THE ALL BLACKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 162, 10 July 1924, Page 5

THE ALL BLACKS.

THEIR AUSTRALIAN YOUR. , INCIDENTS ON THE ULDMCAROA. WELCOME m SYDNEY. \ (From Our Own Correspondent.) ;'l SYDNEY, July 3. '"•• The All Blacks were accorded a brilliant send-off in Wellington by a very large crowd just a week ago to-day., The sun was shining brightly, and the' waters of the harbour were like the proverbial mill-pond. The "boys" were in high spirits, and from sailing time— noon—till lunch time —one o'clock— spent the hour relating what good sailors they were, -and the number of rough trips" they had been through. Yes, nobody was going to be seasick. But oh! what a different tune in an hour's time. The luncheon gong sounded at one p.m., and we sat down for our first meal. A well-known member of the Canterbury Rugby Union had only just looked at. the menu when off he went. The Ulimaroa had started to roll by this time—we were out in the straits, and had run into the tail-end of a storm, which had given her a rough passage over from Sydney a few days previously. This supporter was quickly followed by the representative from the Bay of Plenty, whp had had "plenty" when he sighted his first plate of soup. Thereafter there was a gradual diminution in the numbers who attended for : their meals. On the second day eleven of the All Blacks wore cot cases, while more than half the passengers were ' suffering from mal-de-mer. Some of the i "boys" stuck to it gamely, and sickness ! after one' meal would not prevent them I from putting in an appearance at the | next. Naturally there were some humorous incidents and much good- ! naturcd banter attached to it all. A five-eighths from Anckland sat down to I dinner on the second night out—he had ! done fairly well up to this stage. His j order was boiled fowl. It duly arrived, and. after gazing at "it for a few seconds, Ihe was almost as white as the fowl. IHe departed hurriedly, exclaiming as he I went: "I'll see you later." Of course uproarious laughter ensued at our table, I and we have not yet discovered whether 1 the five-eighths was talking to us or to the fowl. The third day was bright and sunshiny, and the sea had become almost calm. Consequently there was an increased attendance at the dining table. The fourth day was like a New Zealand summer's day. The "pond" was like a sheet of glass, and the sun was strong and hot. . All hands were on deck this last day of our voyage, and everybody was in "high glee. The haka which had been prepared by George Nepia, "Jimmy" Hill and "Jock" Richardson was thoroughly rehearsed, and provided fine recreation for the passengers. The deck games received a good thrashing this day. The Civic Reception. ■, Everybody was astir early on Tuesday morning to obtain a glimpse of the i famous Sydney Harbour, about which we had heard so much. Unfortunately I our entrance was effected under rather j uiifavour&ble conditions. A cold west- ' erly wind was blowing with a bitterness which would equal any New Zealand southerly, and there was a fairly dense ' haze hanging over the entire harbour. • Our view was thus somewhat obscured, but nevertheless we were able to obtain a very fair idea or what a wonderful harbour -this actually is—especially ! from a commercial point of view, j On arrival at the wharf the team was met 'by most of the leading •Rugbyites of New South Wales, headed by Mr. W. Hill, one of the joint secretaries. We were driven to our headquarters, the Mansions Hotel, and accorded an informal welcome by the :New South Wales Rugby Union. Amongst the speakers were MessrsHill and Holden (joint secretaries of the Union), "Jimmy' Henderson (well known to New Zealand Rugby people), Mr. E. A. Little, manager of the team, and (Messrs. C. Badeley (captain), and J. Richardson (vice-captain).

The public reception on Wednesday night was a ceremony it would be almost impossible to imagine. It took place in the Town Hall, which has seating accommodation for 3000 people. The place was almost filled to the doors. Amongst those on the platform were Sir Henry Braddon, K.8.E., M.L.C, president of the New South Wales Rugby Union, Sir George Fuller, Alderman Gilpin, the Hon. C. , W. Oakes, Chief Secretary for State, and v many representatives of the New South Wales Government.

All the speakers extended a very hearty welcome to the team, and stressed the fact that New South. Wales owed a great debt of gratitude to the New Zealand Union for sending the very best team over to assist in celebrating jubilee year. The best wishes of Australia were with the team on their Heme tour. Though not an Australian team the All Blacks were next to it—they were regarded as an Australasian side. In his reply, Mr. Little expressed his thanks for the magnificent welcome accorded the team. He hoped the visit would do a grtat deal towards uplifting the game in the State, and he had no doubt on this point when he looked round at the gentlemen who were behind Rugby, and who occupied seats on the platform that night. Mr. Little was accorded a great reception. Mr. C Badeley, captain of the team, was also greeted with hearty applause when he stepped forward to speak. "Ces" made a neat little response in which his words were exceptionally well chosen. After a most enthusiastic exchange of cheers the National Anthem concluded one of the most successful welcomes ever accorded any visiting body of sportsmen to the city. Since "their arrival the players have been practising strenuously in the presence of a large gathering of spectators at the Sydney Grammar School ground, and on the eve of their first battle the general opinion is that the All Blacks will avenge their defeats" of two years ago on the same ground. Harvey, one of the locks, from Wairarapa, contracted tonsilitis on the journey on the day after landing, and he, will not be available for any matches ion the Australian tour. There was general rejoicing here tonight at the fact that Mr. S. F. (Sam) i ! Wilson had been appointed New Zea- . J land's delegate to the Imperial Coni j ference. " i The New Zealand team picked for the ; j first Test is as follows:—Nepia, Lucas, 11 Brown, Hart, Cooke, Badeley, Mill, I i Porter. Monro, Irvine, C. Brownlie, Masters, M. Brownlie, Richardson, > | White. r I All the other players are emergencies. -|The team is regarded as an experiment. I and the men standing down will all be : ! given a game on Wednesday, so that , j the best New Zealand team is a matter [for speculation.,