SMOKE CONCERT.

Shannon News, 25 August 1922, Page 3

SMOKE CONCERT.

FOOTBALLERS ENTERTAINED. On Wednesday evening the Wairarapa touring team was entertained at a- smoke concert by football enthusiasts of Shannon at the Druids’ Hall,

| when there was a good attendance. Mr Thomson, chairman of the Horowhenua Union, presided. After the toast of “The King” had been honoured, Mr Percy, a member of the Management Committee, proposed the toast of “The Visitors.” He congratulated them on their victory and their clean play, and referred tp the days when the Wairarapa team included Darcy Watson, Grey and the Wrigley brothers, who were consider-

ed some of the finest players in New Zealand. He felt sure the present

team included some players who would make a name for themselves, and he hoped to hear of some of them being included in the team to visit England in 1924.

Mr E. McKenzie, manager of the ( team, in replying, thanked Mr Percy ; for his kind remarks, and stated the j team had had a most enjoyable stay j in Shannon, and thanked the inanage-

I ment for the manner in which they eni tertained. them. He said the visit to 1 Mangahao hydro works would long /remain in the memory of the team,

who had received an eye-opener as to the stupendous work undertaken. Mr McKenzie went on to refer to the hard work it was for the smaller Unions to keep things going, and he advised them to have direct representation on the main body, otherwise there was | always the chance of them being J wiped out. He hoped to see Horowhe|nua visit them next year.

Mr McGuire; proposed the toast of the “Horowhenua Union,” thanking those responsible for their kindness to the visitors, Mr Carmichael replying in a happy speech. ‘‘The Shannon Club’.’ was proposed by Mr Whibley (Foxton), who said the occasion was unique in that the Horowhenua Management Committee had handed over the control of the arfor the game, with the; assistance of one or two members of the Committee, to the Shannon Club, who had to be complimented on the good results attained, btlf he felt sure that other places in the Union would have given the team. a good time. On behalf of footballers generally, he wished to thank the Shannon Club.

Mr W. Moynihan replied, thanking Mr Whibley for his remarks. He referred to the boggy state of the ground, which had made play very unpleasant, also to the assistance given by the citizens of Shannon to give the team a good time. Other toasts honoured, were, ‘‘The Referee,” ‘‘Business Men and Citizens of Shannon,” “The Press,” and “Taxi Proprietors of Shannon,” who were thanked for taking the team to Mangahao. i During the evening songs were given by Messrs. Mason, J. Utiku, McDonald and Morgan, Mr H. McDonald entertained with story-telling, while the Wairarapa party enlivened proceedings with their choruses. An excellent evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”