VALEDICTORY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 17 July 1901, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

A full muster of the Star Football Club assembled at the Wharf Hotel last evening to bid farewell to their popular captain, Master Alf M'Carthy, who is leaving Greymoutk to-day for the purpose of taking a position in the Supreme Court at Auckland. Mr. J. M. Hamilton, President of the Star Club, was in the chair, being supported on his rightby the guest of the evening. A pleasing feature of.the gathering was the number of representatives from other clubs who had rolled up to show the esteem in which they held one who had on more than one occasion captained an opposing victorious team.

Mr. Hamilton, in proposing the toast of " Our Departing Guest," spoke ia glowing terms of the brilliant ability or Mr. M'Carthy as a footballer, his judgment as a successful skipper, and his I sterling qualities apart from football. The speaker dwelt at length on the great help our young friend had been to the Star Club, and said that that Club would indeed realise what a great loss they had sustained, -when, in their ensuing engagements, they found themselves minus the; aid of the redoubtable "Doughy." However, football must now to a great extent be put on one side whilst "Alf" was *> making his first great step in life, but he (the Speaker) felt sure that if Mr. M'Carthy always succeededin the future in strange lands as he had in the past on his native town, Greymouth, could indeed look on his future progress with prido. Before concluding the chairman handed Mr M'Carthy a gold medal as a momento from his club routes, and stated that the recipient would eve* be welcomed back to the Star ranks.

Mr M'Carthy in responding, said his efforts for the club had always been a work of love, and be assured one and all tbat. his great aim would be to merit the good opinions expressed, and the kindness he had always received from his club mates. (Loud cheers.) The rest of the evening was spent in toast, song, and mirth, and after a most enjoyable evening had been spent by one and all a most connivial gathering was brought to a close by singing "Auld Lang Syne," and cheer after cheer for the guest of the evening.