DEPARTING BOWLERS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4544, 4 March 1942, Page 4

DEPARTING BOWLERS

SOLDIERS OF THE KING VALEDICTORY GATHERING There was a large attendance of members of the Te Awamutu Bowling the Hotel Te Awamutu yesterday" afternoon to farewell two members who are joining the military forces. They were Mr Reg Flree, President of'the Club, who left for camp this morning, and Mr Ray Judd, who leaves town on a similar journey next Wednesday. MAYORAL FELICITATIONS The Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) said he was pleased to see present such a large gathering of fellow bowlers to honour Mr Free and Mr JuddHe had been associated with the bowlers at many previous sends-off, but he could not recall any other occasion when they had had such a representative gathering. Mr Free, as President of the Club, had said on more than one occasion that bowling was more than a game: it was a brotherhood. The truth of that assertion had frequently been demonstrated, and in letters of gold the main characteristics stood out—sociability, hospitality, and goodfellowship. That was the spirit that day when they met to say good-bye to Mr Free and Mr Judd. He was sure he expressed the feelings of all members when he stressed the sense of the great loss they felt the Club was about to sustain. He trusted that both bowlers would, wherever they went, be able to recall the happy days spent on the green, and, on behalf of those present, he wished them all good luck. (Applause.) “ PLAYED THE GAME ” Mr Andrew Wallace (Patron of the Club) said the gathering that afternoon was the biggest audience of bowlers they had ever had in the history of the Club. It was nice to see “ the boys ” roll up when two of their number were going into the Army. It was a great thing to remember the friendships made on the bowling green —friendships which would last a lifetime —and he thought that both would make similar friendships in the Army. Those present all hoped that both bowlers would not see much of strenuous service, but were confident that if they did they would do so with credit to themselves and honour to the country which produced them. Mr Reg Free had proved himself a fine bowler who had “ played the game ” since he had been in Te Awamutu. He hoped when they came back a great welcome would be awaiting them not only from the bowlers but from the citizens as well. Mr Wallace then, amidst applause, presented' each guest with a leather hold-all as token of good will. The toast of the guests was enthusiastically received with musical honours. THE PRESIDENT IN REPLY Mr Free, who was received with applause, said that needless to say he was very thankful for their remarks and kind presentation. He was sorry to be going away before the season was over, but he felt the Club would be in excellent hands- He had enjoyed every minute of his association with the bowlers, and had made many wonderful friendships which would endure for life. He hoped it would not be long before he was back. As President he desired to thank them for their fine co-operation and help during his term of office. At the start of the season the outlook was very wonderful, but circumstances in the Pacific had altered it, so that tours and visits had to be cancelled, a fact which was accepted in the true spirit of the bowler. However, their first job was to win the war—and they could extend their hospitality afterwards. He had had a splendid executive ,and when he had called for help they had responded wonderfully. By a curious coincidence it was twentyfour years ago on Wednesday that he entered camp at the time of the Great War and he would be re-entering camp on the same day of the same month. He hoped that ten months thereafter this war would be over as it was last time. He extended to members his best wishes for an enjoyable finale to the season. NEW MEMBER’S THANKS Mr Judd, who received a cordial reception, thanked them for the compliment and presentation, which he felt actually the more because he was a new member and had only recently made a host of new friends. The latter he thanked for their helpful advice, some of which worked all right, while some of it did not ! However, between the lot he had made a great many friendships. He thanked them for the gift of a hold-all; and, if he did see strenuous fighting, he could only hope for the best. He wished them all a happy ending to the season. •LEARNED COUNSEL Mr S. S. Preston, a past President of the Club, said that Mr Free had filled the office of President very ably. No one was a keener bowler, and no one had put more enthusiasm into the Presidency than he. His efforts, unfortunately, had been somewhat frustrated by the war and the weather, but he trusted that when he came back Mr Free would again be put in office. (Hear, hear.) As to Mr Judd, he knew that professionally he was “ one of the best.” He was the making of a good bowler, and in a season or two would be one of the stalwarts of the Club. He hoped he would come back to play worthily his part as a citizen and a bowler. Mr Judd was a good chap who took with him the best wishes of all. Messrs T. W. Gee, J. Hill (Auckland), and W. Douglas spoke in similar happy strain. “ THE LANDLORD” Mr A- E. Patterson, in proposing the toast of the host, thanked Mr Cucksey for his hospitality, stating that everybody connected with sports bodies knew that he always rose worthily to the occasion, doing the right thing at the right time. The ’ Bowling Club was greatly indebted to him. Mr Cucksey, in reply, expressed his pleasure at all times in assisting them or similar Clubs. They only had to call on hi mand he would be there. He had had a slit trench dug in his backyard, so they would all be safe ! (Laughter and “ Good Old Nudger ” and “ Good Old Beau Leon.”) Proceedings concluded with the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” and the National Anthem.