DOUBLY FORTUNATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26793, 9 June 1948, Page 2

DOUBLY FORTUNATE

OTAGO RUGBY UNION SERVICE OF TWO STALWARTS "Any union would have been fortunate to have had either of the men we honour to-night. Otago has been more than doubly fortunate in having both, because one has in a sense been complementary to the other, and their combined services have far transcended the efforts of two ordinary individuals,” said the president of the Otago Rugby Football Union, Mr R. W. S. Botting, speaking of the services to Rugby given by Messrs H. Harris and V. G. Cavanagh, sen., at a complimentary social to those two men in the Rose Pavilion on Monday night. The function was attended by Rugby Union members, representatives of affiliated organisations, sub-union delegates, and the Mayor, Mr Cameron. In their youth, both had achieved representative honours, continued Mr Botting. They had not, as one so often saw now, ended their association with the game, but, after winning their spurs in the club administration, they graduated to provincial and then national bodies. Mr Harris became a New Zealand selector for four teams, including the 1905 All Blacks, who firmly established New Zealand s reputation in the Rugby world. “We next see them.” Mr Botting said, “ as managers of teams, Mr Harris eventually going as co-manager with the Maori team to England, while Mr Cavanagh coached 1 and managed the 1908 Otago team on its northern tour, which marks the last occasion on which Otago defeated Wellington at Wellington. “ While allowing nothing to interfere with genuine club loyalty, their zeal for Rugby carried them far beyond such parochial confines. Hence Mr Harris’s great record of service to the New Zealand Union as a member of the Management Committee, Selection Committee and Appeal Board until he finally reached presidential rank; and Mr Cavanagh’s outstanding service to the University and through the University Club to New Zealand,” concluded the president. Mr Cameron expressed his appreciation of the services of both Mr Harris and Mr Cavanagh to Rugby and to the city, and among others who supported his remarks and those of Mr Botting were Dr A. Perry and Messrs A. C. Haynes, D. C. Jolly and J. Donnelly. Mr Botting made a presentation to the guests, and Mr Harris and Mr Cavanagh, in their replies, spoke of the enjoyment and genuine pleasure their association with Rugby had brought them.