COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' FAREWELL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1932, Page 9

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' FAREWELL

'The New Zealand Rugby team Was farewelled ■by -the Wellington Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association last .evening.':.'' - , :

> The president, Mr. W. Hustler Smith, wished good fortune to the team.arid to

its manager, Mr. W. J. Wallace. There was nothing, he said, that the Briton admired more than a sportsman. .Sportsmanship had done mole to weld the Empire together than anything else. The New Zealand Rugby Union took admirable care of Kugby,-and special care was given toT'the selection of the manager. He fejt that no.finer selection could.be made as manager than a former All Black like Mr. "Billy" Wallace, who was as well known in Rugby circles in Australia as in New Zealand.

The health" of the team and its man- I ager was drunk with enthusiasm. ' Mr. Wallace said that he had made soroo wonderful friends in football circles since-he: had first-played as full back for Mount Cook school for part of a season. The new team was a fine one, and was _ composed of wholesome boys. Regarding their, performance as a team— "well, we're keeping it a bit dark," said Mr. Wallaoe, amid loud laughter. When the 190j All Blacks went to England th» New Zealand Rugby Union -was nearly "broke," but the team brought back , £10,000 with it, and put the union on its feet. He regarded it as a great honour that the union should select him as manager of the" team. The side'would play the game'off the field. t Mr. S. S. Dean introduced the members of the team to the gathering, and each was loudly applauded. Mr. Dean said it gave- him the greatest' pleasure to introduce R. N. Williams," a real sport tor when his knee gave way ou Wednesday he had come forward and offered to stand-down. Mr. Williams's sporting action received due recognition from those present. Mr. Dean said that the New Zealand Rugby Union would express its appreciation to Mr. Williams by letter