COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 231, 29 August 1938, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

UNIVERSITY RUGBY TEAMS. VISIT BY ENGLISH SIDE MOOTED A complimentary dinner was given by tlie New Zealand University Rugby Football Council, in Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s rooms, on Saturday evening, to the members of the teams which that afternoon contested the ’Varsity North v. South Island match. The president of the council (Mr T. O. Hislop) was in the chair. The Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr A. E. Mansford), Professor G. S. Peren, principal of Massey College, and Messrs A. M. Ongley, president of the New Zealand and Manawatu Rugby Unions, A. W. Hudson, president of the Massey College Football Club, and the captains of the teams were associated with him.

After proposing the toast of “ The King,” Mr Hislop proposed that of ‘The Mayor and Citizens of Palmerston North.”

In his reply, the Mayor stated that it was with pleasure that he and the residents of this city had combined to entertain the visiting teams. He had greatly enjoyed the display of football.

“The Island Teams” was the toast proposed by Mr Hudson, who said the match had been a very good one. He exhorted his hearers to always play a good, clean game. Mr P. Howden, the captain of the South Island team, responded. That the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Manawatu Union were indeed fortunate in having a man of Mr Ongley’s capabilities at their head was stressed by Mr J. Parker, the manager of the North Island team, when lie proposed the toast “The Manawatu Union,” with which was coupled the name of Air Ongle.v. Thanks were due, lie said,_ to the Manawatu Union for the efficient manner in which the arrangements had, been made for that day’s match. He also thanked Mr J. White (secretary) for the work lie had done in connection with the game. Mr Parker said he was pleased with the display the North Island team had given, and stated that the better team had wo u.

Replying, Mr Onglev said that Palmerston North was only the third city in the Dominion to witness the university match, and it was an honour to be able to see such a display. All had looked forward to seeing a good game, and he felt sure that none had been disappointed. There was a fellow feeling between tlie University Council and the Manawatu Union, for both bodies were striving to gain more recognition for the smaller unions. Air Ongley said he was of the opinion that those taking part in Rugby matches these day's were doing a great service for, of late,_ the type of manhood wanted was taking up other games. It was hoped that in 1940 an English University team would visit the Dominion; then, no doubt, several of those present would play against the side, Air Onglev concluded.

Mr D. O. Williams, a member of the council and an ex-member of the staff of Massey Agricultural College, proposed the toast of “Alassey College and the College Football Club, ”to which Professor Peren, principal of the college, replied. Professor Peren congratulated the South Island team on its win, and the North Island team on the manner in which it had lost. “The council is a body of men holding honorary positions and representing six universities, which are all located in different parts of New Zealand,” said Mr F. Sherwood in proposing the toast “The Council.” The council had been striving for some time towards the goal of putting University football on the map, and he felt that after the remarks passed by Air Ongley he could not help but feel assured that already university football had made its mark.

Air Hislop said he trusted that during the coming year—the most trying year —the training'and playing of the exponents would progress as much as the executive side had done during the past year. He could not thank Mr Ongley enough, for the interest he had taken in University football. Mr L. S. Drake, captain of the North Island team, proposed the toast “The Referee,” at the same time stating that the game had been excellent and that Air C. Taylor was deserving of thanks for the manner in which he had controlled it. Air Taylor replied.