Mr. S. S. Dean Opens Grandstand At Rugby Park

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1948, Page 6

Mr. S. S. Dean Opens Grandstand At Rugby Park

“Rugby is the greatest Freemasonry in the world and friendships made on the football fiield endure for all time,” said Mr S. S. Dean, immediate past president of the New Zealand Rugby Union executive, when he formally opened the new grand-stand at Rugby Park before a large attendance on Saturday afternoon. He saia he was deeply conscious of the honour of being requested by the West Coast Rugby Union to open the stand and was sure the New Zealand Union appreciated what had been done by the West Coast Union to' improve their facilities. Tracing has association with Rugby on the Coast, _ .Mr Dean said that in 1930 he had visited Greymouth to see what could be done to establish a home for Rugby in their area. Towards the approximate cost of £3,000 for the ground, the New Zealand Union granted £2,000 and made a further £l,OOO available for improvements. On another occasion the New Zealand Union wiped out a debt of £2’99 10s owed by the West Coast Union. Rugby was founded on the West Coast in. 1890, said Mr Dean, with competitions between Karamea, Buller and Reefton Sub Unions, as well as Hokitika. He paid tribute to the achievements of the Coast. Since that time when over 26 players had been selected for South Island honours. He spoke highly of the late J. Steel, and R. R. King, ex-All Blacks, and of the referee, A. Fong. He thanked Mr A. Adams for being present and recalled his great contribution to the code in 1929, when he was President of the N.Z.R.U.

Referring to the present tendency of the Coast to stay at home, Mr Dean said he would like to see the provincial team go further afield to show its prowess. Only by playing matches in other centres could they gain, a knowledge of the latest developments. Speaking of lower grade matches he had been on Saturday morning, Mr Dean said that he was very gratified to see the Union taking such an interest in the younger boys, and he felt that it was far better playing a good healthy ganie of Rugby than being in a picture theatre. He congratulated the Star Club on attaining its Golden Jubilee, and said that tradition in Rugby was a wonderful thing.

A special welcome to Mr Dean was extended by Mr F. W. Baillie, President of the West Coast Union. He was pleased Mr Dean was able, to come to Greymouth on this occasion, and recalled his lengthy term of 28 years on the executive of the New Zealand Union and the able manner in which he had built up the finances of the parent body. “This is a red letter day for the West Coast Union and our objective is at last fulfilled,” he said. Referring to the year 1931 when a ground was being sought for a playing field in Greymouth, Mr Baillie said that the present ground would not have been acquired had it not been for the efforts of Mr A. Adams and Mr T. P. Ryan. The New Zealand Union had then granted loans for the early development and hard work had been comnieted by Mr J. Guy, who cleared and drained the site to create this playing ground. He thanked Mr Dean for" the financial help given by the governing parent body, and also the architect. Mr R. Tyler, and the contractor, Mr N. Ellery. “The present and future generation have been given an endowment of which they have every rigjit to be proud of,” he said. On behalf of the West Coast Union he congratulated the Star Club on its Golden Jubilee and expressed the hope that the second half of the century would be one of continued progress. The Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, welcomed Mr Dean, and said he appreciated the efforts of the New Zealand Union to help in providing sporting facilities for Greymouth. He congratulated the past and present members and officials of the Star Club.

Mr W. Williams, President of the Star Club said that he was happy to have Mr Dean in Greymouth on this occasion, adding it was a proud day for the Star Club. Also present on the official stand were Messrs T. Ryan, T. Mclntosh, T. Jones, O. McClean, and A. Adams past-president of the New Zealand Rugby Union.