SPORTSMAN DEPARTS

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 1855, 2 August 1937, Page 1

SPORTSMAN DEPARTS

MR. J. E. CUMMINGS Trip to Europe A larg'3 .gathering of sportsmen assembled in the Matamata Club on Friday evening to bid. farewell to Mr. J. E. Cummings, who for about' 25 years has . been associated with Rugby football as player, referee, secretary and president of the Matamata Rugby Union. Mr. Cummings has aiso been chairman and secretary of the Board of, Trustees of Bedford Park since it was given to the district by Bowler brothers. The large attendance testified to .the esteem, with.. .wfyieh . Mr. .Cummings, wasi, rer garded in ;; spp.rting..c,ir.cTes lV ai>d,_..sincere regret was. heard ,on all .sides that, .has compelled him to, relinquish his, various offices and. to take an' extended .holiday, . . r .. .

Mr. j. .Downie presided, .and re-, marked op,.the,pleasure it gave to ail. to see such g,large and representative, attendance, . although, all regretted that- they. were., to, lose “ Jack ” for some tim^'.at r least. Everybody -envied him, [however, so far as ,the trip Home was concerned. Mr, .Cummingsy although not a foundation member,, had been a member of the club for. many years, and. at one. time had been president, when there, had, been a struggle .to keep th,e organisation going. Members offered congratulations on his marriage, and wished him a happy and prosperous future. Mr. L._ n. Little supported Mr. Downie and assured the guest of the evening that he would be travelling ( with tne very best wishes of members. Mr. Cummings had proved it was .-never too late to start and they offered sincere congratulations on his marriage. “ Jack ” had been one of the club’s best members, and had taken charge ■Vvhen the club was at a low ebb with much success. In travelling over the old : battlefieds in France he had no doubt “Jack” would be able to recount many things as to what “ Daddy did in the Great War.” They hoped he would be speedily restored to complete health and would enjoy every minute of the trip.

On behalf of club members Mr. Little then presented Mr. Cummings with a solid leather travelling bag.

Speaking on behalf of the Matamata Rugby Union, Mr.. J. E. Barker (vice-president) remarked that Mr. Cummings’ place would be really difficult to fill, and that Bedford Park would not seem the same place without him, so great had his influence been in Rugby circles. Mr. Cummings had been secretary of the union for about 12 years and president for a similar period, and it was largely the result of his wise guidance that the Matamata Rugby Union had earned such a reputation throughout the Waikato in regard to management. He was sure that Mr. Cummings’ association with the game in Matamata constituted a record, and his place would be very hard to 'fill. They wished him every, happiness, a speedy restoration to health and a safe return.

On behalf of the Rugby Union, Mr. Barker presented Mr. Cummings with a camera.

Mr. Steve Stockdale, one of the oldest of Matamata business men, supported the previous speakers, causing

amusement by reference to war-time associations. In reply, and-speaking with deep feeling, Mr. Cummings thanked all for their good wishes. He intended to visit England and the Continent, and revisit old familiar spots. If he could be of any. assistance to those who had loved ones resting there he would be mnly too pleased to regard it as a duty to be fulfilled. He was sorry to sever for the time being his associations of - which he had very pleasant- ! Ihemoriesy 1 hrid he wished club : ineinbefs ' every success with their new'venture. Regarding the Rugby Union he- had 'been keen on the game and anything lie had done to fost-ev Ne*w Zealand’s national pastnW?' had given him the ’very greatest pleasure. ' Fid intended to return after- exten(fed;/holiday and might settle again in Matamata,. where “hdd 'ma'de mariy"true fri'endi!' It' -'wa's "''veFy lia'rd , , tb' ' part arid 'he. thaifkd'd 1 * tftfeVn 'sinberely " for their kind-.fern-afrit's arid' the"present’s given.'