SWIMMING CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1940, Page 8

SWIMMING CLUB

ENTERTAIN SOLDIERS. PRESENTATION OF GIFTS. In the Kia Ora Club rooms the Masterton Amateur Swimming Club held a social gathering in honour of two club members, Second Lieutenant G. Gaze and Private H. Dixon. Private P. O’Neill was unable to be present. Mr V. McKeague presided over a good attendance, and extended a welcome to the two guests. He said that, the club was very proud to know that t was to be so well represented in the Second Echelon and was happy to have its representation in such capable hands as those of Messrs Gaze, Dixon and O’Neill. The club was sorry to be losing such valuable members at a time when swimming was beginning to come more into prominence in .Masterton through the promise of new baths. He trusted, however, that it would not be long before the soldiers were back in New Zealand and once again, engaged in peaceful pursuits. He then asked Mr H. E. Pither, patron of the club, to make presentations to the guests of the evening. Mr Pither said that it afforded him pleasure to be present that evening to join with other club supporters in doing honour to fellow-members, who, by their keen and active interest in

swimming had done much to further the clubs welfare in the past. He went on to refer to the. very fine spirit of comradeship engendered by lhe new type of life to which the soldiers were now committed, but he very much doubted if the spirit had needed much instilling in regard to their guests. They had already shown that they possessed it by their unselfish work for the club and their new comrades would have discovered that ere this. Mr Pither then asked Messrs Gaze and Dixon to accept from the club as a small token of esteem a ’’hold-all” each, and from himself, as patron, a diary-writing companion each. He said he regretted that circumstances had prevented the club president (Mr H. P. Glen) from being present that evening, but Mr Glen had asked him to convey to them his '•cry best wishes for their future. He regarded himself as making the presentations on behalf of the president, himself and all club members.

“For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was sung to the accompaniment on the piano of Mr J. Barnes, as Mr Pither made the presentations. Lieutenant Gaze expressed his thanks and keen appreciation for the gifts he had received, and said that his association with the club had been one of the happiest experiences of his sojourn in Masterton. Whatever service he had been able to render the club had been willingly given, and he had derived much pleasure from his participation in the club activities. He hoped that next season would see them all together again. He concluded by thanking Mr Pither for his kind remarks and the patron, jjresident and club members for the presentations which would be of great value lo him on active service.

Private Dixon said that lie could only echo Lieutenant Gaze’s remarks as he felt exactly the same as bis fellow member did regarding his part in club activities. He would certainly do his utmost to uphold the honour of the club and of Masterton, and the memory of his swimming club days would always be with him as a happy one. He trusted, too, that they would all be together again next seafcn, and ho assured members that he would continue to give of his best in club affairs upon his return. Private Dixon referred to Mi' Pither’s keen and practical interest in the club. Ho said that the club was fortunate in having two such fine citizens as Mr Pither and Mr Glen at the head of its affairs and hoped they would long continue in their respective offices. In conclusion he thanked members for their presents and said that he was very grateful and would always treasure them.

All present autographed the diaries of the soldiers. Private P. O’Neill will later; be the recipient of a similar presentation.

The gathering closed with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the Nat'onal Anthem,