SOCIAL TO MR GEORGE SUTHERLAND.
(Own Correspondent)
The members of the Waitahuna Football Club met in full force in the anteroom of Dwyer's Hall, Waitahuna, on Friday evening last, the 21st inst., to do honor to their captain, Mr George Sutherland, who is about to take his departure from New Zealand. A table, running the full length of the room, had been tastefully arranged, and an abundance of the choicest edibles placed thereon, and the sitting accommodation was all occupied, the room being full to the door.
Mr F. Ellis (President of the Club) occupied the chair, and, in referring briefly to the object of the meeting, said that the Waitahuna Football Club, on learning that their young captain was about to leave New Zealand for that faroff part of the world, Beunos Ayres, unanimously resolved to invite him to meet them that evening so that they could spend a pleasant hour together and bid him farewell. The large muster, in fact, he did not think there was a member absent, spoke volumes as to the popularity of their guest with the members of the Club.
The usual loyal toast, "The King," was then proposed by the chairman and duly honored.
Mr Andrew McKenzie then sang in fine style "Off to the Rio Grande." The Deputy-captain, Mr Edward Ryan, in a few appropriate remarks, presented Mr Sutherland with a gold Maltese cross as a mark of esteem from the Waitahuna Football Club.
At this stage of the proceedings the President called upon Mr McAra to make a few remarks.
Mr McAra, in complying, said that he held the highest respect for their young friend. He had watched the football matches lately played on the local field with interest and had noted the rapid progress which the Waitahuna footballers had made during the short time they had been together, and one of the most pleasing features of the team, when on the field, was the entire absence of bad language. Mr George Sutherland was a popular captain, and deservedly so. He was pleased to be present and join with the members of the Club in bidding a kind farewell to their captain and wishing him bon voyage. He was come of a good family and no doubt he would make his mark in that distant land.
Mr Pringle then sang "Off to the front." Mr Sutherland, who was received with great applause, said he hardly knew how to thank them for all the trouble in preparing such a splendid social in his honor and for the handsome present which he had received. He desired also to thank Mr Ellis and Mr McAra for the kind words they had been pleased to say about him. He did not think he deserved all that kindness. He hoped the Waitahuna Football Club would stick together and go in for practice. There was the making of a number of first-class footballers amongst them. The Tuapeka Times, which he expected to receive regularly, would be eagerly scanned by him, especially during the football season, and next season, instead of Lawrence 14 points, Waitahuna 0, he hoped to see Waitahuna 14 points, Lawrence 0. (Great applause). Mr Booth then sang "Asleep in the deep," and, in response to an encore, "Off to Buenos Ayres in the morning." The Chairman, in a few complimentary remarks, proposed "The Guest of the evening," which was enthusiastically received, the whole company joining in singing "For he's a jolly good fellow." Mr Sutherland suitably responded. Song: "The boys of the old brigade," Mr T. McKenzie.
"The Waitahuna Football Club" was then proposed by the Chairman, when the chorus "On the ball" was sung with great gusto. The toast was coupled with the name of Mr Pringle, who fittingly replied, complimenting the members on the rapid progress whicn had been made under Captain Sutherland since the formation of the Club, only about six weeks ago. The election of a captain then followed, Mr Freeman being unanimously chosen for the position. He returned thanks for the honor conferred upon him, saying he would do his best in the interests of the team, and trusted they would all pull together. Several other songs and recitations were given by Mr Andrew McKenzie (who also played the accompaniments), T. F. Ryan, O'Neill, and J. Dwyer, who sang "My bonnie Yorkshire lass " in fine style, the whole proceedings closing at about 10.45 with "Auld lang syne." -Tuapeka Times, 26/7/1905.
Obituary
MR GEORGE SUTHERLAND, WAITAHUNA.
George Sutherland, who passed away n the 18th inst., was a young man of 28 years of age, the youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Sutherland, of Waitahuna. In his youth he passed all his examinations and duly qualified as a dentist. Thereafter he went to South America to start his profession, but not finding it agreeable to him he did not stay long, but returning commenced the practice of his profession in the North Island, where he remained for some time. Eventually a serious accident compelled him to relinquish business and he came home. Shortly afterwards he fell into ill health from which he never totally recovered. His death, the result of a sharp attack of pleurisy, came suddenly, and cast a gloom over the district. He was a young man of a remarkably cheerful disposition and was a great favourite amongst his fellows. Genuine sympathy is felt for his aged father and mother who naturally feel their loss very keenly. The funeral was largely attended, the services being conducted by the Rev. J. S. Ponder which were very impressive. -Tuapeka Times, 27/1/1912.
The Country
WAITAHUNA.
January 22. — It is my sad duty to record two more deaths from Waitahuna. Mr John Benz died in the Lawrence Hospital last Monday night. Mr Lenz had lived in Waitahuna for over 40 vears. He had been ailing for years, still he was always able to go about. His wife predeceased him about 15 years ago. He leaves a family of five sons and two daughters (all married) to mourn their loss. George Sutherland, youngest son of Mr John Sutherland, died at his parents’ residence on the night of Thursday, 18th January, aged 28 years, after an illness lasting a little over a year. Poor George was loved by all, and his loss will be most keenly felt, as he was a great favourite with both old and young, he was a boy full of fun and mischief, ever ready for a prank, but he was never known to do an unkind or a mean action, while a good many have cause to blees him for his kindness to them, and one never heard of his goodness from himself. This is the first death in Mr Sutherland’s family, and the greatest sympathy is felt for them all in their sad bereavement. The funeral, which was on Sunday, was, in spite of the heavy showers, one of the largest ever seen here, all anxious to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory. -Otago Witness, 24/1/1912.
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