DEMAND FOR SEATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 15

DEMAND FOR SEATS.

FOURTH TEST RESERVES. long vigil in queue, help for the unemployed. [nr IhLEGIUPH.— OWN COIUIESrO.NDKNT.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. Facing an all-day and' all-night vigil, several men started a quoue at an early hour this morning at Athletic Park, whero tlie booking for the fourth Rugby test opens to morrow morning at nine o'clock. By nightfall the queue numbered about 400 persons, equipped with rugs, seats, books, cushions and well supplied with pies and sandwiches. The Rugby Union olhcials studied the convenience of those in waiting, who received a pleasant surprise on being admitted to the stand today in order that, they would be under cover. Ihe line was kept intact in the coiridors of tlie stand, where those in it w'hiled away the hours bv playing cards, sinking, and, of course, in discussing football prospects. v It was a chance io help the unemployed, a big percentage of whom were in the queue. Ihe Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association was able to engage some 40 or oO unemployed returned men to purchase tickets for people who had applied to this organisation for assistance in tho matter ot reserving seats for the match, the applicants, of course, agreeing to mako payment to the men engaged for the purpose. Air. A. E. C lorton, acting-secretary of the association, stated that the action of the Returned Soldiers' Association was being taken solely to give tho unemployed men tho opportunity of earning a day's wage, and lor the job which tho men were carrying out each was to receive 30s. Ail envelope containing tho price of four tickets had been given to each man and when ho returned with tho tickets ho would receive his 30s.

It had also been arranged to supply tho men with tea and sandwiches, tho cost of which would bo borne by tho benevolent fund, "and," said Air. Gorton, "we might put on a pio for them later in the night." The association was getting nothing for the action it had taken. Other organisations and people have also engaged men to purchase tickets and aro making the job worth while. Tho indications this afternoon, however, were that those who had not by then lined up would be out of tho running for seats in tho stand. INCIDENTS AT TIMAIUJ. REMARKS BY DR. ADAMS. MR. S. S. DEAN'S EXPLANATION. [by telegraph.—rnEss association.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. An explanation of remarks attributed to Dr. (i. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, regarding foul play in the match between tho British team and the combined fifteen at Timaru was made by the chairman of the management committee of tho New Zealand Union, Mr. S. S. Dean, last evening. He said the remarks were not intended for publication, and were simply made during a confidential chat to members of tlie Wanganui representative team on the eve of their departure on the southern tour. A number of referees had been present at tho function at Wanganui on Saturday night, and Dr. Adams had also offered a few words of advice to them. At the instance of Mr. Dean it was decided to forward the press clippings of the remarks alleged to have been made to the president of the New Zealand Union for his explanation. JOURNEY TO ROTORUA. BUSH SCENERY ADMIRED. The British Rugby team reached Rotorua from Gisborne late yesterday afternoon. The team halted at Motu for morning tea and had lunch at Opotiki, leaving again at three o'clock. The visitors were met by a large crowd and briefly welcomed by the Mayor, .Mr. (1. S. Moody, and Mr. (1. Sha'lfoon, representing the Opotiki Rugby Union. Memliers of the team expressed great admiration of the bush scenery on the Motu Road, and stated that "they were very pleased at being able to come this way. Large numbers of Opotiki enthusiasts intend visiting Auckland for the third test. At Whakatane the party called at the District High School at the invitation of the school committee, being welcomed by tho Mayor of Whakatane, Mr. W. Sullivan, the president of the hakatane Rugby Union and the headmaster. Mr. 11. F. Wilkinson. The team received a great ovation from the children and the manager, Air. J. Baxter, in expressing appreciation of the kindly welcome advised tho children not to take the game too seriously, but to look on it as imparting valuable lessons to fit them for sterner' battles as they grew older.