Rugby Union Farewells Mr. And Mrs. A. D. McBell

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1944, Page 2

Rugby Union Farewells Mr. And Mrs. A. D. Mcßell

Member of the Whangarei Rugby Union for the past six years, chairman of the management committee for three years, and also a member of the management committee of the North Auckland Rugby Union, Mr. A. D. McDell, who is leaving Whargarei this week, was i'arewelled by footballers at a gathering on Saturday. The function had been arranged by the Whangarei Rugby Union and the union secretary (Mr. D. Ross) acted as chairman.

A tribute to the work of Mr. McDoll on the North Auckland Union, especially as regards school football, was paid by the North Auckland president (Mr. J. Finlayson), who wished Mr. and Mrs. McDell and their family every happiness in their new home. Past president of the Whangarei Union (Mr. L. Garry), spoke of the interest shown by Mr. McDell in all sports, more especially among the youth of the district, and said that in this connection, Mr. McDell had been ably assisted by Mrs. McDell., On behalf of the Referees’ Association and of the Council of Sport, of which Mr. McDell was a member, Mr. W. A. Mardon spoke, while Mr. N. Harris, a member of the management committee of the Whangarei Rugby Union, made a presentation to Mr. McDell from footballers. In doing so, Mr. Harris spoke of the happy relations for Rugby that had prevailed between Mr. McDell and other members of the union during his residence in Whangarei. . 23 Years In Rugby Administration In his reply, Mr. McDell said that he had been connected with the administration of Rugby for 23 years, the past 6V2 in Whangarei. Speaking of the Whangarei Rugby Union, Mr. McDell said that the union had now been placed cn a sound financial footing,, clear of debt. He spoke of the service to the game of the union secretary (Mr. D. Ross) and of the previous secretary (Mr. L. Morgan), especially mentioning' Mrs. Morgan, for her ready assistance to the union over a number of years. Touching cn the Council of Sport, Mr. McDell said that in this organisation. Rugbv had a great asset. He thanked speakers for the tribute to Mrs. McDell and also for the kindly references to himself, concluding by wishing the union every success. Mr McDell, who has been on the staff of the Whangarei High School, has been appointed to the'Waitoa school, and takes up his new’ duties after the term holidays.