RUGBY REUNIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 226, 24 September 1945, Page 3

RUGBY REUNIONS

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION’S SMOKE CONCERT

Whistles, rule books, infringements, interpretations, scrummages and knock-ons forgotten, members of the Wanganui Rugby Referees’ Association met on Saturday night for the annual smoke concert. In an atmosphere known only to Rugby, they toasted those things about the game they liked, told stories, listened to music, sang, laughed and were happy in the Cadora Hall.

The president of the association (Mr W. R. McElwain) was in the chair. Opportunity was taken to acknowledge that Mr. W. Broadhead had been awarded his interprovincial certificate and that; Mr. J. Voltz had qualified for his five-year badge. A footballshaped piece of wood, which had been autographed at the end of the 1939 sermon, was handed to Mr. N. Reid, the then president. That was the year war broke out, and referees knew, as players knew, that the fates wouju scatter them, probably to places far beyond these shores, so it was decided to obtain the autographs and look again at the memento when the war was definitely at an >nd. During the evening Benefield Bros, band (piano, piano-accordeon and xylophone) kept those present alive and happy in chorus. Principal guest of the evening was Sergeant W. A. Dale, of Wellington, a repatriated prisoner of war, who had spent several years in Germany. He played lor the Wanganui Marist Club in the days of W. Kruse, the late Frank Crotty and Eugene Crotty (now in the Middle East).

The following toasts were proposed and responded to: “Rugby Football’’ (proposed by Mr. Bruce McElwain, a referee who has just returned from active service, and replied to by Mr. T. Latham, of the Collegiate School); “The Rugby Union” (proposed by Mr. N. Reid and replied to by Mr. J. Moye, chairman of the union’s management committee, Mr H. Willis, a member of the committee, Mr. A. Glengarry, of the selection committee, and Mr. Harp, Primary Schools’ Union); “The Wanganui Referees’ Association” (proposed by Mr. H. Whiting, a former sole selector and member of the management committee, and Mr. Peter Wilson, former half-back and captain of the Collegiate School fifteen) and replied to by Mr. C. Spriggens, honorary secretary of the Referees’ Association); “Kindred Sports” (proposed by Mr. L. Le Compte and replied to by Mr. Moye, and Mr. P. Polson); "Primary and Secondary Schools” (proposed by Mr. McElwain and replied to by Mr. A. Barnes, of the Intermediate School); "The Old Timers” (proposed by Mr. R. Mete Kingi and Mr. W Broadhead, and replied to by Mr. N. Reid; “The St. John Ambulance” (proposed by Mr. N. Neilson, and replied to by Mr. J. Hammond): "The Press” (proposed bv Mr. McElwain and replied to by “Crossbar); “The Musicians” (proposed by Mr. H. Barnett and replied to by Mr. Benefield). During the evening items were contributed by Messrs J. Voltz and G. Thrush and Mr. R. Mete Kingi gave a haka.