OKATO FOOTBALL CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1916, Page 7

OKATO FOOTBALL CLUB.

GOOD RECRUITING RECORD. A pleasant gathering took place at the Okato Hall on Saturday evening, when the members of the Okato F6otball Club assembled to farewell Mr. B. T. Booker, president for the past five years, -who is shortly leaving for Auckland, and also Private Cliff Eustace, captain of the club for the past two seasons. Mr. J. Garcia presided over the gathering, which took the nature of a smoke concert. After the usual loyal toast had been lionored, the toast of Mr. and Mrs. Booker was proposed by the chairman, who referred to the keen interest taken in football and in all clean sport by the president, to whom the Okato Chib was indebted for many thoughtful acts, which would long be remembered by the members. Special mention was made of the assistance rendered on various occasions by Mrs. Booker. The chairman presented Mr. Booker, on behalf of the club, with a silver-mounted walking stick, suitably inscribed, and with a handsomely bound volume of poems for Mrs. Booker. Messrs J. L. Powers (secretary), L. H. Andrews (selector), and T. Ryan also eulogised the good work done by the recipients. Mr. Booker, who had an enthusiastic reception, said that he had always taken an interest in clean sport, and felt that he had only, done the least he possibly could for the Okato club, the members of which he recognised were good sports and played the game for its own sake. He would always cherish fond re- : collections of his stay in Okato. In proposing the toast of Private Eustace, the chairman referred to the fine record put up by member's of the Okato Football Club in responding to the call of the Empire. Already the club had fourteen members either at the front or en route, and two others had been turned down on account of injuries received on the football field. It was an honor to be associated with a club holding such a record. Regarding their guest, he said that tho3e who had followed his career oh the football field would have no fear but that, he would worthly uphold the traditions of the Dominion on the field of battle. He presented Private Eustace with a set of military hair- brushes.' Several other speakers endorsed Mr. Garcia's remarks. Private Eustace, in replying, stated that he intended to do his duty wherever he went. (Applause). The company then stood in silence for a couple of minutes as a mark of respect to their late comrades, H. Burrows and" Reg Hill, who sacrificed their lives at Gallipoli. Other toasts were "Kindred Sports," proposed by Mr J. L. Power and responded to by Messrs. J. McLeod (bowler), and B. T. Booker (angler); "Okato Football Club," proposed by Mr. J. McLeod and responded to by Messrs .T.. L. Power and L. H. Andrews; "Ladies," proposed by Mr. .T. Hall and responded to by Messrs G. L. Carey, T. Ryan and Bert Andrews; "Host and Hostess/' proposed by Mr. B. T. Booker and responded to by Mr. Sanson. "The (..'.airman," proposed by Mr. Booker, concluded the toast list. A liuht nepnst, provided by Mr. S»nsom, was much appreciated, and during the evening songs were given by Messrs. L. Carey, F. Gable, R. Andrews, E. Xewell, Bert Andrews, J. McLeod, B. T. Booker, and J. L. Power.