A REMARKABLE FAMILY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1924, Page 1

A REMARKABLE FAMILY

(From “Tlie Month.”) Can nuy ol our readers supply us with a family record hotter than tlie following otic? Air and Airs Henry Williams and their seven sons and daughters reside in the Northlands parish, Wellington, and for sport and all-round efficiency provide an interesting record. Aliss E. A. AAilliams captained the AA'ellington Ladies’ Hockey representative team in 1923, in which year site also was captain of the North Island Ladies’ Representatives and scored the winning goal in the intcrIslniul match. She won the AA'ellington Ladies’ Singles hard courts Tennis Championship .in 1924. T. "Williams won the Afen’s Singles Championship for 1924. He is remembered as the throemiles running champion of the AAellington Province and for five years, the full extent of University representation, wore the green and gold of A'iotoyia College (AA'ellington) in interUuivcrsity athletics. He also represented AA'oillington Province at the X.Z.A.A. meeting. C. F. Williams, another long distance champion, represented Canterbury at the New Zealand Athletic Championships, while more recently, he has held the AYellingtmt Provincial Ping-Pong Championship since 1922/and is one of the holders of the doubles championship. P. AA’illiatiis, not to he outdone hv his brothers, won the Junior Championship of the Kurori Golf Club last year. But family honours do not end with the younger members : Air IT. Williams the head of the house, who taught school successfully for nine years at Gillespie, six at Stafford, and seventeen at Hokitika, has for the past three years been a member of the tombing staff of St. Patrick's College (AA'ellington). But he lias found time to gain championship honours on the howling-green. AYitii a partner, lie holds the championship pairs of tlie Kelburn Bowling Club mid of the AA'ellington centre. ITis rink also finished in third place in the Dominion tournament. This is, perhaps, the least part of bis achievement, for the true qualities of sportsmanship found in his family are due to his example and training. The good mother of (he family is n keen enthusiast in the many-sided sports of her husband and children; as “trainer,” onlooker and chaperone, she shares ill their many honours. In the golf season. the whole family combines in the royal and ancient game.

But- the record does not end on the playing fields: H. AYilliams holds the degree of Alaster of Laws, his brother Pat hits his Accountancy Diploma, and (’. ]•’. has six subjects completed for the same Diploma. Three of the brothers served in tlie Great AAnr; they all enlisted in 1915 and saw continuous active service in Egypt and France until the cessation of hostilities. A' congratulate this excellent Catholic family on their splendid and varied record.