APPRECIATION OF A SPORTSMAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3458, 12 April 1920, Page 5

APPRECIATION OF A SPORTSMAN.

PRESENTATION TO MR W.

MCLENNAN,

Never before in the history of Taihape has such a gathering of representatives of out-door sports taken place as met in the supper-room of the Town Hall on Friday night to do honour to the premier sportsman of all, Mr W. McLennan, who is shortly leaving Taihape, after a residence of nearly 20 years. Every branch of sport was represented and it was a genial and jovial crowd which gathered round the festive board, under the presidency of Mr A. L. Arrowsmith, on whose right hand sat the guest of the evening. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Messrs Morrell, Hintz, Bradley, and Somerville. The chairman, in opening the proceedings, proposed the toast of “The King,” which was honoured by singing the “National Anthem.” The toast of “Sports and Pastimes” was proposed by Mr R. J. Loughnan, who said the present was a gathering of sportsmen to honour one of the chief sportsmen in this district. There were present representatives of every form of sport, and the keenness shown was better than, praise. He could not help referring to the guest of the evening, whom he had always found a keen sportsman, not only to those branches of sports so popular, but to others not so well known; he referred to fly-fishing. He gave a humorous instance in this connection when he had taken Mr McLennan out fishing for the first time. He got no fish, but got wet through and broke his rod; the novice said he enjoyed himself, and he must have been a keen sportsman to have done so under such circumstances. He felt honoured

in proposing the toast. Mr Geo. Wrightson responded, saying that in Taihape there were more old sports than are usually to be found in most towns. There was not the slightest difficulty in finding sportsmen to carry out any sports gathering. In referring to old sports, he considered that McLennan was one of the best to be found in any town, no matter where you looked. The speaker had been in Taihape sixteen years, and Mr McLennan had taken a very active part in sports during that period. His departure would be a loss to Taihape, but he was not going far away, and his assistance would be available when required. He maintained that to encourage sports and pastimes should be the aim of every man—young and old. Mr Arrowsniith said the honour fell to him of proposing the toast of ‘The Guest of the Evening,” and he wished every glass to be charged to the brim. They were not giving Mr McLennan a send-off, but a small token of appreciation from the sports of this town for his valuable assistance in the past. He remembered well, 20 years ago, the common remark, “Billy’s coming back‘ from the war.” He wondered , and on making inquiries, found Billy was undoubtedly coming back from the war - the South African War——in which he had done a man’s duty.‘ He mentioned this incident to show, even in those early days, the esteem and liking that was entertained for Mr McLennan, and the speaker lost no time in making his acquaintance. It was not long before Mr McLennan got going again, and he resusitated the Taihape Sports Club. Mr Arrowsmith fell into a reminiscent vein, and related how they played cricket in the early days at Mataroa and Turangarere, when the players rode miles on horseback for a game of cricket. He also mentioned that under Mataroa Hall was one of the best cricket pitches in the district. In Taihape cricket had languished, in spite of the fact that the town had a decent pitch. Possibly the reason for the moribund state of cricket here was that Mr McLennan had not taken it in hand. That gentleman was one of the first members of the Golf Club, and the Gun Club, and was in the early days of Taihape a keen footballer, and was the first secretary of the Taihape Rugby sub-Union. In spite of all these activities, the guest of the evening evidently came to the conclusion that Taihape had not enough sports clubs, and had formed a Caledonian Association, and carried through one of the most successful meetings ever held in the Dominion. He made those few remarks to show that their guest had been a keen supporter of sports and pastimes in this town. He had always played the game fairly and honestly, and as a man. (Applause) The Chairman was pleased to see such a representative gathering present. It was his pleasing duty to make a presentation to Mr McLennan remarking that it was not from individuals, but from the sports bodies of Taihape. Mr Arrowsmith then presented Mr McLennan a beautiful silver service of plate, inscribed as follows: “Presented to Mr McLennan Esq., by the members of the United Sports' Clubs of Taihape: Old Girls' Hockey Club, Ladies Huia Hockey Club, Swimming Club, Athletic Club, Taihape and District Caledonian Society, Awarua Gun Club, Rugby Union, Hibernian Sports Club

and Golf Club. April 11th,1920.” The chairman said this service was a, memento of the appreciation felt for Mr McLennan by the Sports Clubs of Taihape. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm to the strains of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr W, McLennan, in rising to respond, was greeted with enthusiasm He assured them all that he appreciated not only the gift, but the cordial intentions behind it. He had always been an ardent sportsman; it was not for sports merely as sports, but he always had at the back of his mind the value of field sports in forming the mind and cultivating the body and making true men and women. Field sports taught one to be selfreliant, keep the temper and play the game of life like true men and women. Our athletic sports had helped to make and retain our Empire. Kipling had thrown an undeserved gibe at our cricketers and footballers, whom he termed "flannellcd fools and muddied oafs.” But he would remind them it was these same flannelled fools and muddied oafs who had saved the Empire and kept the flag of freedom flying. (Applause) He was very grateful for the many kind things said of him that night. With regard to the successful carrying out of sports, the right men did not always get the credit they deserved. The spade work, which invariably made for success, was put. in, not by the president, or figurehead, but by the men on the committee. A previous speaker said he (Mr McLen—nan) was leaving Taihape, but he was not going far, only to Mangaweka, and if anything was doing in Taihape and his asistance was needed, he would be only to pleased to help. Mr McLennan smilingly referred to the incident narrated by Mr Loughnan, who took him out fishing After casting about without any luck for some time, that gentleman told him to get on a stone and throw out his line. Acting on advice. he did so, and fell into the water, breaking his rod. He thought Mr Loughnan’s advice was not good, and that he was not a good fisher-man. (Laughter) Had he been lucky in the first attempt he might by now have been an ardent fisherman. There was one circumstance in connection with the presentation which caused him very great pleasiure, and that was the facts that the two Ladies’ Hockey ‘Clubs were contributors. He took it as a distinct compliment to his wife. On behalf of himself and his wife he thanked them all for their handsome present and the very cordial sentiments which prompted it. (Loud applause). Mr Arthur James proposed the toast of “Our Soldiers,” and in doing so said it was a toast’ that would nevcr be proposed at any gathering of Britishers but that it would be received with the deepest appreciation of their wonderful efforts. It was worthy of note that when the Prince of Wales landed at San Diego he singled out British war veterans for special recognition. Did it ever strike his hearers that here in Taihape we had war veterans hardly out of their teens, and it made one furiously to think. ‘A friend of the speaker had been told scores of times by authoritative persons that the boys of New Zealand had a keener appreciation of the principles they were fighting for than any troops at the front. The men had not simply gone for a picnic, but in all sober consciousness of a principle to uphold and an Empire to defend. Boys who received their tuition in sports from such men as Messrs McLennan, Thurston, Dymock and others round the table, made better soldiers for the sports that had been taught them. The toast was heartily honoured.

Mr M, McLaughlan briefly responded, remarking that the man who was a keen sport at the front was a better soldier for that fact.

Mr Arrowsmith proposed the toast of “The Ladies,’ in humorous erms. Mr W. J. Munro responded, speaking in eulogistic terms of the guest of the evening. On behalf of the Ladies’ Hockey Clubs he wished to thank Mrs McLennan for her valuable, though unobstrusive assistance, and wished Mr and Mrs McLennan all the success they so richly deserved. Mr G. Forbes also spoke appreciatively of the efforts of the ladies in connection with various sports. Mr A. M. Ryan also bore testimony to the very valuable assistance rendered to sports by Mr McLennan. Mr Bray, referring to the old sports present, said he had been associated with Mr McLennan for many years, who had done his utmost for sports in general. He was pleased to be present to add his quota of appreciation of Mr McLennan.

(Convt.inuod' on page 6.)