BULLS FOOTBALL CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 215, 10 September 1937, Page 5

BULLS FOOTBALL CLUB

JUBILEE GATHERING (Own Correspondent.) The Town Hall supper room was well filled on Tuesday evening, when the Bulls Football Club’s jubilee was celebrated, the gathering taking the form of a “smoke concert.” Over 100 persons were present, including several “old-timers” and visitors from Wanganui and Hunterville clubs. Three veterans of 40 and 50 years ago were welcomed—Hugh Stevenson, now at Napier; Jim Desmond, of Wellington; and George (“Son”) Hathaway, also of Wellington. Others present included Messrs A. Henw’ood (Rata), R. C. S. McKenzie, and Kaierau members, Messrs H. Willis, A. Glengarry, W. Glasgow, W. Glenn, L. Carthy, D. Thompson, J. Calcott and G. Lockett. Apologies were received from Messrs C. L. Hunter, M.P., R. Hathaway (Auckland), J. Moye, C. E. Vile, W. Gleeson (Feilding), Dr. Adams (Wanganui), and Mr F. O. Bailey (Ohakea). Mr J. Preston, president of the Bulls Football Club, was in the chair, and after extending a welcome to all, proposed the loyal toast. Mr D. Lynch (Flock House) proposed the toast of the “Bulls Football Club,” and said that for a small town the club’s record was one to be proud of. It showed that players were imbued with the right spirit to work up such a strong combination, and he

urged the encouragement of the young players, for that was the way to keep up the standard of play. Mr N. James, captain of the seniors, replied, saying that it was a pleasure to see old players coming so far to attend the club’s jubilee. He thanked players for rolling up to practice regularly, and for playing the game both on and off the field. He also thanked members of the Kaierau team for coming along to the gathering. Mr L. Gray, captain of the Bulls juniors, congratulated the seniors on their successes, and thanked Mr Lynch for remembering the lower grade players. “The Rangitikei Rugby Union” was proposed by Mr E. A. Caldow, who stressed the need for encouragement of school football. He also commended the Moye scheme of matches. Mr R. C. S. McKenzie, in reply, said that he was pleased to sit with such line sets of officials as composed the executives of the Wanganui and Rangitikei Unions. He congratulated Bulls on winning such fine trophies, and welcomed the “old-timers,” members of the Kaierau Club, and Maori supporters of the Bulls Club. There was talk of young men turning to golf, but no golf matches could draw the attendances which the Springboks were doing in New Zealand. He congratulated Mr Moye on his scheme, which had improved Rugby, particularly in the country.

Mr R. C. S. McKenzie, in toasting “Kindred Clubs,” expressed regret that more outside clubs were not represented and referred to the presence of Messrs Henwood and Lockett, stalwarts of the game. Messrs Lockett, Calcott and Henwood replied, offering their congratulations, and Mr Henwood paying a tribute to Bulls seniors for beating Kaierau, the undoubted champions of Wanganui. Though at first he was not impressed with the Moye scheme, he now acknowledged that it was well worth playing. He eulogised Mr D. G. Strachan, the Wanganui writer, whose articles were a great help to Rugby. Mr J. E. Walker proposed the toast of “Old Timers,” coupled with the names of Messrs Stevenson and Hathaway, who played in the three-quarter line for Bulls in 1891, and Mr Desmond, a great forward 50 years ago. He also recalled fine players in Bulls like W. Remington and J. and W. Broughton: and added that the popular song “On the Ball” was composed here by Mr G. W. Sekkar, and dedicated to Mr Andy Thompson, then Clerk of the Court in Bulls. Charlie McLean was another notable Bulls player, and in the seasons 1891-2-3 the Bulls Club was champion of the Manawatu district. Mr Stevenson produced one of the original copies of “On the Ball,” which was sung lustily by all present, and after congratulating the present team on their wins, gave an interesting resume of the inauguration of Rugby here 60 years ago by Messrs Bullard and Snell. In those days, he said, there were no cars, and players travelled by coach. The year 1891 was a memorable one, and he recalled members of the team of that season: Jim Hathaway (captain), Bob Hathaway, Fred Webb, G. Blanchard, Arnold George, Pat Roache, Jim McKelvie, Alex. Cameron, B. Bethwaite, G. Norton, Tom Cameron, Jack Cameron, Duncan Fraser, H. Stevenson, and the lineumpire, A. G. Remington, and referee, Rev. Innes-Jones. That year the club won the championship. He thanked present members for inviting him to the gathering, and hoped that players would listen to instructions, and benefit thereby. Mr Hathaway added to the previous speaker’s reminiscences, and both he and Mr Desmond expressed pleasure at being given the .opportunity to renew old acquaintanceships.

The toast of ‘ The Referees’ Association” was entrusted to Mr G. Lockett, who said that the man with the whistle had a hard task, and could not be expected to please everybody, but our referees did their best to rule the games fairly. Mr R. Baker, who regretted the absence of the president, Mr G. Thompson, agreed that refereeing was not an enviable task, but he hoped to see more taking up the whistle.

Mr J. Timms spoke of the creditable way in which matches were reported by the Press, and a local reporter suitably responded. Speaking on behalf of the Maoris, Mr J. Reweti congratulated N. James and Bulls players, and said that the club had the support of the native race. Valedictory.—The chairman said that there remained one important function, that of bidding farewell to Mr Clarrie Culpan, who was leaving shortly for South Africa. He thanked Mr Culpan for the great assistance he had rendered to the Bulls Club, and wished him and Mrs Culpan health and happiness in their newhome. He asked Mr Culpan to accept a small memento of the regard of players and members of the club. Mr W. Kearney added his quota, stating that Mr Culpan had played in about 30 games this season, and had scored 25 tries, two of which he converted, making a total of 79 points. He had represented both Wdnganui and Rangitikei on four occasions, and one day he might return to New Zealand with the Springboks. (Zipplause). Mr Kearney then handed to Mr Culpan a gift from members of the club. Mr McKenzie also spoke of Mr Culpan’s football ability, and his many fine qaulities, and wished him success in the future. Mr culpan, in reply, said that it was hard to find words to express the pleasure which playing with the Bulls team —and winning the championship—had given him. He returned thanks for their kind remarks and their gifts, and said that he would carry away with him many kind thoughts of their kindnesses. Mr Culpan’s health was drunk with musical honours.

Mr Jack Currie asted as songleader, and Mr C. H. Edwards presided at the piano. Musical items were contributed by Messrs Hugh Stevenson, Harry Burt, Ben Poaneki, J. Reweti, J. Calcott, A. Henwood, J. Timmins, R. Hallamore, Bill Tohu and J. Walker, and the concert was one o£ the most enjoyable in the long history of the club.