CANTERBURY WIN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19949, 9 June 1930, Page 15

CANTERBURY WIN.

r-\ ■■ —' — j; Six Points Margin. .| : V _ definitely SUPERIOR. 1 ■ Record Crowd at Rugby Battle. " t Justifying the confidence reposed in them by tens of I tlinir -«*« of Rugby enthusiasts in the province, the Canter- : iter fifteen emerged victorious from their encounter with ' a* British team at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon. , fte score was 14 points to Bin their favour, the margin of if* poi&ts being two greater than that of Wellington; who jjgj the first to defeat the visitors, ;

again a Canterbury team hav< jJfoTurd the province it to de'&o, 111 own ground, and what a fgLejskfe it is * or overseas fifteens. !2TStay « ver the Springboks was Mj jtort for Canterbury, and a big jgS-jiifce-morale of the team which vanquished tho British eom--ILU-q* Saturday afternoon at Lan[STtaik. Wsk-'it isjust be said at the outset had an easier task on J&lUftisa did the side which made [ll|g§stery when it triumphed over 'fflffll" Africans nine years ago. No l|p|jfaft permitted its opponent* i&jgtgfefla. many mistakes.as CanWmSm»> and to win, could rank ■Hppths.'redoubtable Springboks. fSWjuips ten or fifteen minutes of 3|L?./iha role of the British ■Krasfr purely defensive. In the , dangerous . [ Canand in the later stages HUei ieertain defeat, they • never' throw the. ball about;/ uppity was in midfield, in their HJljijtlJy-n've, or in the last, five territory, they risked' Hgfjisf'on she open game* It was Bgpjts|.football Christehureh specHHJfcn'eojae to regard as 'Varsity Bl,«e Jsjectant Tkronf. w%nt before the game, with its (topped embankments humanity, and its tier on Bpi.''mutators in the efowded HE'-Jratoter Park oval reBHipWijfbffitic saueer, with the llysdtfrefws great concave a black expectant enthusiasts. ESfl&Si* |ke game started the BSfppd not have held another Bisi?**'* ™tage point could HR||i§'did net give foothold to ■Klit Oval been in better. HKgw weather more favourable fjjHHllftng of such a vast conHSHpiaut haze interfered little HKjifp>'s warmth, and a light MpHeeie caused the grandstand jHapßy laidly against the poles. [HIP* *s*«ns took the field there Hmßleaeer for each, and through■Knliiuse was quite impartial. HnifOTUry recovered the initiaHj|yjtomentarilv shortly after ■H&jB, 'enthusiasm round the HH|j|!seea knew no bounds, and HfigEtf eontinnous roar of cheerHKi'hell which rang out Bri|HHhr4 defeat. Its clanging was HHrntfln'tho cheering, but as the HHK>'*K»the ranks of spectators fHSSmWhrnMii swarmed ' across' W&M&\&Mr the victors to the to Weigiit. HH§Wde* & ble advantage in weight JWwftttish team was apparent HPsMare sides faced each other ■nil sneers. Forward the BlWiwd-iast IMb, and CanHraiH°fll>. and back 13st, . as HHjflth our list 101b, HMmalYery outset the home team mgmmmakr, setting up a pressure MJHBMd ealy for a few minutes BKJPwfonr. and a half. Beaten in iMffi the line-outs, in lineMwp British team held their ■Kneed and f«U back for their jjyefffietery on bursting through iHMffng forwards with superior N§fea*4 backing up. Their hopes BSfPfclt was a contrast of stylos, ■MMsots taking more risks than BBffigf ; -<ad relying more on what ■HUT do la eentre-fleld than on Hffitanjtiwg was never impressive ffiKeJmjmsk, while they were llHftMllsraet more than half a mmaSkf ■ good line-kicks all BHMmjpSffi too, was not one HHH^ v d*jNutuentf/ From the HHmfoa Lilburne threaded bis ■■pieegh them several times, HmßfehaAs off Unewards. O. D. HHHM*jl*ihe> same feat on one forward, B. K. King, HHHl 's■. this weakness' in- tap HHp9thAvy • selectors announced IHHVem they'had chosen was \ WmW*'v* attacking I ■■■•t|e : brWiftnee of'. Lilburne ! ■lHtiojaMaeel with the .penetrat- j ■■HKa&K. P.lfcGragor at five■BPllb''would certainly ' have ' ■BiNerjie defeat.. plifl&Brao at roU-back. ffiHkienld.have cavilled at :tbe ■VLilburne at full-back. But ■H|pa| blunder in -allowing .a HV «s himself to pass him bea tackle his performHnlhtthout flaw. Some of his Power which might from Harris, Britain were lucky. ■■Mjensps, have heard in adHnlliPmV speed, and reserved HHsK'for his wing, but they HHKfe foreseen that play 70u)d to Oliver's side, and MMfcjapt. on his game. FurtherHHK*e early stages Beeve apJHjf-*° M him safe. Oliver gave HHKjPoa that he realised this, HHUPfeevy' responsibility rested clever euttiag-in his passes were wild taekled be reimmediately. ■■Hif/iierletoß played better, and his deada treat to witness. All were sound, without H&jSfft-; All made occasional as many as those Mfeii. Hay shewed Us nsnal

a faculty for laying sure hands on any of. Bailey's passes, and all were not of the highest standard, but tones revealed a greater penetfative ability. Speedier in getting the ball away than he has been 6f lftte, Dalley was smothered by the big forwards opposite only rarely, and hi 6 was a workmanlike contribution. Canterbury Forwards Great. In the forwards King was positively brilliant, handling like a baek and forging a path through the press sometimes irresistibly. Stewart and Burrows were perhaps the mainstay of the Canterbury forwards, with the former also shining often in the loose, while the others all Worked hdnestly, constantly, and sometimes cleverly. To Stand a chance in the Tests Britain rnudt produce a better side than tbat taking the field against Canterbury on-Saturday. Many improvements are possible on a better acquaintance with New Zealand tactics. Lob-passing, for instance, must be eliminated before they clash with teams which include masters of intercepting like Cooke. Some of the backs on Saturday Were guilty of a reverse movement of the ball before actually passing., To give notice of one's intention in this fashion is, in . effect, imposing only a self-made handicap. Not one of their fifteen showed a semblance of a dummy or a side-step. Reverse passing was rare, but good; honest straightrrunning was one of Britain's major assets, and something which the crowd -fully appreciated. In dribbling they had our men beaten pointless. G. Bonner, who took Bassett's place at full-back, mishandled frequently, and his kicking was by no means strong. One of his mistakes, in failing to field a high punt, almost cost Britain a try, only Serimshaw's bad luck in losing possession at the line saving them. However, early in the game, he beat two Canterbury men on one occasion in artistic fashion. ■ Aarvold, though far from brilliant, was a stronger link in Britain's defence. Visiters' Three-quarters. The British three-quarter line certainly does not lack speed, but the hand*ittg of none* quite free Bowcott, a Welsh representative, was often prominent, but, like Beeve, once or twiee missed passes in unaccountable fashion. His line-kicking and tackling were the soundest of the British fifteen. Poole, the scrum-half, made some good midfield runs, and some of his short puntp were well placed. Jones-Pavies, usually a centre-three-quarter, was a sound man to have opposite Hart,his speed standing him in good stead, while Reeve, on the opposite side, soon had Oliver's measure. The latter was unlucky to put his foot out once when he had a great scoring chance, and on other occasions fortune was not with him. One of the features of English _ attacking movements was the participation of Wilkinson, a tall and speedy forward, who was often seen taking a pass from Knowles or Bowcott, and was easily the most dangerous of the ox-like strength in the tight drew much comment/ and Beamish, who was also prominent in, this department, with Welsh frequently non-plusse<i the Csnterhury men with clever dribbling. If the wing-forward J " an undeßir : able on the football field, because of the attention he gives to the opposing half, breakaway forwards who slip round the side of the scrum, keeping pace with the ball, and-dive on to the first inside men to handle in the fifteen which they are meeting are very little removed from the same category. Scrimshaw was given plenty of latitude on Saturday, and, while allowing Knowles and Poole no chances through a disinclination to take the usual risk with the offside rule exercised a wise discretion.. No- more can be said for tue men at the back of the British scrum. Ifc was pleasing to see the condition of every member of the Canterbury team stand up to the test, signifying a conscientious attention to training. Much screwing of the serum was indulged in by tho visitors, but the "got nothing like an equal share of the ball. THE TEAMS. The toams were:— Britain. -, (Dayk Blue.) 1 . s"ttll-back: Q. Bonner 13.10-Three-quarters: ~,-„ J. S. B. Beeve 18.10, 0. D. Aarvold 13.0, H. M. Bowcott 18.0, T. B. Jones-Davies 11.0. Fly-half: ; < T. C. Knowles 13,0. Scrum-half: M. Poole 12.0. Forwards:' H. Wilkinson 12.9 W. B. Welsh 18w G. B. Beamish (captain) 15.* B. H. Black 14.4, M. J. »«"« 1rf.12. J. Farrell 18.11 H. 0. B. Jones 13.12 S. A. Martindale 14.2. Canterbury. (Bed and Black.) Full-back: H. Lilburne 12.0. Three-quarters: G. F. Hart 11.8 C. J. Oliver 11.10 S. B, Carleton 11.8. Five-eighths: G. D. Innes 18.10, D, Hay 11.0-Half-baek:. W. C. Dalley (captain) 11.0-Wing-forward: G. Scrimshaw 12.3.

THE PLAY. There were cheers when the Canterbury team walked on the field led by the captain, W. C. Dalley, and louder cheers were given when the British team, led by G. K. Beamish, ran on. Canterbury, winning the toss, decided to play with the sun behind them. Aarrold kicked off, and the ball was fielded by Cottroll, who found the line. There was a fine forward rush by Canterbury immediately afterwards which brought the crowd to their feet and gave prom* ise of the good form to-be shown by the local side. The pace was a cracker, Canterbury making strenuous efforts to pierce the defence. From a scrum the b&ll was handled by Dalley, but he was unable to get it out quickly enough to Hay. Oliver picked up and kicked ahead, the ball being then handled by Hart, who was pushed out. A littlo later from another passing movement the ball was passed by Carleton to Oliver, but the latter was unable to hold it. Another passing movement by Canterbury sorely tested the defence, but it held. A further piece of back play by the Bed and Blacks looked like succeeding, when Oliver got possession and started at a great pace for the line. Unfortunately, however, he put his foot into touch. Then the British side set their backs in motion, but Innes was able to smash the movement before it was allowed to become really dangerous. Again the ball come to Oliver, who side-stepped Jones-Daviea and found the line with a good kick. Bonner was tackled before he could rid 0 f the ball but Jones-Davies was equal to the occasion, running back and clearing with a nice kick. The erowd were by now wildly excited, a score by the local team seeming within reach time and again. Welsh broke away with the ball at toe. Innes was again handy and stopped further progress. Play then swung back to the half-way mark. Canterbury in Ascendancy. Canterbury up to this point had had undoubtedly the better of the play and their supporters were feeling very pleased with the display of the side. Lilbume gained a lot of ground with a good line kick, transferring play back to the visitors' twenty-five. Hay took a mark, and attempted to drop-kick a goal. He found the effort too much for him, however, although the kick was a good one. The Bed and Black forwards again asserted themselves, and carried play over the line, only to see the ball forced. There was a scrum, and owing to an infringement the visitors were penalised, Dalley finding the line well down. Britain staged a passing rush, and just when matters were developing interestingly Welsh got off-side, and spoiled the movement. The next moment Hart, the Canterbury wing, made a dashing run down the lino, and sent on to Serra, who was collared. Innes fielded and tried to pot a goal, the ball narrowly missing the posts. Good play by the Canterbury pack continued to worry the Blues. Hart & si way on another nice run, and when tackled, managed, to the surprise of the spectators, to get in his kick. Down swarmed the Canterbury forwards on the British line, but Bonner cleared with a kick to the line. Britain then brought play to inside Canterbury's half, Hay being the defender to step into the breach. Play once again settled temporarily near the halfway, but soon the visitors drove Canterbury back to their own territory again. From a passing rush, Oliver got possession, and kicked for the line, allowing Bonner to force. Fielding the dropout, Hart shot down the line at > an amazing speed, and sent on to Stewart, who was grassed. Then, after twen-ty-five minutes' play, Stewart got possession from the loose, and, b of ore the spectators had realised what was happening, he had fended his way past two or throe opponents, and made an opening for Scrimshaw to score the first try of the match. Carleton was unable to add the extra points. Canterbury .. ..5 Britain ..0 Visitors Nearly Score. King took a mark from the drop-out, and found the line. The Bed a°d Blacks took play to near the British line again, Poole being the one to save his side on this occasion. The next movement on the part of the visitors nearly resulted in a score. Wilkinson dashed free from a melee, and passed to Aarrold, the ball ultimately reaching Wilkinson again. He got almost up to Canterbury's line before Carleton accounted for him, and Hay was able to force. It was a close shaVo for the Bed and Bl&clcs* u The Canterbury forwards were not long in transferring play to the visitors' quarters again, and Oliver had the crowd anticipating a try when he broke away. He was unsupported so that when he passed on being collared there was no one to take the balL Canterbury continued to press the Britishers fiercely. The defence was strong, and the attackers could not get past it. Then from a scrum infringement Carleton took a kick at goal and amidst wild cheers sent the ball between the posts. Canterbury - • • - 6 Britain •• •• ® Dalley was responsible for initiating the most spectacular movement of the game. Fielding the ball he darted towards the Blue line, and passed to Stewart, who, using his weight and strength, threw off would-be tacklers and transferred to Cottrell, that player handing on to Innes, the ball being dropped by Carleton when the lino appeared to be at his mercy, and with Oliver in support. Hart, thrilled with a splendid run, the ball, going over the line, where it was chased by Serra and a Blue defender, the lattor managing to kick it clear. A long kick by Carleton, placed Canterbury in an attacking position. Oliver ran up to get the ball, but was beaten by Bonner, who kicked it out. Just before half-time Beamish broke away from a line-out. Lilburne fielded his kick and made a dash up the line, being pushed out. At the interval the scores were: Canterbury •• - 6 Britain •• •• 0 When the visitors commenced the second spell Bowcott was playing at fly half and Knowles at left centre. Carleton kicked off, and the Canterbury forwards were on the spot in time for Manchester to field the ball, which he sont to Stewart, the tetter's pass going out. The sun was in Canterbury s eyes, but they were able to play well enough to keep the visitors busy, nevertheless. A good kick put Britain in an attacking position, but nothing came of it. The Canterbury forwards were playing up surprisingly well in view of the pace they had set in the first spell, showing no signs of fatigue. Beamish got off-side, and Dalley was able to find the line, An infringement by a Canterbury forward gave the visitors a chance to find the line, Bowcott doing so with a beautiful kick. The British baeks tried passing, but were met with determined tackling. They were now looking more dangerous than-they had at any portion of the game previously, and a fine piece of

passing by them had the Canterbury line in jeopardy, Beamish mulling a centring kick by Reeve. Just afterwards Britain obtained a try. Following some irresistible play by the forwards Black went over and scored in a handy position, converting the try himself. Canterbury .» ' Britain .. .. - 6 Scrimshaw passed to Dalley on the resumption of play, the ball going to Hay, Innes, Carleton, and Oliver, who gained a good piece of ground. His pass infield, however, went amiss. The Blue forwards broke away, but Oliver checked them with a kick to the line. King led the Canterbury forwards in a rush, but Jones-Davies got possession and raced away, only to be pursued and caught by Hart. Beamish dribbled past the Cantorbury backs to Lilburne, who gained loud applause when he picked up and beat numerous opponents before passing to Dalley, the tetter's pass to Alley being dropped. Play continued to be fast, and Rnowles next came into the picture with a fine run. He passed to Martindale, who had a clear passage to the line, but was caught from behind by Oliver. Britain's Second Try. Canterbury obtained relief from a penalty kick. Just afterwards Bowcott had a pot at goal, but was unsuccessful. Oliver made another run and passed to Cottrell, that player being grassed when close to the line. Play, which had been for some time in Britain's territory, now came back to Canterbury's quarters. Bowcott and Wilkinson went downfield with the ball at toe, catching the defending backs out of position. Wilkinson was the first to the pall and scored, but was unable to add the extra points. Britain .. ... ..8 Canterbury .. ..6 Another thrill was given the spectators when Lilburne turned defence into attack by eluding several opponents and passing to Hart. The winger dashed down the line, and the spectators stood up in their excitement, but Aarvold managed to come across in time to stop him about ten yards short of the line. Carleton took a penalty kick at goal without success, and then, after Bome in and out play, the British backs again looked dangerous, Dalley and Carleton being able to pull them up in time, however. More passing among the British backs subjected tho home line to- a severe test, but Lilburne proved himself reliable. Dalley made an opening and passed to Oliver, who once again failed to rise to the occasion, being caught in possession. Dalley sent another pass to Hay, who centred, and Aarvold saved with a good mark close to bis line. Canterbury hooked from a scrum, and Dalley gave the ball to Hay, who tried to pot a goal. Bonner was caught out of position, and Canterbury just missed a score when Scrimshaw picked up and was tackled close to the line. He struggled clear, but lost tho ball as he went over, a force-down saving Britain. Innes then made a characteristic burst. Fielding the ball, he ran round the scrum.on the blind side and passed to King, who made an- irresistible dash past the defence to score a great try. Lilburne converted, making the scores: Canterbury .. 11 Britain .. ..8 Canterbury Still Attacking. When the British side kicked off again Manchester marked and found the line. Attempts at passing by the visitors were frustrated by deadly collaring. A penalty kick at goal was taken by Lilburne, but as it was from near the half-way mark the distance was too much for him, and the ball fel} short. A centring kick by Carleton had the British line in danger. Aarvold tried to find touch, nut* the ball was fielded by Innes, who transferred to Stewart, that player making a run which penetrated deep into'the defence. Scrimshaw got the ball next and then Carleton, who kicked to the corner. Hart followed up at a great paee and caught Black, who fumbled, but the Canterbury man was tackled in the nick of time. The Canterbury. backs tried another passing rush, which, however, broke down at Oliver, the pass to whom was a bad one. Britain gained a brief respite when awarded a free kick, and the ball was Kicked out near half-way. A little later the Canterbury attacker* were at it again, King figuring prominently. He passed out to Hart, the latter dropping the ball when close to the line. Hay was handed the ball from a line-out and tried unsuccessfully tp drop a field goal. The British forwards asserted themselves once more, and Bowcott developed the movement with a danger, ous run. A try looked imminent, but his pass out was dropped, much to the relief of the crowd. Lilburne cleared to the line, after which Alley broke away with the ball at his toes, Bowcott saving, Poole failed to get the ball away neatly from a scrum, and Scrimshaw tackled Bonner in possession. Then came the final score of the match. Poole was penalised for a sorum infringement, and Lilburne, taking the kick, placed the ball beautifully over the cross-bar. Canterbury .. 1* Britain .. ..8 Tho whistle sounded immediately afterwards. The crowd then gave expression to their delight at Canterbury's win by running on the field and carrying the Eed and Black players shoulder high to the pavilion. Mr M. Fleury, of Dunedin, reforeed the match. GOOD-HUMOURED CROWD. WAITING FOR THE MATCH. HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM ALL PARTS. Orderly, at all times good-humoured, and tumultously cheering good play on either aide, the crowd df 26,000 was the largest Lancaster Park has ever held. The first of them arrived before nino o'clock, bravely carrying rugs, bags of lunch, bottles, and petrol cases for their seats. They settled in the roadway outside the park and discussed the match as keenly and excitedly as though it were to begin in one hour, not six. They numbered over 100, when, at 9.30 a.m., the gates were opened and they went quickly inside, some clustering about tho centre of the embankment, others making for the temporary seats inside the enclosure. For a time there was a lull; and then, about an hour later, there began a hurry and a rush that never ceased until the end of tho day. Tho early trams dropped their passengers at the gates; taxis drove up, emptied, and were waved quickly off; on bicycles and motor-cycles and in cars the people came,- down Ferry road on either side marched solidly the clerks and typists and workmen who had got away early and were excited about it.

Almost evory front garden for 500 yards from the gates ■was transformed into "Bike Stand 3d," and young children ran into the road to capture trade. Programme-sellers, ribbon-sellers, and badge-sellers ran in and out among tho crowd. The embankment started to sing. Lunch baskets were opened long before their time, for thero was nothing else to do. Heavy Press of Traffic. And so the press continued and grew. In another hour over 1000 cars were parked in twin rows down the streets. Bicycles lay six deep against the houses and on the flower-bods. Everybody wondered how everybody else managed to get away so early. The crowd inside the park had grown to 4000, most of them in an ungainly heap about the centre of the embankment. The enclosure seats were full, and their box foundations creaked under the weight. More and more were coming from the City. Inspector A. Catasron stationed his 21 constables, and the Chief Traffic Inspector (Mr H. Macintosh), with his full staff and four extra inspectors, took rigid command of the traffic. Bicycles, motor-cycles, cars, trams, buses, even carts and drays came increasingly to the gates. One City office after another stopped work, and with a few minutes for lunch, the workers hurried to Lancaster Park. The early arrivals were a little tired now; they read and chatted and watched the flow from the gates, waving to their friends. Tho crush outside grew thicker and thicker, the tumult rose higher and higher. Taxis made up for many idle hours. People in the Mass. By noon, more than 10,000 people were on the grounds. The murmur of their talk was a roar. In another hour, the embankment was full and people were clambering up the back slopes carrying bricks and tins to stand on above the head of their fellows. The confusion of heads reached from the grass to the skyline, topped by a chimney or two, the gasometer, and the towers of the Catholic Cathedral. They looked like a mass of smoking stones, solid and compact and even. The skyline undulated gently round to the children's stand. Now and again the mass moved and struggled; and at the end of the cur-tain-raiser rows squatted down on the cinders, leaving a peculiar serrated edging to the whole. Even the holders of reserved seats came early, well knowing that such a multitude is in itself an impressive and entertaining sight. By a few minutes after two o'clock, when the first match ended, there were approaching 26,000 people in the park, walking and standing and Bitting; house-roofs nearby had become miniature grand-stands; men clambered into the trees and lay precariously against the branches; women stood on the fences. Every one was goodhumoured, happy, and tensely expectant. With appetites whetted by the first match and the roar of the crowd still in their ears, those on the embankment found time passing slowly. They joked and shouted at a man in plus-fours and at another who was fat and breathless. Policemen Mimicked. People in tho mass become brave, and their bravery delights in out-of-reach jokes with the law. A man threw pieces of toffee until he hit a policeman's face; the constable turning savagely, he shouted "Get out of the road, old chap." Another yelled to a policeman who early wore his mackintosh: "Do you think it's going to rain, constable V The constables as they paced formidably about were-mimicked and laughed at: "left-right-left-right" sinking to "left —right—left—right" at a funereallyslow pace. Members of the staff, too, w * r « openly defied and told to go round another way. The crowd was strong in itself. It knew well that after the match it would jump the fence and run wildly on to the field; and it knew that those large constables could do nothing to prevent it. The Crowd Transported. At the end of the first match, there was a numerous movement toward the gates. The band struck up, and the roar subsided to a heavy murmur of talk. The minutes went slowly, and severa! times the teams were sighted before they actually appeared. There was a great burst of cheering as the Canterbury team filed out, and another, no less, when the British team ran on to the fiold. There is in the roar of such a multitude a unique quality of sound—a heavy, inevitable roll like surf on the beach. From beginning to end, while play was on, that roar never subsided. In the second half the excitement warmed to a heat. There was a deep hush as Canterbury took the free kick that would give it the lead, 9-8; and a disappointed groan when the kick failed. Every kick, every tackle, every abortive movement now brought tremondous eheering. And when Canterbury scored a try and converted it, the crowd was madly and savagely transported. The dull mass of people became incredibly alive, shouting and screaming and yelling, throwing hats into the air, tossing newspapers overhead, straining over seats and fences. Twenty-five thousand people lifted into the air, and the very earth seemed to shake. Thereafter, their roar never lost its crescendo until the end of the game, when with a final yell of gratitude they swept from everywhere into the ground and chaired the Canterbury men to the pavilion. Hardly a man had left his place until the whistle blew. In 20 minutes, except for a clustor of people about the dressing-rooms, waiting for the heroes' return, there was nothing in the park but a vast litter of upturned seats, newspapers, wrappers, bottles, tins, and cases where thousands of men and women had made their home for tho day. Little boys ran over the embankment scavenging for bottles, which might bring a penny, or for boxes, which made good firewood. A few more minutes, and the crowd that had taken so many hours to accumulate was gone in a solid stream of traffic towards the City. Over fire-sides in tho evening, the match was played again, and the man who had not been there was a social outcast indeed. Only Minor Injuries. For its size, the crowd was exceptionally well-behaved and the officers were well pleased. Mr J.' Becconsall, who commanded a St; John Ambulance staff of 27 men and seven nurses, reported only four slight accidents during the day—two faintings, one injured arm, and one collapse. His staff was on point duly in all parts of the ground, and was well provided with first-aid, including stretchers and a litter. The headquarters was on the southern ground. The police reported a quiet day, and a quiet evening following it. The Chief City Traffic Inspector (Mr H. Macintosh) was well pleased with the conduct of motorists, and wished to thank them for their co-operation with the inspectors. As many as 4000 cars were parked, he estimated, and 27 minutes after the end of the game all traffic was gone from the gates. The streets were lined as far down as St. Asaph and Tuam streets from Fitzgerald avenue to Aidwin's road. Moorhouse avenue between Fitzgerald avenue and Wilson's road, Lancaster street, Stevens street, and Wilson's road between Ferry road and Stevens street were closed to traffic from noon until 5 p.m. A frequent tram service was run from Cathedral square from 10 a.m, onwards. Altogether, between 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock,

over 100 cars were dispatched I to Lancaster Park. After the I match, between 65 and 60 cars were | sufficient for tho return of the people. Conservatively estimated at 50 for each ear, 5000 people travelled by special trams $0 the park. The Railway Department ran excursions from the north lino, Ashburton (2), Bangiora (2), j Springfield, Southbridgc, and Little ! River, bringing altogether nearly 2000 people to the City. Others, again, came even from Dunedin by the night express. Buses from the near country districts were well filled, and made several trips during the morning. Besides members of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union and of the Canterbury Rugby Union, the spectators included the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer), Mr W. J. Wallace a distinguished 1905 All Black, Mr E. MoKenxie, one of the selectors of the New Zealand team. and the three members of the Direct Access to the Sea Commission (Sir Walter Stringer and Mr Druminond Holderness, of Auckland, and Mr "William Morley, of Christchuroh). The president of the Canterbury Rugby Union (Mr A. E. McPhail) stated last evening that the gate takings had not yet been ascertained. He estimated the crowd at 28,000. CONGRATULATIONS VISITORS* GENEROUS PRAISE. TEAMS DINE TOGETHER. The Canterbury Bugby Union gave a dinner at Warner's Hotel on Saturday evening in honour of the British Bugby football team, the members of the Canterbury team being present also. During the evening members of the British team stated that they had been defeated by a better side, and Canterbury deserved its win. As B. T. Stewart, W. C. Dalley, and others entered the din-ing-room, there were cheers from members of both teams and from several other diners. The chairman of the Union, Mr A. E. McPhail, who presided, extended a welcome to both teams. "I should like to express my warmest appreciation of the spirit in which to-day's game was played," he said, proposing the toast of "The British Team." "I hope that Mr Baxter and his team will take away a good idea of our endeavours in the interests of Bugby. We, in our turn, j highly appreciate the endeavours of the English people to maintain the high ; standard and purity of the game. All Bugby followers in New Zealand greatly appreciate the British team's visit, and the team has a fine manager. I venture to say that no man could handle the players or tho sport better than Mr Baxter." Captain's Praise. "Thank you very much for the manner in which you have honoured this toast," said Mr F. D. Prentice, captain i of the British team, in reply. "In- ! stead of speaking myself I rather feel that to-day's captain, Mr G. B. Beamish, should be making the response. I congratulate the Canterbury team on its decisive win which was so thoroughly deserved." Mr Prentice added that he was delighted to soe some old friends against whom he played in 1924. Mr Q. B. Beamish, captain of Saturday V British team, said that it was only left for him to endorse Mr Prentice's remarks.' "We were beaten by a better team," he ■aid. "Canterbury won solely on its merits." Manager's; Oritidam. "I can say quite frankly that it is a great honour to mo to propose the health of the Canterbury team," -said .Mr James Baxter, manager of the British team. "I had occasion afya previous dinner to say something about the style of play. My remarks were very severely criticised, but I have nothing to add and nothing to subtract. When I was thinking about this toast, I had to go to the 'Good old Book' for a simile. I found it thus, If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.' By eharity I mean fair criticism and | justice. Sometimes things happon in a j game whereby a team's defeat could j be excused. But in to-day's game we were beaten by a far better side, and I should like to pay a tribute to the Canterbury team for the magnificent way in which it played the game. The team displayed extraordinary fitness and powers of quick thinking, I should like to congratulate the team and the captain on an excellent performance. The officials of the Rugby Union should be very proud of the players." In response, Mr W. C. Dalley, captain of the Canterbury team, said that tho game had been a very clean one, and one of the best in which the Canterbury team had played. He congratulated both teams on a fine exhibition. "No one was more pleased than I was to-day at tho way the game was conducted," he added. Proposing the toast "The Referee," Mr S. F. Wilson said that both teams would agree that the game had been very ably controlled. The referee had been quite impartial. It was his first big match, and to referee such a game so well, in front of a crowd of 85,000 people, was an achievement. "I am | very pleased to be able to meet the I British team and Mr Baxter," said Mr ; Wilson. "I once criticised Mr Baxter and all I said was cabled to him. We have been able to talk it over, and it has been a great pleasure to me to meet a man so keenly interested in the groat game." Mr A. Fleury, the reforee, in reply, congratulated both teams on an excellent game. "It was a good match to control, was played in a very fine spirit, and the exhibition of football was very high," ho added. | DALLEP6 OPINION. • Seen after the match, Dalley, Canterbury's eaptain, said that the game had been a hard one, although not the hardest in which he had played. He was pleased at the way in which both backs and forwards had performed for the province. In his opinion Canter-, bury would have been very unlucky had they lost the game. CURTAIN-RAISER. HURUNUI BEATS NORTH CANTERBURY. In a curtain-raiser match between North Canterbury and Hurunui the latter won by 22 points to 9. At halftime the score was 16 points to nil, tries ' being scored by Morgan, Ormond, T. McDonald, and Low, two being converted, one by Prall and the other by Low. In the second spell Low and Ormond scored unconverted tries for the winners, and Sloss kicked a penalty

goal for the losers, whose other scores were tries by Adams and Davidson. Mr L. Harris was referee. MORE ROOM. EMBANKMENT MAY BE EXTENDED. For the second Test match against Great Britain on July sth it is likely that even more outside accommodation will be provided at Lancaster Park. Immediately after the match on Saturday, Mr S. 8. Dean, chairman of the New Zealand Bugby Union, together with other members of the New Zealand and Canterbury Unions, made an inspection of the embankment. Mr C. S. McCully was asked to prepare an estimate of cost for extensions to the main west embankment which will be for- I warded to Wellington for the Union's approval. It is proposed to extend the | embankment even higher by a wooden [ construction above the present mound, ! giving room fpr probably 2500 more I people. Members were agreed that the inside spectators are now well provided for, but that more accommodation should be given to those outside. MAORI WELCOME. FOOTBALLERS AT TUAHIWI. | INVITATION TO COME AGAIN. Regretting that, as death had overtaken a princess of their tribe, they could not dispense full Maori hospitality, the Maoris of Tuahiwi welcomed members of the British Bugby team and Canterbury Bugby Union to their village yesterday afternoon. Mr James.Baxter (manager), Mr F. D. Prentice (captain), Messrs B. Black, D. A. Kendrew, J. L. Farrell, and W. Sobey, members of the British team, Mr T. Fletcher, of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Bugby Union, who is travelling with the team, and the president (Mr A. E. McPhail), and membere of the Canterbury Bugby Union were among the.party. The surprise which the visitors showed when a party of Maori women burst forth in a haka gave place—but only momentarily—to embarrassment when the Natives and their wahines filed past tho British men and gave them the traditional Maori greeting. Mr Tuiti Makitanara, M.P., who bade the visitors welcome, reminded them that they had come across an ocean well charted; the ancestors of the Maoris, coming across it centuries ago, had known it as tho "uncharted sea." He regretted that the visitors had come amongst them at a time when they could not partake of the full hospitality of .the Maoris, but they felt honoured that the visitors had come to take part in honouring the memory of one who had done much for her people. However, when they returned next month, he invited them to como again, when they, would give them a tasto of Native hospitality. Bugby was the national game of tho Maori, and they had no etauncher friends than the members of the Canterbury Bugby Union. He also welcomed Mr T. Fletcher and Mr W. Parata, the latter as one of the chief administrators in Maori Bugby. Mr Hoanri Kingi, a chief of the Ngaitahu tribe, conveyed the greetings of his tribe in the Native tongue. Mr Fletcher said that he had had the privilege of travelling with the visitors for about a month, and ho could say that they were thorough sportsmen. Like New Zealanders—both Maori and pakeha—they were great lovers and players of the Bugby game. In past years the New Zealand' Union. had arranged the visits of several overseas teams, but none of them was more welcome than this team from England. "In our games with the British side," said Mr Fletcher, "we are having many pleasant and many stern struggles, but the greatest thing of all is the making of friends off the field. "When our friends have gone back Home, it will not be so much the games they have played we will remember, but rather that we have made thirty new friends from Britain." He observed that, in arranging the programme, they considered they should pay the Maoris the honour of having

a match with the visitor*. This wejjlf be played in Wellington ne*t mOn^h.," Mr Baxter said he esteemed it » *o«i--pliment to be asked to be present wjfls the Maoris when they were paying ,"■ '» last tribute to an honoured member of their tribe. If the New- Zealand by Union had no objection, -he would -be delighted for his team to accept the invitation to visit them agaia tot ntfnlth. Three weeks ago they had .been r with some of the Native people of .the North, and the more they saw of the Maori people the more, they to see. Mr Prentice said he had had the honour of serving with the Maori troops during the war. He knew them 'then as friends, and he knew them sow aa hosts. "I know my team; would have bsm disappointed if a match hadn't been arranged for them 1 against the Maoris*?' he said. "In fact I don't think they would have.come. 1 " , ~ . , ', > The speeches were interpreted -by .Mr Makitanara. ' - •'*".'* A HARE PIUTE. Yesterday about a dozen ; titih team were the goestsof thM3anterbury Officers' dob at * I»?fr*#*iN&. •■ on the property of 'Mr 3L JBfiatt, Vofjw '& Grey. ' *' , „ *'~ii *: They had a thoroogh^eajoyable I |wr,< ~ | and proved themselves m go«*»a*WK J ,l men-as they axe footbaHeriv' * The party secured tlbm^^'it^ff'j. Some of the visitors played . «w ,; yesterday. * ■- - 1 '<-■•**■-' 1 To-day a JggfXll to Canterbury College aid , 'jOKoRp.,:; College. . ' ■ .. ■ l'\v. ,''' j :~5 match at. GRE^af^*-; I ;'^ EIGHTEEN PLAYERS TO JK§SJS - .' THIS TBIP* V:V»; x :'*\ •■ » • ■ r_f i , - - ■ "<>*" ' ' ",,■ * The British team i» |>Ja> BaJftaHr,; West Coast at GrajJWtotfr' pa. > f day wiU be cboeea frows ifr.fdmfrf'* -5 eighteen playew. wb»,-. I tbTmanager (M*.JapKflßa^r), !&&. ■ make tho trip:- . il >{ -? Backs: G. Bonner, T. ■ .-/ A. L. NovU, T. O. &y*smhj[i -MofPT* -:,( T. 1 Murray, R. Srong, »-^9g^,';^-3| Forwards: p.. Barter* H. ftWj; .\; O'Neill. D. A. B>Mlr«tV 8/'^gjjfe•** dale, J. McD. 9«*m t ft J-"JfljSs " : F. D. Prentica (captain), JL wipan- • ? eon, .and H, O. Jones. ' ], WEST COAST-BUIABB <Mtttsa" " PLAY BRITAIN.. > ; : The followjng team has beam. alMptt , to represent Weit.Coast-Buller against Britain on Wednesday, at Greyraouthrr-!^'-; FuU-boeki » ,-.* v \'- A. Graham (BnHar). " * I::'. ThT*a»qu*rters. ' .J i- * -. M. Jamieson (Coast), S, Qabert-tßul- . ler), J. King^Coast); s ss\, Five-eighths: '-, X. * A. Pong (Coast), M. Houston ,(<3»M^ Half: V --"''.?>. "• M. Davidson,(Coast). -. Wing-forward; - ' , t A. McCabe (Bullw). - ■:/ ' Forwards: [ .„j X. K. Gardiner (Buller), J. Bell (Coastr), F. Freitas (Coast). ■'-,'' V. Goodall (Buller), A..WUso» (CfeastA, S. Grogan (BuUer), W. McNaight. ([Buller). .■ • • Bcsorves—Backs: E. Holder (Bj}Wte)» L. Martya (Coast). Forwards: W. Bathbun (Coast); A. Ferguson (Coast). (Other Football Kews will b* .tf9& on Page 16.). ____*_ —rr— _