EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1939, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

FAREWELL TO SOLDIER PRIVATE E. M. WRIGHT. (“Times-Age” Special.) There was an exceptionally large and representative attendance at the farewell social and dance tendered to Private E. M. Wright in the Nireaha Hall on Tuesday night. Included among those present were the parents of the guest of the evening, Mr and Mrs E. G. Wright, who motored from Eastbourne for the occasion, and several soldiers who were.also on leave. Dancing was the principal form of amusement and this was ably controlled by Mr M. Drysdale as M.C. Excellent music was supplied by Mrj Roach and Mr D. Thompson, who responded generously to encores. A community sing, consisting of soldiers’ songs, was led by the old soldiers present and proved very popular. During the supper interval Colonel A. H. Herbert (president of the Eketahuna R S.A.) and Mr T. Hancock (vice-president) conveyed to Private Wright the Association’s best wishes, end the hope that he would return safely to New Zealand. Mr R. Thomasen. on behalf of Nireaha residents, then presented Private Wright with a wristlet watch, suitably engraved. In doing so Mr Thomasen referred to the sterling personal qualities possessed by Private Wright and the high esteem in which he was held. He wished Private Wright God speed and a safe return. A further presentation was made by Mr C. Hercock, who, on behalf of the tennis and table tennis clubs, handed the guest a well-filled envelope. It was the hope of members of the two cAubs that Private Wright would soon be back to take part in their activities. Musical honours were accorded Private Wright who feelingly returned thanks for the good wishes extended. A delicious home-made supper, provided by the ladies, was enjoyed. The gathering concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." IN GOOD FORM SUCCESS OF LOCAL ATHLETES. Competing at the Mangatainoka . sports on' Tuesday several members of the Eketahuna Athletic Club displayed good form both in the track and field events. In the 100 yards open S. Beales, a schoolboy, who made his first appearance on the track as a competitor, ran well to win from his team mate, J. Tredray. Beales also won the 220 yards in convincing style. In the long jump event, J. Tredray was first, W. Russell second and Hausman third. Russell was first in the hop, step and jump, Tredray and Hausman filled second and third places, respectively. Further successes are expected when this team competes at forthcoming sports meetings. A Lucky Escape. While proceeding to Eketahuna from Mangatainoka yesterday morning a car driven by Mr John Tredray, who was accompanied by another man, left the road in the vicinity of Mr Kiddie’s residence on the Hamua “straight” and was wrecked. The occupants had a remarkable escape, their injuries consisting of minor cuts from broken glass. Personal Items. Miss E. L. Oldfield is at present visiting relatives in Feilding. Miss Nancy Greathead is visiting Wellington. Mr Wade Senr., and his son, Mr Keith Wade (Kati Kati), accompanied by Mr D. Doidge (Thames), were visitors to the town yesterday. Mr and Mrs Ward Senr. (Pongaroa) are visiting their daughter, Mrs C. Wyeth, Parkville. Mr and Mrs E. G. Wright were the guests of Mr and Mrs A. Golder during their visit to Nireaha. | SPORT IN EKETAHUNA FINE SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP. THE FAMOUS WELCH FAMILY. Eketahuna was always an enthusiastic centre for sport and there was ever a warm welcome extended to visitors. Speaking as the result ol experience on many occasions in the past, I have no hesitation in saying that the warmth of Eketahuna hospitality has been very pronounced—as genuine forty years ago as it is today. The writer’s first acquaintance with Eketahuna sports was some 36 years ago when as a member of the Albion senior football team he visited Eketahuna to play the local fifteen, which contained a number of excellent players. one or two of whom subsequently found their way into the Wairarapa representative team at a period when that fifteen was one of the strongest in New Zealand, and able to play a drawn game on one occasion with the Ranfurly" Shield holders (Wellington' on the latter’s ground. The Albion team was a strong combination, three of its players subsequently earning the Silver Fern, so that even if we did beat Eketahuna it was no disgrace to the latter. 1 remember in one match some of our players cut ludicrous figures when they slipped and slithered on a board in the centre of the playing field which we were told was used by the fire brigade for practice purposes. Spirit of Fellowship. There was a fine spirit of fellowship among the footballers, cricketers and hockey players of Eketahuna then and this spirit is being kept alive today by the Robinsons, the Steers, the Daniels, the Fredericksens, the Tucketts, the Greatheads, the Simpsons, the Hendersons, the Quinlivans, who always came up smiling. Eketahtina could .turn on a good game of hockey too, and one remembers many trips to Eketahuna with the Kia Kaha senior hockey eleven which won the Wairarapa championship on several occasions. when although we proved victorious the games were always hard but played in that excellent spirit, of which the Hastwell senior team has been an example in recent seasons in the Wairarapa competitions. The hand of goodfellowship was always extended to us on our sporting ventures to Eketahuna, and the torch is still being * carried by the present day worthy suc-

cessors to the pioneers of sport in Eketahuna. A Noted Sporting Family. Sportsmen in Eketahuna, as well as the Wairarapa, of forty years or more ago will remember the redoubtable Welch Family team of footballers and cricketers, which played matches in the Eketahuna district in those days, and some of whom are still living in the district or at least their descendants are. They were a great band of sportsmen, most of whom were personally known to the writer. One can recall Ab Welch (who now lives in Essex Street, Masterton. who later played for the Carlton senior cricket team, several times Wairarapa champions, but who nowadays devotes his spare time to bowls), the late Harry Welch (half-back, who also played with the Carlton seniors and who was a member of the first team from that club to win the Wairarapa senior championship). W. C. Welch (for many years a resident of Masterton), George Welch (a Wairarapa football representative, and probably the best dribbler W;tirarapa has seen; captain of the Carlton senior champions), Mot Welch (who is known throughout the Wairarapa today as a Rugby enthusiast, and writer of football notes), the late Ted Welch (half-back, captain of the Carlton seniors for some seasons, and one of the founders of the Red Star Football Club in Masterton for whom most of the Welch Family played 1, the late Fred Welch (a splendid cricketer and footballer who also played with the Carlton cricket team and the Red Star football fifteen), the late Walter Welch (Red Star senior and Wairarapa football representative over a number of years), Tom Welch (Red Star and Wairarapa representative), "Big Bill" Welch (Wairarapa football representative*. the late Arthur Welch of Mastertoil (who worked at one time in th;' W.F.C.A. at Masterton. and played with the Carlton seniors), the late Jim Welch (for many years president of the Red Star Football Club'. Herbert Welch (a splendid forward) and Alf Welch (full back). The best traditions of the Welch. Family were later carried on by a younger generation including Cyril Welch (now a resident of Kaiparoro where he has been for many years one of the most prominent rifle shots in the Bush district and the Wairarapa). Loo Welch, Rupert Welch, Bert Welch, Ken Welch, Percy McLachlan (cousin), all of whom played for the Red Star seniors aiid the Wairarapa football representatives, while a younger generalion still is prominent in sport today, and some have already won representative football honours. Bert Welch and Ken Welch were also splendid cricketers, both playing for the old Carlton Club. Members of the family have from lime to time in the last fifty years farmed or resided in the Eketahuna district.