WELL SATISFIED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 87, 9 October 1937, Page 11

WELL SATISFIED

SPRINGBOK MANAGERS

LETTERS TO RUGBY UNION

TOUR ARRANGEMENTS

Keenly appreciative of all that was done for the South African Rugby team during its recent tour of the Dominion, the managers of the touring side (Messrs. Percy W. Day and Alec de Villiers) have each written to the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr. A. E. Neilson) letters of praise of arrangements made for the touring party. Tributes are paid to the administrative side of. the work connected with the tour and also to the accommodation and travelling arrangements. In his letter, Mr. Day expressed to the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr. Tom Meredith), the chairman (Mr. Stan Dean), the members of the executive, and the secretary (Mr. A. E. Neilson) his deep appreciation for all the kindnesses, the hospitality, and the assistance they had given him during the tour of the team through New Zealand. "It has been a very great pleasure to me," he wrote, "to meet such sporting gentlemen who have always been ready to render that assistance that is needed to a manager of a touring side. My labours, which have been somewhat heavy in connection with this tour, have been greatly simplified by the help rendered. CONDUCT OF TEAM. "I sincerely hope your union has been satisfied with the way the members of the team as a whole have conducted themselves whilst touring your country. It is needless to say my one ambition was to avoid any unpleasantness or friction, and if that has been achieved from your point of view I aih more than, satisfied with having been placed in that position representing the South African Rugby Board. I shall carry back with me many happy recollections and remembrances of the kindness shown to me personally, not only by members of your executive but by the sporting community and people of your country. "I hope to be able to reciprocate in some small way next year when your two representatives, who will be appointed, are in South Africa to attend the conference to be held there. Time does not permit of my writing to all the members of the executive, and I hope they will accept this as a farewell good-bye." Mr. Day concluded his letter "with every good wish for the prosperity of the Rugby game in the future." EFFICIENCY PRAISED. "Will you kindly accept our sincere thanks for all that you have jdone to make our stay in New Zealand such a happy one," wrote Mr. de Villiers in his letter to Mr. Neilson. "I know that you have practically been overworked .in connection with the tour arrangements, but I must congratulate you upon the excellent and efficient manner in which you have discharged your onerous duties. No request of ours has been too much for you and I certainly think that the New Zealand Rugby Union is very fortunate in having so able a secretary. In expressing my personal thanks to you, I am at the same time also expressing the thanks of members o£ the team and my board. "Will you also please convey to the chairman of your management committee and members of your executive our sincere thanks for all that they have done to make our stay in your Dominion such a happy one and for the arrangements made for our comfort? The under your control also admirably arranged matters and did everything in their power to make our stay in their midst a pleasant one. Will you please also convey to them our appreciation? The hotels in which we were accommodated were all comfortable and the travelling arrangements, which mean so much on a tour, were excellent, and we trust you will convey to the responsible authorities our thanks. "Please also extend to your referees' society, and especially to the gentlemen who officiated in the games in which we were engaged, our sincere thanks. THE TEAM'S AIM. "The object of the tour was primarily a good-will one, and when we left South Africa the wish was expressed by my board that, whatever the result might be, the object thereof would have been served if it fostered the game overseas and maintained the cordial • sporting relations between you and us. We have tried to carry out this throughout our tour of New Zealand, and it is for you to bay if we have achieved our sim. "If the games played iu your country have been instrumental in helping along the grand old game, we are perfectly satisfied. We look forward to your next visit to our country and hope to be in a position to reciprocate the many kindnesses received from you and the people of your grand Dominion.''