FOOTBALL “SMOKER.”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4456, 21 August 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL “SMOKER.”

KOMATA CLUB’S CELEBRATION.

A PLEASANT EVENING.

On Saturday night a few happy hours were spent in the Druids' Hall by a goodly number of footballers and supporters of Rugby. The occasion was a “smoker” arranged by the Komata Football Club to celebrate their senior team’s win in the Paeroa Rugby Union club competition, and also as a farewell function to their president, Mr V. Dunlop, who is leaving the district. The other clubs in the union were represented, and by toasts and songs and friendly raillery those present were kept in happy vein, and when the evening terminated everyone was in jovial spirits. Mr V. Dunlop was in the chair, and after saying a few words, opened he proceedings with the usual toast of “The King.” The next toast was that of the “Paeroa Rugby Union,” proposed by Mr; J. Barrett, who said that the union had done well in tne past, and the prospects for the future were looking bright. He also reminded players that they could help the union much more than they were now doing by taking a greater interest in the game. In replying, Mr T. P. Vuglar remarked that every member of the union w,as doing his best to advance football, and all clubs received the same treatment.

In proposing the “Komata Football Club" Mr G. Otter said that they were justly entitled to their position as the leading club. Right through the season they had .worked in. harmony and had shown a keener interest in the game than the other clubs. It was not often that a new club wins the competition in the first year of its existence, as the Komata Club Has done, which is all tlie more credit ‘.o them, and show’s what training and keenness will do. In responding Mr V. Dunlop said he was proud of being president of the Komata Club, which was composed of a fine lot of spor.s who always played the game in every way, and who w r ere as one big family. Mr W. Thorburn, the secretary, had set a good example, and through his work was entitled to a great deal of credit for the success of the team. Mr E. Moore (captain) said their win was the result of keenness. It was a pleasure to play with men who were such good and clean sports, and the way they had stuck together had given them an advantage over the other teams.

In responding to the to.ast of the “Referees’ Association” Mr W. Moore said that although the association was doing very well, i.t was not getting the support it was entitled to. The referees had to stand a lot ‘off abuse from both players and spectators. The reason was generally because the abusers were not conversant with the rules. To add to their knowledge and also to improve Rugby Mr Moore asked players to attend the meetings and join in discussions on the rules. He would also like to see some of the older players join the association and take junior matches. Mr A. E. Fielder said that if the players would only come along to the meetings they would learn more about the game. Mr Moore was an old referee, and was quite capable of giving instruction-Tweniy-three years ago, said Mr Fielder, Mr Moore and be went up for their examination in Auckland, before Mr F. .J. Ohlson, and Mr Moore was first on the list out ofi all the referees sitting.

Mr R. B. Penlington respondea v> the toast of the 'Thames Valley Rugby Union,” and said that the Goldfields Union was revived a few years ago, and this year had grown into the Thames Valley Upion, with direct affiliation with the N.Z. Rugby Union. It was little realised by players what a big thing affiliation with the N.Z. Union was. Most of them thought they had no chance bfi getting into big football, but there was nothing to stop them from becoming New Zealand representatives, providing they were good.enough. We had the material and the opportunity, and it remanied with the men themselves to provide the necessary enthusiasm. As an illustration showing the merits of country footballers Mr JBarrett told ’of the N.Z. Egyptian team, which was composed of country players, the only man included who ha'i played in metropolitan football being himself, and how they beat the team that won the championship in England.

During the evening Mr Fielder made a statement to the effect that he had been asked to select the best player in the Komata senior team, who was to receive a gold medal. In his remarks he stated that his task was rather a difficult one, as it was hard to weigh hte merits of forwards against backs. However, he had decided that E. Moore deserved the medal. But there were two others who were almost on a par with Moore, and they were L. Benney and J. Benney, and the club had decled to donate them a medal also.

In proposing the toast of “The Presidsnt” Mr W. Thorburn said it was with deep regret that they heard pf the early departure of the president from the district. Mr Dunlop had filled his position with ability, and was most popular with the members of the club. He was a great champion of football, and in everything else he had taken an interest ip he had proved his .worth. Mr Dunlop would be missed by other bodies in the district with which he had been connected, and his place would be hard to fill, especially in the Komata Football Club. As something to remind him in future years of Komata, and more particularly the club, they would ask him to accept a photograph shield of the Komata team. In reply, Mr Dunlop said they had given him a very pleasant surprise, as he did not anticipate a present. However, he might have known different, considering the grand quallities of the men bfi Komata Football Club. The shield would be much treasured by nim, and he would always be proud of his connection with the dub.

Items were contributed by Messrs K. Tukukino, Jim Treanor, A. Ketels, F. Berry, H. Morrison, B. Dunlop, G. Royal, E. Moore, W. Taylor, B, King, F. Pitts, J. Fox, and W. Moore, The singing bfi “Auld Lang Syne” brought the evening to a close.