FATHERS AND SONS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 October 1932, Page 6

FATHERS AND SONS

ANNUAL Y.M.C.A. BANQUET. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The annual •‘Father and Son” banquet of the Alasterton Y.AI.C.A. is an event of some importance to ia great number -of boys and the 103— banquet held last night was as popular as its forerunners. There was an excellent attendance and “Dad” whs given a very cardial and enthusiastic, welcome. Air W. Clarke presided and he had as associate-chairman Aiaster Rodney Hughes. A very line address was given by Air W. White. Appropriate toasts were honoured while community singing and a number of instrumental and elocutionary items added to the enjoyment -of the guests. A series or lightning sketches drawn by Air Brice were greatly appreciated and drew hearty applause. The commodious gymnasium was used as a banqueting hall and the four long tables laden with good things were gaily decorated with spring Rowers. Full justice was done to the- banquet prepared and served by the members of the Ladies’ Auxiliary under the supervision of the president, Airs Al. C. AUnekay. The toast list was opened by the Royal Toast and the singing of “God Save tho King.” In proposing tho toast of “Alasterton,” Aiaster 'George Scott said that ho- had tho honour of proposing the toast of the iinest towii in New Zealand—Alasterton. He paid a tribute to the splendid foundations laid by the pioneers and observed that, these foundation's had been built on by the citizens of to-day. Alasterton, he said, was a town; to be justly proud of. There were countless reasons' win but he did not propose to enlarge on them. Or. A. ißip'pon, in responding to the toast, said lie wished to apologise for the unavoidable absence of the Alayor, Atr T. Jordan. Air Rippon said that the citizens of to-morrow would come from the boys of to-day. He urged the boys to emulate the characters of the early pioneers referred to by the proposer who had expressed line sentiments in the toast to Alasterton. The toast ol: “Dad” was in the hands of Aiaster Lloyd Alaguire, who said that they owed a great deal to dad. Dad, said Aiaster Alaguire, helped them to make their way in. the world and dad would .always stand by them if they made the best of their opportunities. In responding, Air A. J. Daysh referred to former Alasterton boys who had made their mark in the world of learning. As fathers, they were intensely interested in the progress of t'he.ir boys, and looked to them to do something which would lift aIL on to a higher plane. A toast to “Alolher” was ably proposed by Aiaster Alonty Alunn. They would iind homo 'very empty without mother, and they should not. forget mother even at a father and son banquet. Airs AI. G. Alack ay, president of the Y.ALC.A. Ladies’ Auxiliary, responded to tho toast of “AUthor. ” She thanked Aiaster Alunn for his kind words, and asked the boys to influence their friends to join up with the Y.ALC.A.

Ur. W.. White delivered a brief but inspiring address. Boys, he said, would get out of life what they strove for. There was a gre'a.t future in front of them, and lie hoped they would rise to it. Or. White urged the boys to be respectful a.t all times to their parents, teachers and employers when they went to work. There was room, ho said, for tho b)oy who made himself worthy and who played the game. He paid a tribute to the work of Mr A. E. Bate, the Y.AI.'C.A. secretary, and referred to the help the Y.AI.C.A. had been to the bow-.

The following contributed to the programme: —Air Price, blackboard sketches; Aiaster Graeme Alorice, violin solo; Aiaster Af unlay Wing, recitation; Air Tongs, mouth organ and harp solos. Air Winter presided at tho piano. A vote of thanks was aecorded to the members of t-lio Ladies’ Auxiliary, who had dono great work. A tribute was paid to the excellent- work rendered during the year by Mrs Alaekay. A'otes of thanks were also given enthusialstieial'ly to the artists who had provided the programme, and to the chairman for presiding over the function.