A VALEDICTORY GATHERING.

Shannon News, 26 July 1929, Page 1

A VALEDICTORY GATHERING.

PRESENTATIONS TO MB H; G. B. MCDONALD.

SERVICES. TO SCHOOL FOOTBALL "'recognised.

The services rendeied to the cause of Rugby football by Mr 11. G. 13. McDonald first assistant master at the Levin District High School, who is. going away at the end of this month. to become first assistant master at, the South Wellington school, were tangibly recognised when he was entertained at supper by members of the management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council in the Wistaria rooms, after the committee’s meeting on Tuesday evening. Mr McDonald has been a member of the Horowhenua Schools Rugby Union and its representative on the District Council since 1925, when the latter position was inaugurated by the Council as one of the results of the formation of the Manawhenua Unioti by the co-operation of the Horowhenua and Manawatu districts.

After the toast of the King had been honoured, the President (Mr W. C. Hannan) said he did not think he had met a fine gentleman,in connection with the spoit of football than Mr McDonald. He thought it was their guest’s way of putting a position that had enabled the Council to' support school football to the extent that it had done. They came to know that in him they had a friend to Rugby for all time in Horowhenua, because the betterment of football in the district would become,very apparent in a few years, as a result of Mr McDonald’s efforts 'at the ' school. A gentleman residing in the town and interested as a spectator of the boys’ games had come forward and stated that he would like to make a gift to Mr McDonald, to show esteem for what he had accomplished. In addition the management committee had their goodwill to demonstrate, and in that respect Mr J. Casey (secretary) and Mr JV W. Rimmer (treasurer), being married men, had thought that the token should be one that would be useful to Mrs McDonald as well as to her husband; they .knew''that'the time that he had devoted tb football interests could only have been giyen with the pleasure of Mrs McDonald, who had assisted him in all ways. In consequence of Mr McDonald’s changing sphere of activities, i-his district would probably receive, at some time, a visit from a Wellington school team under his direction. Horo-

whenua’s loss of such an enthusiast would be. the city’s gain, because he would see that a competition was held on right lines for school football. The speaker trusted that, iii the future, the Council would- have the privilege of welcoming Mr McDonald back to Levin, or at any cate that he 1 would

come to see the fruits of his good work for football in this district . In conclusion, Mr Hannan wished Mr and Mrs McDonald the best of health and. prosperity wherever their lot might be east. !Mr Casey (secretary) said lie had been impressed always by Mr McDonald’s loyalty both to this Council and to the. School Rugby Union. Occasionally their guest had not found it convenient to attend the management

committee’s meetings, but was never at ease until he had acquainted the President of the fact. In regard to the- Schools Union, the district was a scattered one, and some of the meet ino-s had therefore been poorly attended” but Mr McDonald had always made a point of being there and had cariied on without showing discouragement. When Mr McDonald came to this district, there was nothing in the nature of a regular football competition among

the schools, now lie was leaving it with a standard of Rugby L dial of anv neighbouring district. The speaker wished >o voice his appreciation of the relations that had existed between Mr McDonald and himseli, of the help that he had afforded at all

times, and of his readiness to take up more than his .own share of. work U: the need arose. Mr McDonald had a very pleasant manner, and that had in doubt accounted in part for his success. To Mr and Mrs McDonald, Mr Casey

extended th? best of wishes-for then' future. - Mr J. W. Procter endorsed the remarks of the. previous speakers. During Mr McDonald’s term in Levin, lie

had endeared himself to all those witn whom he had worked. His work as a master at the school had been of the very best, and whoever might be appointed in his place would have _to put forth great efforts to follow in his footsteps. The speaker wished Mr and Mrs McDonald and family good health and all prosperity. Mr F. Robinson (Foxton) added a tribute to Mr McDonald’s earnest endeavours in fostering Rugby amongathe boys, the effects of which would be felt throughout the district. The speaker had witnessed a- good munj matches and had seen some of the best schools in competition, and he couldsay, without fear or .favour, that lie had seen just as good football in the school contests of this district as lie

had ever seen in senior games. During the time of his association with Mr McDonald on this Council, ho had always found him very level-headed — he was a man of.few words, but when he spoke he always did so in the right k direction, and expreised his vote where

it was best needed in the interests of Rugby football. Speaking as the result of 27 years’ residence in the district, Mr Robinson claimed that school football was in a,better condition than it, had ever* been in that time. He hoped that Mr McDonald would return to see some of the boys whom he had coached playing senior football, and eventually some of them would be All Blacks. . * '

Mr J. W. Rimmcr said that while he endorsed all the sentiments that had been expressed in Mr McDonald’s favour, he realised also that certain activities were' essential in the development of -rlie race, and that, whilst Mr McDonald hud rendered his services spontaneously, the race was benefitting as a result of his efforts. The speaker realised that the race could only develop as a result of the training of its youth. Unfortunately there was at present a "gap between the training received at the school and the subsequent e»try of the. boys into higher grades. He thanked Mr McDonald for what he had done for the development of the school boys. The health of Mr McDonald was drunk, with musical honours, after which Mr Hannan asked him to accept for Mrs McDonald and himself a crystal set consisting of a water-jug and half a dozen tumblers —a gift from Mr G. Ramsbotham, who had been very interested in the progress of the juvenile players generally and one boy in particular, and who wished to show his appreciation of the help that Mr McDonald had given them. Prom the members of the management committee, Mr Hannan presented Mr McDonald with a large cut-glass vase. In returning thanks, Mr McDonald said lie had rather a difficult task to adequately reply to the kindly remarks that had been made. Reviewing old associations, he said that, shortly after his arrival in Levin, Mr Casey* ushered him to a meeting where the two Unions, (Horowhenua, and Manawatu) were combining, and he (the speaker) was proposed as schools delegate. There was no organised schools competition at the time, which was in 1925. .In the following year some of those' interested got together and organised a schools competition. A little difficulty was experienced at first in running it, but after that it went along very well. The teachers thought, that, where possible, boys should take part in some active sport. Nowadays, every Saturday a hundred players were taking part in school football in this district, and before long arrangements would have to be made for a larger number; in the coming season other schools would be joining in. The teachers with whom he had had to work, in his capacity of secretary of the school football eomniittee, had given him every support. With regard to the play itself, very few injuries had occurred, tliefe had been no protests nobody had been ordered off the field, and there had been no trouble of any kind. He would like to thank all those who had been associated' with the teachers in the management of the competition. Prom the school committees the movement had also had support; he had sometimes had to apply for a little money, and they had gracefully consented to hand over a little. On the Rugby Council he felt that he had been meeting with gentlemen who had made very great sacrifices indeed for the good of Rugby football—sacrifices that would call forth any body’s admiration. A year or two ago when the finances were very low, tin. members of the Council _ (U# very fine work to place it on its foot again. He regretted very much that the time had come for him to leave Levin, because, under the presidency of Mr Hannan and previously under Mr J. J. O’Connor, he had spent very many pleasant evenings. He wished to thank jMi ■Ramsbothom very heartily for hi.handsome present. The speaker wailrcadv very much Indebted to that gentleman,' who at various times user ~o come to the schoolboys’ matches and always bringing with him something very’ acceptable to the boys. Mr McDonald also thanked the members-0’ r the committee for their fine gift and for their kind wishes. (