JOLLY GOOD FELLOWS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 82, 12 August 1929, Page 6

JOLLY GOOD FELLOWS

TARANAKI RUGBY UNION. FUNCTION AT ELTHAM. At 11 1 e dinner given at Fltliam on. Saturday evening to members of the Star and Qpunak teams, the Mayor, Mr. I. J. bridge/, in proposing tlio toast of the Taranaki Rugby Union, thanked that body lor agreeing to play the match at Elthani. Tie as -snred the president that tile people of Elthani very much ■appreciate':! having such an important match in their town. The principle of encouraging the playing of matches at the ism centres of the province was a sound one, both from a. financial point of view and from the aspect of fostering the Rugby code. He admitted that the “gates” were a big factor in deciding the matter, hut did not think that they should always he considered as the principal factor. The Borough Council, said Mr. Bridget-, were anxious to do everything possible to assist the Union, They did not assume that Urn ground was the worst that that it was the best, but they were all anxious to improvb it, and would' welcome suggestions towards that end, especially from the Union. Mr. , Bridger concluded by offering congratulations to tlie teams on the sportsmanlike manner in which the game had been, played., PRESIDENT’S REPLY. L The president of the Union, Mr |R. .Masters, was applauded on rising to respond. He thanked the company for the enthusiastic manner in which the toast had been drunk, and assured them that, in view of all the criticism from time to time of the Union’s management, it. was verypleasing to him to hear them singing so heartily in toasting the ’Union. It showed what such “Jolly Good Fellows” members of the Union were.. (Laughter and Applause'). “I was iu Inglewood at a meet- / irig of footballers from all over the province a. fortnight ago.” continued’ the president, “but there was no hope of getting any of them singing about the Union being “Jolly -Good* Fellows.” (Renewed laughter). Nottf we have a change of public opinion, which is very pleasing to the Union.” (Applause.) t , NOT DISGRACED. The president extended hearty, congratulations ta the; Opunako team on their success, and said that without wishing to speak disparagingly of the losers, it was public opinion that the bet tee team on the' da/ had won I the match. At the same time, he said, ho wanted to congratulate the Star team, which was a verv fine’ team, hurt 'had met a. better one. Although defeated, they were not by any means disgraced. The game showed the standard of Rugby in, Taranaki, which 'the Union might reasonably feel, very proud of. Ho i had no hesitation in saying hh’At the standard of play was quite as good as, if not better than, what was witnessed in. other part’s of New Zealand. (Appbtuse.) “The matter In ‘which the game, was played made it easy for the referee, but big control over it at all stage.s showed Mr Elggleton s ability with the whistle,” said Mr Masters, who specially thanked the officials of the Elthani, Football Club, who had carried out all the arrangements for ( the match and had done an immense fimonnt of work. The Union thoroughly appreciated their help, and hoped to receive the same hearty response in future. (Applause.) As to the question of finance mentioned by Mr Bridger, he said it was not the only 'aspect taken by the Union, but it was a very largeaspect, and one, which could not be set aside, altogether. He was pleased to bo able to announce that there had been a, record “gate” at the match so' far as the Taranaki play-off was concerned)— (Applause). But. the Union must take finance into consideJration, he continued. The Unwii took aUvast amount of finance each year, and they were arriving at a stage when finance would be needed j„ connection with a scheme, which no doubt they had read -Tinbut. A voice: The finance are not too had! • i . “My friend,” 1 said the President, “if you are as poor as the Union you are pretty hard up!” (Uuightei). Proceeding, he said that no major union possessed less assets than Ta, ranaki, whose policy was to conserve its ■ finances a -s far as possible, with the object of .securing assets in the different centres of the province as permanent assets in yeans to come. The Union had purchased si suitable ground in New Plymouth and were endeavouring to make it better even than Fukekura- Park. Other places for grounds were laid down in the policy to be carried out, and with that object in view they were conserving their finances and stabilising them for future needs and in the interests of Rugby in, the years to come. In conclusion, Mr. Masters said that he was very pleased as presid cut to meet and fraternise with so many officials and he hoped he would iavo opplcurtniriticjs to the nno pleasant nature in the future. (Loud applause). v