FAIRLIE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20929, 7 January 1938, Page 4

FAIRLIE

POPULAR RESIDENT FAREWELLED MR J. M. BURT HONOURED Practically every organisation connected with sport in Fairlie was represented on Wednesday night at a farewell function in honour of Mr J. M. Burt, who has obtained an appointment at Wellington. Mr W. B. Trotter presided, and speakers were Messrs L. Loomes (Aorangi Football Club), W. A. B. Morton (Fairlie Golf Club), A. H. Carlton (Fairlie Tennis Club), A. Fleming (cricket players), Gilbert Giddings (Fairlie Football Club), T. B. Crampton (Mackenzie Rugby Sub-Union), J. Barron (business men), C. J. Talbot (farming community), J. Riddle (staff of the Fairlie branch of the C.F.C.A.), Allan Crampton (Fairlie Cycle and Athletic Club) and W. B. Trotter (Fairlie Swimming Club). The function was organised by the Aorangi Football Club, and Mr Burt was presented with a wristlet watch. Mr Loomes said the guest of the evening had been a tower of strength to the Aorangi Football Club, and ne remembered him first as a boy with the familiar blue ribbon on his coat. After his active football days were over, he took the position of secretary of the club, and last year became president. While the club was genuinely sorry to lose his services, it had much pleasure in congratulating him on his promotion.

In extending best wishes on behalf of the Golf Club, Mr Morton said he had been in Fairlie nine years, and there were two people he could distinctly remember meeting when he first arrived. One was Mr Burt, and he was proud to call him a friend. It had occurred to him that there were a lot of young men of promise leaving the town. “It is pretty hard on a country town, and in a few years there will only be us old ‘stiffs’ ro carry on,” he added. (Laughter.)

Mr Carlton said that over the last two or three years Mr Burt had not played tennis, but during his active membership he had done a great amount towards keeping the club going, and his services and his interest were greatly appreciated.

Mr Fleming remarked that there was really no cricket club in Fairlie, but Mr Burt had been one of the

number who played the game in their spare time. He would like to congratulate him on the wise step he had taken.

Mr Giddings stated that Mr Burt, as president of the Aorangi Club, had come in frequent contact with him. At one time, when a Fairlie-Aorangi football match was in progress it had not been possible, so he was told, for the opposing supporters to mix. That, he was pleased to say, was no longer the case.

Mr Crampton dealt with Mr Burt’s business ability, and said that he had started at the bottom and worked his way up to become the head of a department. Any man who so helped himself also helped the rest of the community. Fe had done a fair amount of business with Mr Burt, and had always found him straightforward. For the business men of the town, Mr Barron said they would feel proud that one of their number was entering commercial life in another sphere. Mr Talbot said that Mr Burt had made the best of his opportunities, and his future would be watched with interest. He was glad to see so many young people present to show their appreciation of the services the gueso of the evening had given to sport. Mr Riddle, speaking for the staff ol the Fairlie branch of the C.F.C.A., said Mr Burt's success seemed to have been partly due to his ability to mix business with a certain amount of humour. His popularity was demoiistrated by the number of people who had gone out of their way to wish him the best of luck. Mr Allan Crampton t.'.id Mr Burt had recently become the Fairlie Cycle and Athletic Club's running handicapper, and in that position he had given general satisfaction. The connection Mr Burt had with the old swimming club in Fairlie was mentioned by Mr Trotter. He had been appointed handicapper and held that position in the new club. It would be another sports body that would miss his services, but at the same time, every member would wish him success in his new position. In his reply, Mr Burt said he was pleased to think that he could go away from Fairlie with the feeling that he had been of some use in the community. Even though he could not believe all the remarks about Ins ability, he had to thank every speaker sincerely for the genuine expressions of good will. Other Functions Last evening, Mr Burt was entertained by the staff of the Fairlie branch of the C.F.C.A., and presented with a travelling rug. The manager (Mr G. F. Lyons) said he had much pleasure in making the presentation, even though it meant losing the services of an efficient and competent

employee. His position with the firm had been the first Mr Burt had had after leaving school, and he had been on the staff for 13 years. At the age of 22, he had worked his way up :.o the position of manager of the drapery department, a fact that spoke very well for his ability. Amongst clients and staff alike he had been very popular. Personally, he was sorry to lose Mr Burt’s assistance, but he realised that a young man with his qualifications had to move on. Other speakers were Messrs H. Bateman (grocery department) and A. H. Carlton (office). A farewell function in honour of Mr Burst was attended by the committee members of the Fairlie Cycle and Athletic Club. In making the presentation of a pipe, Mr John Macdonald (president) said Mr Burt had been an active and cheerful member of the committee, and he had done valuable work, particularly as handicapper. The members of the Aorangi Football Club held a private function in honour of Mr Burt, the principal speaker being Mr H. H. Wall, who dealt with the career of the guest of the evening as president, secretary and player.