ALL BLACKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 March 1925, Page 4

ALL BLACKS.

HA AY ERA ’S AYELCOME.

TO LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES

The two Hawera All Blacks. AAest and Brown, who returned home by the mail, train last night, were given a civic welcome by his AVorship the Mayor at the station, in the presence of a huge crowd of friends and townspeople generally,* anxious to do honour to the men from this district who had kept the flag of Rugby flying so well. he enthusiasm of the gathering ran very high, and it was quite evident the hearty welcome made both men feei very pleased to be once more among their own people. A •considerable time before the arrival of the train the people began to gather, and when the train bearing the All Blacks steamed into the station there was so dense a crowd that it was almost impossible to move along the platform. The crowd swayed towards the carriage in which they were travelling, all anxious to see them and to show their approval of the great record made by the team. As the train steamed in, the- hand played the chorus “See the Conquering Heroes Come.” Shortly afterwards his AVorship the Mayor mounted a railway lorry accompanied by the two players, Mrs. Bone also being present, and gave them a welcome from the people of the town and district.

The Mayor said it was very gratifying to be allowed to welcome the mem. bers of a Rugby team; who had made the greatest record of all time, every match of the tour being a victory. The people were glad to see the Hawera men back, and were proud of their achievements, a record that would do more almost than anything else to advertise New Zealand and to make the Dominion and its people known throughout the length and breadth of the Old Country. And, he added, it was team work that brought about the result, every man playing not for himself, but for his mates in the team, > a.s to secure the best results for his side. They had trained hard and kept themselves lit, and that was one of the greatest factors in the success achieved. He was proud, too, to be able to say that the behaviour of the team on and off the field had been excellent, and the theme of admiration by all who met them. “But,” he continued, “that is what we expected. AVe sent them away as gentlemen, and we knew they would act as gentlemen and uphold the honour of their country and town.” He said that now the members of the team were settling down once more into the business of life and work, he hoped they would all have in that work ,an equal measure of success and put into their daily life similar energy and enthusiasm. He again welcomed them on behalf of the people of the town and country. At the call of the Mayor, hearty cheers were given, and, the band leading, the whole gathering sang “For they are joily good fellows.” It was altogether a fitting welcome. The reception was briefly acknowledged l by Brown, who said it was good to be" home, 1 after the most wonderful trip, given to any team. He said that they had a most enthusiastic welcome from people in every country in which they had travelled.' But this, he added, "beat every other. They were naturally proud of the success of the team, but very glad indeed to be home, for, after all, he said, there is no place like home. He thanked the Mayor and the people of Hawera and district for the most cordial welcome given , them. Hearty cheers were again given, and the train, which had given several indications of its anxiety to be off, and its regret that it could not wait even for All Blacks, steamed out bearing Brown to his home in Inglewood.

A nrocession. was then formed, the band* paraded in front and playing a series *of selections as the crowd convoyed West' to the post office, where leave was taken of him and he made a short speech of acknowledgment of the most enthusiastic welcome. The crowd melted away, evidently satisfied that a fitting reception had been given to their own members of the great- All Black team of 1924.

(BV TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, March 19. The southern members of the All Black team, namely, Munro (Dunedin), Richardson and White (Southland), arrived at Dunedin this afternoon by the first express, and were met at the station by the local officials of the Rugby Union and a great gathering of enthusiasts. There was prolonged cheering- and much hand-shaking, and the returned players were then motored to the Town Hall, where a civic reception awaited them. The Mayor (Air. Tapley) presided. ' AUCKLAND, March 19. The Auckland members of the' AH Blacks on arrival, at the Auckland station were' met by several thousands. As they left the* platform they were “chaired” by friends and enthusiastically cheered* Mr. H. Frost (president oU the New Zealand Rugby Union) informally welcomed the players, home, and cheers for the team were rivalled when mention was made of the recovery of Vie. Badeley. A civic reception at the Town Hall was tendered later in the day.