POLO CLUB’S “SMOKER.”

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 337, 4 August 1914, Page 5

POLO CLUB’S “ SMOKER.”

A PLEASANT GATHERING,

There was a large attendance of polo players and their friends at the smoke concert given by members of the Te Awamutu Polo Club at Jackson’s sample rooms on Friday evening. Many representatives of neighbouring polo clubs were present. Mr H. Y. Cobins occupied the chair, and proposed the usual loyal toast, which was drunk with musical honours.

Mr Oliphant proposed the toast of “The Weather,” Messrs Rockett and Seaward responding. The former, in humorous vein, referred to the war being waged between the Town Board and the weather. “ Supporters of the Te Awamutu Polo Club ” was proposed by Mr E. Potts, who remarked that the TeAwamutu club was particularly fortunate in having such staunch supporters. He regretted that several were unavoidably absent. Mr Potts assured his hearers that the club was proud of the support given. In responding, the chairman said it was with pleasure that he added his testimony to the merits of polo; he was proud to be associated with the local club. Polo was a good sport; it not only improved the class of horses, but required the best of horsgmanship, which were both very valuable assets in troublous times.- The chairman referred to the number of men who volunteered for the South African war, and said it was a question of horsemanship that had to be considered when accepting. the volunteers. The local supporters of polo were proud of the Te Awamutu Polo Club, which was a credit to the district. It was a great achievement for the club’s team to be runner-up in the chief polo tournament in the Dominion. The players had borne themselves nobly on that occasion. There was every probability of the tournament being held nearer home next year, when they, he hoped, instead of, being runners-up, would bring the'Savile Cup to Te Awamutu. The speaker was pleased to support the club, and would continue to do so.

Mr J. B, Teasdale said he had been a supporter of the club for many years. He considered polo one ” of the greatest games, especially as regards horsemanship. They were especially fortunate in having such a captain as Mr W. Kay, who had the game thoroughly at heart. Speaking of the tournament at Palmerston North, he stated that the horsemanship displayed by the local club was equal to that of any other team. Their opponents’ horses, however, were superior. The speaker referred to the high prices .which were paid for polo ponies. He hoped to have more time in the future to witness the game. In concluding his remarks he congratulated the Te Awamutu Polo Club, which played the game and gave honour to the district.

Mr y Standen, who followed, said that polo moulded the character of young men. He was with them in spirit, but must be content to see the younger men play,the game. Mr G. Spinley said that the Te Awamutu Polo Club was a valuable asset .to the town, and a magnificent way of advertising the district. The game was also a good education for the players. He hoped that next year instead of being second, the club would be winners of the Cup, and the supporters would show their appreciation by entertaining them. He instanced the troops in India, members of which were splendid polo players. Mr-A. Young said it gave him very great pleasure to be present that evening. In the field at Palmerston the club had held their own. They were looked on as men from the back-blocks, but after the match were considered to be very much to the front. To be a polo player they must be possessed with a fine horse and a fine'instinct. As instancing the pluck of players, a good fight was put up by a team in Palmerston, a member of which had one eye, while at Hamilton he noticed a player with one leg. The next toast was “The peace of the world,” proposed by Mr A. Young, who referred to the present conflict, between Austria and Servia. The peace of the world was at present in a very unsettled state, as there was no telling how farreaching the conflict -would be. Whatever the result would be he knew that New Zealand would be as ready to do her duty as she was during the South African War. Messrs E. Moeller, J. Elliott, C. Baddeley and J. H. Luxford responded. Mr S. A. Empson, in proposing . the toast of “The President and v vice-presidents of the Te AwaV mutu Polo Club,” referred to the interest taken in the welfare of the club by these gentlemen. Mr W. Taylor, president, in replying, spoke of the good fellowship which existed among the

members of the club, which was attributable to its success. It would be a proud day for him if they succeeded in bringing the 'Savilie Cup to Te Awamutu. He wished the club every success.

Messrs Collins, Potts, Hamer, Young, and Dr Henderson responded. In proposing the toast of “Ihe Visitors,” Mr S. Potts said he was pleased to see so many present. Mr Corboy, in responding, said it was 22 years ago since a meeting was called to form a polo club in this district. There were seven who attended, all players. It was at the time that the Savilie Cup was first played for in Auckland. A team was sent from tire latter place to play an exhibition match, with Dr Purchas -as captain. The day before the match the doctor gave certain instructions as to how the game should be played ; although the local men would be beaten he advised them not. to take it to heart. Contrary to expectation, the Auckland team was beaten by 20 points to nil. The late Mr Blomfield was then a member of the Auckland team. The same year the local team journeyed to Auckland, and succeeded in defeating the team there. Others who responded were Messrs Florence, Young, Randrup, Hutchinson, Dunn and Hollier.

Mr J. H. Luxford proposed the toast of “ Local Bodies.” Pie went on to say that whether in sporting or civic affairs, it was necessary to have a good manager. He instanced the various forms of local government. Supreme of all was Parliament, then county councils, borough councils, town boards, and road boards. He stated that the Town Board of TeAwamutu was throwing off its childhood and was about to become a borough. It was incumbent upon members to be fearless, as it was no child’s play to be a member of a public body. It was easy to criticise the work done bv the early fathers, but they had laid the foundation of a good and prosperous township. Te Awamutu was possessed of a good water supply, which would be followed by a syst emof drainage and good streets. What had been done had been done well with the money available. Their first consideration should be the interest of the ratepayers and the general well-being of the town which is not tainted with graft He hoped that this civic spirit' would long continue. Mr W. Taylor, in response, said it was a rather muddy question at present. The Town Board had given the ratepayers something to bk proud of in the waterworks. In Mr A. S. Wallace, he said, they had a good man at the head of affairs. The reservoir was a splendid piece of work, and it was an education to see its strength and stability. In referring to the roads he stated that at present they were not good, but they had done the best they could with the material at their command. Concluding, he stated it was an easy matter to make roads with good material, Mr J. B. Teasdale, referring to his long residence in the district, said he was one of the first members of the Waipa County Council. Te Awamutu was a bright little spot, and they had had very little money expended; but several small loans' had been raised, and these were being expended to the best advantage. He urged residents of Te Awamutu to visit the reservoir, and see for themselves the extent of the undertaking. The County Council had erected the first concrete bridge in the Waipa Riding. As regarded recreation grounds, the members of the Town Board had the welfare of the younger generation in their minds when they acquired Albert Park. At the time it was not considered large enough, so members put their hands in their pockets and bought a further two acres, making tweqty acres in all, which, the speaker said, could be made into one of the finest polo grounds in the Dominion. Victoria Park was also a credit to the town. This would be the speaker’s last year as a member of the Waipa County Council, and during his term of office he had felt it a pleasure in working for the people of Rangiaohia. Mr Fred Potts, until recently a member of the Waitomo County Council, said that the roads at present had their winter garments on, and the metal they were using was not considered suitable, but, in conversation with an expert, he was informed that if the limestone was handbroken instead of being broken by machinery, they would obtain much better results. What was wanted was a good blue metal ; and he was of opinion that it some of the hills in the county were prospected, suitable metal would be found. In concluding his remarks he said he was not in favour of metalling roads out of rates, as it was far too expensive.

The toast of the “ Waipa Racing Club” was proposed by Mr

H. Weal, who said the club was greatly indebted to Mr W. Tayloi for the use of his land, and for the interest manifested by him at the clubs’ annual meetings. The club was going on steadily, and in a measure were contributing towards improving the class of horses. To be among sportsmen was he considered to be among men. The toast of “ Absent Friends ” was proposed by Mr Fred Potts, coupled with the names of Messrs Wallace, Park, Storey, Andrew Kay, Hockley, J. Taylor and Ahi,er, who, the speaker stated, were all good sports. In proposing the toast.of the “Captain of the Polo Club,” Mr S. A. Empson sard he considered that was the toast of the evening. In Mr W. Kay they were fortunate in having such a man, for it was owing to his generalship that the present succes of the club was due. He hoped that Mr W. Kay would continue to be their leader, and if they were successful in obtaining suitable ponies he felt confident of success in the future.

In responding Mr Kay thanked them all for their kind, remarks, but he was powerless without the support of the other members of the club. He considered the game in which they were beaten at Palmerston was the most keenly contested in the tournament. It was the ponies that beat them. Two members of the club had left Te Awamutu that evening with the object of procuring ponies. The toast of “The Old Kihikilii Club ” was proposed by Mr J. Hutchinson, who recalled the fact that Kihikihi was the place where polo was first introduced 22 years ago. In those days, said the speaker, the clubs were few, which necessitated a great deal of travelling in order to play a match. Mr J. Corboy, in responding, thanked those present for the hearty way they had drunk to the toast. Great difficulties were experienced by the Kihikihi club in their initial stages, but they persevered, and managed to hold their own. Very few of the old players were left. He urged them in future matches to play the man instead of the ball, and they would do better.

Mr Kay also spoke. In proposing the toast of “ Sister Clubs” Mr Empson coupled with the toast the name of Mr F. Potts, v. ho was once a member of the Ohanpo club, and was now of Hamilton. He referred to the cordiality which existed between the various clubs.

Mr Potts, replying, thought that science should take the place of dash. Pie offered two ponies to the club.

During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Elliott, Seaward, Flannagan, Oliphant, Florence, and Chamberlain ; Mr E. Moeller contributed a violin solo, Mr Baddeley a piano solo, and Mr Luxford a recitation.