CRICKET JUBILEE

Chronicle (Levin), 17 October 1949, Page 2

CRICKET JUBILEE

Otaki Club's Celebrations The celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary • of the Otaki Cricket Club concluded with a dinner, whiph was held in the Raukawa Dining Rooms, Otaki, on Saturday night. There was a large attendance of visiting and iocal club members. Mr. E. T. Bartosh, president of the club, presided, and at the official table with him were Messrs W. T. Dodds, F. S. Simcox, W. M. Simcox (Otaki), A. Atkins (Manakau), all noted players of earlier days, Mr. C. F. Atmore (Mayor of Otaki), Messrs G. C. France and C. E. Barraud (Horo whenua Cricket Association) , Messrs H. F. Rice and B. Heatherwick (secretary and club captain respectively of the Otaki Club) and Mr. R. Bills (toastmaster) . Prior to partaking of an excellent repast, Mr. Bartosh extended a cordial welcome to all, making special mention of the presence of the older club-members and the large visitation from kindred clubs. Apologies 'from Foxton Club and from two former Otaki members now resident in Wanganui were read. After the loyal toast had been honoure'd, Mr. Bartosh paid tribute to the earliest members and the founders of the Otaki club who many times had to ride long distances on horseback for a game.

mr. jfrance, m loasnng me Otaki club, said his first recollection of Otaki was that it contained three players of one family, the Simcox brothers. Another piayer of note who was still carrying on was Alf. Flutey. Otaki had always done much to create a happy atmosphere in cricket throughout the district, and was always fortunate in having good players too. Mr. France referred to earlier days, when clothes did not make the players, and to the happy participation of Maori members, Otaki happily still having some of the latter. . Mr. Atmore, in response, quoted from the original score book, neatly kept by Mr. W. H. Simcox, founder of the club, and offered his congratulations to the Simcox family and to Mr. Dodds, who were in attendance. In 1929, continued Mr. Atmore, Otaki fielded a team of eight or nine lefthanded batsmen, and quoted Press comments which made reference to the "awkward right-hander." F. De Clifford, captain of past players in the matc'h played that day, said Mr. Atmore, was the best left-hand bowler of his time. A. Flutey was another piayer "good 20 years ago and good today." Mr, Atmore thanked the club for providing the match that day and offered best wishes for continued success, both in club and representative games. Mr. Rice proposed the toast of "Past Players." It had been good to see them out on the day. They had earned the praise and thanks of the club for starting the game and for keeping it going, he said. Mr. F. S. Simcox, in reply, furnished many amusing and interesting reminiscences of by-gone days, which created much laughter. Mr. Atkins paid a tribute the men who had introduced the game and considered Mr. W. H. Simcox the most graceful batsman . he had ever seen. The Hakaraia brothers, one of whom, Kehu, was present that night, had at all times proved a thorn in the side of any opposition. Mr. Atkins also recalled that his club, Manakau, was in the early 90's the first club in the district to win a shield. Mr. W. M. Simcox said he would like to coupie the name of Mr. Jeppo Cootes with that of his father in founding the Otaki club. In the early 90's a team of young Maoris had been formed. The speaker related many interesting incidents also, and gave information concerning district happenings in the early days. An apology on behalf of Mr. Alex Moore, of Johnsonville, against whom Otaki often played, was tendered by Mr. Simcox. The Horowhenua Cricket Association had a job to do and members spent much time doing it for the benefit of all players, said Mr. Bartosh in toasting the association. Mr. Barraud, responding, thanked Mr. Bartosh for his tributes and congratulated Otaki on their anniversary. Prospects for the season were -the best yet, concluded the speaker. Mr. G. M. Kirk wished all kindred clubs a most enjoyabie season. Mr. W. J. Anderson (Weraroa) thanked Otaki for their good wishes and added that the spirit of the game had been well embodied and carried out by Otaki 'at all times. Mr. Bartosh toasted the secretaries through the years, with special mention of the jubilee secretary Mr. Rice, a willing worker, whose efforts produced the best r.esults. Mr. Rice thanked the speaker and in turn offered congratulations to the Shannon club on its fine championship win during the season. Messrs T. Roach and S. Sea'ton (Shannon) both thanked Otaki for the tributea paid, adding that a record of 70 years' good sportsmanship was a very fine one. The Otaki Borough Council waa thanked for its interest in the club and game at all times by Mr. T. V. Cahill. Mr. AtmbTe said it

had been a pleasure to do what the council had done. The Press was thanked by Mr. Bartosh for . its help. A variety of items was provided by Messrs R. Randolph (Shannon) , R. Carkeek, H. Raika, R. Rikihana and B. Cassidy (Otaki), with Messrs E. Baines and C. Sharp as accompanists. A fine gesture in the gift of a four star Hutton bat to the clut to commence the season had been made by Mr. E. N. Wiliiams, suateci the chairman. Thanks were accorded the donor and the function was reluctantly brought to a clost with the singlng of "Auld Lang Syne."