in the true sense of the word. Mr Kerr, on behalf of the Railway footballers, also paid a tribute to Mr Gibson’s sportsmanship, as also did Mr H. Moore, captain of the East team, and Mr G. Taylor, of the West team. Mr Gibson replied very briefly, expressing his thanks for the presents and for the kind references to him.