VALEDICTORY.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1447, 3 August 1933, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

MR. A. ’STORY FAREWELLED.

On Wednesday evening members of the Matamata Rugby Football Club foregathered in the training

shed to bid farewell to Mr. Albert Story, who is leaving the district, and for about eight years has been one of the most prominent Rugby players in the Matamata and Waikato districts. There were 53 present, representing all branches of sport, and Mr. J. H. Hawes acted as chairman. The toast list was a short one, and after the loyal toast had been honoured, and also that of the Matamata Rugby Union, which j was proposed by Mr. W. Egan and responded to by Mr. J. E. Cum- j mings, the toast of the guest of the evening was taken. In proposing this toast, Mr. Hawes said that for seven or eight years Mr. Story had been recognised as the finest forward in the Matamata district. He had represented not only his club with distinction, but also the Matamata and Waikato representative teams, and of late years had become one of the most popular figures in the game. He had always played the game as it should be played, and had been a model of physical fitness. On behalf of numerous admirers he had great pleasure in asking Mr. Story to accept a slight token of their esteem.

Mr. Plawes then presented Mr. Story with a solid leather silvermounted suitcase suitably inscribed. Mr. Dan Ensor, captain of the Matamata Club, and also of the Matamata and Waikato representatives, seconded Mr. Hawes’ remarks, slating that there was no doubt but that Mr. Story would be missed by hundreds in the Matamata district who had for years recognised his outstanding ability on the football field. Personally, he would miss Mr. Story, not only on the field of play, but as a fine friend. He sincerely hoped that they had not seen the last of the guest they were proud to honour.

Others who spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr. Story’s ability, and praised his demeanour both on and off the field, were Messrs. Basil Inman, J. E. Cummings, Phil Cotter, J. Green, and a representative of the Maoris, who depicted . Mr. Story’s characteristics in picturesque language.

Musical honours were accorded the guest of the evening, after which Mr. Story replied in feeling terms. He stated that he had enjoyed every minute of his association with Matamata Rugby players, and would always have very pleasant recollections of his stay in the district. He would leave behind him many fine friends from whom he was lulh + o part, but he hoped he had by no means seen the last of them. Before sitting down Mr. Story paid a handsome tribute to the management committee of the Matamata Rugby Union, which in his opinion governed the game of Rugby as it should be governed, and whose administration would be hard to beat anywhere in New Zealand.