PIRATES “SMOKO”

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1949, Page 2

PIRATES “SMOKO”

The Pirates Football Club, winrtera of the junior championship and McKee Cup and also the junior third grade one-round competitions, held their annual "smoko” in the Fighting Forces’ Club on Saturday night, when the outstanding incidents of the season were recalled and the club was congratulated on its success. The president, Mr. J. Bagley, presided and associated with him at the official table were Messrs R. H. Dean, president of the Taihape Rugby SubUnion, J. Kilgour (secretary), R. H. Jones (a member of the union), J. F. Burke (secretary of the Pirates Football Club), TV. Currie (Referees’ Association) and A. J. Derbidge (junior coach). The toast of the Taihape Rugby Sub-Union was proposed by Mr. B. R. Winchcombe .•md responded to by Mr. J. Kilgour (secretary) who hoped that the delegates from the different clubs would be instructed by their clubs on how to vote at the annual meeting of the union on matters affecting their welfare He congratulated the Pirates junior team on winning the junior competition and the McKee Cup and one-round competition. He paid a tribute to the services of Mr. A. J. Derbidge in coaching the juniors He thought, that the junior football was better to watch than the senior and there seemed to be more enthusiasm amongst the juniors and third grade players. The toast of "Kindred Clubs” was proposed'by Mr. A. J Derbidge, who congratulated the Huia Club on winning the senior championship and the one-round Cup. He also complimented Utiku Old Boys on winning the third grade championship. Petty Officer S. Woods replied on behalf of the Navy. The toast of "The Referees” was proposed by Mr. E. Henham and responded to bv Mr. W. Currie, who congratulated Pirates on winning the junior competition and the McKee Cup. He paid a tribute to the efforts of Mr. A. J. Derbidge in coaching the Pirates .junior team. He also referred to the high standard of third grade Rugby. The toast of the “St. Jtfhn Ambulance” was proposed by Mr. R. Selby and was responded to by Mr. J. Dawson. “The Donors” was proposed by Mr. J. F. Burke and responded "to by Messrs H. Whale and J. Nicholson Cascade Brewery). Tribute to Pirates. The president of the Taihape Rugby Sub-Union (Mr. Dean) said that about 1923 he was a member of the Pirates Club and he always admired their spirit. It did not matter to ffiem where they were on the ladder. They always gave of their best. He paid a tribute to the Pirates’ supporters and proposed the toast of “Absent Friends.” Presentations. A presentation was made to the St. John Ambulance in appreciation of their good work during the season, by Mr. J. Bagley, president, on behalf of the Pirates Football Club. The medal for the most improved junior player (donated by Mr. D. Ingram) was presented to Rex. Troon by Mr. A. J. Derbidge, junior coach, whose task It was to make the selection. He congratulated Rex on winning the medal. Mr. W. Crimp, captain of the Pirates juniod team, made a presentation to Mr. Derbidge in appreciation and recognition of his services in coaching the Pirates junior team—winners of the junior competition and the McKee Cup. Responding, Mr. Derbifige said that it had been a pleasure to coach the junior Pirates team. Presentations were also made to Barry Goldsbury, captain of the victorious Pirates senior team last year (who has left the district) and Mr. B. R. Winchcombe (who is leaving_shortly to reside in the Bay of Islands. A presentation is also to be made to Mr. Russell Thompson, who is now living in Stratford. These three players are prominent members of the Pirates Club. PERSONAL. Reference to the death of Mrs. M. J. O'Connor, a life member and a foundation member of the Pirates Football Club, was made by Mr. J. Bagley, president, at the anhual “smoko” on Saturday night. Those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to her memory. Mrs. A. S. Cleaver, who was, injured when a bus capsized in the snow near Po.kaka recently, has been moved from Wanganui hospital to a private hospital at Taihape. Miss Nell Collerton, of Dunedin, is visiting Taihape. MOTOR TRUCK OVUR BANK. On Saturday night a motor truck driven by Mr. M. C. Waylen, of Utiku, went over the bank on the Main North Road about two miles from Taihape. but the driver escaped with nothing worse than a severe shaking. The damage to the truck was not extensive.