A Popular Sport Honored

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 29, 26 July 1923, Page 33

A Popular Sport Honored

On Thursday evening (says the Timoru Herald for July 7) the members of the local Celtic Football and Cricket Clubs tendered a farewell social and presentation to Mr. P. F. Roach. The gathering was a large and representative one, including members of the South Canterbury Rugby Union, Referees’ Association and kindred clubs. Rev. Father Hurley presided, and in making the presentation, which consisted of a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed, spoke of the sterling qualities of their guest and of the loss that would be occasioned by his departure. Mr. Roach, had always taken a keen interest in sport, and the successes attained on the field by the Celtic Clubs were in no small measure due to Air. Roach's enthusiasm and ever-ready assistance, which he had willingly rendered ever since he came to Timani some 1G years ago. During that time he had filled with credit the highest offices of both clubs —that of president—and he (Father Hurley) was pleased to see that Mr. Roach’s efforts were not allowed to go unrewarded by the large and representative gathering who had assembled to do him honor. In wishing Mr. Roach a pleasant sojourn in his native land (Australia) he hoped that he was only saying an ravoir, and that he (Mr. Roach) would soon be back amongst them. Rev. Brother Palladius and Messrs. J. B. Crowley, M. Angland, A. Clements, W. Camming, P. Stapleton, Z. Beri, and others also spoke in eulogistic terms of the departing guest’s outstanding qualities and of the loss that will be sustained in his departure. On rising to reply, Mr. Roach was greeted by rounds and rounds of applause. He said that he wished to thank all for the honor they had done him and the good things they had said about him. Whatever he had done for the parish and the Celtic Clubs had always been a pleasure, and the success that had crowned his sfforts was made possible by the whole-hearted support he had always received, right from the head of the parish (Rev. Father Hurley) downwards. He thanked one and all for their handsome gift and the sentiments which had accompanied it, and in conclusion expressed tlffi wish that he might again come back and settle in, Timaru, as he had spent the best years

of t his life here, and he had always looked - upon Timaru as his true home. A lengthy toast list was then gone through, and the remainder of the evening was spent in music and song. >