WELCOME BACK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2418, 25 March 1915, Page 3

WELCOME BACK

WELLINGTON FOOTBALL CLUB MEMBERS RETURNED FROM SAMOA Officers and members of the Wellington Football Club welcomed back the club members from Samoa last evening, and entertained them at tea at the Burlington, Lambton Quay. The president of the club (Mr. T. S. Bonaldson) presided, and there was oil attendance of about thirty. A short toast list . was gono through, commencing with "The iiiug," which was heartily drunk.

Mr. ltonaldson said that the occasion was to wolconie back the boys of the i Wellington Football Club from Samoa, lio extended to those who had done justice to their country a very hearty welcomo home. 'l'hey felt gratified that their club had more than supplied their quota of young men going out to the call of Empire. Those tvho were left behind, from old age, and other reasons, wore envious of the younger members in theii opportunity, j He was sure that those members who ] did not get the opportunity to • voluu- I teer felt it was tlieir loss; but they ] could not all go. Those members who could not go need not be at all ashamed 1 of staying behind, and "playing the game." He was pleased that the authorities had decided to go' on with the football fixtures this season, for all the clubs were in almost the same ;os:lion, through loss of members. Speaking generally, he said it was pleasing to note how all the colonial sporting clubs Iliad responded to the call to arms Ho proposed the toast of the returned members, coupled with the name of Messrs. M'Nab and Bridge. Mr. W. Ahearn, vice-president of tho ulul>, supported tho president in his remarks. He thought members might well be proud of belonging. to a club whic-li had sent so many members to tho front. Although the club might not bo strong this season, it would still be admired by the sporting public for the stand it had taken. Mr. 0. G. Kembcr, vice-president, alio spoke to the toast, and said that although the returned members had not boon to tho front, when they volunteered they did not know where ihoy were to. go. but they volunteered to go anywhere. Mr. D Weir, club captain, -aid that no member of tho club felt p.ouoc-r I than he did. They had put up a lecord unequalled by any sportiug club, in that they had sixty active members j on service, and twenty non-active members were also taking a prominent part. He stressed the fact that although the returned men had not got to the firingline, they caught the boat at a few hours' notice to go anywhere. Had they been called upon t'o fight it would have been a bad thing for tlieir enemies. The club this season might not be so strong, but it would take a good team to beat it. He regretted that thev were not welcoming all'the men back that night. To those who were going further "to see it through" he assured thom there would be a great welcomo home. (Applause.) Lieutenant A. M'Nab, in responding, said that the returned members very mucli appreciated the welcome. He assured them that those who had returned. and those who had stayed in Samoa, were proud to belong to the club. They were disappointed that they did not have any lighting, but they had tried to do their best and act as sports. As many as could would be going on to the finish. (Applause.) The conditions at ' Samoa were not altogether pleasant, owing to climatic conditions, etc.. and some of the men had to work long hours. Many of the club members had to bo left behind in Samoa; they were undergoing a great hardship in' having to remain there. Private L. Bridge also responded, and thanked the promoters for the splendid reception. They felt deeply that at such short notice anything should be done for them. He was pleased'to say that tho men at Samoa "played the game." (Applause.) As far as he knew, everyone who had returned was going on to the front. (Applause. A toast to the cliairpian concluded the gathering.