LOSS TO RUGBY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21448, 12 September 1939, Page 6

LOSS TO RUGBY

President Farewelled Tributes to Mr W. Harte Mr W. Harte, president of the South Canterbury Rugby Union, who leaves Timaru on Friday on transfer t.o Napier as registrar of the Supreme Court, was last night farewelled by j members of the Management Com- I initeee of the Union and representatives I of clubs. Mr J. Harley, a former president of | the Union, presided, and said that Mr f Harte would be leaving Timaru on Friday, and the members of the | Management Committee and repre- ; sentatives of clubs felt that they could , not let him go without saying farewell. Mr Harte had played a prominent part in Rugby in the district for some years, and during the last year, as president, he had done a great deal of work. A few years ago the Union struck a little trouble, and at that time Mr Harte had been a tower of strength ; to them. He was a man of many tai- I ents, and because of that was promin- « ent in spheres other than Rugby. He ■ had always held out a helping hand ; to the underdog, and his departure would be a distinct loss to Timaru, but ■ Napier would gain. While Mr Harte ■ would make new friends there, he j would not find any better friends than : he had in Timaru, and when the time | came for him to retire, then they ; would probably find him back in Tim- i aru. While they regretted his depar- j ture, they sincerely wished both Mr I and Mrs Harte every success and hap- j piness in the future. Mr S. D. Mason, a vice-president of the Union, extended good wishes to I Mr Harte, and said that he would be j missed in Timaru both from a foot- ■ ball and a social point of view. Mr A. G. Knowles, a former presi- J dent, said that he had known Mr i Harte probably longer than anyone I present, they having been friends for | more then 40 years. He was indebted to Mr Harte for many kindnesses, and I wished him every success in the years i to come. Mr A. D. Jackson, speaking for some 1 of the younger members of the Union, j said that they recognised Mr Harte as j a social asset and admired his admin- | istrative ability. It was not the sport j of Rugby that counted, but the friend- i ships it brought about, the game really i being a means to that end. Mr Harte 1 could be characterised as a dear and : sincere old sport. Mr R. Lyall, president of the Temuka Club, congratulated Mr Harte I on his promotion, and wished him every success in the future. Mr Harte had been the representative of the Temuka Club for many years, and they appreciated all that he had done for them. Mr F. Pierce (Celtic Club). C. Triggs (Zingari Club'. J. Ellis <Old Boys), D. M. Webster (Waimate Sub-Union), D. J. Hewitt and S. H. Sullivan also paid a tribute to the splendid work Mr Harte had done in the interests of Rugby and also as a member of the | communiuy. Mr Harley then presented Mr Harte i with a combination reading lamp and ' clock as an expression of the esteem in which he is held in Rugby circles in Tima. i. and also in recognition of his werk in the interests of the game. With the gift went the best wishes of all for the future success and happiness of both Mr and Mrs Harte. Responding. Mr Harte said that that night he was breaking away from his religion, and that was good, clean, honest sport. It was a big break, for he was wedded to Timaru. but if there was any other town he desired to go to it was Napier. Continuing. Mr Harte said that he followed in th? footsteps of two sound presidents, and the task had been a hard one. The I Union had been a splendid body to work with, every member playing his part in the interests of the game in general, club attachments being entirely sunk. He was very proud of his ' association with football in South Canterbury, and he had the greatest respect for the members of the Union. As president of the Union he had had the greatest luck in tlie personnel of the Union, and his best thanks were due to every member for the way they had stood by him. Mr Harte expressed persoal thanks to several members present, and acknowledged the Union’s gift which he would greatly treasure. He appreciated the remarks which had been made, and he would always cherish the great friendships he had made in Timaru.