COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 17

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION.

FOOTBALL AT BALCLUTHA. - On Saturday morning the south express bd on board about 100 members of the Otago Commercial" Travellers' Association and friends, all bound for Balchrtha, either to take part in the annual football match against their- Southland brethren or by tbair presence to spur their comrades on to victory. There was mudh enthusiasm on the way down, and the general opinion appeared to favour the Southland team, whidh toad won easily from Otago last year.' Messrs George Watson (manager of the Otago team) and J. Henton (secretary of the football and .athletic section of the O.TJA), possibly with the view to infusing confidence into the Otago team, unfurled the handsome "banner presented . by, the association a couple of wee£s .ago, "and carried it through several of the compartments. This had tihe desired effect: there was then fire' in the eyes of every member of the football team. It bad been freely given ouif'thai the Southlanders had stood the trailing test, and would step on to tihe fi&ld 7 at- Balchrtha in the pink of condition, and^hgain carry off the honours. But Mr W&tqon and his fellow-officers had "somethrog up their sleeves " — Otago's representative* were really stronger than most people bargained. On the Way down to Balchrtha Mr Watson announced iihat, owing to Mt George Wright's resignation as president of the sporting section, Mr Stag* Bennett had been ohoeen to fill the position. -■ __ On arrival at 'BalcluiJha little ' time was . lost: in getting tihe game underw ay.- Mr H. P. vezey's extensive premises had been availed of for dressing, luncheon, and other purposes, and, in passing 1 , it may be said that no more suitable " headquarters " could be found anywhere. The match was most interesting, and proved not only vigorous but in every way a scientific exposition of Rug-by. Although a alight rain fell during the progress of tlhe game, it did not damp the spirits of either players or spectators. From the kick-off play was fast and furious. After five minutes' pky Cramond marked and attempted a kick from tihe 25 yards, the ball falling just .outside the post. A lot of passing and fumbling took place, and Otago forced down. Bagrie got the ball, and started a strong run, but Taylor (Southland) tackled the big Otago man, and the ball went back smartly, wiffo Southland making matters warm, till th© ball got dangerously near Otago's line. Then the spectators were treated to some lively play. Prom a scrum Otago relieved. Oramond putting in a fine kick and bringing play to mid-field- Doig. got the ball, and again play was hot near Otago's line. Up to this stage the wekrlit of Southland had told on Otago. Fa-om a scrum, however, Otago succeeded in getting out of danger, and after a scramble play was taken to Southland's end, where Otago Sot over, and the kick at goal failed. Southland soon had* Otago in difficulties, and _ the latter forced. Some excellent kicking was then witnessed. Southland (setting the best of it; but Cramond Pryde, "White, and' Bagrie came to ihe> rescue. Southland again came with a rush, but Pryde got in a good kick and sent fhe ball back. Shortly afterwards, from a scrum, Southland got the ball, and, Otago playing loosely, Russell dodged between the posts. Doi« took I3xe kick and put the ball over amidst great excitement. In the second spell, after a good deal of jrive-anei-take play, Sparrow passed to Cramond. who scored, Sparrow kicking suooesssfully. Otago 8 (points, Southland 5. Otago forced the play past Southland's twenty-five, and Cratnond marking, sent the ball over. Southland put in good work, and just as it looked a sure thing for them, Pryde got fche ball and passed to Johnstone, who, with a well-judged kick, sent in out near the centre flag. Southlands notwithstanding tlheir deficiency, stuck to their task, and carried the ball wiell into Otago's quarters; but Cramond was handy, and from a mark 1 got bis side out of jeopardy. .Otago worked -throujrh, and_ Oramond passed smarfclv to Sid. White, the latter Ivhrowing- Himself over Southland's line. Sparrow failed with the kick. In a handy position Oramond got the ball and smartly potted a goal. Southland began to play loosely, and White, petting an opening, scored another try. Cramond took the kick, but failed to put tihe ball over. "Wifli 10 minutes to go. Southland made strong endeavours to wipe off the defioienoy. but the Otago team relieved with a force down, the game eventually ending: Otago 18 points, Southland 5. Mr D. Munro gave every satisfaction as Teferee. Afterwards an adjournment was nude to Mr Vezoy's large sample -room, where an excellent lunch was in waiting and to which full justice was done. tn tite afternoon Mr Bennett presided at

a function, which was also held in tie | sample room. It was arranged, as the chairman stated, for tihe purpose of meeting Southland and other friends and "haying a little speech-making and music," to congratulate the- me"mbers on the success of the annual fixture, and to carry out one or two other pleasant little duties- T*he toast of " The King " having been duly honoured, the Chairman called : on I Mr F. H. King (president of the Com- j mere Lai Travellers' Association) to .pro- ! pese "The Competing Teams." ; Mr King \ said that on behalf of the association he'! had much pleasure in congratulating the j committee on the success which had j attended their efforts in promoting the game of football. The association, he said, had realised tihe importance of fostering athletics, and had presented the handsome banner that had been displayed that day. Touching on the commercial side, the ■ speaker said the benefits to be derived 'from being a member of the association were not realised sufficiently by those- -who stood out. Referring t<r the match, Mr King trusted that it would act in no small way in cementing their friendships. The spirit in which it had been played -was commendable, and lie felt sure that all who '™d been present had thoroughly enjoyed it. Messrs Cramond' (Otago) and Doig (Sputhland) briefly replied. Mr James Brown proposed " Kindred Sports." He said they must all admire the manly way in which the game had been played ; they were astonished at the skill . exhibited.; .they who could .not play envied" ' the possessors of' sound and- robust constitutions, which allowed them to take part , in vigorous pastimes; they sympathised < with those who barred themselves of the j delights of outdoor games. Mr Brown spoke of the grievances of travellers, and j exhorted the members of the association to > pull together and get redress. ! l Messrs C. G. Wilson (Dunedin) and 1 Royds (Invercargill) replied. Mr Wilson I said that any pastime that offered healthy recreation should be encouraged. In foot- . ball, as in cricket, there was muoh to be ' said in favour ' of encouraging those who had . the leisure to play the game. He . complimented those to whom the -duty had ■ fallen in bringing to so successful an issue the game they had watched that day. But, ; in order to give their Southland ' brethren i the opportunity of mefttinar nwm-bp-rs of the , Otago Association and bringing into line • the grievances commercial travellers now ! laboured under, he (Mr 'Wileon) Bug-s^^ted that the annual fixture should take place j in Duned-in, so that at the after-meeting: \ employers might be asked to be prwent ' and hear of matters concerning the welfare i of commercials. 1 The toast of "Mr J. Henton, secretary of the Sport 6 Commit-feee," was received with rousing cheers, and it was manifestly cvi- ! dent that the members have selected not { only the right man, but an «xtTeir^ly j popular man, who modestly replied after : many kind references had been made to j his worth. j "The Managers, of the Two TVams" | was responded to by Messrs. Geo. Watson ' and Martin. ' ''Auld lang- syne" and "God save the ■ King " brought to a fitting conclusion one • of the happiest outings experienced by , off-duty commercial • travellers and their friends. Messrs T. Tobias and A. Binnie provided the musical items. SMOKE CONCERT. ! On Saturday »v*nin«r a smoke concert was held in the billiard-room of the Comi mercial Travellers' Club, Dunedin, there ! beinir nHout 150 srentWnen present. Mr F. H. King occupied the chair, and, in , opening the proceedings, wished the company a. pleasant counle of hours. Amongst the toasts honoured were: — "The King," "New Zealand Commercial Travellers' Association " (proposed by Mr F. Bennett t and responded to by Mr F. H. King), "The | Football. Players " (proposed by Mr Jame3 Brown, and responded to by M<essre J. Gillan, W. Sparrow, Dey, Kilroy, S. Martin, De Carle. J. DunloD. D. Munro, George • Wateon. T. Tobias, Bagley. C. G. Wilson, F. Peake, J. Gordon, and "The Magpie"); t " The Visitors " (proposed by Mr King, 1 and responds! to by Messrs Chambers and ( J. F. Woodhouse). Musical items'* were supplied by Messrs C. J. Coombes (violin), D. -Cooke (piano), A. 'Wright, Chambers, Otto, Roach, Ibbotson, Jago, and Falck. PRESENTATIONS. At Balclutha during the afternoon Mr R. Kingston was the recipient of a combination liquef, card, and cigar case, on the eve of his retirement from the position of traveller for M'Gavin and Co., after a , period of 31 years "on the road." Mr { George Wright (Butler Bros.), in making the presentation, paid a tribute to Mr Kingston's work as a "traveller, a man, and a gentleman." "There has never been - a more popular man on the road, and there , certainly never was a better friend of ttie

juniors thtffc Mr Kingston," said Mr Wright, "and we all regret that ill-health compels a retirement. "■ " For he is a jolly good fellow " and rouaLrMf cheers were then given. Mr Kingston briefly returned thanks. Mr . Wright also mentioned that when Mr Kingston reached his home that evening he would find an armchair awaiting him. This was parsvof the gift from the commercial travellers. At the smoke concert in the evening Mr T. Tobias (Hayman and Co.) was" the recipient of a large illuminated address. Mr D. Cooke, in making the presentation,, said it was a gift from the members. 'with whom Mr Tobias had' been associated in inaugurating a Sounds excursion. Mr Tobias had proved an indefatigable secretary, and was deserving of substantial recognition. Mr Tobias, in a witty speech, spoke of the pleasure he had derived from his work. If it had met with the approbation of his friends he was more than recompensed. ' l