PLEASANT FINAL REUNION

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1946, Page 2

PLEASANT FINAL REUNION

RAHUI FOOTBALL CLUB'S FUNCTION S RETURNED MEN ENTERTAINED The Rahui Football Club, which has rendered splendid patriotic service to men overseas and returned personnel, held its final reunion on Saturday night, when the iarge dining hall at the Otaki racecourse was well fllled with members and supporters. A most enjoyable and successful time resulted. Mr. H. G. Wylie, president of the club, presided, and after the toast of "The King," .stated the- occasion was looked upon as a "grand night" for. the men returned from overseas, as well as supporters. For five years members of the club had looked forward to giving a fitting welcome to members of the club and supporters; who had also been away, and it was with great pleasure that his club had arranged the gathering. ' All were delighted to nave the opportunity '-of welcoriiing home the men, but it was with great regret that some who had fought so valiantly for their country and freedom would never return. To the relatives sympathy was extended.. ..The men, however, would never be forgotten. Mr. Wylie assured ' the returned personnel that their doings overseas had been watched with interest, and said it was gratifying to know that all had done well. Some, however, hau been wounded, but he 1 hoped they would make a good recovery. His club, he added, had sent away some 53 members, and it was, therefore, that some -people wondered why football was not carried out in its entirety. He was pleased to know that the opening matches of the season had been successful, and congratulated all on the display given. He thought all could look forward to a good season, and it was gratifying to know that Rahui had been enabled to enter a senior team-.for cqmpetition. * He hoped " that all mefhbers woula give support. -It was pleasing to ,kno\«:that the club possessed over 150 financial members, and it . would .thus be seen that it was a strong one: Mr. Wylie, after again extending a hearty welcome to returned men, . ;extended a warm welcome to Mr. , A. Gillespie, "the presideht1 of the 1 Horowhenua-jRugby Union. He then asked thkt. !atf stand in silence in tribute. to. the. rn^n Y/hp, . had pa^ the sunreflie 'sacrifice.

* The 'toast of "The Returned Boys" was proposed by Mr. Hugh Moffatt, who stated that all had watched their doings while overseas, and they we.re pleased to know that all had faithfully carried out their duties. Those left behind, and those ' who had gone away,1' had undergone most anxious times, but he assured all. that the folks Jeft behind appreciated all . they 'had done in the cause of freedom. All realised what the men had gone through, and riow that they were back were pleased to be in a position to welcome them. Now it was desired that all would enter on sporting activities, and it was hoped that success would attend tneir efforts. ("For They Are Jolly Good Fellows" was* heartily rendered). Mr. Tom Stevens, in reply, stated that the remarks passed were fully appreciated. The men had been sent away to do a job, and it was pleasing to know that this had been, successfully accomplished. ' All had done their best, had played the game and had won, and it was now hoped that all would rejoin football and play the game as they had done while away. "The R.S.A." was proposed by'Mr. J. E. Southgate, who spoke of the excellent wo'rk of this organisation, and advised all returned men to become members. He expressed pleasure at seeing so many returned men present. The R.S.A. was comprised of a most wonderful body of men, who could be relied upon to carry out the duties allotted to them.

Mr. H. B. rEdhouse, m response, after thanking the club for its invitation ' to attend the re-union, thanked Mr. Southgate for his remarks. His association would be most happy to welcome any returned men and do what they could for them. At one time returned men were looked lightly upon, but not now the association was in existence. It was a body that desired to do all possible, acted on strict business lines and as a strong organisation carried a great deal of weight. All branches of the association were given a fair and impartial hearing, and those who -joined up would have the .opportunity of improving it, They could be assyred of all encouragement from the present body of men. The toast, "Maori People," coupled with the "M&ori Battalion," was proposed by Mr. W. Kendrick, .who, after a welcome to the returned men, paid a tribute to the Maovi people in general, dealing with their. hospitality, their generosity and their fighting abilities when needed. In sport the Maoris had done well. on the field of battle they had performed great deeds and, although they had not been forced to enlist asked that they be allowed to fight shoulder to shoulder with the Pakeha. After the singing of the Maori Battalion song, Mr. Carkeek expressed his thanks for the sentiments expressed and the praise bestowed upon his people. Mr. Carkeek took the opportunity of congratulating tfie club on its fina

work during the war period, and stated what a great help the Patriotic Committee had been. , This body, he said, was first in the field, even ahead of the Borough Council, and it was now well known the great service the compiittee had done. Speaking of the war, Mr. Carkeek said it was a privilege for the Maoris to fight side by side with their white brethren. The Maori Battalion • song, was again rendered, but in Maori, • "The Patriotic Society" was a toast proposed by Mr. Harry Strang, who maintained that the society had accomplished great. work and had catered splendidly for the men 'while overseas. As an organisation he considered the Patriotic Committee had done splendid work, and even in other parts of the country had been of great assistance to the men. Parcels were always appreciated, none knew better than the recipients. In conclusion, hp stated that the men owed the Patriotic Committee a deep debt oi gratitude. Mr. R. T. Mortiboy, in acknowledging the remarks, which -he appreciated, stated that it had been pleasing to be able to help in contributing to - the' comforts of tlie men." Th6y richly deserved- all. they. had ' received, but if any parcels1 went asttay he assured them it.had iiot been the fault of the' commit-; tee. Mr. Mortiboy t'hen- announcedj that the victory ball would shortly: be held, and he extended -an- invitation to returhed meh' to ,be pr-es-j ent. ' • ' • i

Mr. Frank Rule, in propo'Sifig thei toast of. "Our Sister Oominions,"; ■ spo&e df „ the. ."fielp7 given by' suchj; couiitries,' adding that it had' 'been an .hon'our to work in conjunction iwith theni. While overseas - o,ur men .'had' had the' opportunity of rneetiiig men ' from' 'the different ; countries, _ and in consequence had5 made ,mgny friends, and also profit-' ed by meetiiig.various types of men.v He paid.a tribute to the 'heFp given by the sister Dominions.- "... Mr. J. Miller, in reply, stated that he had ' visited the various countries, and could not speak too' highly of the work they had accomplished, while in return the men of overseas Dominions had regarded the New Zealanders as a very fine body of men. Personally, he could speak of the great hospitality extended. Mr. Ben Rolfe, in proposing the toast of "Kindred Sports," spoke of the benefits to be derived by joining various sporting bodies, and advised those who had not joined up to do so, and play games in the right spirit. Mr..Vic. Morgan, in reply, endorsed the remarks and emphqsised tne fact that all young men,' should belong to some branch of sport. Mr, Morgan, in his.usual humorous manner, told anecdotes. "The Horowhenua Rugby Union" was the toast proposed by Mr, Fitzgerald, wno deait on sport m general, strongly advocating men joining the Rahui Club, a club that had done much in the interest of sport. It had been a fight to get the Rahui Club admitted to the union as a senior team, but- now that this had been accomplished he hoped the men would give of their best. If they did so, then good football could be looked forward to. He advised all to play "goo.d^. . clean, open football." He" stated that he only spoke for the Horowhenua Rugby Union, and "not" for the proposed amalgamated body. .

Mr. Gillespie said that he appreciated the Rahui Club's invitation to be present, and to take part in sueh a re-union to the men who . had returned from overseas. The Rahui Club had a splendid recor'd, one of the best in New Zealand. It was a club that had done much for its, members, and he congratulated them. Members had been sec'ond to none on the field of sport, and he knew that the club would still carry on in the same way. Mrv Gillespie asked that if ever the club had a Complaint to the union it be given to the club's delegate, Mr. Wylie, who would see that. the matter was righted. Rahui players had played the game . throughout the war, and he knew that they»WQuld cpnfinue to do so on the field of sport. The union,. he said, would foster sport and he hoped that many bright, enjoyable games would result. Speaking of the Maori race; Mr, Gillespie said it was one they could not do without. They had assisted in vari'ous ways, and he assured all that the Maori-Pakeha match would be a great game. In conclusion, he stated .that the ''H.R.U. would do its best for sport: ' "The Maori Racing Club" was a toast proposed by Mr. Dave ' Blake, who spoke of its sporting activities. its successful meetings, and to the fact that ifc was the only Maori

Racing Club in New Zealand. The club was known for its generosity, and even that night members had placed the buildings, etc., at the disposal of the Rahui Club, and for this the club was deeply grateful. The racing club had also sto'od to other sports, and nad frequently placed its course and environments at the disposal of other sports bodies. He considered that Otaki was fortunate in possessing such a club, Mr. Carkeek stated that it was gratifying to hear such remarks and~ assured all that the racing club would be prepared at all times to assist sport in general. It was pleasing to know that the club was so popular. .• • Other toasts proposed were "The Artists," proposed 'by Mr. Arthur Knox and responded to by Mr. Ted Miles; and "The Press," Mr. Pat Ferguson — Mr. H. Nicolson. Messages wishing the re-union and the club every success were received from Messrs. Max Ralph, Fred Street and Rex Nicolson, the latter still in Australia. During the evening several fine musical and vocal items were rendered, those eontributing being Messrs. Carkeek, Raika (2), Nicholls, the "Ink Spots'," O'Brien, George Lee and Wally Bryap. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from the Mayor (Mr. C. F. Atmore).Refreshments on a liberal scale were provided, and it was a happy party which broke up at.midnight when the electric Iight "failed to, ftmction.