RUGBY TOUR

Northern Advocate, 1 June 1925, Page 3

RUGBY TOUR

NORTHERN REPRESENTATIVE. PRESENTATION TO '' BUNNY'' FINLAYSON. Had Rugby football matches under the jurisdiction of the Whangarei Rugby Union been played on Saturday afternoon, it was intended at half-time at Kensington Park to make a presentation to Mr "Bunny" Finlayson, the first player under the North Auckland Rugby Union to be included in a New Zealand representative team. As the matches were postponed owing to the state of the weather, a large number of players foregathered in the afternoon in the sittingroom at the Whangarei Hotel, and Mr L. J. Brake, president of the North Auckland Rugby Union, presented Mr Finlayson with a travelling rug and suitcase. When doing so, Tie stated that the Union had intended to make the presentation, but a large number of footballers had been indignant at not being given a chance to contribute, and the Union executive had consequently permitted them to do so. All had seen Mr Finlayson's

progress in the game, una all were sorry that he was unable to g-et away with the team last year. Further, they knew him as a gentleman and a clean sport, both of which were essentials in any one chosen to represen New Zealand in another country. Mr C. F. Collins, president of the Whangarei Rugby Union, said that on an occasion such as that all were, one, but although the presentation was made to "Bunny" as a North Auckland representative in the New Zealand team, he emphasised that he j was a Whangarei production. "Reference was also made by the speaker to the sportsmanship qualities of "Bunny," as he "was known to everyone. On behalf of the Whangarei Union he wished the representative the best of luck, and he knew that in him the reputation of v the Union and district was in good hands. The Northern representative returned thanks for the presentation and declared thar he knew his responsibilities fully as an envoy of North Auckland and would do his utmost to prove worthy of them. The health of the "All Blacks" was drunk with musical honours, and the gathering then dispersed. Mr Finlayson, who will play the mat"h in Wellington on Wednesday, left 011 Saturday evening.