“GIVE THEM PLENTY.”

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1922, Page 6

“GIVE THEM PLENTY.”

LARGS APPETITES OF ALL BLACKS. LANDLADY SUES FOII HOARD. (Per Press Association.} : I' WELLINGTON, June 6. To-day in the Supreme Court is being . heard a claim for damages and money allegedly due, brought by Agatha Downes, proprietress of the Bay V iew Do- i dinghouse at Day’s Bay, against the New Zealand Rugby Union. The claim is in connection with inei- 1 t dents of the Springboks’ tour. The All Blacks were accommodated for their (inal training at plaintiff's place. She alleges that the Union refused her reasonable reniuneration and failed to make good the d:mage done by members of the team. Mr Wil ford, for the plaintiff, detailed the preliminary ariangemcnts, and the inquiries leading up to an assurance by A. J. Grifliths that the Rugby Union would do the fair thing by plaintiff, for at that time no definite . arrangement hi d been made as to the tariff. After the men had settled down, Mrs Downes told Grifliths that she could not possibly keep men on the ordinary tariff, “when two chops and four eggs were an average breakfast.’’ Mr Griffiths replied: “Give them i plenty; the Union will pay.’’ Three time the plaintiff referred to the amount the men ate, and each time Griffiths replied tint she was to go on, and the Union would pay. The case is proceeding. ALL BLACKS’ MIDNIGHT REVELS. AN ORGIE OF BOOZE! VVEI.t.INGTON, June fi. I In the claim against the New Zea j land Rugby Union, evidence was given , that screens, showers, etc., had to be also supplied at Days Bay, but nothing for the Springboks at Island Bay, who paid 11/- a day extra. The bathing accommodation cost the Union £26. The men were aeeoinmodiiti'd pretty roughly. Some were sleeping two in a lied. It was suggested at a meeting of the. }! anagvinen t Committee that Mrs Downes should take the men at £3 per week. The damages were set down at £lO, and board at 17/<>. It w: s admitted that the union was iniiier an obligation to pay n fair thing, and if Mrs Downes did more than was arranged for, an allowance would be made. It w: s stated, that speaking to some of the members of the union at Days Bay, Mrs Downes litnl admitted that she had nothing to cavil at regarding the beliatiour of the men, and also that she had told another person that her terms were 1 11 -- a <!'. v > or f*’ a week. Extras supplied to the team |,v the union aniounted to £3O. The plaintiff, in giving evidence, said that no arr.'ingeiiient :s to 10/- or jj . ] irl d been ma.de. She had complained that each man : te enough for three, and Mr Grifliths had told her to ‘‘Go on, lhe union would pay!’’ By arrangement with the union, she had idosed her tea room. The men behaved themselves well before the match, but after the match a crayfish supper vias held from midnight. The bedroom jugs had been used : s beer jugs, ami glass jugs r.s drinking glasses. The men vomited on the carpets, and had used towels to clean the place up. Mattresses .and pillows were torn up, and the kapok was pelted about. The men wrestled on the beds, and the mattress gave wav. A polished table w: s used as a stand for the beer barrel. Tho union had offered £7 for ths damage, ami 11/- a day per man. I'.xett man had had returns at meal tone, and some had two and three returns. The ease is proceeding. EACH ATE AS MUCH AS FOUR. DEFENCE DENIES ALLEGATIONS. WELLINGTON, JmieG. In the Rugby Union ease the defence was :t eonijde'.e denial of the allegu- , tions made by the plaintiff. The manaI ger and trainers said the team were j well conducted, and were a happy 10. lof men. Ou the night after the match, I when it was stated the crayfish supper f was held and that a mess was made, it was tiffirmed that only six members of the team attended, the others going to bed as soon as they got to Day’s Hay. 'The dnmago to the lavatory and enrpet was also denied. The hearing lias been adjourned. There was loud laughter raised in the court when one witness said (lie members of the team a‘e as much as any four mmi. They had eggs, chops, sausages, and other things, and Ulen th<*v came back for returns.