MEW HAWKES BAY RUGBY UNION PRESIDENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 April 1939, Page 11

MEW HAWKES BAY RUGBY UNION PRESIDENT

MR C. H. BUNKER LENGTHY EXPERIENCE AS PLAYER AND ADMINISTRATOR A former Nelson and Hawkes Bay representative, Mr C. H. Bunker who was elected new president of the Hawkes Bay Rugby Union at the annual meeting of delegates in Napier recently, has taken a keen and active interest in the sport throughout his life and is well fitted to occupy the position to which he has been appointed. Born at Kumara, West Coast, he spent his boyhood days in the Nelson district and when 14 years of age started to play club football. Three years later he was in the senior grade (Rival Club, Nelson) and later represented Nelson for three seasons, comjmencing in 1908. On moving to Hast- [ ings in 1911 he played for various clubs, for in those years before the Great War there were many clubs the lives of which were only one season. He continued playing until he suffered a broken leg in 1914, and after this injury had healed he took up hockey, playing for the Methodist team, familiarly known as the "Mimis.” In 1918 Mr Bunker linked up with the Hastings Club and played Rugby regularly until his retirement in 1924. During those years he represented Hawkes Bay on many occasions $s a forward, though in club football he was a utility player, for he filled every position in the field. Upon his retirement from active participation in the game he continued his interest in the sport by lending a hand with its administration and has been treasurer of the Hastings Club since, being president for the past three years. Mr Bunker has interested himself in other branches of sport. He has played hockey, taken part in amateur athletics and cricket, and has displayed a keen interest in boxing, being the first chairman of the Hastings Gymnastic and Boxing club. He is fond of tramping and shooting. Always a lover of dogs, in recent years Mr Bunker has enjoyed considerable success both as a breeder and an exhibitor of dogs.