DEATH OF ALL BLACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 8

DEATH OF ALL BLACK

COLLAPSE DURING MATCH B. P. PALMER, OF AUCKLAND HEAD STRIKES OPPONENT'S HIP BRILLIANT FRONT-ROW FORWARD The All Black and Auckland forward, B. P. Palmer, died in the Auckland Hospital early yesterday morning following a collapse while playing in the senior Rugby football game between Otahuhu and University at thfl Epsom Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon. It is believed that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. Palmer was prominent throughout the game and, during the second spell, he charged toward a University player who was in possession of the ball. He dived to collar his opponent just as the ball was passed and his heatf struck the player's hip. Spectators state that the collision was not a violent one, but Palmer immediately collapsed on his back. The occurrence was witnessed by Dr. A. J. Watson, an honorary surgeon to the Auckland Rugby Union, and he at onco saw that Palmer's condition was serious. With others, ho conveyed the injured player to the Epsom Infirmary, where attention was given. Second Player Injured Examination at the infirmary and later at the hospital, where Palmer was taken by the St. John ambulance, 'failed to reveal any external injuries and there was no fracture of the skull. An operation was performed at the hospital, but the injured man did not regain consciousness and he died at about three o'clock yesterday morning. Palmer was aged 28, and lived with his mother at Favona Road, Otahuhu. He was not married. The funeral will take place at 3 p.m. to-day. The match was played in the best of spirit. The referee and other eye-witnesses of the game agree that x Palmer appeared to collapse. He could have charged into the player with the ball much more severely than he did, but he stopped quickly to avoid such a happening. Another player in this* match received concussion and had to be admitted to hospital. This was V. C. Butler, one of University's five-eighths. University was making desperate efforts to gain the lead in the last few minutes of the game, and Butler secured the ball and dashed for the line. He collided with an opponent and was injured to such an extent that his removal to hospital was ordered. He had made a good recovery yesterday and was not considered to be seriously hurt.

Brilliant Hooker Palmer was recognised as a brilliant front row forward, and on the recent tour of the All Blacks to Australia he was regarded by the critics as being one of the finest hookers New Zealand has ever, sent across the Tasman. It was while he was farming at Weymouth, near Manurewa, that Palmer's ability as a footballer was discovered, and he joined the Ponsonby Club in 1924. From that year until the end of last season he used to come to the city each week to play for his club or province. A change of residence and occupation saw him associated during the present season with the Otahuhu Club, and he was largely instrumental in bringing the senior team into prominence as a force to be reckoned with in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior competition. Palmer first represented Auckland in Mr. G. Nicholson's team of colts which journeyed to Wellington and defeated the southern team in 1924 by nine points to eight. He represented the province every year after that. He gained North Island honours in 1928 and 1932, and he took part in the All Black trials for the South African tour in 1923. Happy Disposition Palmer first represented New Zealand in 1928 when he played against New South Wales in all three test matches, in Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch. The following year he toured Australia with the All Blacks, captained by C. G. Porter, and he only recently returned from another visit to Australia with the All Blacks. He joined the Auckland touring team at Carterton and completed the southern tour with it.

After hearing and reading ot such good reports of his play in Australia this season the Auckland public was looking forward to seeing hiin in action again. He had been selected to play against Taranaki at Eden Park on Saturday next. Palmer was one of the most popular Rugby players in Auckland. He invariably played a good game and at all times displayed a most happy disposition.