RUGBY INVASION

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 263, 3 August 1936, Page 10

RUGBY INVASION

Southlanders 8000 Strong Storm Dunedin GAY STREET SCENES Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, August 2. Southlanders about 8000 strong made a debouchment on Dunedin yesterday in perhaps the greatest football invasion ever experienced by a centre holding the Ranfurly Shield in New Zealand’s Rugby history. After a night of heavy snow Dunedin was sunny and bright and the scenes of gaiety on the streets have not been equalled since the days of the exhibition over ten years ago.

North Island centres which held the shield assessed its value to the town at £lO,OOO a match, and Dunedin residents who doubted the pecuniary worth of the trophy yesterday were given definite evidence of its value. More than 1000 Southlanders arrived in the city on Friday night and the vanguard was strongly represented at the railway station yesterday morning to greet the trains which at regular intervals arrived with thousands of additional supporters. Their exuberance and sense of the grandiose in display were demonstrated on ' the arrival of the train shortly after noon carrying the official party. Headed by braw pipers and with maroon banners waving in the breeze, the party and its adherents marched from the station via High Street to the exchange. The procession was the major part of Southland's display of enthusiasm and optimism, and the skirl of the pipes was strangely suggestive of defiance. The scenes in the streets were unparalleled. Although many of the visitors made their way straight to Carisbrook. the streets, always busy on Saturday morning, were packed uncomfortably and visitors had literally to fight their way into the hotels and tea rooms. That Southland’s invasion was one of full force was very evident. They made Dunedin a very busy and bright city from an early hour.