RUGBY STALWART

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 86, 8 October 1931, Page 19

RUGBY STALWART

NICHOLLS HONOURED PETONE FUNCTION "On the close of your active participation in the actual playing of the game of football your fellow-citizens are assembled here to tender their congratulations and sense of appreciation of the honour that you havo brought to yourself, your fellowcitizens, and to the Dominion as a whole .jqn. the. playing fields of not only New Zealand but of Great Britain, Africa,' and Australia. :, Your demeanour1 as a fbot< bailer has-at all times been most uiodeit, and yocl have not been; in any way. spoiled by the '■■■, many glowing, well-deserved tributet paid to you in all parts of the British Empire. Those who have Ibeen closely associated with you in the management of thegamo know the great interest you have always taken in players in the lowtr .<grades of football. 'It haß always bqen«jjH«»siire to you to give your.time and.:^'impartiybut knowledge to those sefekinr to) iris*an' football prowess. We feel ;iuii 'that you will, still take. an. interest in thii finest of national games,1 and your advice and help will always be available to the younger football generation, In conclusion, Mr. Nicholls, please allow me, on-behalf "of your fellow-citizens,' to presents you with this illuminated address, BDd please accept'it as a token of the very high esteem in which you have at -all,: times been held. With "it go the very btßt wishes to yourself, your good wife, •nd family for a peaceful' and a-pros-eerous future." ... ■ This was the text of an illuminated address presented,, to Mr. Mark, Nicholls by the<M»yorof Pctone,,(Mr.:p. M'Kenzie) before "an alnjost'Mlvhouse in the Palace Theatre; Petbiie;' last night.' The opportunity was .taken to make the presentation during the interval'of a picture entertainment in aid of the distress relief funds. ■ Before making the Mr. \ M'Kenzie .thanked those Resent ..for > attending and Mr. J/ Scott"for the" iise of the theatre. They had assembled, he said, to congratulate Mark Nicholls and to honour him on his retirement from representative football. His skill..as a player had made his opponents wonder and his iaecuracy in kicking had been so pronounced as to make.his name famous.for all time. His determination and perse-' verance had been acclaimed by multitudes and had brought glory to- Petone,, while (his- great record .in'club,' representative, and international football made him the first citizen of New Zealand as far as football was concerned. It was said that he -was:one of the finest players in the •world; (Hear, hear.) "I eongratulate,.you on your

fame as a distinguished footballer and as an esteemed and respected citizen," said Mr. M'Kenzie. , ;. The president of the: Petone Rugby Football Club, Councillor H. A.' Ryder, said that Mark Nioholls, besides being a great player, was always ready to go out of his way to help schoolboys and junior teams.. ■■ A telegram was read from Mr. W. Nash, M.P., apologising for his unavoidable absence and extending his Jiearty greet-, ings and good wishes to the guest of the evening. : - In reply Mr. Nicholls thanked the Mayor and i the people fo,r the honour they had conferred upon him and for having come, along to assist the distress relief funds. He deplored the national calamity of unemployment, and.said it was the duty of the more fortunate ones.in work to help those who had nothing. ■ Three cheers for' Mark Nicholls concluded the ceremony. ' , ■/■\ i■• ::