LOSS TO RUGBY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 3999, 28 May 1948, Page 5

LOSS TO RUGBY

MR G. LEWIS FAREWELLED PRESENTATION MADE FOOTBALL CLUB FUNCTION There was a large attendance at the smoke concert held by the West Football Club on Tuesday night in the All Services’ Club, Paeroa. Over 70 people were present, including members of the West Football Club, Netherton Football Club, United Football Club, Paeroa Referees’ Association, Paeroa Rugby Union, St. John Ambulance Association and friends and supporters of the club. The main purpose of the function was to say farewell to the president of the club, Mr Geo. Lewis, who is leaving Paeroa. Mr J. Sinnett was in the chair, and associated with him at the head of the table were Mr Lewis and Mr W. F. F. Faber, chairman of the Paeroa Rugby Union.

In making the presentation of a wall barometer to Mr Lewis, Mr Sinnett expressed the sincere regret of members of the club that Mr Lewis was leaving the town. He had been a good president, one who was prepared to work, and take an active part in the affairs of the club. He had made facilities for changing and hot showers available at his hotel, and these had •been much appreciated by the players. He assured Mr Lewis that he would carry away with him the best wishes of all players and supporters, and he trusted that when Mr or Mrs Lewis looked at the barometer, from time to time, they would find things " Set Fair” for them, and it would bring back pleasant memories of their association with the West Football Club. Rugby Union Tribute On behalf of the Paeroa Rugby Union, Mr Faber thanked Mr and Mrs Lewis for what they had done in providing for visiting teams. Accommodation of teams was a problem, but Mr Lewis had been always ready to do his best for any team sponsored by the Paeroa Rugby Union.

Mr H. E. Verran and Mr E. Hampton spoke on behalf of the players of the West Football Club. Mr J. Verran (United Football Club), Mr C. Ricketts (Netherton Football Club) and Mr W. Smith (St. John Ambulance Association) all spoke highly of Mr Lewis’ work in connection with football. Mr C. C. Webb, deputy mayor, tendered apologies on behalf of His Worship the Mayor, who arrived later in the evening, and on behalf of the citizens of Paeroa thanked Mr Lewis for the work he had done in assisting with worthwhile activities for the younger people of Paeroa. He had taken a keen interest in football, had inaugurated the Paeroa Boxing Association, had promoted one or two cricket matches, and had also been interested as a playing member of the Paeroa Bowling Club. In reply, Mr Lewis thanked everybody for the nice things they had said about them. His associations with the sports bodies, and particularly the West Football Club, had been more than pleasant. Wherever he went, or whatever happened, he woqld still maintain his interest in Paeroa and the many good friends he had made. He would be back frequently to renew old acquaintances.

Toasts honoured were: The King; Kindred Clubs, proposed by Mr W. Shilton, reply by Mr R. Coromandel. Referees, proposed by Mr N. R. Harris, reply Mr H. T. Grant. Paeroa Rugby Union, proposed by Mr K. McLeish, reply by Mr W. Faber. St. John Ambulance Brigade, proposed by Mr R. Todd, reply by Mr W. Smith. Artists, proposed by Mr K. Fitz Henry. Items were contributed by Mr Kibum concertina, Messrs Chum Bennett and C. Moore songs and guitar, Mr Geo. Anderson songs with guitar, Mr S. Bridge magic. Mr N. R. Harris was at the piano.