“TREATED IN AN OFF HAND MANNER”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 299, 12 September 1921, Page 6

“TREATED IN AN OFF HAND MANNER”

THE SPRINGBOKS COMPLAIN UNCOMFORTABLE NELSON TRIP / MR. BENNETT’S STATEMENT At Nelson on Saturday Mr,- Bennett (the Springboks’ manager) found fault with some of the arrangements made for the travelling and accommodation of hil team. He described the boat trip as most uncomfortable, and expressed dissatisfaction with the accommodation provided for the team on landing. He also expressed concern about the start-ing-time of the match, as he feared that the team might not get back to Wellington until tomorrow. ®He said that the visitors bad had a ,strenuous time, and wanted enough rest and comfort to give them a chance of getting into trim to beat New Zealand. The Springboks, as the event proved, did not fail to catch the Mapourika, but they had to go aboard without changing, and as, apparently, no accommodation had been secured for them, it was arranged that they should have the saloon after dinner. By Telegraph—Press Association. Nelson, September 10. ' After thanking the Nelson public for their enthusiastic welcome, Mr. Bennett said 'that the Springboks came here os amateurs, and as the guests of the New Zealand Rugby Union. 1 Tho people had given them wonderful receptions throughout, and they appreciated and enjoyed their stay. My grievance," he stated, is this:. “We have had a lot of travelling. Because of the way in which, you welcomed us we have had a long programme of entertain--ments. We found your football to be particularly strenuous. Every game has been a really hard one—nothing brutal in any way,, but real, earnest football. Of that we make no complaint. But this has had one effect: a number of casualties. During the last few weeks we have had a particularly strenuous time. Wo left Napier - and had a night’s rest in Wellington, then went on board the boat. Wo have brought only 17 players, and, to tell the honest truth, they ar® the only available men wo have. The rest are in Wellington undergoing treatment for injuries. MOST UNCOMFORTABLE. “In all due deference to those responsible for tho boat, it was a most un-j comfortable one. There were no conveniences, and several . could not get berths until we left Picton. You are not responsible, but somebody is. trortunately, the journey wasi not rough.; otherwise, we probably would have had something very much worse to say. “We have had a' night’s journey—l will not say-a night’s rest, ’because we did not get any. IVhen we arrived in the morning we expected to come to a comfortable home, got a room, and have a decent bath. We were taken to art hotel, where we stood in the vestibule like a number of uninvited and unwelcome guests. It was due mainly to a few gentlemen who were staying at the hotel that a few rooms were placed at our disposal. Later a drawing-room _ was placed at our disposal, TIME OF THE MATCH. “When we left Wellington we were under the impression that to-day’s match would be started at 1. o’clock in order to give us time to get a bath before we left. I do not know whether your people are so anxious to keep us here that it is arranged otherwise. I am astonished now to learn that the match is to be played at 2 o'clock. I am now told there is a possibility that we miß®* not get accommodation on the boat. Io be told that at the last moment is about the last straw. WE WANT COMFORT. “What we do want at this stage of the tour is comfort. If you want a fair run in the Test then we want every possible convenience and comfort in order to get fit. 'Hear, hear!) Now we are told we might not get back to Wellington until Tuesday. This will upset all our arrangements. We will have no chance to get the team into fettle. Somebody is to blame for this. "HAVE NOT ASKED FOR MUCH.”

“Why a body of visitors from overseas should be treated in this way w« do not know. It is not a matter of finance. We have not asked for much. We have carried out our own programme in every possible way. We have tried to give as little trouble as possible. We do strongly object to being treated in an off-hand manner.” (Hear, hear.) Mr Bennett added that the Springboks were out to win. They came with the first object of beating New Zealand in the Test matches. If they could not, '"they would be perfectly satisfied; but they would like to have been given a fair chance to win. They had nothing but the deepest gratitude for the wonderful way in which the New Zealanders had treated them. If the New Zealanders over repaid the visit, he could assure them they would have the time of their „ lives in South Africa. In conclusion. Mr. Bennett said he was sorry ho had to make a “grouse. ’ but he thought it was time. If anything he had said would remedy the complaints, he would be very glad. Mr. Bonnett resumed his seat amid applause. SOME EXPLANATIONS. In regal'd to Mr. Bennett’s remarks regarding the time the match was set down to start, it should be mentioned that ths, .Nelson Union informed the New Zea-' land Union that the game was to start at 2.15. As no reply was received, -t: was understood that the Rugby Union had accepted the time. Regarding accommodation —or lack of it at the Masonic Hotel, the Nelson Rugby Union state that the accommodation was cancelled bv the New) Zealand Union. Immediately aftef the civic reception, Mr. Atmore, M.P., dispatched the following telegram to the general manager of; the Union Company at Wellington:— “Manager of the Springboks oom plained that no berthing accommodation was available for return trip. Can you do. anything in matter? Please wire me. i Mr. Atmore received the following reply.' —“No application was made to this office for bertha for the return trip. We naturally assumed that the Rugby Union officials at your end would be arranging for accommodation. The passenger clerk, ■ when booking for Nelson, advised Mr, Coombs (secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union) to wire Nelson for berths' for the return trip.” TEAM GETS AWAY. The Springboks left by the Mapourika at 4.30 p.m., and proceeded straight to the boat without changing. Arrangements were made for a bath on the boat. As no accommodation had been secured, it was arranged to give them the saloon after dinner. Bathe were prepared, and accommodation set apart to enable them to change and get ns comfortable as possible. Cheers were exchanged between the crowd on the wharf and the Springboks as the vessel left the wharf, j