FAREWELL EVENING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 67, 26 April 1944, Page 5

FAREWELL EVENING

CRICKETERS FOREGATHER

MR GEORGE SMART THE GUEST

A farewell gathering was held' in the lounge of the Commercial Hotel on Friday evening to bid' good-bye to Mr George Smart who is leaving the district on transfer to the South Island l with the Loan and Mercantile Comipany. His Wors'hip the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, together with representatives and supporters of all Clubs and Cricket Associations in the district were present. In thanking Mr Smart for his work in connection with local cricket. MrJ. D. Rivett Presfdent, of the United Club, who was chairman for the evening, spoke highly"' of his work in connection, with the sport and thanked him for the enthusiasm he had shown in his position as secretary of the Whakatane United Club. "We are not," he said* "fare-welling you just as a secretary, but as a personal friend and Ave wish you every success in your new position." Mr L. R. Spring df the Rangitaiki Association also praised warmly Mr Smart's achievements and stated that if it had not been for the enthusiasm shown by him, it is doubtful whether so many players would have been as keen as they were. He also spoke highly of his future prospects, and wished him every success in his chosen sphere. His Worship the Mayor speaking as a man interested in sport and cricket in general, commented .humorously on the subjject. of how Mr Smart had more or less forced him, unwittingly, into helping the club along, especially in the sphere of grass cutting. As a fellow worker', Mr Mollgaard spoke, expressing regret at Mr Smart's leaving, but at the same time stated that he was not surprised to hear of his "landing" such a good position. In conclusion, he said that he would miss him both as a friend and a business associate. On behalf of the Air Training Corps, Mr A. G. Fisher spoke in similar terms of Mr Smart's work, thanking him for the. help and encouragement lie had shown to A.T.C. teams, and wishing him good-bye and good luck. In reply, Mr Smart thanked the speakers for their 'kind remarks, and said how he had appreciated playing with so many fine chaps and good sports and stated that he hoped to meet up with them again before. much time had elapsed., tinuing he said that he hoped cricket. would carry on as successfully next season as it had during the last, and also that anything he had done was mostly due to the enthusiasm shown by Mr Rivett who, he said, had brushed aside all obstacles in the way of cricket. In conclusion, he thanked all present for the even-* ing accorded him, and bade good-bye to all his friends and associates.