COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 7

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

WESTERN FOOTBALL TEAM HONOURED. (From Our Correspondent.) On Friday evening (he senior Western District representative team was entertained at a complimentary dinner by the president and members of the Webern District Rugby Sub-Union, •there was a good attendance, all of the clubs in the Western District being represented, while Messrs Baird (president) and Meredith (past president) of the Southland Rugby Union were also present.

At the commencement of the proceedings Mr A. H. Lindsay, president of the sub-union, extended a hearty welcome to all. Mr J. C. Millar mentioned that he was pleased to see the Southland Union represented on this occasion. At times the sub-union did not always agree with the parent body, but they had to remember it had its own load to carry, and it had also to settle arguments between five sub-unions. It had taken over the control of Rugby Park, which would be an asset to Southland and the country districts in years to come. The members of that body did their duty and did it well. Both Messrs Baird and Meredith had been on tour with the Southland representative team and did their utmost to keep the members fit and well, and also took a great interest in the players. The parent body did what it could to assist the various sub-unions.

.Mr. Baird thanked the speaker for his kind remarks and stated it was a pleasure to represent the Southland Union on this occasion. They were all very proud of the Western Sub-Union, and no union in New Zealand catered more for country football than the Southland Union. Mr Purdue, a South Island representative, was now playing for the South Island, and Mr G. Porter, if he had not had the ill-luck to get hurt, would have been occupying the position of full-back in that team. They did not see any full-backs of Mr Porter’s calibre on tour. The Western Sub-Union had won all the Sports Trust Cup matches with the exception of one. They had had easy wins thanks to Mr Porter, the managers and members of the team and he could not see the trophy going from the Western District for a number of years. Mr Porter, captain of the team, said they had been successful in defending the Sports Trust Cup against each of the other sub-unions. Prospects were not too bright at the beginning of the season, but Messrs Mills and Millar (managers) tried out the men in various positions, with the result that the team improved with every match, the last against Northern being the climax of a very successful season.

Mr Meredith said the players in the Western District could congratulate themselves on the able administration of the sub-union, which was a live body and was always represented at the annual meeting of the Southland Union with suggestions, which showed they had the game at heart, and that they were looking after the interests of the players. The various sub-unions were entitled to some advantages which it was not in the power of the parent body to give. He appreciated the enthusiasm displayed by Messrs Lindsay, Mills and Millar who were out to try and get something for football in their district, and this enthusiasm was reflected in the delegates, many of whom had to travel long distances owing to its being such a scattered district. The president (Mr Lindsay) stated that sub-unions were more important than they used to be. The time had come when nearly half the team was drawn from the country, on the last occasion nine going on tour. The subunion controlled football in the Western District and the members did their best to help the game along and put the district on the map. They had had a wonderful year, in fact it was one of the best in its history. The team had been fortunate to lift the cup last year, and this year they had held it. In support, Mr Fisher apologized for the absence of Messrs G. B. Burns, E. Matheson and S. Hirst, the two latter being keenly interested in football since the sub-union was instituted. Mr C. Payne mentioned that they had three Western District representatives on tour with the Southland team. Mr Porter had represented Southland on six occasions, Mr Purdue on five, and Mr Fowle on three. Mr Purdue was also an All Black, and he could assure them that the Western District was proud of these men who had taken an exceptionally keen interest in football, and he wished them the best of luck. Mr Porter said it should be the ambition of every playei' in a district to represent it first and afterwards aspire to being included in the Southland team. He hoped more frem the Western District would be included in the Southland representative team next year.

Speaking on behalf of the managers Mrs Mills paid a tribute to the members of the team for the manner in which they had attended the practices, and their willingness to do all that was required of them. He thanked the sub-union for giving so much power to the selectors, and stated that the hospitality meted out by Mr and Mrs T. Muir in providing supper for the players on each occasion had been a great incentive. He also thanked Messrs Porter (captain) and Purdue (vice-cap-tain) for their able support. Mr Millar endorsed these remarks.

Mr Murray said he had many pleasant recollections of the hospitality extended to him by Mr and Mrs Muir as a delegate of the Ohai Club. Mr Muir was an old Western District representative, having represented Taringatura many years ago, while Mrs Muir was remembered by many for the kindness extended to them by her while she was nursing at the war. Mr Meredith stated it was pleasing to have such enthusiasts as Mr and Mrs Muir in their midst, and on behalf of supporters generally he appreciated the interest displayed by them. Mr Prendeville said that the players had come in for a good deal of commendation but they must not lose sight of the fact that the referees were just as important. They were very fortunate in having referees of a good type in the Western District, who gave their decisions promptly and fairly. Messrs McCrostie (president) and G. Andrews acknowledged these remarks. Mr J. Laurie, in mentioning the good work done by Mr Lindsay as president of the sub-union, said it was in low water when he took the position, but it had progressed, and as long as he held the reins this would still continue. Mr Lindsay said the sub-union was a happy body and members of the executive pulled well together. There was not a prouder man in the Western District than he when the team still held th/? cup. All games had been played in a friendly spirit and the best of good fellowship with other sub-unions existed. He could assure those present that if things went well next year they could hope to meet again under similar circumstances. The singing of Auld Lang Syne terminated a very pleasant function.