Farewell Scenes As N.Z. Cricketers Sail News Of The Day.

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1949, Page 4

Farewell Scenes As N.Z. Cricketers Sail

News Of The Day.

LONDON, Fri. (9.30 a.m.).— A few close friends of the New Zealand cricketers waved final farewells and heard the strains of “Now is the Hour” float across the water as the Rangitata drew away from the wharfside at Tilbury. It was a sad moment in many ways, not unmixed with emotion. The main farewells had already been made earlier during the week, culminating in a dinner which the Duke of Edinburgh attended. More were said and repeated at St Pancras station, where many friends, notable in the cricket world, assembled to press the hands of the team.

Finally, at the wharf were a few intimates and the New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr Jordan), who had greeted the side on its arrival, and watched several matches. They remained until the ship was out of sight. Also there was Martin Donnelly, for whom everybody in the team has genuine affection and sincere admiration. LEFT BEHIND

Donnelly, too, had met them on arrival, had been a tower of strength throughout the tour and was now the only one left behind. "This is a sad moment for me,” said Donnelly. "I could not have wished to have played with finer men. "Looking back on the tour I would not like to see anything changed in any respect, if we had to do it all over again.” TRIBUTES TO TEAM Before the ship sailed the team was filmed by newsreels, and the manager (Mr Phillipps) and the captain (Walter Hadlee) thanked the people of Britain for their generous hospitality. They also recorded broadcast messages. Mr Jordan, paying a tribute to the side On its fine record on and off the field, added: "May you all have long life to enjoy the imputations which you so justly earned.” * HADLEE’S LEADERSHIP Mr Phillipps said: “It has been a splendid tour and the team has been fortunate to have been led by a captain of outstanding quality. Walter Hadlee hag been the inspiration of his men, and no words of mine could praise him adequately. “In Wallace he had a vice-captain of marked ability, thoroughly reliable, and a fine friend to all. "There is no doubt, however, that success also was due very largely to the players themselves. “The greatest thing about the team has been its spirit. Everybody was ‘imbued with determination to do his best in every match. PROFIT £15,000. It is possible that the net profits for the tour will be about £15,000. Figures available ’at the moment are necessarily incomplete, and the exact total will not be known until everybody, has finally dispersed at Wellington. "We were very fortunate that there was little or no sickness, and the chief ailments that occurred were due to muscular strains inevitable during a long, exacting tour. “Morale was high throughout, and its standard was made evident by excellent work in the field. “It is the general opinion of everybody I met here that there was no comparison between the standard of fielding of this team and those which visited England from New Zealand before. It was never surpassed by any other side—England or county—dur-, ing the tour. VITAL CATCHES TAKEN. “A large part of the success of the games was due to vital catches. being taken. • _ - ----- -~ - •'Undoubtedly the players became tired towards the end, and much of this fatigue can be attributed to travelling. “Some of it could, perhaps, have been -avoided if various matches had been rearranged, but it was too late to do that when we reached England. “Some English counties and league teams made approaches to members of the side, but inquiries have been few and not particularly fruitful. “Personally, I feel this is a good thing, for it means that New Zealand cricket will benefit for some years to come from the experience gained in England by our players. “The generosity of the English people towards us all has been amazing. Everybody has been kindness itself, hospitality has been overwhelming both by private individuals and by business firms, and we are grateful for all that has been done for us.” AN ALERT SIDE

Group Captain A. J. Holmes, chairman of the England selection committee, interviewed by the United Press, said: “I should like to express the appreciation of the British public for the way the New Zealanders played throughout their tour. “They always were an alert side; their fielding was keen and they rarely dropped a vital catch.

“Their bowlers worked hard and effectively throughout. “In Walter Hadlee they had an admirable captain, who handled his team

well, and Wallace, as vice-captain, also proved himself an able captain on those occasions when he led. the side. “Together with Donnelly, as selectors, they showed great skill in keeping the side fresh throughout the long, tiring season. “Jack Phillipps has proved himself one of the most efficient managers ever to visit this country. "Hi 6 efficiency and easy friendliness made an important contribution to the popularity of the side off the field. “England did everything possible to win the four tests. .That we were unable to do so is confirmation that New Zealand has moved a long way up the Empire cricket ladder. "Walter Hadlee’s side will always be remembered here. His happy New Zealanders made many friends, who will never forget them. “We look forward to our next meeting with the New Zealanders.”

Australians To Play! 3 Matches

RECORD AMOUNT. A record amount of £IOB was raised in a street collection conducted by the King George V Memorial Children's Health Camp Committee in Whangarei yesterday. Tnis was £26 more than was collecteu last year, when the figure was £B2.

TWO WHANGAREI REGATTAS

At a preliminary meeting of the Whangarei District Progressive Society regatta committee on Thursday night it was decided to hold two regattas each in future. In December a rowing and speedboat regatta is to be staged at Port Whangarei and in February a “Mid-Century” regatta at Onerahi. Tentative dates for the two events are:—Port Whangarei regatta, December 10, Onerahi regatta, Saturday, February 25.

WHITE HERON AT OPUA A kotuku or white heron, has been seen at the mouth of the Kawakawa River near Opua, by Mrs J. Shortridge, who says the bird is a particularly fine specimen. A heron landed at the same spot 10 or 12 years ago, but only stayed a short period. The present visitor has been near the spot for a week. For the last three years one. and later two of these birds have spent the summer months feeding on the mudflats on the upper reaches of the Whangarei Harbour where they have been watched with considerable interest by bird lovers.

Cambrics and ginghams are always in demand for spring. A beautiful collection of the very newest is now being featured at Henry Wilson’s, from 3/11 yard. New spring goods are daily arriving and being assembled in the various departments. Ladies are reminded that inspection is always welcome at Wilson’s. r/wl

The Australian cricket team will play 13 matches in New Zealand next summer. w The Australians leave Sydney on February 9. The itinerary is:— February 14-15—v Hutt Valey, at Lower Hutt. February 17-21—Auckand, at AucklandFebruary 22-23—Waikato, at Hamilton. February 25-27—Taranaki, at New Plymouth. March 4-6—Canterbury, at Christchurch. March 7-B—South Canterbury, at Timaru. March 10-11—Otago, at Dunedin. March 14-15—South Island, at Invercargill. March 17-18-20—New Zealand, at Dunedin. March 22-23 Manawatu, at Palmerston North. March 25-27—Hawke’s Bay. at Napier. March 29-30—Wairarapa, at Masterton. April 1-2-3—Wellington, at Wellington.