FRINGE OF WALES CUP

Evening Star, Issue 19949, 20 August 1928, Page 4

FRINGE OF WALES CUP

COMPETITION AMONG MAORIS |Pkr U.siTF.n Trf-ss Association.] GISBORNK. August 18. The first contest for the Prince of Wales Gup for competition among tho Maori districts was held at Gisborne this afternoon in line weather before an attendance estimated at fully 4.000. The. cup is a sequel to the Prince’s visit to New Zealand. While in the course ol conversation with Sir James Carroll the Prince was much impressed with the Maoris, and said he would like to do something to commemorate his visit. Nothing was clouo at the time, bub later Sir James Carroll recalled the incident, and when Mr Coates, was going Home- to the. Imperial' Conference Sir James Carroll forwarded a letter by the Prime Minister suggesting the idea ot a. cup tor competition among the Maoris, and tho Prince willingly fell in with the idea. The conditions ol the contest were left with the Maori Advisory Council, who .decided that the trophy should ho open for competition among special Maori districts. New Zealand being divided into tour districts—namely. Tokerau, from the North Gape to Rotorua and Opotiki; Tairawhiti, from the .Hast Gape to Dannevirke; Taihaunuru, from Dannovirko to_ Wanganui, New Plymouth, and Wellington; and all tho South Island. In view ot tho fact that the scheme originated at Gisborne, the New_ Zealand Rugby Union and the Maori Advisory Hoard declared 'Tairawhiti tho first 'holders of the trophy, and tho first challenge match was played today against Tokerau, the visitors winning by lh points to 8. Tho play was interesting* throughout, hub at times rather ragged, due to a lack of combination. The- visitors at times wero seen in spectacular passing rushes, and on both back' and forward play woro superior to Tairawhiti. At the conclusion of the game Sir Apiraua Ngata addressed tho crowd, explaining how (lie cup was presented and the conditions attaching to tho competition Lady Carroll handed over the trophy to the manager nj tho winning (cam, Mr Turct.