SPRINGBOKS ARRIVE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 13

SPRINGBOKS ARRIVE

Crowd Greets Visitors at Station MR. DAY INTERVIEWED Games in New Zealand Found Hard A large crowd at the Wellington Bailway Station yesterday enthusiastically greeted the touring South African Rugby footballers, under the managership of Mr. P. W. Day and Mr. A. de Villiers, when they arrived at about 4 o’clock. The crowd pressed toward the edge of the platform as the train drew in, and it was necessary to form a lane for the party when it alighted. Among the welcoming officials were Messrs. S. S. Dean, chairman of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union; Mr. J. Prendeville, president of the Wellington Rugby Union; Mr. W. F. Hornig, a vice-president and manager of the 1928 All Blacks on the South African tour; Mr. J. N. Millard, chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union; Mr. J. Moffitt and Major T. J. King, members of the management committee; and Mr. J. J. McNaught, who is organising the reunion of members of the New Zealand Military Service Rugby team. The visitors left immediately for their hotel after each one had spoken briefly into the microphone. At 5.30 p.m. they were given an oflicial welcome by the Wellington Rugby. Union in the lounge of the Hotel St. George. There will be a Government reception at Parliament House at 11 a.m. to-day and a civic reception in the Town Hall at 5 p.m. The former gathering should prove unique in that there will be present a representative of every Rugby football team which has represented New Zealand Going to Play to Win. Mr. Day, in an interview, was loath to discuss the prospects of the team in the Tests. “We are not in the habit of boosting ourselves,” he said, “although, of course, we are going to play to win.” He deprecated such statements as thatmade by J. L. Sullivan, the Taranaki captain, to the effect that it was doubtful whether the South Africans on their present form would beat the All Blacks. “It is not in the best interests of the game for one side to make statements of that sort,” said Mr. Day. “Sullivan is young, I suppose, and will learn better.” The team had found its New Zealand games hard —in fact, drastic, Mr. Day continued. The opposition was much stronger than in Australia. They were beaien by New South Wales because the team had no opportunity-in the preceding matches to test its strength against real opposition. In New Zealand the games were hard and the Test to-morrow week was goiug to be harder than them all. It was more essential than ever for the men to look after themselves. Du Toit would not be fit for some time yet, Broodryk and Fame Louw were improving, and Watt had no ill-effects after his game on Wednesday. Mr. Day bad a comparison to make between the railway accommodation in Australia and New Zealand. It was much better in the former country, where special cars were provided for the team, often observation cars. Nevertheless, everyone was enjoying immensely the trip through New Zea land, and all were appreciative of the great hospitality of the people. Enthusiastic reference was made by Mr. Day to the prospect of meeting again the members of the New Zealand Army team of 1919, of which he acted as business manager under the South African Rugby Board. A reunion of all those who played in the New Zealand Military .Service Rugby team after the Great War is to be held in Wellington on the nfeht before the first Test, i “It is a wonderful thing to think these men are coming from north, south, east, and west for a reunion,” said Mr. Day. ‘‘l can regard it as nothing less than a \ great honour. It is IS years now since I said good-bye to them. The meeting is going to be a real pleasure.” Team Appreciates Freedom. Members of the team spoke appreciatively of the hospitality of the New Zealand people. They were especially glad to be allowed more time to themselves than was the case in Australia, where they seemed to be going morning, noon and night. All were agreed that the games in New Zealand were bard and were astonished at the amount of enthusiasm displayed. South Africans were keen on Rugby, but the keenness of New Zealanders was be yond words. Mr. D. Craven, the vicecaptain, recalled that, a large crowd had seen the 1931 Springbok team off on its tour of Britain. This time the weather was unfavourable and only a small crowd farewelled them. It is the first visit to New Zealand of every member of the team and the men appear to be keen observers of the country, which they find dissimilar from their own in the quick changes from mountainous to undulating and flat land. They are quick to compare the typical New Zealand football ground, with its straight-rooted grass unable to stand up to heavy weather, with the sandy South African fields, planted with a special spreading grass. There were words of commendation for the fine natural amphitheatre at New Plymouth, but amusing recollections of the conditions at Hamilton, where the experience of clinging, odoriferous mud was a. new one. Mostly men of magnificent physique, the team leaves the impression of unusual size, even in civilian clothes. They are a happy-go-lucky band, with a keen interest in everything that goes on. Yet there is no doubt about their recognition of the main purpose of their tour, to play the best football of which they are capable. Last night the visitors were the guests of the Wellington Boxing Association at the Town Hall. A training run will be held at Athletic Park this afternoon, but probably only those not taking part in to-morrow’s match will turn put. WELCOME BY RUGBY UNION Team’s Manager on Number of Receptions The official welcome to the Springboks by the Wellington Rugby Union to«lk place in the palm lounge of the Hotel St. George, which has been placed at the disposal of the visitors by the management. There was a representative gathering of Rugby officials and their wives and members of other sports bodies. Also present were the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser and the Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department. Mr. J. W. Heenan, who handed to Mr. P. W. Day a message of welcome from the Prime Minister, lit. Hou. M. J. Savage, with an invitation to the team to attend a Government reception this morning. Welcoming th© zisltoij, Mj, S-

Dean, the chairman of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, said the New Zealand Rugby public had very happy recollections of the visit of the 1921 team. He referred also to the fact that Mr. Day had looked after the New Zealand Army team in South Africa in 1919. It spoke volumes that the ex-servicemen were putting on a special gathering next week to try to repay the kindness shown to the Army team by Mr. Day and the people of South Africa. “There must be something kind about this old chap,” said Mr. Dean. Voices: Not too old.

Mr. Dean assured the visitors that the people of Wellington would be happy to supply all their wants. He knew they would make a host of friends and leave with happy memories of goodfellowship established. “We are looking forward to meeting on the field good sportsmen and good players,” said Mr. Day in reply, “and as for ourselves, to playing the game as it should be played. While we are very grateful for your hospitality, I would like to point out that these re; ceptions are becoming far too many for us to entertain. The men have to play football, and it is necessary for them to do a certain amount of training. Some of them are not too fit yet. However, I must thank you again for your friendship and hospitality, and I am sure we are going to carry away happy recollections of our visit to Wellington.” “We had a drastic time in Australia, and so far a pretty rough time in New Zealand. We have yet to play 13 or 14 more games in this country, which does not leave us much time to ourselves. We hope you will not be disappointed with the game we hope to play—a gentleman’s and a sporting game.” The Springboks’ captain, Mr. Philip Nel. an imposing figure with his fine physique, was enthusiastically greeted bv his team-mates as well as the guests. Mr. Nel said nothing had given him greater pleasure than the keen fobball played by the New Zealanders in the four games to date. He paid a tribute also to the sportsmanship of the crowds. He was delighted at their knowledge of the game and their impartiality. “We have been warned that we are going to have our colours lowered first by Wellington and then by the New Zealand side,” said Mr. Nel. “We hope that whatever happens we shall always be your friends.” TEAM AT BOXING MATCH Tim members of the South African football team were the guests of the Wellington Boxing Association at the boxing tournament at the Town Hall last night, and received an enthiiisiastic welcome from the large audience as they entered the building. Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, introduced the captain of the Springboks in the ring. Mr. P. J. Nel, the captain, who was accorded an ovation, thanked the people of Wellington for the warmhearted welcome which had been extended to the team. “We are looking forward to the match with Wellington on Saturday with great interest," he said, "and may the best team win,” he added, with a smile.

Captain 0. H. Burnett, East London, who is travelling with the Springboks, was also introduced to the audience as a boxing administrator and referee in South Africa. INFLUX OF VISITORS EXPECTED Wellington Game and Test accommodation PROBLEM A great influx of visitors to Wellington is expected to-morrow for the Springboks' match against Wellington and a still greater invasion on the following Saturday when the first Test match will be played. To-morrow Rugby enthusiasts will pour into Wellington by train, bus, car, and ship, and accommodation in the city is already at a premium. Inquiries made yesterday elicited the fact that every available bed and shake-down in hotels and boardinghouses has been booked up days ago. Asked’ if he could accommodate any more of the many who would come to Wellington to see the Springbok matches, the proprietor of one of the city’s largest hotels remarked: “Yes, if they do not want a bed.” . .

It is evident, therefore, that many visitors to Wellington on Saturday night and Hie following Saturday night will be hard put to it to find a place to sleep. Organising Traffic.

All possible arrangements have been made bv the tramway and traffic departments of tlie Wellington City Council to coihj with the difficult problem of getting the crowds to and from Athletic Park. A strong force of traffic inspectors will be on duty, practically every intersection being under control. The general plan will be to spread motor traffic to the east and west of Riddiford Street and Adelaide Road, the direct routes from the city to Athletic Park. Car parking will be a serious problem, as, in order to keep the roadways open to allow pedestrians space to move, parking will be prohibited in the main routes near the park, and, from 4 p.m. onward, car traffic will be prohibited in Rintoul Street between Riddiford and Waripori Streets.

Every available tram will be pressed into service to transport passengers to and from the park, but the normal services will have to bo maintained, and the amount of rolling stock available is uot unlimited. However, the tramway department will do its level best to carry as runny passengers as possible. Train Arrangements. Hundreds of Rugby followers from the provinces will arrive to see the matches. For the Wellington match special trains will be run by the Railway Department from Wanganui, Masterton, and Otaki. The special train from Masterton will leave there at 6.35 a.m., and will stop at all stations north of Upper Hutt to pick up passengers, and will stop at Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and Petone to set down passengers from north of Upper Hutt.

Wairarapa visitors will not have to worry about finding a bed in the city on Saturday night, as the special train will set out on its return journey at 6.2 p.m. on Saturday and wil] arrive at Masterton at 9.41 p.in. A rail-car will also leave Masterton nt 8.31 a.m. on Saturday, and commence the return journey ar. 5.55 p.m. For the first Test match to-morrow week, no fewer than 15 special trains will arrive in Wellington iu the morning. Of these three will come from Auckland, two from Napier, one from New Plymouth, one from Stratford, one from Wanganui, one from Taumarunui, and one from Woodville. At the end of the Springboks' tour the Railway Department will have run over 100 special trains. The Springboks will leave Wellington on Monday afternoon for Masterton, where they will prepare for the first Test SECONDARY SCHOOL GAME By Telegraph—Press Association. Oamaru, August 5. In a bright Rugby game yesterday Wnitaki High School beat Christchurch High School by 17 points to 6. Waitaki were too speedy all tround for the opposing vids