FOOTBALL BANQUET.

Northern Advocate, 20 September 1910, Page 6

FOOTBALL BANQUET.

AUCKLAND TEAM ENTERTAINED.

(Hikurangi Correspondent)

After the football match of Saturday last between Auckland and Hikurangi, tho visiting players were entertained at Rocksbelle House by the Hikurangi Rugby Union at a dinner. The dinner was laid out in host Sutherland's best style, and opinion was freely expressed that it could not hr.ye been surpassed by some of the best hotels in the city.

At precisely 6.30, fifty all told 3at down to the repast, and after much havoc had been wrought amongst the dainties and delicacies provided, Mr J. Murdoch, who was,in the chair, with Mr Tilley, manager (Auckland) on his rightj' and Mr Heath, selector (Auckland) on his left, prepared the first toast iof the evening—"The King"— which was observed enthusiastically with musical honors.

Mr J. Mitchell sang "The Sleeping Camp." y

"The Visting Team," was proposed, by the Chairman, coupled with fie names of Mr Tilley (manager), Mr Heath (secretary), and Mr Archie Campbell (Captain), the local men heartily chorusing" "They Are Joily Good Fellows." Mr Tilley, in response, said he hoped to see a reunion of Hikurangi and Whangarei, and a. Northern Union formed next year. He thought it would be better for football in the North. Mr A. Campbdl eulogised the. local-team, and said he had never played in such a cloan game, with so little talking. Mr Heath paid a neat tribute to the local team, and said several of them, if they were in Auckland, would be bound to catch his eye.

Mr Archie Campbell sang "I Love a Lassie."

The next toast was that of the "Hikurangi Rugby Union," proposed by Mr Tilley. (At this stage tho visiters gave the American warcry, "-jive 'Em the Axe.') Mr Dunn, one of the r=sponders, said that the Auckland team's visit would tend to strengthen the local union, whose members keenly appreciated the assistance received fr?m the Auckland Rugby Union. Mr Dickson, in the course of his reply, said that it was the intention of the local union to send a team to the Bay of Islands this season. Mr Heath recited "McMullen," and Mr W. Moore sang "I've Got Rings On My Fingers." Other toasts were: —"The Referee" which Mr Kivell acknowledged; "The Press," responded to by Mr J. Mitchell ("Northern Advocate") ; "The Ladies," to which Mr W. Bayliss made reply. Mr E. Harper sang "Ha! Ha! Ha: " and Mr Webb warbled "Timothy Titus." The pianoforte accompaniments were expertly played by* Mr Jack Hines. Messrs J. Swinbanks and E. Hannan. joint secretaries, efficiently backed by a committee consisting of Messrs P. Munrd, J. Guthrie, and A. Guthrie, were most assiduous in their attentions to the visiting footballers and other quests. With the singing of "Avid Lang Syne," a most pleasant ceremony came to a close, and the Aucklanders departed for Whangarei, whence, they were to return to their city early on Monday morning.