CIVIC WELCOME AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27987, 6 June 1956, Page 14

CIVIC WELCOME AT AUCKLAND

SPRINGBOKS GREETED WITH HAKA (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 5/ The Springboks were greeted with a haka and Maori action songs by members of the Kiwi Concert Party when they attended a civic reception in the Auckland Town Hall tonight. A crowd of 1500 stamped and clapped vigorously when the South Africans, led by their captain (S. S. Viviers) returned the compliment by singing three songs of their own. There were shouts of “Come on, Danie,” after the Mayor (Mr J. H. Luxford) had formally welcomed the tourists on behalf of the city, and the applause was tumultuous when Dr. Craven, the team’s manager, rose to speak. “Make no mistake about it—we’re not here to lose,” he said, “and we know you are as keen to win as we are to beat you.” Dr. Craven raised a laugh when he said he remembered, from the 1937 tour, the Maori songs that had just been sung. “I seem to recqgnise ‘Hoki Hoki.’ ” he said amid laughter, “and also ‘Po Kare Kare Ann#.’ Did I get that right?” The members of the team-were introduced to the audience by Viviers. Other speakers were the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr A. Kirkpatrick), and the president of the Auckland union (Mr S. A. Cleal). WAIKATO TEAM CHOSEN (New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, June 5. The Waikato team to play the Springboks on Saturday was announced today by the sole selector (Mr R. A. Everest) as follows: Full-back: D. B. Clarke. Three-quarters: G. J. Carrington, B. A. C. Cowley, M. J. McDonald. Five-eighths: G. R. Brunskill, J. R. Bullick.-Half-back: A. R. Reid. Back row: E. E.. R. Pickering. Middle row: G. P. Nola, D. R. J. McKenzie, D. E. Grant, A. Hayes. Front row: I. J. Clarke, R. C. Hemi, J. T. Graham.