ITEMS OF SPORT

New Zealand Tablet, 16 October 1913, Page 31

ITEMS OF SPORT

- - ~ GENERAL. , . . . St. Mary’s representative was' successful in ' the post-to-post race, George Hiilme being the .winner (writes ■ our Hamilton correspondent). In the ,300yds open, T. Roach was second, while G. Hulme ran second in the 440yds. ’ >. The Canterbury Rugby Football Union’s primary schools’ junior flag was won this year by the West Lyttelton School, and on last Thursday afternoon the trophy was handed over to the scholars (writes our Christchurch correspondent). The' Mayor (Mr. J. R. Webb) said that it gave him great pleasure to be present at such an auspicious - ceremony. :• Brother Calixtus, headmaster of the Marist School, said his, school was somewhat loth to part with a trophy which it had held for three years. This year, however, his boys had won the senior .flag, and it was only right that they should give the junior trophy up) He paid a compliment to the manner in which the boys had played the .game, and said he could not overlook the services of their coach and master, Mr. F. Benjamin. Amidst hearty applause 'from the scholars Brother Calixtus then handed over the flag. MARIST BROTHERS’ SCHOOL,.' CHRISTCHURCH. / (From our own correspondent.) M There was an exceedingly pleasant gathering on Saturday evening in one of the large classrooms of the Marist Brothers’ School, on the occasion .of the primary schools’ senior football flag being handed over to the Marist School boys, the winning team. At a banquet tendered to the boys by the M. 8.0.8. Football Club, and presided over by Mr. J. Power, a staunch friend of the boys, the invited guests, including Mr. T. A. i Fletcher (Sydenham School, and secretary of the North Canterbury Primary Schools’ Athletic Association), Mr. J. McLaren, Mr F. Smyth (captain M. 8.0.8. Football Club), Mr. A. Fanning, Mr. B. White, and Mr. O. McCormack (Springston) were welcomed by Brother Calixtus, director of the Marist Brothers’ School, who expressed the pleasure it gave the staff to have those gentlemen present. He was particularly grateful to Mr. Fletcher for coming personally to present the flag. Mr. Fletcher was a thorough sport, which was proved by the fine feeling existing between the Sydenham School and their own. This year, Mr. Fletcher was instrumental in having privileges granted to school boys that were not thought of previously, especially in gaining admission for them to all the important football fixtures. Mr. Fletcher, who was very warmly greeted, said he wished he deserved all the kind things attributed to him. His desire was always to give the boys a good time, and to make football enjoyable. In the contests of the past season he had' seen the boys play, and was satisfied the Marist team had won out. A fine sporting spirit prevailed throughout, and the team won the flag on. their merits. In addition, the team supplied some useful members to the North Canterbury contingent, which for the first time beat South Canterbury on its own ground at Timaru. Some credit was due to the Marist Brothers’ School for that win. He called upon the captain of the Marist Brothers’ team, Master J. McCormack, to accept the banner, and whilst heartily congratulating them, and recognising that the play was very hard, he must add that much credit was due to their coach (Brother Calixtus). Mr. O. McCormack, on behalf of the team, thanked

Mr. Fletcher for his kind remarks and the evident interest he had taken in the contest. All fully appreciated the good work done during the season, and the boys deserved credit for their sterling performances in the popular game. I Mr. J. Power expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be among the boys to celebrate their victory. Their performance had been of outstanding —not having a point scored against them. He asked the ladies present, headed by Mrs. W. Rodgers; to present the winners of the severi-aVide,-, the open, and under

fourteen each with a silver souvenir football, given by the Rugby Union. These were handed to Masters J. McCormack, G. Ritchie, E. Thomson, P. Murfitt, J. Ellis, W. 'McLaren, • and L. Gibbs, F. Bennett, J. Mathews, F. : Khouri' C. Bachelor, F. , Main, * F. O’Brien, and B. McManus. ... The guests' of the evening were then asked to present each boy of the school teams with a handsome medal, donated by the M. 8.0.8. Association.V These were handed to the following members of the team : J. McCormack (captain), F. Khouri (vice-captain), J. Ellis, F. Bennett, B. McManus, G. > Ritchie, C. Bachelor, R. Dickson, J. Matthews, F. Main, L. Gibbs, E. Thomson, R. Murfitt, E. Sloan, F. O’Brien. Mr. F. Smith (captain of the M. 8.0.8. Football Club) .congratulated the boys on the success attained and the record established. His impression was that the school game fostered football, and made Rugby so popular. - -/ Mr. L. Corbett added his congratulations for the boys’ good win.’ . ' . • ;

A call was made upon the boys here for cheers for the Marist Brothers, which were given most heartily. In acknowledging the compliment, Brother Calixtus said that some doubtless differed as to the importance of encouraging sport, unconnected , with school. The reason why teachers took such interest was that it proved a great help in school work. ’ A healthy body was, by the very nature of things, the necessity of a healthy mind. Boys should have their school life made easy and pleasant if the best result was to be attained, and this was why he encouraged school sportsIt fostered a fine spirit, and this was more manifest here than in any school of his experience. To show that the school did not suffer by an undue amount of sport, he had only to point out that last year twenty of the boys gained proficiency certificates, and -one topped the Dominion educational test for a scholarship. Mr. J. McLaren returned thanks for the privilege accorded him to attend the function. Another speaker referred to the sport among school boys as an aid to discipline, and tending to make manly .men of the players. . Speaking of - last season’s contest, he said the winners of the flag scored 271 points to nil in eight matches. Four members and the captain were included in the primary schools’ representative teams that scored successfully against South Canterbury. Players from the school also won the seven-a-side in •two grades. This is the' fourth successive year ; the school has won the banner, only one try being scored against it in that time. The Marist Brothers’ School teams in Auckland, Wellington,' Wanganui, Invercargill, and Timaru have all won the schools’ contest easily, Invercargill and Auckland putting, up record performances. ' . ... Mr. G. Dobbs congratulated the Sydenham team. Although not securing the flag, their play was beyond reproach. He had seen nothing better in representative matches. All the school teachers of Canterbury, he said, appeared to be members of a happy family, and all worked together in a friendly, sportsmanlike manner, in this respect . being in marked contrast to .what was apparent elsewhere. ■' Mr. W. Rodgers was of opinion that the Rugby Union should show greater encouragement to school players. •' .«, ■ Cheers were .given for the f old boys’ and friends of the school, for the medals, and also for the runnersup in the flag contest and their coach (Mr. Fletcher). Mr. Fletcher on his own and on behalf of 1 the Sydenham school boys expressed appreciation of the compliment. They played the game for the game’s sake. Cheers were given for Mr. A. Fanning, representative in the New Zealand team, and a member of the M. 8.0.8. Association!, who scored the only try. Mr. Fanning responded, and said he hoped to see some of the boys there that evening playing for New Zealand. Master McLaughlin gave a couple of songs and Master Bradley recited, both in good style. On the motion of the chairman, the ]adies were very cordially thanked for their much appreciated help on this and other occasions. In a neat speech Miss Baker responded. . ’