MEMORY HONOURED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 225, 23 September 1935, Page 13

MEMORY HONOURED.

THE LATE BERT PALMER,

MEMORIAL UN VEILING CEREMONY

lii a picturesque setting at the Otaliuhu Cemetery, in the presence o£ several hundred persons who had gathered to pay respect to the memory ot the late Bert Palmer, former Auckland and Xcw Zealand Rugby representative, the unveiling of a very fine memorial took place yesterday afternoon. Bert Palmer was injured in a game at the Showgrounds on September 3, 1032, and died the following day. Mr. Harry Frost, president of the Auckland Rugby Union, in addressing those present, took for his subject the inscription on the memorial, "He always played the game," and sa'd that deceased was one of the greatest sportsmen that New Zealand had ever produced. He stated that Bert had learned his football in Manurewa and had represented Auckland on 63 occasions, which was almost a record. He had represented the Xorth I-sland in 1928 and 1032 and Xew Zealand in 1928, 1929 and 1932. A Rugby supporter who was impressed by the sterling qualities of Bert Palmer, donated a trophy for competition among junior boys in which sportsmanship and playing the game counted. "If Bert were present," said Mr. Frost, "I am sure ha would say, ' f have played the game—what about you?' " Mr. Frost appealed to a!! the young players to endeavour to live u;i to Palmer's record of sportsmanship. The Rev. R. ,T. Stanton, in a fine address, said that if there were more team work in life to-day many of our big problems would be more easily solved. Frank Kilby and A. Knight, respective captains in Saturday's representative game at Eden Park, performed the unveiling ceremony. Included in the gathering were members of the Wellington and Auckland teams, representatives from Waikato and South Auckland unions, members of the Waihi team and many Auckland clubs. The Auckland Rugby Union was represented b.v Mr. A. A. Baker, chairman of the management committee. Mr. T. W. Maben, secretary, and Mr. ,T. H. Muir, selector. The Referees' Association representatives were Mr. A. A. Lucas, president. and Messrs. J. Finlayson, A. K. Austin and Captain J. C. Wales. Mr. Arthur Tilly represented the junior management board. At the conclusion of the ceremony a number of wreaths were laid beside the memorial, including one from the Wellington ten+n and one from each of his old clubs, Ponsonby and Otaliuhu. INTER-ISLAND MATCH. SOUTH TEAM SELECTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON', Sunday. The South Island Rugby team to play tlio North at Wellington on October 5 has been selected as follows: — Full-back.—Macfarland (Ota go). Three-quarters.—Mann (West Coast), Polson (Canterbury), Morrison (South Canterbury). Five-eighths.—Trevartlian (Otago), Gaffaney (South Canterbury). Ilalf-baek.—Sax ton (Otago). Forwards. —Rankin (Canterbury), Green. Nivcn, Parkhill (Otago). Deavoll (Cnnterburv), L. George (Southland), Orinan (Ruiler), Quatd (Otago). Reserves.—Racks: MePhnil (Canterbury); forward, Strong rSoutli Canterbury). TUKAPA BEAT MANUKAU. In a game characterised by a bright, snappy exhibition by the Taranaki visitors, Manukau Kovers were defeated at the Showcronnd on Saturday by Tnkapa, by 35 points to 8. The Taranaki team was on top from the outset, scoring 1-4 to nil in the first half.