VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4516, 17 January 1923, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

MR. I’. C. FURLEY. SPORTSMEN’S APPRECIATION. The Mayor (Mr P. E. Brenan), representatives of the Paeroa Borough Council, and menibers of the Paeroa, Cricket Club, Bowlers and sportsmen generally assembled in the County Council Chambers on Mondey evening for the purpose of saying farewell to Mr P. C. Furley (captain of the Cricket Club), who leaves this week to take up the position of Town Clerk at Birkenhead. During the evening several of; these present contributed songs, recitations, etc., and various- toasts were honoured in the customary way, including “The King” (proposed by Mr Walmsley), “The Paeroa Cricket Club,’’ coupled with the name of the newly-elected catpain (Mr Shand), “The Guest” (proposed by Mr Walmsley), “Knidred Sports” (proposed by Mr Edwin Edwards ; “Local Bodies” (proposed, by Mir Walmsley and responded to by the Mayor and Mr E. Edwards), “The Press’’ (proposed by Mr Shand and responded >to by Messrs E. Edwards' and Mr W. L. Lawrence), “The Ladies” (proposed by Mr Jenkinson and responded tp by Mr Farrelly), and “The Chairman” (proposed by the Mayor and responded to by Mr Walmsldy. “THE GUEST.” The chairman (Mr Walmsley), in proposing “The Guest,” said the departure of Mr Furley would be a distinct loss to cricket here and to the town. All their sport had come from England, and they always looked up to anyone who played any of the national games. They were quite right, therefore, ni expressing .their appreciation of Mr Furley. In conclusion he ask.ed Mr Fuirley to accept a handsome silver cigarette case as a token of the esteem in which the members of* the Cricket Club held. him. Mr Shand, endorsing the previous speaker’s remraks, said Mr Furley was a really good sport, and one who would, he was quite sure, give a good account of himself; in cricket circles at Birkenhead.

Mr Lawrence said, he was one of the first secretaries of .the club, and he was sure they all recognised Mr Furley’s services to cricket, as well as his organising ability. No one could have done more for the club than Mr Fuirley, both in connection with cricket and socially. In conclusion he wished Mr and Mrs Furley every success’ and happiness in their new sphere.

Mr Edwards said that in the departure of Mr Furley they were losing. a man who took a keen interest in everything that he became associated with. He deeply regretted that Mr Furley was leaving, as he knew he was losing a friend. He then proposed the toast of “Kindred Sports,” and said Paeroa was very fortunate in having live clubs here. The speaker referred to the enthusiasm displayed here by footballers, tennis players, etc., and said they had, in the Mayor, a man who had for many years been a representative footballer. Tn fact he (Mr Brenan) filled his position as a footballer just as successfully as he was now filling that of Mayor. With the toast he desired to couple the name of Mr Butler, who always took a keen interest in all sports.

Mr Furley, in acknowledging the presentation, expressed his sincere thanks. What he had done for cricket in this town was what a mother did for her child. It. was just. love. He loved the game, and it was a part of his life. He congratulated the club on its new captain, and said that in Mr Shand they had a man Who was as keen as mustard. He had had some of the most enjoyable days of his life on the Paeroa cricket field, ft gave him pleasure to think that he might some day come back to visit old friends, and he wished to think it was riot good-bye, but only au revolr.