OLD BOYS' FOOTBALL CLUB.

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1924, Page 7

OLD BOYS' FOOTBALL CLUB.

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT,

There was a muster of 57 members and guests of the Whangarei High School Old Boys' Football Club at the supper room at the Town Hall last evening. Mr Cliff Cameron, president of the club, was in the chair, and associated with, him w T ere Messrs W. A. Carruth, chairman of the Board of Governors; C. E. Woollev, president of the Old Pupils' Association; A. B. Charters, principal; and C. F. Collins, president of the Whangarei Rugby Union. The toast of "The School" was proposed by Mr F. J. Teat, who humorously declared that he was so old that it was difficult for him to remember any episodes to relate concerning his own school life. In acknowledgment Mr Charters said he supposed the school w r ould be part of his integral being in future as he would probably be there for the rest, of his teaching career. The reason he had taken up teaching again wa-? because he wished to get amongst the boys, and he signified that travelling about as an inspector was no sinecure. Very generous tribute was paid to the services of his predecessor, Mr R. Lupton, than whom no other man had done more in Whangarei in moulding character and in influencing the district. Mr Charters also repeated his opinion that provision of a girls' hostel was essential. He considered himself for : tunate in having the present teaching-' staff, and with any changes in the control of the school he believed the text "Hasten slowly" wrould be best. Referring to the fact that any changes made would be because no man could follow exactly on the lines of another. Mr Charters mentioned the cliangc about of certain players in the School football team as an instance. It hal been done largely at his suggestion and he felt that the boys had played their best football this year in consequence. Arrangements had been made for home and home matches with Mt. Albert Grammar School and the Whangarei team would visit Auckland this year. Reference was made to some of the chief failings evident in football generally in the district, and Mr Charters urged the necessity of fostering interest in the lower grades. The reception he had had in Whangarei had been of the best, and all he could say was that he wrould do his utmost to justify the cordial reception extended to him.

Mr Carruth proposed the health of ; the Old Pupils' Association and do- [ clared that all who wished to see the School prosper would realise that it was a good thing to have an Associa- . tion in connection wit'h it, the mem- j bers of which would remember the good I times they had had, and would help ! to foster the traditions of the school, i Mr Carruth declared that personally J lie was doing all "he could to make i Whangarei the educational centre of ! the North. Mr Woolley, who responded, paid j tribute to the interest the old pupils I had taken in the matches in the afternoon, and wished that they would show a similar interest in the Association. The executive should Have the whole-hearted backing of members, and it should be much stronger numerically than it was. When proposing the toast of the Whangarei Rugby Union, Mr Quinn congratulated the Management Committee upon having introduced the third grade competition with a defined ■weight limit. He/ agreed Avith Mr Charters that the standard of football was not high, and contended that the Union should have more support thaji it had at present. It v.-as also es- j sential that there should be more re- ' ferees to improve the game in the district. Next to the Borough Council, said Mr Collins in reply, the Rugby Union j was perhaps the hardest body to control in the district. He liked criticism, especially if it was constructive. Arrangements were . being made for a fourth grqde competition and it might be started next year, as the third grade this season had been fairly successful. Playing against teams from outside was essential to keep local football up to standard, and Mr Collins announced that Ponsonby would visit Whangarei next Thursday, followed by Grafton and Grammar Old Boys. Mr Collins criticised adversely the amount of training done by players. Of its | kind forward play in Whangarei was equal to any other, but it lacked the liner points. As for the standard play of backs, it was not good. The Union had nearly 400 players in the field every .Saturday. Another senior team ' would be in the field next season and he would like to see more. The seven-a-side tournament he considered a fine thing, good for the players, and welcome to spectators. In conclusion he 'insisted that every club should have its own coach. | Mr H. E. G. Smith proposed the I toast of the Referees' Association, and after recounting in happy vein a Maori's view of the duties of a referee, he urged the necessity of player? studying the rules of the game. Players were fortunate if they made mistakes, as they were simply penalised, whereas if a referee made one mistake he wis "done." There were not many referees who really enjoyed their duties, but they acted in the interests of the game. In acknowledgment, Mr S. V. Fulljam.es endorsed the opinion of the need of players studying the rule-books. | There were 18 referees in the Whanga-

rei Association, but there was room for more. Mr Fulljames added a I warning that it had been noticeable that players were playing the man and the association intended to put that offence down. When proposing the toast of "Kindred Sports," Mr W. A. Given said that he esteemed it an honour as he j had taken a practical interest in all games except golf and two-up. The reason Ik 1 had not taken up the former was because he knew only one language, and the latter because he was afraid of the police. He hoped that the players got as much fun out of their games as he did as a critic. Mr J. McLeod responded, and declared that the comprehensive term kindred sports was important, as it embraced all those who came under a worthy designation. A good sport must know how to take a beating.. Mr H. Fleming proposed the toast of the Old Boys Club, and traced its doings since its inception three seasons ago. Ho was glad to sec that if they could not win they could take a beating well. In reply, Mr Carruth said that lie hoped the Club would meet with more success next year. It had had some good games, and the members congratulated Ivamo Club upon its success. He thought the Old Boys could well consider taking up hockey and cricket, for confining themselves to football 1 seem to him to be one-sided. The chairman acknowledged the toast, and urged upon members that it w r as not fair to the coach that, with the facilities that existed only some five seniors and half a dozen juniors should attend practice. The toast of The Ladies was proposed by Mr A. Atterbury and responded to by Mr N. Jack, who declared that the old pupils fully recognised their indebtedness to them for help in . connection with the reunions. ! The toast of The Press was proposed by Mr N. Jack, and that of The Mus(icians bj*- Mr J. Murdoch, to which Mr C. D. Dawson responded. ! The Club was fortunate in the musical talent which contributed so largely to the enjoyment of the evening. Songs were contributed to Messns J. ' McGregor, L. Weston, Magnus Fraser, j F.' J. Teat and H. Parker, and recita(tions by Messrs C. D. Dawson and Fraser. Messrs H. Parker and C. v . [ Collins played the accompaniments, | and especially enjoyed were the songs [ with rousing choruses. The evening J concluded in the time-honoured w\ay with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne.''