TODAY'S BIG MATCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 75, 25 September 1937, Page 11

TODAY'S BIG MATCH

GREAT CROWD AT-AUCKLAND

The final Test match between New Zealand and South Africa was played at Auckland today in the presence of a great crowd which, l>y 2 o'clock, numbered well over 50,000. The New Zealand team was unchanged. In the Springboks' team Van der Vyver and dv Toit stood down. The weather was showery and sunny alternately.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)'

AUCKLAND, This Day.

From all points of the compass and by every means of transport people are flocking to Auckland today for the final Test. Throughout the night and again today, the railway traffic has established a record.

Commencing with the train from Wellington at 2.19 o'clock this morning, fourteen special trains poured in excursionists up to 10.18 a.m. Passengers arriving early in the morning remained in the steam-heated trains until 5 o'clock, when the refreshment rooms opened for breakfast—and what a rush there was. Several parties parked their cars outside Eden Park at 10 o'-clock last night, and huddled together in fitful sleep. Other intending patrons spread blankets on the footpaths. When the gates opened early this morning, seven hundred people rushed for the best places. By 10 o'clock the crowd on the ground was estimated at 20,000. The change of wind and sunshine yesterday dried the ground sufficiently to give rise to high hopes of a dry ground for the match, but' when rain fell at 9 o'clock this morning hopes were dispelled. Thereafter light showers fell, with intervening sunshine.