BRITISHERS ARRIVE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 112, 14 May 1930, Page 12

BRITISHERS ARRIVE

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

OFFICIAL WELCOME

A British Rugby football team that bids fair to uphold the standard and sportsmanship of its predecessor arrived in Wellington to-day by the Eangitata from Southampton. Ever since the great tour of the 1924 All Blacks there has been a keenness in New Zealand Eugby circles for a visit from the strongest team that the British Isles could send, and although the present side is not up to this it is perhaps the next best thing. The defection of all but v one of the ; Scottish players weakened the team, and the inability of one or two other notable players to "make the trip is to be regretted, but there is no gainsaying that Prentice's men', onco they mould into a team, will be a formidable, side, and in view of the fact that their mam strength lies in their forwards they should make it interesting for New Zealand. The faith in the All Black packs in^the' two two or three years has been somewhat shaken, and one fact alone—thai; at Home the old iardworking, rucking' forward ■is still the best—mates the tour well worth while. • • . ' There was an atmosphere or expectation at the Pipitea Wharf this morning, manifesting already the' intense interest that is being taken- in the forhcoming tour. The New Zealand and Wellington Bugby Union's reception at the Harbour sheds had a glamour that was not present on the arrival of the South Africans in 1921. Thb Bangitata appeared in the harbour about 10 o 'clock and immediately the. Government steamer--Janie Seddon, carrying Bugby Union officials, went out to bring tlie footballers to the Pipitea Wharf. The wharf shed had been gaily decorated with flags and greenery for the reception, and in these general arrangements the New Zealand Bugby Union had received valuable assistance from -the staff of the Harbour Board. '-."'■■*. -. Almost"- every sport was represented in the official party. Dr. G. J. Adams, the president of the New Zealand Bugby Union; Mr. S. S. Dean, tlie chairman of the Management Committee; and Dr. P. F. M'Evedy, the president of the. Wellington Union, went out to tlie-'stream to welcome the visitors, who arrived at the wharf at 11 o 'clock. .At the' call of"'" Captain Maclndoe threecheers were.given for the players as they stepped ashore. ' ■-. The first impression one got of the team was one of keenness, and. there is no doubt that there are several players of very fine physique. It was easy, to pick out some of the forwards. " Cauliflower" spoke of strenuous heaving and pushing"iii the scrums." There was also an attitude of friendliness and in a very short time ■ several of the team were chatting freely with members of the official party. It may truly be said that it took very-few minutes for these British footballers, to win the, favour of the crowd 0f.500 who had gathered in ..the.big shed. - -.'■ . . SPEECHES OF WELCOME. After Mr. Baxter and the members of the team had taken their seats on. the platform with the Kugby Union officials, Mr. S. S. Dean (chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Bugby Union), expressed the New, Zealand Union's appreciation of tin facilities granted by the Harbour Board. '' We are pleased to see "Mr. Baxter and his merry men arrive -safe and sound," added Miv Dean. "They are looking forward to the tour with very great interest." ■-','■. ', The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. M'Ewan) followed, and he extended a welcome on behalf of the board. "This is something I hardly bargained for," said Mr. M'Ewan. "I thought it was purely and simply a function get up by the , New Zealand Bugby Union. However, on behalf of the members of the' board, jit gives- me very great pleasure to extend a hearty welcome to this team from our Homeland. (Applause.) I feel sure that they will find many friends among New Zealanders as I found among people m England when I visited the Homeland some three years ago. I feel sure also that this team, brought up as it has been'-on' good British traditions, , will play the -game and that, they are quite prepared to let the better team win. (Applause.) Once' more I . extend a hearty welcome to the team from, the Old Land and wish them all .the success it is possible for them to achieve. (Applause.) *> ■ ■ INTEREST IN VISIT. , "On behalf of ' the New Zealand Bugby Union, footballers in outlying districts of New Zealand, and tho Native'race, I extend a.hearty welcome to the team," said Dr. G. J. Adams .(president of the New Zealand Bugby Union). The arrival of the team'had been looked forward to with the utmost enthusiasm; in fact, never in the annals of Bugby football in New Zealand had the arrival of an international side been awaited with so much interest. .Welcomes had been arranged throughout the length and breadth of the country for the visitors, and'it, might be necessary to curtail some of the entertainments arranged. He trusted, however, that the team would accept sufficient entertainment from tho New Zealand Bugby Union and the people of New Zealand as repayment in small measure for the generosity shown. New Zeland teams that had visited the Old Country. In that, he felt sure, he was just voicing the opinion of one and all throughout tho Dominion. He would like to mention that New Zealand was not a country of ceremonial; its motto was homeliness. He trusted that while tho team was in New Zealand, they would make themselves at home, and that their stay would be one of the most enjoyable periods of their lives." (Applause.) TEAM AND ENTERTAINMENT. the president (Dr. P. F. M'Evedy) voiced the ,-rood wishes of the Wellington Bugby Union, which, he said, would be second to none in its efforts to make tho team welcome, and he trusted that their stay would be one of the pleasantest memories they would carry away with them. ■ . . ' , He would like to re-echo what Dr. Adams had said regarding the hospitality that, would be showered on tliqm. His experience on the two* occasions he visited New Zealand as a member of teams.from Home was that too much entertainment was no good from a football1 point of' view. Dr. .'M'Evedy wished the team every possible success they could have in New Zealand, and expressed pleasure at the fact that they had arrived fit and well. It was the hope of all that during their tour the members of tho team would Lave freedb.m from accidents and would enjoy their football. They wished* the visitors even more success probably than some people cared to admit, for it was recognised that if they gave the New Zealand teams a jolly good thrashing it would be to the benefit of our football and-we would gladly take it. (Applause.) ; Before Mr. Baxter replied, hearty cheers were given for him and tho team by the assemblage. "TOUCHED BY WELCOME." "We are all very much touched with this most delightful welcome given us," said Mr. Baxter. They had all heard

from timo to timo of the warmth of Now Zealand's receptions, but nono of the team had visited tho Dominion before and the nature of tho welcome really had como as a shock. Ho was afraid that teams visiting England were received in a very casual manner, but the presence of so many people to meet tho team touched them all very very deeply indeed. As far as the team was concerned, they would pla,y the game according to the way it should be played. Win or lose, it would be all tho same to them as long as the. game was played in the proper spirit. They were looking forward with a great deal of interest to the various matches that had been arranged. He knew it was unwise to prophesy, and ho was not doing so when he said that ho thought that after the tour was over New Zealanders would be as sorry to see the team go as they' themselves would be exceedingly sorry so set sail for Home again. * WILL PLAY THE GAME. The captain (Mr. F. D. Prentice) was received with cheers and applause. Ho spoke briefly, expressing thanks on behalf of the team for the warm welcome, which, ho would like to assure all, was appreciated very much indeed. They were going to play the game both on and off the field. (Applause.) "You have given us a sample of New Zealand cheering,'' said Mr. Baxter to. the crowd, "and now we shall give .you our three cheers." They w.cre lusty cheers that followed, and distinctive, too. Mr. Baxter and different members of the team were then introduced to a number of Rugby Union officials and representatives from other sports organisations, shortly after which ( they left for, their-hotel.