CAKES OR ALE?

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1934, Page 10

CAKES OR ALE?

RUGBY JUNIORS PROTEST Even before the match for the junior Rugby championship at Stratford on Saturday afternoon (says the Taranaki Herald) the members of the Okaiawa and Clifton teams looked forward to a merry meeting at the festive board after the game, and the report that arrangements had been made by the Rugby Union to gather at a teashop and have cakes together met with open protest and expressions of resentment at being treated “like a lot of schoolboys.” It mattered not who won, said one of the visitors; surely the winners could be toasted in glasses of ale, as was usual after championship games? The subject of “Cakes or ale” was given a spell while the match was in progress, but then it assumed real importance and the sequel was an unusual one. The Okaiawa team were quartered at the Commercial Hotel and Clifton at the Stratford Hotel. The idea of dining at the teashop was vetoed unanimously, and if was agreed that both teams would dine together at the Commercial Hotel. Over 40 sat down to the tables.

Before dispersing, Mr. L. Jenkins, captain of the Clifton team, congratulated Okaiawa on their win, the toast being enthusiastically honoured. Mr. W. Johnston, selector of the Oka'iawa team, suitably responded and complimented the Clifton players on the fight they had put up. Okaiawa, he admitted, had been a trifle lucky in winning the final. The appearance of Mr. J. O’Sullivan, president of the union, was the signal for hearty applause. Addressing the company, Mr, O’Sullivan said he had intended being present when the two teams met after the match, but he had had a busy day and finished up at the New Plymouth races. He admitted that he had heard of the teams’ protest about the teashop gathering. As president, he offered his apology and promised assistance in securing for the first juniors in future the treatment that all recognised they deserved. The owner of the teashop had provided for the teams as arranged and of course would be compensated for his outlay and trouble.

Mr. G. H. Bennett, selector of the Clifton Club, said he could not let the occasion pass without entering a strong protest at the action of the union. It was from the ranks of the junior footballers that future representatives were recruited, and every consideration should be given to them. He was glad to have the assurance of the president that the first junior championship teams would -be given the treatment that undoubtedly was their due.

On being interviewed later Mr. T. W. Smith, the teashop proprietor, stated that arrangements to supply pies and cakes for the two teams had been made with him by Mr. F. Nolan, Central Division on behalf of the Rugby Union, and this had been done. However, no one came to the rooms for the meal.