FOOTBALL CLUB DANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2639, 29 September 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL CLUB DANCE.

AND PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. On Thursday evening the loca football supporters gathered ir good force at the Town Hall to celebrate by a dance the victories achieved by the various rugby teams during the past season. Thanks are due to the enthusiastic manage ment committee for their worthy efforts in tastefully decorating tin hall. From the centre, streamer? fell in graceful festoons to the edges while tribute was paid to llu competing teams by a prominent display of their respective colour? in the form of artistic rosettes in front; of the stage. Although the orchestra from a neighbouring town was unfortunately absent, the breach was ably filled by Mesdnme? Dunn and Pearson, Messrs A. Walls and TC. Hirini, who supplied the music. Mr M. Perreau zealously officiated as M.C. Mr Hutchins capably discharged the duties of “minister of finance” while Mesdames Hutchins and Stevenson attended to the excellent catering arrangements. Among those present were: Messrs Carmichael, secretary of the Horowhenua Rugby Union and .T. Procter, who, besides, being ana - tive of Foxton, has for many years espoused the cause of clean football. In presenting the Nash Cup to Captain Reid, of the local Senior team,'he stated that he was particularly delighted to have been deputed to distribute the trophies, which had been keenly competed for. Had Foxton been able lo present to its rivals throughout the season, as good a team as it did during the knock-out competition, he had no doubt that double honours would have been achieved. He regretted very much the absence of Mr Nash ipresident), also an ex-member of Foxton, who has always been actively sympathetic towards any innovation that would forward the success of the national game which has made N.Z. famous the world over. Tl gave him great pleasure to congratulate the team and (heir enthusiastic coach, Mr Desmond. Amid unanimous' applause, on behalf of the Trd and dth grade teams respectively Messrs Fuller and Huff modestly received the Procter and Fourth Grade cups. These two teams have been ably coached by Messrs McDowell and J. Dunn, both enthusiastic followers of' 1 he.game. On being called upon to' address the gathering, Mr Carmichael, secretary of the Union, recalled to some extent tlie inner workings of (lie ITorowhenna Rugby Union. ITe stated/that at the beginning of the season the executive carried a motion centralising in Levin all representative matches which action produced adverse criticism from the bordering town?). Snell action excluded Foxton from participating in representative matches but later on under protest from the delegates, Messrs Austin and Hutchins, the former decision was trescinded in favour of decentralisation. Unfortunately for Foxton, owing to inadequate notice being given by touring teams, provision for matches was unable to be made, lienee contests had to be played in Levin. He assured his audience that the present committee would recommend to the incoming committee next season, that the Hovowhenna-Manawa-tu match he allocated to Foxton. In thanking the Foxton public for their liberality in subscribing to the cost of sending the representative team to Hawke’s Bay, he detailed the expenditure of the money collected. Gut of the total cost of £l5O, £6O bad been voluntarily subscribed by the ’ residents of Foxton, Levin, Shannon and Otaki. Such expenditure for a touring team necessitated the whole-hearted support of all interested to give prominence to the existence of a live Union. To Messrs Austin and Hutchins was due unstinted appreciation for their untiring efforts in giving prominence to Foxtou’s anxiety to prosper Ihe cause of Rugby football regardless of personal expense and time. That was a factor that must he taken into serious consideration. During the evening Miss Morgan rendered several songs. Dancing wits indulged in until the early hours of tluvmorning.