ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 41, 16 August 1930, Page 15

ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL

POPULAR TOURISTS LEAVE

Just three months ago a big gathering collected on the Pipitea Wharf to give the British Eugby team the first of the whole-hearted welcomes that it has mot wherever it has gone in the course of its New Zealand tour. The party was then largely an unknown quantity, and those who were the first to meet it on its landing were prompted in no small measure by curiosity. Since that day the British team has completed a strenuous-tour, during the progress of which the visitors have continually added to the popularity which they gained! very early, and no better estimate of the favour that tho team be gauged.than from the scene at the be gauged that frpni the scene at the Queenfs (.: Wharf.; ydsterday afternoon, when Prentice and his men left by the Maunganui for Sydney to enter upon the Australian .portion of their tour.

A day of.leave-takings preceded the actual railing, and. remarkable enthusiasm, marked by happy good-humour, was' in evidence when the party was leaving the hotel for the wharf, to which they ;were' transported by bus and private 'cars. - At 2.30 the official fareL well commenced in the Harbour Board's shed on the wharf, the interior of the shed being decorated with flags and ferns. ■ ' ;

Only officials, and personal friends of the team were admitted to the shed, but there was little room to spare while the last Bpeeches were ntade, and the speakers' remarks were greeted with rounds of applause. Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, characterised the Britishers as as fine a band of sportsmen as has visited the Dominion. "My heart is,full of sorrow and gladness," he said. "Sorrow because the team is going, and gladness because the worries unavoidably connected with such a tour are ended. Wo all hope you will not be too long returning." EMPIRE AMBASSADORS. That the tourists had endeared themselves ito everyone with whom they had conic, in contact,-whether players, public,' or officials, was the opinion of Dr. Gr. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union. "We are losing 30 good friends," he said. "You have come as Empire ambassadors, and we feel that we are going to have a link in the Rugby chain forged at last, and that there will be one Imperialistic game. We •wifch you the best of luck, and we hope you will carry from us the best ofmeinbries." Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, chairman of the Wellington Board,; said that the team had nibst undoubtedly played the game during the three months they had beenin New-Zealand. On behalf 6f the. Harbour Board, he presented Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Prentice, manager and captain of tne team, with copies of the history of the port. "This team has done rnoro for New Zealand football than has any previous visiting team," said Dr. P. F. M'Evody, president of the Wellington Eugby Union. "In a few years we are going to remodel our game on the lines that you have shown to us." "CARRIED OFF THEIR FEET.'* "The welcomes you have extended to us have carried us off our feet," remarked Mr. James Baxter, in replying on behalf of the tourists. "We thank you one and all for what you have done for us."

The team's captain, Mr. D. Prentice, said that the day was the worst of the tour. His team would never forget the kindness always shown to them, and some of his best friends in the world were now in New Zealand. ; ■ Mr. ..Dcfcn then asked, each member of the team to express through the microphone a farewell message "to tlie lady'he. loved best in New Zealand." Ivor Jones was first called upon, but, although roundly barracked, he had no message to give. Other members of the team were not so bashful, and spoke a brief message in turn. The time for sailing was iiow at hand, and little timo was lost in crossing the gangway on to tho ship. Further pleasantries were exchanged as tho men walked across, but soon the moorings were loosed and a few minutes later the last of the streamers had broken and the 1930 British Eugby team was on its way down the harbour, hundreds of people remaining to wave a last farewel' as long as the faces could be distinguished.