PRAISE FOR ALL BLACKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18895, 18 December 1924, Page 13

PRAISE FOR ALL BLACKS.

"BEHAVED LIKE ANGELS."

CRITICISM DEPRECATED.

r FAIR NAME UNSULLIED.

TRIBUTE FROM A GENERAL-

]3v TelesraDh —Press Association— Copyright. (Received 9 p.m.) Sun _ LONDON. Dec. 16. Prominent members of tho Olympic Association with Lord Campden, Lord Caledon, and General Kentish, entertained several All Blacks at luncheon.

General Kentish described tho All Black- as evangels of tho liugby world. They behaved like angels on and off tho field. Their extraordinary prowess had amazed everybody. There had been too much criticism and too little eulogy of the finer side of the All Blacks. They had attracted thousands everywhere. They had not losf, one iota of their fair name, which was worth ail tho victories in the v.'orid.

Mr. S. S. Dean, tho All Blacks' manager, said he had refused to reply 1o criticism. It would not benefit Rugby, .-Mid t.he least said tho soonest mended.

RECEPTION AND DANCE.

KING'S INTEREST IN NEPIA.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Eecd. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 16.

Sir James and Lady Allen gavo a reception and dance in honour of the All Blacks at the Great Central Hotel. There were 1500 guests, including most of the resident New Zealanders,, officials of the Rugby Union, the captains of the London teams, and many notable English players.

The King sat with Sir James Allen at Saturday's match. He revealed a complete knowledge of Rugby, and picked out individual All Blacks. He was particularly taken with tho physique and fine play of Nepia.