HARRIERS ENTERTAINED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 5

HARRIERS ENTERTAINED

WELCOME WEEK CLOSES

THANKS TO MR W. L. YOUNG Although tho inclement weather during the week-end caused a certain amount of dampness, both in spirit and material, yet the Wanganui and Masterton harriers, who met in their annual race for the Benson Trophy, had a thoroughly enjoyable time. On arrival at mid-day on Saturday the visitors were entertained at dinner by the local club and were addressed by the president of the Wanganui Harrier Club, Mr C. R. White, the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr N. G. Armstrong, Mr T. Dustin, representing the Welcome Week Committee, and the captain of the Macterton Club, Mr J. Wink.

In welcoming the visitors Mr White said that they were looking forward to the usual good, clean contest, and that while the Wanganui Club had every hope of winning, yet they would heartily congratulate their opponents should they prove too good for the Wanganui men. Referring jocularly to the state of tho weather, he sairl it looked as if they would have a swim as well as a run during tho afternoon. However, the riv r city was well equipped with rowin', clubs, and no doubt they could use the boats sheuld thjv desire. Harrier ism was being fostered from one end of the ■ ountry to tho other, he said, and they in Wanganui were doing nil they could in Ihe interests of the sport. It was one of the finest of sports and taught a fellow to be a real man and to accept reverses and defeat in life in the proper spirit. The Mayor, Mr N. G. Armstrong, Mr Dustin and Mr Wink also brieflly addressed tho harriers. On the conclusion of the race both teams were entertained at tea by the Welcome Week Committee and Miss Wanganui, at which there were present the president < f the committee, Mr N. G. Armstrong, Mrs Armstrong, Mr D. Dustin, Mr W. L. Your.g, Mr C. R. White and many others. On the conclusion of the refreshment, Mr Dustin brieflly addressed the harriers, who were presented with souvenir ribbons of Wanganui’s 91st birthday. Laterin the day both clubs enjoyed the Joy Night dance in Paul’s Hall, where they were briefly addressed by the deputy-Mayor, Mr F. Symes, who congratulated the Wanganui men on their win that afternoon and said that they had one hand on tho trophy. He considered that the harriers’ meeting and dance had provided a fitting close to Welcome Week. Everybody enjoyed themselves until midnight, when they somewhat reluctantly went homo. Yesterday both teams were taken up tho river and shown the sights of Wanganui, after which they were entertained by the patron of tho Wanganui Club, Mr W. L. Young. Congratulations were extended to the winning team by the president, Mr White, who said that Wanganui were very pleased to have placed one hand on tho trophy. As expected the race had proved to be clean and sporting, and everyone had enjoyed it. He hoped that when tho Wanganui men went to Masterton that they would be able to send a strong team and place the other hand on tho trophy. The holders had had the cup for three years, and he was sure thr'. they would not mind the Wanganui men holding it for a while. He presented tho ribbons presented by the Winter Show authorities for the first three places and fastest time, and said that tho difficulty presented by three men crossing the line together would be overcome by the club presenting the extra men with ribbons. It had been a unique experience. Sealed handicaps trophies were also presented.

Mr A. Keats, of the Masterton Club, thanked Mr and Mrs Young and the Wanganui harriers for giving him and his clubmates a ‘father of a good time,” and said ;hey always looked forward to the contest each year. They would do all they could to give the Wanganui runners a good time at the end of next month.

Mr J. Wink, captain of the Masterton Club, extended thanks to their hosts, the officials of the Wanganui Harrier Club, and the. Wanganui Welcome Week Committee He did not mind in the least the ‘‘hiding” they had received on Saturday.

Mr G. Moore replied on behalf of the Wanganui Club. Mr G. Benson, donator of the Benson Trophy, said that when he had given the trophy for annual competition he had had no idea tha' teams of 12 runners would bo ompeting for it. The first year for which it had been competed they had had a hard job to raise four good runners. He considered that the sport of harriorism was the finest in the world, and he was only too pleased to do all ho could to forward its interests.

Nir Young, replying for the thanks extended to him and Mrs Young, said there were great possibilities in the associations of the Wanganui and Masterton Harrier Chibs. He considered that the big gathering there that day was only a miniature of the gathering that would one day compete for tho Benson Trophy. He congratulated tho runners on their fine performance on Saturday. He had never seen a worse day for the sport, but nevcrtholo s the runners had behaved like men during and after the race. He would like tn see tho sport of har rierism take a big place in spur' on the West Coast, and he assured those present, that the support of Mrs Young and himself would always be there to help it on.