SERVICES RECOGNISED

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1932, Page 9

SERVICES RECOGNISED

BASKETBALL PRESIDENT. FOUNDER OF ASSOCIATION. To show their appreciation of the services to basketball of Miss Tarry, president of the Taranaki Association, the combined clubs of the province last night sprung a surprise on her in the Workers’ Social Hall at a dance held by the New Plymouth clubs to raise funds to improve the grounds at Te Henui. Miss Tarry was present as an ordinary dancer and had no idea what was afoot till after the Mayor and Mayoress arrived. Then Mr. Griffiths took the stage and apologised for the absence of Mr. J. Gibbs, Mayor of Inglewood, and Mrs. Gibbs. Mr. Griffiths said ho was there, on behalf of the executive of the Basketball Association to express the esteem in which they held one of their number, the founder and president of the association, Miss Tarry. The whole province was grateful for the active interest she had taken in the game, which she had fostered during the past seven or eight years. Basketball had shown steady progress since its commencement in Taranaki, and much of the...credit for that lay with Miss Tarry. Before the Mayor presented a framed address to Miss Tarry, she and Mrs. Griffiths received bouquets from the Misses Alma Glengarry and Peggy Morrison, the two smallest players. The address was as follows:—

“To Miss M. E. H. Tarry, Inglewood— Dear Miss Tarry: We, the undersigned members of the executive of the Taranaki Basketball Association, desire to convey to you this expression of. our appreciation of your services to this province and to the game, which you have done so much to foster. This sentiment is fully shared by the members of the clubs represented by us, who recognise that it was due to your enthusiasm that this association and many of the affiliated clubs have been’ so successfully founded and carried on. We express the hope that your services may lon<r bo available to the association for of the girls of Taranaki.” The address was signed by the two presidents and the secretary of the association, the representatives of 20 clubs iu the association.

Saying that she had no idea she was to be so honoured, Miss Tarry thanked the signatories of the address for their goodwill presentation. She had always gladly take: an interest in the game, she said, and was pleased to see it progressing in the province. SQie was confident there was a bright future for it in Taranaki as well as other parts of New Zealand.

Cheers were given for Miss Tarry as she returned to her seat.

There was a large attendance at the dance, including representatives from other towns. The decorations used for the Old Girls’ dance had been left, and it was in these fairy-like surroundings of butterflies and gay colours that dancing proceeded to the music of Boulton’s orchestra and under the control of Messrs. R. Gayton and B. Meredith, masters of ceremonies. Supper was served under the supervision of a committee of girls.