ORAWIA NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21195, 23 September 1930, Page 9

ORAWIA NOTES

PRESENTATION OF BANNER. (From Our Correspondent.) Over 100 members and supporters of the Western Star club assembled in the Orawia Hall on Wednesday evening at the smoke concert to celebrate the winning of the banner in the Western District competition for the 1930 season. Most of the clubs in the district were represented, while several members of the sub-union, including the president, Mr A. H. Lindsay, were also present. Mr J. Laurie, president of the Western Star club, presided. The chairman extended a hearty welcome to all present. Aft'er the loyal toast had been honoured Mr J. McLaren was called upon to propose the toast, of “The Western District Sub-union,” and in response Mr Lindsay, the president, said that during the past season everything had gone smoothly and satisfactorily, due to the delegates turning up regularly to the meetings. Foptball in the Western District was hard to control on account of the fact that" the seven clubs were a considerable distance apart. The appointment of neutral referees had been a good move, as it made for better feelings between the clubs and made the game more friendly. In supporting these remarks Mr J. C. Millar paid a tribute ’to the good work done by the delegates, who had attended the meetings at considerable inconvenience to themselves. The delegates from Orawia had not missed a meeting. They had come a long way, and were out for the good of football in the Western District. The 'game had improved 100 per cent, during the past season. He congratulated the members of the Western Star team on the great fight they had put up. They deserved everything they had earned, and the various clubs in the •'district were pleased to see them premiers for the season. , The toast of “Visiting Delegates from other Clubs” was entrusted to Mr J. Phillips. In reply Mr R. Murray (Ohai) said it was a great achievement for a team living in such a scattered district to have won the competition, and the members of tne Ohai club had no regrets in handing the trophy over. He trusted the club would retain the banner for a good many years. Messrs T. Muir (Otautau) and J. C. Millar (Orepuki) also spoke to the toast. Mr C. King, in proposing the toast of “The Southland Team,” said that although the team had not managed to retain the Ranfurly Shield they had done fairly well, and every Southlander was proud of the fight they had put up against Canterbury that day. In reply Mr C. Mills, an ex-member of the -representative team, said it was a great

honour to represent the province, and this was some slight compensation for the training he had to undergo and the pleasures he had to give up to attain this position. Mr Porter said Southland-were defeated by a better one (Wellington) and they took their beating in a proper spirit. It was the aim of every footballer to don the representative jersey, and if he was picked next season he would do his utmost to bring, the laurels back to Southland. There were many eligible players in the Western District teams, , and he trusted to see a number of them included in next year’s representative team to assist in bringing the, Shield back with them. The toast of “Kindred Sports” was proposed by Mr A. Findlay, Who referred to the fact that football had placed New Zealand on the map, and cricket had done the same thing for Australia. Tennis and hockey both had their devotees, and the Southland girls had made a name for them-, selves in connection with the latter sport, having put up a splendid record. In replying Mr G. McLeod (president of the Tuatapere Athletic Society) said he was pleased Western Star had won the banner while Mr J. Laurie was president. As the name of the song, “Annie Laurie,” appealed to Scotchmen, so did the name of “Jimniy Laurie” appeal to all supporters of the game in the Western District. They had won the trophy in.a sporting manner. In proposing the toast of “The Referees’ Association,” Mr E. Matheson contended it was the most important of the evening. They had every reason to be proud of the referees in the Western District, whom he considered to be equal to any irr town. Mr H. A. Booth, president of the Referees’ Association, responded, and congratulate the playerstjof .the various clubs on the sporting spirit displayed. Mr Mills also supported these remarks. . ' ■ The toast of “The Pioneers of the Orawia Club” was proposed by Mr R. G. Wyeth and responded to by Mr. A. Findlay. Mi Laurie said that on looking through th,e records he -had ascertained?, that the first team had played for Orawia against Otautau long before the banner matches were instituted, and matches had been played between Clifden and Orawia before that time/ .The following players then comprised' the team : J. Cosgrqve, W. Bates,/Jules Tapper, Gus Tapper, Donald Matheson, J. Bates, J. Laurie, F. Bates, Bulmar, J; Moir, W. Laurie, S. Laurie, W. Moir, J. Marshall, R.Marshall arid C. Ferguson. This team had played against Otautau for the banner 27 years ago.,, ■ The chairman stated that he had a very pleasant duty 'to perform. Mr T. Muir, Otautau, had generously donated four medals for the most, improved back and. forward in the senior and junior fifteens, and these had been awarded as follows:

Senior, back, C. Cochrane; forward, J. Bates; junior, back, T. Beer; forward, T. Bates. Mr Laurie also mentioned that Mr C. Goodall had also presented two wristlet watches for the most consistent player in the senior and junior teams. These were awarded as follows: Senior, Wallace Chamberlain; junior, G. Carr. The chairman stated that it had been difficult to arrive at a decision in the former case, as there was little to c'hoose between E. Fowle and W. Chamberlain, and they had to draw lots to ascertain who should get the trophy. He also mentioned that the thanks of the club were due to the two gentlemen for their handsome donations. The toast of “The Western Star Club” was entrusted to the president of the subunion, Mr A. H. Lindsay, who said it gave him great pleasure to be able to congratulate. the team on having attained the premiership of the Western District for the 1930 season. They had been striving to gain this position for a number of years, and had been very close to it on some occasions, but this was the first year they had come out on top. This achievement spoke volumes for the team, which was drawn from a wide area. They could attribute their success to the fact that they were the fittest men in the district. He had much pleasure in asking Mr Gardiner, captain of the team, to accept the banner and cup. In reply Mr Gardiner said it was with great pleasure he accepted the trophies on behalf of the club, and paid a tribute to the members for the manner in which they had turned out during the season and kept fit. They would do their best to retain the banner next year, but if they were un-' fortunate enough to be beaten they wouldhand it over like good, sports. Mr Laurie thanked the president for his remarks concerning the players and the club. Years ago he had thought that if Orawia could only hold the trophy he could retire from football. They had first started but after it in 1912, had played off for it, and had at last succeeded in securing it.. He also wished to congratulate Ohai as runners-up in the competition. Speaking of the pioneers of the club Mr J. Wilson (Ohai),.a former resident of Orawia, said'that in 1912 Messrs J. Laurie, Chamberlain, H. Agnew and himself had formed the first club entered in the Western District competition as the Waiau Rovers, running into third place in that year. In 1913 three teams, Riverton, Otautau and Orawia tied, and in the play-off Riverton beat Orawia b” a small margin. When the war broke out Riverton and Otautau drew in that year, and the sub-union decided to place both names on the banner, with Orawia as runners-up. Messrs McGibbon Bros, then formed the present club, which was now called Western Star, and it had

been runner-up for a number of years. The members kept plodding along, just missing each timej! until this year, when they had won it. As an old supporter of the club it game him great pleasure to be present that evening, and trusted the Ohai club would provide a good match for the Boyle Cup. In proposing the toast of "The Chairman,” Mr J. C. Millar said the members of the Western Star club owed a lot to their president, Mr Laurie, who had put himself io a lot of inconvenience in travelling to matches, etc. They had appreciated the good work he had done in the interests of the game, and he stated the chairman was one of the main supporters of football in the Western District.

In responding Mr Laurie said he had been connected with football for 27 years in the Orawia district, but he had done no more than his share. Mr J. Wilson was one who had also done good work. The following contributed items between the toasts: Songs, Messrs G. McLeod, A. Matheson, J. Mair, and A. Findlay; recitation, Mr A. Matheson; stories, Messrs McLeod, C. Mills, R. Murray and H. McDonald. A community sing, embracing football songs set to popular tunes, formed a feature of the entertainment.