MR. MENTIPLAY HONOURED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 918, 10 September 1910, Page 13

MR. MENTIPLAY HONOURED.

A BOWLING PRESENTATION. Mr. J. B. Mentiplay, for sixteen years secretary of the Northern Bowling Association, was tho honoured guest of that body at the Wellington Club's pavilion last, evening, tho occasion' being taken to presont him with a handsome token of the esteem - in which he has been held by bowlers throughout'the North Island. Mr. R. J. Collins presided, and there were present: Messrs. W. M. Muir, A. Veitch, T. Bush, E. J. Hill, J. B. Speed, J. Russell, A. Hamilton, Glondining, Ledger, H. Mayor, T. Churchward, Geo. Prince, W. Bary, R. A. Edwin, and G. Dixon.

The president said- Mr'.. Mentiplay'B promotion had caused his removal from VVellingto'n and. the resignation .of the position of secretary of the Northern Bowling.Association.' ,It was_ considered by the council of the association that something,should- be done to- mark - the appreciation ■■ of himself and hiß work. Mr.'Mentiplay.'was fifteen, years secretary/of tho association, and its present prosperous position was largely due to his; efforts,; and the manner in which ho attended'to' the requirements of the council. Mr. Mentiplay, by his neverfailing courtesy and tact,' endeared himself to all bowlers, and it was not surprising- that,, so many of the clubs affiliated, to the association- contributed■'- to the testimonial. They recognised that it was his great work covering a period, of fifteen years which had brought the association: to such a very high standard.: 1 ■■ ':'■'_'■

!•'..-"! have much pleasure." said tho president, l "in handing the cheque: to Mr.. Mentipla'y. as a token of esteem and regard: (Applause.) , On' behalf of the N.BiA., I hope when he looks on the souvenir it will remind.him of the happy .days he spent with- the members ,of '.the. ..association," ■' (Applause.) '. ,: Captain. Edwin paid a tribute to Mr. Montiplay, and, in doing so recalled the names of old flayers of the past with whom he had been connected. -. ' Mr. Veitch said he had known Mr. Mentiplay for a considerable number .oi years, and had known of several- instances when serious trouble had been averted by' his tactful handling of difficult subjects.Mr.: Bush said Mr. Montiplay had always been regarded as a strong, able man in the position of secretary, and had proved himself the right man in the' right place. Mr. Hill, Mr. Geo. Prince (Newtown), and Mr. W. Bary (Victoria) also spoke in terms of warm appreciation. After the guest's health had been honoured, Mr. Mentiplay, in reply, said the gift would be most highly appreciated. He would purchase somo souvenir that ho would value most highly. He had always taken a-keen intorest in the work as. a keen, bowler and secretary, and when' ho resigned he felt that something was lacking in life. Ho saw the directors had sinco made changes in tho constitution. (Voices-: "Not yet.") He could only say that' ho hoped they would' provo an ontiro success. He was perhaps conservative and a littlo old-fashioned, but ho thought.-the old ways were tho best. Last year they had had tho biggest tournament.ever held. He hoped that next year in Auckland it will bo larger, and, if poßßible, even more successful. (Applause) On behalf of Mrs. Mentiplay and himself ho thanked them for tho pleasant things they had said. Ho wished the association every success, and as Pat says: -"May you grow and grow and grow till yo can't sco yourselves!" (Applause.) At the conclusion of tho corempny a pleasant game of cards filled in a happy ovening. Tho cheque amounted to £34 • 65., with which Mr. Mentiplaj intends to buy, a gold watch.