FIFTY YEARS’ RUGBY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1935, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS’ RUGBY

TARANAKI JUBILEE CELEBRATION. MONDAY NIGHT’S GATHERING. The social gathering which is being held at Stratford on Monday evening to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Taranaki Rugby Union should prove a memorable occasion. Fifty years is a long time to look forward to, but it is not so long to look back on, and it is expected that there will be present at the gathering on Monday evening some of those who took a prominent part in the inauguration of the Taranaki Rugby Union and its establishment on such a sound basis.

The first president, Mr. G. T. Bayly, and the first secretary, Mr. C. E. Major, both of whom were noted representative players, are living at Auckland and it is hoped that they will be present. It is also expected that several of the early representative players, who helped to place Taranaki on the pinnacle of football fame in the Dominion and established Taranaki early as a major union, will be present to give reminiscences and renew associations. It is proposed to group those present in decades, of which there will be five. All who have been identified with the success of Rugby in Taranaki should make a point of attending the final celebration of jubilee year. Players of the present will be able to do honour to those of the past, who by playing the game so well established by the union on such a firm foundation, and players of the past will be able to pay tribute to those of the present who are continuing to play the game for the game's sake. **