ALL BLACKS SAIL

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19285, 14 April 1928, Page 14

ALL BLACKS SAIL

farewell scenes at WHARF. «WE WILL DO OUR BEST." (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, April 13. Tour thousand 'people assembled on the wharf to-day to say farewell to the 1928 All "Black team on its departure for South Africa in the endeavour to win the Rugby supremacy of the world.

Each member of the team was permitted to say a word of farewell over the wireless. Good wishes for the team's snccess were expressed by the Mayor, the Prime Minister, and the GovernorGeneral sent the f 'lowing message from Auckland:. "I send you all my good wishes for a 'happy time.'' Maurice Brownlie, captain of the team, and Mark Nicholls, viee-captaiu, each bearing giant tree ferns, led tho team up the gangway, and at 3.15 p.m. the Marama left the wharf severing hundreds of streamers connecting the ship with the shore. "We want you to remember that we are proud of you," said Mr G. A. Troup, M "ir of Wcl K -'on, .to the team. "I should like to commend to you th- will to win. I am sure that your captain has this quality, and I hope you will all cultivate it. When you are away I hope you will think of New Zealand and her mountains so high, and • her valleys so green. Be steadfast, fight on, ake, ake, ake!"

The selectors, said the Prime Minister, had made a declaration that the players had been picked as much for character as for playing ability. "We know," continued Mr Caotes, "that the team will take any victories they may secure with modesty, and that they will make no excuses if defeat should come their way. The tour will have the effect of bringing the peoples of South Africa and New Zealand closer together. All I caii say to you is, Haerera, kia kaha! The best of luck, the best of good wishes, and may you return to your own people with honours thick upon you." "I should like to assure the people of New Zealand," said Mr Hornig, i"~nager of the team, "that if we are defeated the members of the. team will feel the defeat more keenly than the people of New Zealand. We trust we will not let you down, and I can assure yo"- that we will do our best to go down in history as a team who always played the game."