OVER 300 ATTEND MARIST LEAGUE CLUB BANQUET

Grey River Argus, 3 September 1948, Page 7

OVER 300 ATTEND MARIST LEAGUE CLUB BANQUET

“Marist is a name which is universal because it has both the spiritual and sporting toucn," said Mr B. F. connors, Rresidenc of me West Coast Rugby ueague, presiding at the complimentary banquet tendered by me .League last evening to honour trie iviarist Ciuo on its Silver Jubilee. The Function, which opened the club’s celebrations, was attended by over 300 present and former memoers. Mr Connors said tnat he wished to honour the club and the tact that the attendance was so large showed the appreciation all telt tor the club ana it<i members. He congratulated Marist on its jubilee and hoped the wnole celebrations would be most successful. Mr Connors paid tribute to thework of the clergy and the Marist Brothers and thanked those who had travelled long distances to be present. He officially declared the celebrations open. At Mr Connors’ request, all present stood in silence in memory of deceased members and players. A former president of the League, Mr J. E. Stokes, said that the club should be gratified with the large attendance and he paid tribute to the Marist Brothers for their teaching wmeh had ensured the splendid administration for which the club was noted. “The advent of Marist to League was a great event in West Coast League, because when the code was not considered good, Marist had worn down a feeling now of the past,” said Mr Stokes. Now, the League could rely on the full backing of the club and of the parents of the pupils of the Marist School. During the war the club had lost nfany of its finest players, but it had battled on and to-day the present senior team consisted of many young players with a future backed by the senior reserve team, so that top honours would again come their way. The club had always supported the League, said Mr Stokes, recalling events when the club was formed in August, 1923. Mr Stoke§ congratulated the club on its jubilee and the progress it had made. STUCK TOGETHER

Replying, the president of the jubilee committee, Mr R. G. Pollock, said that tne name Iviarist went back over 100 years. .The club nad many ups and downs but its memoers had stuck together, and when that continued, there: would always be a Marist Cluo. 1-resent members were grateiui to tne rounders, and pleased to see so many present, many at great sacrifice. The uiuo was graceful to the League lor providing me function m honour of the club. He concluded by thanking tne clergy and Marist Brothers for tneir continued support, The Club President, Mr P. Sweetman also thanked all who had worked for the success of the jubilee and who had travelled far to be present. Speaking of the work of the clergy and Marist Brothers, Mr F. Feehan, recalled the work of the club's spiritual directors, Rev. Fathers T. Mcmunagie, J. Hoiohan, A. C. Gregory, J. McCarthy and the present director, the Rev. Father J. Daly, all of whom had worked conscientiously and gladly for the club and sport in general. He welcomed the Rev. Father A. Kennedy, S.M., of St Bede’s College, Christchurch. Of the Marist Brothers, the Rev. Bro. Edward was one of the earliest associated with the club, as was Rev. Bro. Herbert, now in Suva. The Rev. Bro. Oswald, now of Christchurch had done grand work and was represented that night by the Rev. Bro. Eric. The present director, the Rev. Bro. Maurice, was an old friend whom they hoped would remain with them for many years. Presentations to Fathers McMonagle and Daly were made by Mr Pollock. FOUNDATION MEMBER The Rev. Father McMonagle, replying said that the gathering contrasted sharply with the stormy meeting at which the club was formed, and the club’s success was due largely to the work of the Brothers. One old referee had told him that he enjoyed a game where Marist were playing because they did not question his decisions (laughter). That must have meant the old players, added Father McMonagle. . “It is not winning, but playing a good, clean game that counts,” said Father McMonagle, “for if it were not for the losers there would be no competition. If you win be generous’— if you lose be gracious, because you may win next time out.” It was grand for' the club to have teams in all grades. Father Daly said it was pleasing to see the club growing year by year, ine clergy had great interest in the club from its spiritual aspect, and they delighted in seeing young men enjoying good clean sport. He feit sure the Provincial of the Marist Order, the Very Rev. Father T. M. Heffernan. S.M., an old boy ol the school would wish him to extend the Order’s gooci wishes to the cluo on its jubilee, said Father Kennedy, S.M. The Marist school had a long history and it was a happy occasion to see so many present. The Marist Fathers extended good wishes for the club’s future. _ Speaking for the Marist Brothers, the Director of the School, Rev. Bro. Maurice, said that the playing grounds of every Marist School in New Zealand could share in the gathering that night. They were joined together in a spirit of true Marist tradition, for in every centre of New Zealand there was a Marist organisation. The real emphasis should be put on the ideals which had held them together for 2o years. The celebrations brought men and memories together to recall the. deeds of other days. Rev. Bro. Edward also replied. LEAGUE STRONGHOLD Mr R. Kiely, thanking the League for sponsoring the function, said that’ the efforts of the centre had made the West Coast a League stronghold. Marist had always been stalwarts of the code, said Mr Connors in reply. The present senior captain, Mr J. Curnow, speaking of the old time players, pointed out that twelve of the eighteen West Coast referees were Marist Old Boys. “COMING SECOND AGAIN” “I am very pleased to know that the blow we struck in 1924 to ensure that Marist boys werei able to take part in public competitions has had such results as we see to-night,” said Mr Neil Mouat, 1924 captain of the club and one of its two New Zealand representatives, in reply. Recalling the incidents leading up to that event, he added: “I think they are introducing another hatred now and that they will come second again,” added Mr Mouat. Others to reply in reminiscent strain were Messrs P. Doogan, R. Williams (a former secretary), J. Beban (former captain), A. Beban (first West Coast League President), and W. Kells. Other toasts honoured were KindSnorts”- Mr P. McEnaney—Messrs F. and R. Quinn, J. Wood F. Bell; “Ladies’ Committee”: Mr W. P. Moore, “Press and Referees’ : Mr B. .Rathbun—Mr J. Griffen; “Artists”: Mr W. Griffen —Mr W. B. Gilbert. Telegrams of apology were read from the Rev. Father J. McCarthy (Mosgiel), the Rev. Frank Kennedy, SM (Greenmeadows), Messrs Ivan Mcllroy, Bob Harrington Chas McPeake, Bill Gieseking, Len Payne, Gray Scott, Les Harvey, H. M. O’Grady. Ron Crase, J. A. Marriott, Frank Griffen, M. Kiely, Ray O Callaghan, Bernie Griffiths and Bill were given by Messrs R. Malpass! G. Williams, W. Anderson, M. Bryant (songs) and J. Beban (humorous). Miss Z. Munson was accomD GESTURE Early last evening, executive members of the jubilee committee visited the Grey Hospital men’s wards and

presented jubilee badges, banquet programmes and cigarettes to each member or former member of the club at preserit in hospital.