TEMUKA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19942, 29 October 1934, Page 3

TEMUKA

SPORTS ON BOXING DAY ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME A variety of suggestions for an attractive Boxing Day sports programme, ranging from children's sports to wrestling, steer-riding and increased prize-money for professionals, were offered at the forty-seventh annual meeting of the Temuka Caledonian Society on Friday evening, at which Mr A. Russell presided. Facing a loss on the year's working of £93 17s 6d. out of which there were extraordinary expenses including a grant to the Mayor's Relief Fund of £ls and two year’s salary to the secretary, the Society had to decide whether it could carry on and what could be considered an attractive programme if it did. In raising the question the new president (Mr W. D. McCallum) said he favoured the idea of carrying on. It would keep the town open on a day that would otherwise be dull, and the £9O of prize-money would circulate and assist business. It would also provide a form of entertainment for those who preferred to spend their Boxing Day not far from home. Jocularly remarking that if they had losses in the next two years like they had already suffered they would at least die Caledonians. Mr A. Bain moved that the Boxing Day meeting be held with a modified programme.

Catering for Public Mr W. F. Evans said he did not favour trying to attract people with the old form of programme. The Society would have to find something netv that really would meet the public taste. He thought that a children's pageant, with the steer-riding for the adults, would prove an attraction. Mr T. E. Shiels asked what support had been given by local tearooms. He was told that 3/- had been received in donations, while the tearooms had had to put on extra hands to deal with the rush. No doubt it was the special features, the steer-riding in 1933 and tug-of-war last summer, that had attracted the attendances, said Mr A. R. Beck. He agreed with Mr Evans that something special would have to be offered to gain support. Mr McCallum attributed part of the falling-off in interest to the fact that the programme was too “strung-out.” If they had a later start and put the events through fairly quickly public interest would be more easily held. Mr M. M. Coffey said that even if a modified programme were run. the sports should not be allowed to stop. There seemed to be a certain amount of interest in ju-jitsu wrestling at the present. The secretary said he thought that children’s races should be run. Mr Evans said that there seemed to be a revival of interest in amateur athletics. Perhaps a few races for amateurs in running and cycling would attract a large number. Mr Bain then added to his motion that a programme of children’s races be run before the usual sports and that wrestling and amateur events be included in a modified general programme.

The motion was seconded by Mr Coffey. Mr A. W. Buzan held that amateur events would not attract a field. Nowadays the public spent all its holidays travelling out of the towns by motor car and spending the time in the country. He suggested that an effort be made to increase the prize money and improve the professional events. Mr W. H. McMillan asked pf the Society had had any intimation of the coming of the Australian cyclists. He understood that Waimate and other Societies had received offers of appearances. The secretary said he had had no word. The motion was then carried by 11 votes to 3. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr J. Kennedy, of Geraldine, was passed, the president referring to his long association with athletics. It was also decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mr G. A. Paterson in his illness. The annual report, previously published, and the balance-sheet, showingreceipts totalling £155 19s 9d. and expenditure £249 10s sd, were adopted on the motion of the president. In seconding the motion Mr Evans said that it did not give him very much pleasure, seeing that nearly £IOO had been lost. The Society had had very good weather for its sports and had provided a good standard of performance. but it had received very poor public support. Something out of the ordinary would have to be staged to stop the landslide.

Election of Officers Before the election of officers, the retiring president thanked the directors for their support. Certainly he had not held office in a good year, but the results of the working were not due to any lack of enthusiasm on the part of the members. He thanked also the secretary (Mr J. Denison), the honorary master of ceremonies (Mr W. J. Seeler) and the Press. The officers elected were: —Patron, Mr W. McCallum. senr.; president, Mr W. D. McCallum: senior vice-presi-dent, Mr A. W. Buzan; junior vicepresident, Mr G. Washington; treasurer, Mr W. F. Evans: auditor. Mr F. A. Joynt; standard-bearer, Mr F. Bateman: Board of Directors, last year’s with the addition of Mr W. Seeler; delegates to Domain Board. Messrs A. R. Beck and W. F. Evans; delegates to Athletic and Cycling Union, Messrs W. McCallum and A. Bain: delegate to Patriotic War Relief Society, Mr J. King: honorary master of ceremonies, Mr W. Seeler. Mr King reoorted that during the year the Patriotic Relief Society had been particularly busy. As the years went by the list of ex-soldiers needing assistance grew greatly and the work was becoming increasingly difficult. The local committee was doing its work well. The resignation of Mr A. Wilson was accepted with regret and Mr W. Quirke was elected a member.

It was decided that the subscription be 10/-. Before closing the meeting the president said it was a pity that the older men were being left to carry on the work of the Society. The young men who should be joining and spending their spare time training for participation in healthy sport too often wasted their leisure in other wayß.

SALVATION ARMY Soldiers and friends of the Temuka Corps of the Salvation Army held a farewell evening to Adjutant M. Brown and Mrs Brown and family, who are leaving for Nelson, and Captain Boughton and Mrs Houghton and non, who have been transferred from the Brarnwell Booth Boys’ Home. Under the supervision of Bandmaster Shepherd, who had organised the function, the following musical items were given:—Song, Treasurer P. Robinson; recitation, Cadet Saunders; duet, C. Rattray and J. Opie; mandolin solo. Bandsman G. Austin; violin duet, ►

C. Rattray and H. Sowerby. On behalf of the townspeople, the Mayor (Mr A. W. Buzan) said how sorry he was that Adjutant Brown and Mrs Brown were leaving just as the people were beginning to know and appreciate them. However, he had pleasure in wishing them success in their new position. For the Temuka Ministers’ Association, the Rev. L. A. Brooks said that the members would miss his cheerful personality and helpful interest. The Methodist congregation was most appreciative of Adjutant Brown’s ability, and he personally had gained much from his association with the corps officer. Mr D. B. Muir, on behalf of the Mission, said he had enjoyed working with Adjutant Brown, and it had come as a big surprise to him to hear of the early transfer. He had not had the pleasure of being in contact with Mr and Mrs Houghton, but from what he had heard the Home was losing two most efficient officers. From the staff and boys of the Bramwell Booth Home. Mrs Adjutant Chard wished the officers who were being farewelled every success in their new appointments. Captain Houghton and Mrs Houghton had done good work at the Home, and she hoped they had enjoyed their term of office. On behalf of the ladies of the Corps, Mrs Adjutant Wilson spoke, and for the Band and men, Bandsman J. Douglas wished the officers Godspeed. In reply, the officers each spoke, thanking the speakers for their kindly words and wishes, and expressing gratitude to those with whom they had been associated for their help. Supper was then served by Mrs S. Shepherd and helpers.

PERSONAL Miss I. Coutts, Palmerston South, is the guest of Mrs H. Coutts, Temuka. Mrs N. Trezise, Christchurch, has returned after being the guest of her mother, Mrs W. Niles. Mr L. Connolly will leave Temuka to-morrow to take-up a position with a Wanganui firm.

GENERAL NEWS In a reference to the Miniature Rifle Club’s end-of-season social in Saturday’s edition, it was stated that the function would be held on Thursday next. It should have read Tuesday. An extra large run of whitebait at the Milford Lagoon on Saturday attracted netters in large numbers, and although a fairly large catch resulted, it was reported that the biggest part of the run took place too far out in the stream.

FAREWELL DINNER In honour of Mr L. Connolly, who leaves on Tuesday to take up a position in the North Island, the Temuka Football Club’s senior team held a dinner at the Empire Hotel on Saturday evening. Mr T. Dwan presided, and beside the guest of honour his father, Mr S. Connolly, was present by invitation. In proposing the toast of the South Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr A. Gaffaney said it was well at times to reflect on and appreciate the position of the club in relation to its superior body. Mr Connolly had been the club’s delegate on the management committee, and he had no doubt that he and other members had done a great deal for Temuka. The Clubs looked to the Union for a lead and for impartial administration, and generally they received it. Mr L. Connolly responded. On behalf of the club members and supporters, the president then presented a set of brushes and a razor outfit to the guest of honour. He said he was sure the district and followers of Rugby in particular would be sorry to lose Mr Connolly, and no doubt the Union would miss his services. However. he had secured a good position in the North Island, and all would wish him success. He had followed Mr Connolly’s football career through from the primary school to the South Island team, and was sure that all over New Zealand he was known as a first-class full-back. The team had greatly missed his services when lie retired at the end of the 1933 season, and it had taken them half of the season to work into a smooth running machine again. On the Rugby Union Mr Connolly had carried on his very fine work for the Temuka Club by watching its interests wholeheartedly. Mr M. M. Coffey said that all who knew Mr Connolly appreciated his brilliant play on the field and his fine personality generally. He was pleased to know that their guest had secured a good position, but was sorry to see him leave the district, for he had proved a fine citizen and a good sport. He was quite sure that his new firm would never have cause to regret appointing him. Mr J. Scott, coach of the senior team in the last few seasons, said that wherever he met ex-footballers he al - ways found them to possess a fine spirit of friendship. Mr Connolly was no exception. If he continued through life as he had started he would make a good citizen and a first-class business men. Messrs G. Gaffaney, J. Denison (secretary), J. K. Blyth, A. Gaffaney, and T. E. Shiels also spoke. In reply Mr Connolly said he had never been so nervous on the football field as he felt on that occasion. He was fully appreciative of the kindness of the club members and supporters in providing the dinner and present. It had been his privilege, while in the Temuka team, to play with one of the finest lot of fellows in the Dominion. He had enjoyed his association with the Rugby Union, and he could assure them that when brighter times came for that body the little restrictions which seemed so hard to bear at present would be lifted, he felt sure. The management committee were a fine body of men, giving their time in the interests of the game. He concluded by urging the club always to have a delegate to the Union, as it gave both Union and club a better understanding of each other. Other toasts honoured were:—“The Patroness. Mrs F. Beri” (the president) , “The Host and Hostess” (the president—Mr Coffey), “The Connolly Family” (Mr Coffey—Messrs S. and J. Connolly), “The Press” (Mr Shiels).