MEMENTOES EXCHANGED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 40, 15 August 1930, Page 11

MEMENTOES EXCHANGED

The goodwill that has marked the tour of tho British Eugby team, throughout tho Dominion was expressed in material f 07m prior to the team s departure to-day,' by each, member of the side being presented with initialled rugs from the New Zealand Eugby Union. The presentations were made at midday at the hotel at which the team has been saying, and there was a full muster of Eugby officials, including Dr. G. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Eugby Union; Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the Management Committee; Dr. P. F. M'Evedy,. president of the "Wellington Eugby Union; Mr. J. Prendeville, chairman of the Management Committee of the Wellington Union; and Mr. D. M'Kenzie, president of tho New Zealand Beferees' Association. Mr. S. S. Dean, Dr..M'Evedy, and Dr. Adams, spoke in,turn, expressing the pleasure that had been caused throughout New Zealand, not only.'to the officials, but also'to all those .connected.with the game. In spite of the difficulties in arranging the itinerary, tho tour had been a wonderful success, and the only regret was that it: had. drawn to a close. ■ , . Mr. James Baxter, >i»ri]yi"" 'm; ,''.r- j half of the tourists,, spoke of the wonderful time that the" team had .had, and, in regard to the amount.of tv'ayul- j ling which had been done, said.that the team roalised that it was its'duty, wherever it had gone, to play the game as well and as attractively as itlcould, for the benefit of New Zcalanaers throughout the country. DEMEANOUR OF THE CROWDS. He again' praised the hospitality which had greeted the team on all sides, and also had a word to say for the spectators. "One of the things that lias struck us most," he said, "lias been the magnificent demeanour of the crowds. .'No matter where wo have played the crowd has always been ready to show appreciation of • our yjlay, and pieces of play on our part that have brought scores, haye been applauded scarcely less vociferously than those of the home teams." Mr. Baxter then, presented Mr. Dean with an enlarged photograph of tho team, to be hung in the Bugby Union's office; Another photograph, autographed by the whole of the team, was presented by Mr.' Baxter to Mr. "Taffy" Davies, who has accompanied the tourists-as baggage man since they arrived in New Zealand. Mr. Davies has evidently made himself very popular with the men as'ho was accorded musical honours with remarkable enthusiasm. While the rugs were being distributed by Dr. Adams, it was noticed that three of the forwards, Bew, Martindale, and Beamish were wearing Maori rugs over their shoulders, tho rugs having been given to- the three by Mr. Tom Parata, "in recognition of a valuable friendship." ..