VALEDICTORY GATHERING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 192, 16 July 1941, Page 9

VALEDICTORY GATHERING

In honour of Mrs T. Simpson, who has been prominent in croquet circles for several years and who is leaving Pahnerston North to take up her residence in Auckland, a representative gathering of players was licld at tlie .kosco tearooms yesterday afternoon, the function being organised by the .Northern Club, of which Mrs Simpson is a member. There were present representatives of the Manawatu Croquet Association and afhiiated clubs, I'eilding, Oroua, Manakau, Takaro and Manawatu. Mrs H. Brown, president of the Northern Club, presided, and associated with her were Mesdames W. J. Robertson, president of the Manawatu Croquet Association, iSpcnee (Feilding), a vice-president, M. Lee, secretary of the Northern Club, S. J. Parkes,' secretary of the association, MeMurray and K. McDonald, conimitjtee members. Mrs Lee presented Mrs | Simpson with an artistic shoulder spray, a similar compliment being paid Airs Robertson, both floral tributes being the work of Mrs W. M. Tapp. Mrs Drown said Airs Simpson was a most valued player and one of their best and most painstaking. She would leave a gap in their ranks it would be hard to till. She presented to Aire Simpson an electric kettle ami expressed the good wishes of all the members. On behalf of the Manawatu Croquet Association Mrs Robertson presented Mrs Simpson with a bedside lamp as a token of appreciation for all she bad done as official referee and assistant handicapper. Mrs Simpson, who was accorded musical honours and cheers, thanked the Northern Club for its kind wishes and gift. She was touched that so many croquet players had attended the gathering. She had been a member of the Northern Club 16 years. and recalled that she owed her early instruction to Mesdames Bovis, Madden and Jickell, and had been associated with the Manawatu Croquet Association for fifteen years. Mrs Simpson also thanked the association for its handsome gift and voiced her appreciation of the help given her at all times by .Mrs Robertson, also by Mrs Anstis (handicapper), and the referees. She wished Airs Wood, her successor, all success in the work. She could not speak too highly of the help and cooperation she had received from the committees at Northern Club. She hoped to return to participate in tournaments and members going north would be sure of a warm welcome at Iter homo at Brown's Bay, Auckland. Mesdames Bryant, Parkes, Spooner, Spence. Gould, Amies, and MeMurray added their felicitations. Airs AfcMurray eulogising the splendid support Mrs Simpson had given the Northern Club. Airs Simpson, who is a scratch player, has served in many capacities with the Northern Club and latterly as president, and also in the Manawatu Croquet Association as official referee and assistant handicapper.