OTAUTAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3470, 14 September 1920, Page 23

OTAUTAU.

September 10.—Tho social promoted by the Wallace A. and P. Association for the purpose of according a send-off to Mr and Mrs John 'Macdonald and family, held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, 7th inst., was attended by 300 people, visitors,being- present from all parts cf the western district and Invercargill. Apologies were received from Hon. G. J. Anderson, Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., and prominent Invercargill business men for non-attendance. Mr P. Beggs (president of the association) presided, and the following programme was rendered: —Songs by Misses xiolmes and Fisher, Messrs Hogg and Coulter, and a duet by Misses M'Dougall, each item meeting with the approval of the audience. Mrs Oupples . acted as accompanist. Speeches, paying tributes to the sterling qualities of Mr and Mrs Macdonald, were delivered by Messrs W. J. A. M'Gregor (Mount Linton), J. T. F. Mitchell (Invercargill), and John Lindsay, and Rev. A. Macdonald, the last-named, in concluding his address, stating- "He is leaving us, but wherever the name of. John Macdonald is mentioned it will be as the name* of an honest man, and an honest man is the noblest work of God." At an interval in the proceedings, Mr John Fisher, on behalf of members of the Wallace A. and P. Association and residents of Otautau district, presented Mrs Macdonald with a silvermounted oak tray and silver service and Mr Macdonald with a gold-mounted fountain pen as a token of the esteem in which they were held. A very enjoyable gathering concluded with a dance,, Mrs Cupples supplying the music, and Mr R. B. Collctt acting St M.G. OtautauV Hack Racing Club.—The annual meeting of the Racing Club was held on Wednesday evening, Mr M. O'Brien (President) presiding over an attendance of over 30 members. The chairman detailed the work which had been done during the past year, and the improvements proposed to be effected. He thanked all those who had come to the assistance of the club with donations, the committee for tho support accorded during the year, Mr W. F. James for his valuable assistance in preparing the_ plans and specifications, and all who had in any way assisted to promote the sport. The report and balance sheet were adopted, and the following office-bearers were elected: Mr W. A. E. H. Fraser wag unanimously

elected to the position of vice-president to fill the office for two "years; committeeMessrs W. E. Fords, J. T. Ryan, J H. Shoddan, W. Porteous, J. Price, and J. Miller.

Complimentary Social—About 80 were present on Thursday evening at the complimentary social tendered to the members of the Otautau First Fifteen on the occasion of their winning the Western District banner and cup, Mr Ewen Matheson (president) occupying the chair. A lengthy toast list was honoured, and songs were given byMessrs Treseder, D. Grieve, Hogg, G. Grieve, Kilgour, Brick, Brooker, and Smythe, Mr Jellyman playing the accompaniment. In the absence of Mr F. Mills (president of the Western District SubUnion), Mr M. O'Brien was called upon to present the banner and cup to the club. In a felicitous speech ho congratulated the team on the success achieved, mentioning during the course of his address that 135 points had been scored by the team, and only 19 -joints recorded against them, this being a very creditable performance, •and one which would be hard to beat. Their success was duo to the splendid organisation training and management. They had acted throughout in a clean and sportsmanlike manner, and no one begrudged them their win. but congratulated them on their success D. Baird, a New Zealand rep., had played for the club all the season, while lan Brown had been included as full back m the Southland team, while in the Western District team the club had seven representatives, and this was a record of which they could justly bo proud. The cun, had been won outright by Orepuki, but it had been genorously handed back for competition, and ho applauded their sportsmanlike action in doing so. Mr A. E. Ward, on behalf of Riverton Club, tendered his congratulations, stating that the team was deserving of every success, and he hoped it would continue to worthily uphold the good old game of Rugby. He also referred to the inclusion of D. Baird and T. Brown in the rep. matches, this being a great honour to the club. Messrs M. Gonley and J. Miller having donated medals for the best back and forward respectively during the season a vote resulted in D. Baird being acclaimed the best forward, while lan Brown was chosen as the best, back. The chairman, in making the presentations, also handed D. Band a handsome cigarette case from his club-mates for his 'help during the season. The evening was brought to a termination with "Auk! Lang Syne" and votes of thanks to all who had assisted. Special mention in this connection must be made of Messrs E. Matheson, D. Grieve, and J. Miller, who were responsible for the excellent arrangements.