THE SPRINGBOKS’ VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 17720, 22 July 1921, Page 6

THE SPRINGBOKS’ VISIT

[By Onr.ooKEU.]

The Mayor of Dunedin. promised a deputation from the O.R,l'’.U. that be would declare a half-holiday on Wednesday,' August 10, for the Otago-Springbohs match, and would ask the shopkeepers to close at noon instead of 1 p.m. on the following Saturday, when the first iesi will be played. It was pointed out that if the usual hour of closing .was observed there would be a danger of the best parts of Oarisbrook being occupied by country visitors and others before the shop employees had a chance of reaching tho ground—a view wide!) Mr Douglas had no difficulty in finding himself in sympathy with. The Otago Rugby Union has since written to the Employers’ Association asking its assistance in inducing the retail section to give effect to the mayor’s wishes. Although an early start was made with both the Wanganui and Taranaki matches against the (South Africans, it is unnecessary to follow that course here, the Railway Department having agreed to detain the Palmerston train on the occasion of both tile Otago .and test matches, and to stop tho express at Caversham for n few minutes on'August 15 to enable south-bound passengers to hoax'd it. Thus if will be possible for people to leave Invercargill by tho morning express, have lunch comfortably in Dunedin, see the test game, and reach their homes the same night. Though no decision has yet been come to,the probabilities arc that the kick-off on both days will be set down for 2.30 or 2.45 p.m. There will bo a curtainraiser for the test match, but not on tho Wednesday. Seemingly the visitors play clean football. During the course of tho meeting of the Wellington Referees’ Association this week, Mr A. E. Xeilson, who refereed in tho match Springboks v. Wanganui, paid a very high tribute to the visiting sportsmen. lie stated that he had no trouble at any stage'of the game, and not onco did tiie visitors make an appeal for off-side or any breach of the rules. Their sportsmanship was of a very high quality. A noticeable feature of thenplay was that they never called mark for a. fair catch off a. forward pass, or passed any remark about decisions. Their play was very dean, and their whole idea seemed to centre upon playing a good, clean game of football. To-morrow’s match at Wellington is regarded as a try-out for the visitors—a sort of guide as to their prospects for the three tests—the- dates of which are August 15, 29, and September 3. •’ Speaking at a dinner accorded to the Springboks Mr G. Slade chairman of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, referred to tho agitation for an improvement in the game of Rugby, and said that for the purpose of conferring with those overseas, they welcomed the visit of the South Africans. Mr Slade went on to say that for some time now it was felt that an improvement would have to bo made in order that Rugby might retain its popularity. What was £jod twenty-five .years ago was not good enough to-day, and, for that reason, a conference with South African representatives was most desirable.

To-morrow's game at Wellington starts at 2.50 p.m. All grandstand seats have already been disposed of, SPRINGBOKS AT WELLINGTON. A ROYAL RECEPTION. [Pep. United, Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 22. The Springboks were enthusiastically welcomed at a civic reception. The speakers included the Acting Prime Minister, who spoke on behalf of the people of New Zealand. The visitors expressed' themselves as most appreciative of the cordiality of their receptions in New Zealand, and the generous, sportsmanlike behaviour of the crowds.