N.Z. RUGBY TEAM

Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 3

N.Z. RUGBY TEAM

FAREWELL FUNCTIONS

WELLINGTON PLAYERS

The many events being held in honour of the Wellington members of the New Zealand team for the tour of the Home countries offer striking evidence of the popularity of those players- and of the esteem in which they are held. A function arranged by the Wellington Football Club as a farewell to J. R. Page was largely attended. The president of the club (Mr. John Murray), in congratulating their representative in the latest New Zealand team and in extending best wishes to him, mentioned that this was the fourth New Zealand team of which Page had been a member, and .on this occasion the club would be represented for the first time by one of its members on a tour of Britain. On behalf of the club the president handed a wallet to the guest, who suitably replied.

B. Sadler, one of the half-backs in the New Zealand team, has been accorded several functions, one of which took place at the Berhampbre School, at which he had been a pupil. The headmaster (Mr. C. Robertson) expressed the school's great pleasure at having a former pupil chosen as an All Black, and he referred eulogistically to Sadler's association with the school. On behalf of the pupils, Ron. McKenzie presented the New Zealand representative with a travelling case. In his reply the recipient urged the boys to pay heed to the advice of those who coached them and always to play the game. The guest was afterwards entertained by the staff at afternoon tea.

Further tributes to B. S. Sadler were paid at a social function arranged in his honour at the Masonic Hall, Berhampore, the speakers including Miss Hurley (a former headmistress at the Berhampore School), Messrs. Duncan (a former headmaster of {he school), Paul (sports master when Sadler was at school), S. S. Dean (chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union), and A. McDonald (of the N.Z.R.U. and coach of the Wellington College Old Boys' first fifteen, of which Sadler is a member). The guest was accompanied by his mother, who was presented by Miss J. Maisey with a bouquet. The presentation of a wallet was made to the guest by Mr. Duncan on behalf of the many enthusiasts. During the evening items were contributed by Misses O. Daniel and I. Chalk, Mrs. Stark, and Messrs. G. Stark, W. W. Marshall, and L. Elston (accompanist). Those responsible for arranging the enjoyable function were: Messrs. A. D. Rowe, R. Dawe, H. J. Maisey, A. H. Fisher, N. Goff, A. Osborne, and T. G. Wildermoth.

E. W. Tindill, selected as a fiveeighth in the New Zealand Rugby team, has achieved high' rank in cricket as well as in football. The Midland Cricket Club, of which he is a member, held a function in his honour, and at this various speakers spoke in high praise of Tindill's ability on the field of play and his fine sportsmanship on and off the field. Mr. H. Hatch, who presided at the function, related how Tindill had come into the club as a boy, and had progressed wonderfully as a cricketer. It was the club's policy to encourage juniors, and Tindill offered a shining example of what they meant. Mr. Hatch, speaking of the coming football tour, referred to the interest being shown by citizens throughout the country in those who- were to carry the football banner. The chosen players would show to people overseas what type of man came from New Zealand. That was a very important aspect of a tour, and he was sure that the confidence in Tindill, a player whose prowess was recognised in his being selected and a young man who took his successes with characteristic modesty, would not be misplaced. On behalf of the club, Mr Hatch made a presentation to the guest, who, in his reply, expressed regret that he would not be here for the greater part of next cricket season but would return to cricket as soon as he came back. Others who paid tribute to the All Black included Messrs. F.K. Rolling (who, as a foundation member of the club, gave some interesting historical facts to show that Tindill had become a very distinguished member), W. A. Baker (who stressed the fact that the hardest games would be ott the field of play), W. P. Walker, F. Bryant, and L. G. Clark. . The Wellington Cricket Association is to make a presentation to E. W. T.ndill tomorrow, and will also take the opportunity of farewelling other cricketing members of the team In the evining the Athletic Football Club's ball in honour of their representative in the New Zealand team is to be held at the May fair Cabaret, and to this aLi members (past and present) and supporters are invited. Messrs. B. S. Sadler and J. L. Griffiths are to be farewelled at ™mgton College tomorrow morning, iney are old boys of the school.