MASTERTON FOOTBALL CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4851, 15 October 1894, Page 2

MASTERTON FOOTBALL CLUB.

Smoh Concert.

A large number of members of the Masterton Football Club and their friends attended the Smoke Concert in the Club Hotel on Saturday evening, to wind up the successful season ill harmony and jollification, Mr 0, A, Pownall occupied the chair, ant| was supported on either side by MessrsD'Arcy and Wilsone, captains of tho Masterton and Red Star Clubs respectively, After several toasts had been duly honoured, MrD'Arcy, iu responding on behalf of the Club, ably reviewed the past season. His Club had commenced the season rather badly, and were beaten twice in tho first round, leaving them at the end near tho bottom of the list. In the first match against the Stars, they had met focmen worthy of thcirstcel, and they wore fairly beaten by a better team. If e was glad to .say, however, that they reversed tho position of affairs in the .return match, thanks to their retired pensioners donning the jersey again in a time of need. Mr D'Arcy welcomed such men as Mowlcin, McGovern and Cockroft, into their midst, and said the honorable stand the team had made in tho second round was, in a measure, due to the valuable assistance given by these capable footballers. Although ho had played his last match, he sincerely hoped the old Club would continue to prosper, and that next year the beautiful banner, for which they had one leg in, would become their own property. Mr D'Arcy then proposed the health of the Red Star Club, and spoko highly of the manner in which they had kept together, despite their many reverses of luck.

Mr Cargill rq)oitded,and thanked' Mr D'Arcy for the kind words spoken of Lis Club, and also for the manner in which their healths had been toasted. Although ho could not agree with Mr D'Arcy in hoping that the Mastcrton Club would annex the Banner next year, for the Stars would have a say in that, he looked forward to many more friendly matches between the Clubs. He said the old time bnllocking games between local teams had almost entirely died out, and the bad feeling which had once ousted was now a thing of the past. Gamps were now played with science for the honor of victory, aud not, as in former years, to seo who could make the most cripples.

The presentation of medals givon by Messrs Mandel and Engoi, for the most useful back in the Club, and for the best forward player in the Wellington- Wairarapa representative match wero then made by Mr 0. A. Pownall, who eulogised the merits of the recipents, Messrs McGovern and Watson, in a very flattering manner. Since Mr McGovern's arrival in the district, football had advanced a great deal, and ho had done valuable service, both for his Club aud the Wairarapa, His play was tho embodiment of unselfishness, and he sincerely hoped tho Wairarapa would not lose his services for many years to come. In Mr Watson they had another sterling footballer, who was pronounced by capablo judges to bo one of the finest- forwards in tho Colony.

Messrs McGovern and Watson were receivod with cb eel's, and heartily thanked Mr Powuall for the kind words said about them, and to members for placing such confidence in what little ability they had shown for the advancement of the Club.

A splendid programme of songs was rendered during the evening, Mr J. Mowlem officiating at the piano, and a pleasant evening terminated with " Auld Lang Syne," shortly after eleven o'clpck,