DEPARTURE OF WANGANELLA

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 99, 21 January 1938, Page 13

DEPARTURE OF WANGANELLA

Empire Games Teams Aboard BIG CROWD ON WHARF Many Visitors Set Out For Sydney Celebrations One of the largest crowds that has gathered at a Wellington wharf in recent years, to farewell an overseas liner packed Queen’s- wharf south last evening for the sailing of the Huddart Parker liner Wanganella for Sydney. The vessel, booked to capacity with New Zealanders eu route to Australia's 150th anniversary celebrations, carried the biggest and most representative sports contingent ever to leave the Do-minion—-the teams for the British Empire Games.

The Wanganella, timed to sail at 8 p.m., cast off at 8.7 p.m., and in the greying twilight of a summer evenlug gathered speed on the mill pond surface of Port Nicholson, with watcbiug also from the adjoining wharves.

By 7.30 p.m. there were several thousand people on the wharf and queues of several hundred waiting at the wharf ticket offices. At the shipside it was a gaily coloured scene, to which the streamers contributed largely. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, going to Australia at the invitation of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth to attend the sesquicentennial, and accompanied by Lady Galway, Captain R. Stuart-French, A.D.C., and Mrs. A. F. Purvis, wife of the Military Secretary, boarded the liner shortly before 7.45 p.m. His Excellency acknowledged the greetings of the crowd by raising his hat. Lady Galwaj>waved a hand to well-wishers; in her other hand she carried a book.

Other prominent passengers included Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. for Westland, who' will represent the New Zealand branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association at the Australian celebrations. He was accompanied by Mrs. O'Brien. The Minister of Marine, Hon. P. Fraser, Mrs. Fraser, and the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb, were among those present to bid them farewell. Contingent of Athletes. The contingent of New Zealand sporting representatives numbered 03, including the athletic, rowing, swimming, boxing, cycling and wrestling teams and their officials. The New Zealand rifle team of 16 left to take part in the Australian National Rifle Association’s meeting, and the first New Zealand women’s cricket team to leave, the Dominion left on a tour of New South Wales. The winner of the New Zealand _ Deanna Durbin contest. Miss June Bar- - son, was cheered by the crowd as she mounted the gangway. Other passengers included Dr. J. C. Beaglehole, lecturer lu history at Victoria University College, and Mrs. Beaglehole, and the noted New Zealand billiard player, Clark McConachy. The Wanganella carried nearly -100 passengers. Her second class accommodation had been booked out for over a month and the first class for more than a fortnight.

MISS MITCHELL RETURNS TO AUCKLAND

It was learned yesterday that Miss M. Mitchell, the Auckland javelin thrower who was discovered on her arrival at Wellington to have contracted german measles and who was instructed to go into the isolation ward •f the Wellington Hospital, left instead for Auckland by the Limited express •n Wednesday night. Yesterday afternoon the team manager, Mr. H. McCormick, said that he had received advice from Auckland that Miss Mitchell had arrived there and wanted to leave by the Monterey. The message he received added that Miss Mitchell had gone to the Auckland Hospital and had been given a clearance. Mr. McCormick added that the medical adviser to the team at Wellington had stated that Miss Mitchell definitely should not be permitted to travel by the Monterey to-night. When she arrived at Auckland the rash might have disappeared, but it was essential that Miss Mitchell be isolated. When the doctor and another medical man saw her in Wellington they were in no doubt whatever that she was suffering from german measles. The infection lasted for a certain period, and the team’s medical adviser had stated that it would not be right that she should mingle with other members of the team. Asked whether, in view of all the circumstances, Miss Mitchell would be going to Sydney, Mr. McCormick said that if she was all right by January 20, she would be able to leave by the Awatea on that date. A later Press Association message from Auckland states that yesterday afternoon Miss Mitchell left the hotel where she was staying temporarily and went to stay with friends. It added that she expected to receive advice from the athletic officials that she would be permitted to sail for Sydney by the Monterey to-night. No Restriction on Others. A message received from Auckland yesterday indicates that the question has been raised there of the possibility of members of the New Zealand Empire Games team generally being quarantined in New Zealand owing to their contacting with Miss Mitchell. Inquiries made locally show that there is no question of anything like this happening, the medical view being that such a step is unnecessary, and that there is little prospect of other members of the team contracting the complaint, which is a minor one.

KARORI RIFLE CLUB GATHERING

Opportunity was taken on Wednesday by members of the Karori Rifle Club in an informal gathering to bid farewell to Mr. H. V. Croxton, a member who is in the New Zealand representative rifle team to compete at the Empire Games. The president, Mr. T. 11. R. Boon, referred to the pleasure and honour felt by club members in having one of their number selected no a New Zealand representative. He felt sure that Mr. Croxton would worthily uphold the traditions and sporting ideas of the Karori club. Whether his shooting was good'or poor, Mr. Croxton cool* feel wsured that ho

had the liveliest interest and support and the best wishes of ail his club mates, and on behalf of all members he wished him a happy and successful trip. Mr. Croxton expressed his deep appreciation of the kind sentiments of members. He was mindful of the honour and responsibility, but he had the advantage of previous experience in competing at overseas meetings. He felt confident of striking good form at the meeting, but whether he shot well or uot it was heartening to know how fully he would carry away with him the warmest wishee and interest of club members.