VAST TERRITORIES, CLIMATIC CHANGES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6630, 8 June 1928, Page 6

VAST TERRITORIES, CLIMATIC CHANGES

Observations on ‘All Blacks’ Tour by M. Win. Heughan

Some idea of the vastness, of the territory m the Union of Mouth Africa, of the extensive railway travelling involved, of the nature of the playing fields, of the wide variation in climatic conditions and of the characteristics of the South African footballers were conveyed to a “Times” representative during the course of an interview with Mr William Heughan.

On account of the intense interest now focussed upon South Africa as a result of the present tour of the “All Blacks," the information from this eminent Scottish singer and Imperialist who has twice toured through South Africa during his-Empire travels, will bo very opportune. In his younger days Mr Heughan played Bugby football in Scotland, and has always taken the keenest of interest in the game since. During his last tour of South Africa four years ago, Mr Heughan visited all the towns in which the matches will be played, and he had many opportunities of seeing the South African footballers in action. Long Tram journeys.

The itinerary ox tne “.tui Blacks’ aid not socm to nave ueeu very careluiiy planned oy tne Soutu .axricau xtugoy Union, aitnougn on account ox tne vastness oi tne territory to be covered, .tnere must be several long and slow, tnougn doutbless very interesting train journeys. Tlie long journey oi over 000 miles from Duroan to Capetown via johunnesbury was not very considerate to men wno bad previously been cooped up aboard slap for about four weeds. Other long journeys would be from Capetown to Kimberley 500 miles, Kimberley to Johannesbury 300 miles, Durban to Kimberley 400 miles, Kimberley to Bulawayo 000 miles Bulawayo back to Johannesburg 450 miles. The world-famed Victoria Falls on the Zambesi river are another 200 miles north of Bulawayo. The total distance to be travelled by train will be about 5000 miles. On account of the mountain ranges and plateaus which flank the coast line, most of these journeys must of necessity be slow and will frequently result in great changes in climatic conditions. Variations in Climate. ‘‘Though the drlference of latitude jroni Capetown to Bulawayo, fourteen degrees, plays an important part in the variation of the climate, far more important factors to be taken into consideration are the height above sealevel and the surrounding land mass,’ • said Air. Beughau. “From the warm mild winter of Capetown the All Blacks will now have reached the diamond tovin of Kimberley, which has an altitude of 4000 ft. Hero they will have experienced warm sunny days but cold nights. At Johannesburg they will experience an even more marked change. This town is some 6000 feet above soa-level, oi half the height of Mt. Cook. The rarefied atmosphere will undoubtedly affect the breathing of the “All Blacks” until their lungs have become accustomed to the- reduced atmospheric pressure. This fact may cause them to apparently possess less staying power than the South Africans who have bo come adapted to it. Many famous singers on the first night of their stay in Johannesburg have been quite unable to render their programmes on account of the difficulty in controlling the breathing. Being also a good distance inland, the nights are extremely chilly though the days at this season of the year arc" warm and sunny. The other inland towns to be visited in the Transvaal and Orange Free Stats have a similar climate.

‘'A great change will be noticed on coming down to Durban where the climate is very warm and enervating after the bracing air of the interior. “On the journey to Bulawayo from Kimberley, the ‘’All Blacks” will pass through part of Kalahari Desert. This portion of the journey is very hot an 3 dusty and the tourists may with comfort travel in their football togs Bulawayo, the most northerly town ol the tour, has a very warm climate, even in winter, but the tourists should enjoy their trip there. ,“At Durban, East London, Pori Elizabeth and other places near the eastern sea coast, the climate is pleasantly warm and sunny at. this season of the year. The Playing rields. “The character of the playing fields will also vn.ry during the tour of the All Blacks,” continued Mr Heugbfin. “At Captown, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and other smaller towns near the coast turf fields similar to those obtaining in New Zealand will be the rule. They will, however, be drier and harder.

“At Kimberley they ■will have to play on hard halted ground with no turf whatever. On account of the recent drought there will he no* possibility of watering these areas effee tively. If the wind is blowing the dust will also bo very disconcerting to our players. The glare of the sun. the quick high bouncing of the ball from the hard ground in the rarefied atmosphere will also be unusual experiences. “At Johannesburg the grounds will bo better, but the turf will be burnt brown at this season. The South Africans.

“In meeting the South Africans, as has been proved from last Saturday’s game, the All Blacks arc meeting opponents wo thy of their steel,” said Mr Heughan, He was greatly impressed during his South African tour with the speed of the weighty Dutch forwards. They combined this speed with good handling of the ball, judicious use of their weight and deadly tackling. They could bo relied upon to play a clean, though hard and fast game. The South

African backs were also very nippy, and backed up extremely well. Casualties. This great tourist, stated that there was no. danger whatever of malaria or other fevers at this season of the year. The dust at Kimberley and at other inland towns might cause throat troubles. The great variations of temperature during the day and night cause colds. Then too, on account of the extremely hard service of the grounds inland and the determined tackling of the South Africans there were certain to be extensive skin abrasions. There was no Sanger though df these sores turning septic. . Prospects of Success. In conclusion, Mr lieughan expressed the opinion that the struggle lor the world's supremacy in Kugoy would be a very close one. He would follow with keen interest the fortunes of the All Blacks. A great factor towards their ultimate success would be the measure of their adaptability to the continual changes of climate, grounds and playing conditions during the tour.