ANNUAL SMOKER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4765, 17 October 1924, Page 2

ANNUAL SMOKER.

• PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. RUGBY UNIONS FUNCTION. A large and representative gathering of footballers, supporters, and friends assembled at the Druids’ Hall, Paeroa, on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the annual smoke concert and presentation of trophies won during the 1924 season. The function, which was arranged by the Paeroa Rugby Union, proved a thoroughly enjoyable one. Inter-club rivalry was forgotten, the trials and troubles of the boundary system were overlooked, ' and the matches of this season anu past seasons were played and won over again during the course of the good natured banter and friendly arguments that held sway among those congregated. The president of the Union, Mr W. Marshall, presided, and under his capable guidance the function went with a swing and there was not a dull moment. As is usual in such large gatherings of men, some rare talent was brought to light during the evening, and the musical programme submitted was much enjoyed. Unfortunately, the president and chairman of the Union were in arriving, owing to their having to attend to arduous borough council duties first. However, .the time oi waiting tor their arrival was happily spent in song and story, and in the honouring of a few impromptu toasts. In proposing the toast of “The Paeroa Rugby Union” Mr E. Edwards said that, the officials this season had met with many difficulties-on account of the wide area the boundaries embraced, but he thought that they had carried out their duties with credit and had given general satisfaction to the various clubs in the Union, and any protests lodged by clubs had been dealt with impartially. Responding to the toast on behalf of the Union Mr P. E. Brenan, chairman of the'committee,’thanked the gathering for the hearty manner, in which the toast had been honoured, and said that the committee could not help feeling gratified that its efforts had given satisfaction.. The season generally had been a difficulty one, as it had been the first one the new boundary system, and ’n some instances administration had been difficult. Mr Brenan extended the Union’s hearty congratulations te the winning teams, aud also to the clubs for the clean manner in which play had been conducted throughout the season. The speaker referred to the generous response that had been received from the public, thus enabling the Union, to provide a handsome shield for competition among the primaly schools under its jurisdiction. He hoped the shield would be an incentive to the schools to play up, and play the game, as football in the future wholly depended on the schoolboys, and he trusted that the number of teams would be increased in the competition. He hoped the shield would circulate in the various schools, arid that it would be looked at and treasured with pride. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. Mr Manshal.l then presented the trophies won during the season, and in doing so expressed the pleasure it gave him to hand over the wellmerited tiophies, which had been won cleanly and honourably. The winners were: Senior Championship, McCul- . lay Shield, East Club, received by the"’ captain E. Moore; Junior Championship, Arthur Myers Cup, East Club, received by Mr Eugene Shaw, selector ; Third-grade Championship, cup. West, received by W. H. Taylor; Primary Schools’ Championship Shield, Netherton school, received by L. Rice. . The recipients suitably responded on*behalf of their respective winning teams. A lengthy toast-list was enthusiastically honoured as follows: “The Winning Teams,” proposed by the president and responded to by the representatives present; “Kindred Sports,’’ proposed by Mr T. P. Vuglar and responded to by Messrs Shand and D. Brown; “Affiliated Clubs,” proposed by Mr E. Moore aind responded to by Messrs L Rice and I. Poland; “Paeroa Borough Council,” proposed by Mr J. J. M. Crosby and > responded to by the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) and Crs. E. Edwards and. T. P. Vuglar; “Secretary of the Pae-, roa Rugby Union,” and “The Press,’* Interspersed with the toast-list, an enjoyable instrumental and vocal programme was submitted. Those contributing to the harmony of the evening were : Messrs W. McCullay, C. H. Butcher. J. Treanor, P. Angle, McAneny. E. Edwards, D. Brown, W. Pennell. and an orchestra comprising Messrs Crosby (violin), Joel (piano), and E. Reid (bones). The function was brought to a close shortlj after 11 p.m. with cheers for the Union and the winning teams, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”