College Bans All Black

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30143, 29 May 1963, Page 14

College Bans All Black

(From Out Own Reporter> WESTPORT, May 28. Because he did not approve of representatives of cigarettemanufacturing firms visiting the college, Mr J. D. McDonald, principal of the Westport Technical College, refused permission this morning to the All Black fullback, D. B. Clarke and the New Zealand champion diver, R. L. Hodge, to meet the students. Later however he was met. by Mr J A Wood, the South Island sales manager for Rothmans, the firm which

bad organised the visit of Messrs Clarke and Hodge to the Buller district, and he agreed to allow the All Black to talk to the college boys engaged in the Buller Rugby competitions and for Mr Hodge tq .meet those swimmers who had ’won a heat in the college carnival.

Mr Wood said that it was not desirable that any schoolchildren should attend the publicity film to be shown by Rothmans that evening ano instead the two sporting figures wanted particularly to meet as many as possible In the schools and colleges merely to discuss sport. "That,” said Mr McDonald, “influenced me to change my decision and they actually met all those most keenly interested in Rugby and swimming.” Stay Cut Short Mr Clarke had to cut short hid stay in the Buller district

because he was required to travel to Christchurch tomorrow to Join the All Black team for the second test match between England and New Zealand at Christchurch on Saturday. With Mr Hodge. he managed to visit most schools in the district, and they were well received.

This evening Mr Clarke trained on Victoria square and a large crowd. Including many admiring children, enjoyed an exhibition of place-kicking After the film, Messrs Clarke and Hodge met many sporting enthusiasts and businessmen at an informal function.

The programme today was rushed and the visitors were late in arriving on Victoria square but hundreds of children who had waited for up to 9f< minutes immediately rushed Mr Clarke and he had little training space.