LAST TIME ACROSS: TRIBUTE TO GREAT ALL-BLACK HALF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23218, 1 April 1950, Page 6

LAST TIME ACROSS: TRIBUTE TO GREAT ALL-BLACK HALF

The passing of Janies Joseph Mill marks the third occasion on which a former member of the invincible All Black team of 1921 lias crossed the last goal-line. Those who preceded him were Altie Ylest and Jack Steel, of Taranaki and West Coast respectively Jimmy Mill’s death will he mourned among all followers of the Rugby code,” writes Mr. Norman McKenzie, clean of Hawke’s Bay coaches and selectors, in a special tribute to his former protege in the game. “Jimmv Mill as a boy showed a natural attitude for sport. “He attended first the Napier Boys’ High School and his displays at halfback before he was 14 years of age had the stamp of a Rugby genius. At cricket he was coached by the Gloucestershire professional Jack Board. "Later he went on to Nelson College and in the triangular tournament in 1919 was the outstanding figure. Outstanding Collegiate Record “He was home in Tokomaru Bay in 1921 and represented the New Zealand Maoris against the Springboks at Napier, and also Combined East Coast aaainsi the same team. Playing at half back he scored a try in each match, a feat no other half back even approached against the South Africans throughout their 1921 tour. "in 1922 he toured the New South Wales with the N.Z. Maori team,, and in the following year he took up resi donee in \ T apier. In that year he rep resented Hawke’s Bay and gained All Black honours for the first time. "He continued to represent Hawke's Bav in 1926 incluusive, his play delighting thousands in the Bay's long successful defence of the Ranfurly Shield “Ranks With Dominion’s Best’’

“.Jimmv Mill was a member of the invincible All Blacks of 1924 who toured England, Wales, Ireland, France and Canada undefeated. On this tour he earned a world-wide reputation. He gained All Black honours again in 1925. 1926 and 1930, after which he retired. “Hi secured provincial rep. honours at cricket, and was also a skilled tennis plover. “As a Rugbv half-back Jimmy Mill ranks with the best ever produced in the Dominion. He had great pace, a devastating side-step, sure hands and above all a sense of anticipation that was uncanny. These qualities brought him the reputation of New Zealand’s greatest scoring half-back, but even so lie was never guilty of selfishness on the field ”

Tlie attendance at the funeral of the late Mr. James Joseph Mill, held yesterdav afternoon, constituted a profound tribute to the memory of a great sportsman and also a demonstration of sorrow for the bereaved family. Rugby administration was prominently represented in the wealth of floral tributes, and many outstanding personalities formerly connected 'with the late Mr. Mill were present. Messages from far and near conveyed the sympathy of New Zealand sportsmen to the relatives of the deceased, and especially to Mrs. Mill, whose devoted nursing of her husband until his death at her home in Palmerston* Road, Gisborne, was the subject of much appreciative comment.