CALL TO SERVICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 2

CALL TO SERVICE

FOOTBALLERS RESPOND ELEVEN OF ONE CLUB MORE FOR AIR FORCE JOBS Reference to the manner in which the club members had contributed to this district’s list of voluntary enrolments for active service was mode bv the chairman. Mr. G. J. Jeune, at the annual dinner of the Gisborne Old Boys’ Rugby Football Club. Mr. Jeune stated that 11 members of the cluo had volunteered for the special New Zealand military force, while a number ,of others were applicants for posts in the Air Force.

In ; view of the fact that the great majority of players in the club were of an age which would not permit of their enlisting. t:so initial effort was r.'.i excellent one. the chairman commented. Actually, the senior team and one of the junior teams included most of the players of military age. The gathering, which comprised about 170- players of all grades, warmly applauded the chairman’s expression of satisfaction with the response made by players of the club. The imminence of war repercussions overshadowed the reunion to some extent, a majority of those present realising that football interests would be submerged during the next few seasons, unless the war situation look a decided turn not yet foreseeable. Season's Improved Players During the evening a presentation of trophies to the most improved players of the season was made. C Hayes receiving the senior trophy presented by Mr. S. S. Dean, R. Smith the junior trophy presented by Mr. E. Fitzgerald, and T. Summerville the trophy for the third and fourth grades, presented by Mr. 11. F. Forster. Miniatures of last year’s trophies were also handed to Q. Shanks, senior, and N. Ashton, third grade player. The toast list honoured included “The King,’’ proposed by the chairman; “The Poverty Bay Rugby Union,” proposed by Mr. W. Aitken and replied to by Dr. W. A. Bowie “Wairoa Visitors,” proposed by Mr. J. E. Mercer and replied to by Mr. C. Parkinson; “Poverty Bay Rugby Referees’ Association,” proposed by Mr. H. Brown and replied to by Mr. K. R. Waite; “The Club Executive,” proposed by Mr. K. A. Woodward and replied to by Messrs. P. Wall and J* F. Forster; “Kindred Clubs.” proposed, by Mr. P. Fargher and replied to by Mr. K. F. Jones, Marist club. Mr. A. T. Mc'Aneney, Celtic club. Mr. E. Phillips. H. 5.0.8. club, and Mr. J. Hutton, High School club; and “Our Friends amP Supporters,” proposed by Mr. F. Tolerton and replied to by Dr. W. A. Bowie, on behalf of the medical officers and the St. John Ambulance Association.

On Saturday evening the members of the Old Boys B junior team visited the residence of Mr. J. E. Mercer, and there made presentations to Mr. Mercer and Mrs. Mercer, sen., in acknowledgment of their close and active interest in the team, extending over a number of seasons. The occasion was taken to refer to the fact that five members ol' the team, have volunteered for service with the special New Zealand military force, and that several others are applicants for service posts with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Acknowledging the presentations on his mother’s behalf and his own, Mr. Mercer declared that it had always seemed worth while to help the team in every way possible. The players had conducted themselves in the most loyal manner, as footballers and club members, and had gone from strength to strength. Mr. Mercer expressed his satisfaction with the further evidence of responsibility on the part of members of the team, afforded by their offers of service in the crisis, and hoped that the imminent breaking-up of club activities would not be of long duration.