Wanderers' Celebrations Commence

Chronicle (Levin), 4 June 1948, Page 4

Wanderers' Celebrations Commence

Last night the Regent Hall was the scene of the first of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Levin Wanderers' Rugby Football Club, when .past and present members gathered at a smoke concert. Among the guests were Mr. J. J. - Maher, MR. for Otaki, and the \ Mayor of Levin, Mr. H. B. Burde- n kin. The hall was beautifully decorated with the colours of' Horowhenua Rugby Union and the Levin Wanderers Club.- " Opening the celebrations, the president of the jubilee committee, Mr. N. Winiata, said he esteemed it a pleasure and an honour to welcome the "stalwarts of the 'nineties,'" who were originally responsible for football in the Horowhenua, and also those who had earried on from them till the present day. He paid a tribute to the Horowhenua Rugby Union, ' the . N.Z.R.U. and the referees. During the evening various items were given by the orchestra, comprising Messrs. J. Hayfield, W. penny, M. Boyce, H. L. Jenkins and G. - Lester, and bright interludes were also provided by Messrs. Dan Rikihana, "Bunny" Carkeek and D. Nichols,

It was grand to see such a large gathering of young people associated with Rugby football, .said Mr. J. J, Maher. Football was a game which brought out the best things in a man. It taught him to both give and take knocks. He was pleased to note the intermingling of .the Maoris and pakehas in the club. In conclusion, he wished the club a successful anniversary and happy reunion. The Mayor, Mr. H. B, Burdekin, on behalf of the town, also extended his best wishes to the club, which he stated had its roots in the early history of Levin and possessed a record of which it could be very proud. The path of the Horowhenua Union had been a hard one, said Mr. E. M. Ryder when proposing the toast "The Union." It had been difficult sometimes for the union to function, but it had earried on through the years, often with little financial assistance. Replying, the president of the Horowhenua Union, Mr. A. Gillespie, said that Levin Wanderers had a record as good as that of any club in New Zealand, not so much for its successes but for its sportsmanship. It was a "great Maoripakeha club." ■ "We must take off our. hats to some of the wonderful men who have played for and supported the team,"- continued Mr. Gillespie. He mentioned in particular Mr. J. W. Procter, whom he said had had some 50 years in New Zealand football circles, ' : During the evening the following toasts were honoured: — "The King"p "Absent' Gomrades"; "The Club," Mr. 'D. S. Mackenzie — Mr. N. W. Ryder; "The R.S.A."— Mr H. B. Burdekin— Mr. N. M. Thomson; "Referefes' Association-,"' "St John Ambulance Brigade"; "The Entertainers," "The Ladies," and "The Press." - ;