M.B.O.B. ASSOCIATION, CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, 16 October 1919, Page 35

M. 8.0.8. ASSOCIATION, CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) A complimentary social was tendered in the Art Gallery on the evening of Wednesday week to the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ senior football team, winners of the Canterbury Rugby Union Senior Championship and the D.C.L. Shield. The greater part of the evening was devoted to dancing and euchre, the music being provided by Miss McDonald’s orchestra. During an interval occasion was taken to present the various trophies won, and medals to the members of the senior team. Sir George Clifford presided, and there were also present his Lordship Bishop Brodie, the Mayor (Dr. Thacker, M.P.), Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Very Rev. C. Graham, S.M., M.A. (St. Bede’s College), the clergy of the Cathedral and St. Mary’s parishes, the Marist Brothers, and several of the M.8.0.8.A. vicepresidents, members of the Canterbury Rxigby Union, and representatives of other football clubs.

The chairman stated that while he felt greatly honored at being asked to preside, he thought a footballer with expert knowledge would have been more suitable. He knew very little of modern football, though he recognised it was one of our greatest sports. He congratulated not only the winning team, but the losing team, for the great fight they had put up in the final game of the competition. His Lordship Bishop Brodie said the object of the gathering that night was to give them an opportunity of congratulating the members of the winning team. And they must not be selfish. Many of the members of the team had taken part in the greatter game, and the winning team could congratulate itself that in its ranks there were 11 returned soldiers. Some people condemned the playing of these manly games, but he differed from them. He took the opportunity of thanking the members of the Canterbury Rugby Union for the compliment they had paid in attending the gathering. He was an enthusiastic Rugbyite; he liked all sports, but he preferred Rugby. He was delighted likewise to see the Referees' Association represented. Finally, he congratulated the winning team itself. In its early days the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Club had encountered defeat after defeat, but victory had at length crowned their efforts. A nice compliment had been paid them by the attendance of members of the other competing teams that evening. Whilst they rejoiced in victory, ho would not like to see the Marists' team win every year, because that would not be good for football. He wished every success to the grand old game of Rugby. Mr. S. F. Wilson, on behalf of the Canterbury Rugby Union, said he wished to thank the Marists' Club for their kindness in inviting the visitors that night. The best friendships were made on the football field and cemented at social gatherings of that sort. He congratulated the club upon its great record this season of winning the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade competitions. It would be a record hard to beat. He thought beyond a shadow of doubt that the Marists' team were the best in the seniorcompetition they undoubtedly played the best football. On behalf of the Canterbury Rugby Union he presented the D.C.L. Shield to Mr. D. McCormick, captain of the senior team; the fourth grade banner to Mr. J. Ellis, the captain of the fourth grade team ; and the fifth grade banner to Mr. L. Riordan, captain of the fifth grade team. Mr. Wilson said a shield was being prepared for presentation to the sixth grade team. The Mayor added his congratulations to the club, which, he said, had been knocking at "the door of the senior championship for some time. It was the good Brothers, who had taught them how to play fairly and cleanly, who deserved the credit of the team's success. ......

Mr. D. McCormick, on behalf of the senior team, suitably acknowledged the congratulations showered upon them. They had had a hard fight, and felt very proud upon having at last captured the shield. Upon the call of the Mayor, the company cheered the team, followed with “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” The chairman then presented a gold medal to each of the following members of the senior team:-—D. McCormick, E. Fitzgerald, M. O’Malley; B. Frame, J. Ellis, B. : Flood, P. J. Aniodeo, B. Mahan, O. Meachem, J. McGuinness, E. Meachem, C. Taylor, P. O’Loughlin, J. McCormick, A. Bell, E. Brosnahan, H. Khouri, J. Smith, H. F. Mullins, L. Peterson, J C. Mullins, F. Smythe, and E. B. McDonald. Supper was served by the ladies, and the arrangements of the function, generally, reflected most creditably on the energetic secretary (Mr. A. F. Jarman) and his committee. l - V.-t woU .... -r--.