PRESENTATION BALL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1920, Page 4

PRESENTATION BALL

The Diggers Presentation Ball in the Drill Shed last evening draw a large attendance and was a pronounced success. The floor was in capital • order, while the popular orchestra supplied excellent music, a number of extras being kindly supplied. Mr A. Dowell had charge of the floor, while a dainty supper was provided by a committee of ladies.

During an interval the presentations wei’o made. Mr A. H. Lawn (Chairman of the Southern Division) expressed his pleasure at the result of the season’s football complimenting the Diggers team on their success and the oiilicr teams on their sportsmanship. He also mentioned the efforts of the Southern Division to foster school football, and asked for a continued support next season, enlogising the splendid exhibitions put up by the schoolboys and urging the necessity of inculcating true sporting'instincts as early in life as possible which would prove useful in their future life. He also expressed thanks to Mr J. Fowler for the valuable Cup presented for which there had been such successful competition during the season. The Cup had to be won twice in succession or three times at» intervals to become the absolute property of the team. Otherwise it was only held from year to year. The points scored in the competition just ended WQrc— Diggers 15, Excelsiors 12, Kiwis 11, Kumara 10, Ross 0, Kokatahi 3. The keen sporting interest shown during the season by the various clubs was emphasised by the fact that there was not one game allowed to go by default till the winners of the c»P had been decided.

Mr D. Deo (President of the Southern Division) expressed his pleasure at being able ter congratulate (lie Diggers on their success. He also wished to thank Mr and Mrs Fowler for thjur generous gift of the Cup which he would ask Mrs Fowler to present to the President of the Diggers Club (Mr. Evans), which was done amidst applause. Mr G. Maunder (Excelsiors), Mr Kortegast (Kiwis), Mr W. Berry (Kumara), and Mr Dee (Ross), on behalf of their several Clubs expressed their congratulations and good wishes to the Cup winners. Hearty cheers followed for the Cup winners and the donors. Mr D. J. Evans in returning thanks on behalf of the Diggers Club expressed appreciation of the manner in' which the Southern Division Executive had carried out its duties during the season, endeavouring by every possible means to lift the sport to the high standard attained The members had shown much interest in l their meetings and had conducted the sport in a way that had generally been commended by those looking on. Their support of the schools, teams had been a specially appreciated action. He had much pleasure in asking the Captain of the Diggers (Mr B. Dowell) to accept the Cup and hold it for the year and he trusted that next year the team would be able to win tile championship again and so be entitled to bold the cup for all time. (Applause). Mr B. Dowell thanked the assemblage for the hearty reception given, the mem. bes of the several Clubs for their sporting good wishes and the donors of the Cup for their generous gift. A further presentation was then made on behalf of the Southern Division by Mr Evans to three lady helpers Mesdames Connors, Morgan and Butland, of marks of appreciation, in recognition of their hearty co-operation and assistance at social gatherings during the past season. Mr Lawn further announced that ])!r J. Fowler had offered to present two gold medals, one for the best hack, and one for the best forward of the 1921 season, playing under the Southern Division an announcement that was received with very hearty applause. Dancing was then recommenced, the floor being kept busily occupied until an early hour, the gathering being pronounced the success of the season.