AUCKLAND ALL BLACKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22172, 27 July 1935, Page 18

AUCKLAND ALL BLACKS

A CIVIC FAREWELL - TRADITIONS OF RUGBY GAME ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR , A civic farewell to the Auckland members of the 1935 All Black team was tehdered by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest , Davis, in the council chamber of the Town Hall yesterday. The players pre- \ sent were T. H. C. Caughey, D. Solo- , mon, W. E. Hadley, C. S. Pepper and H.' F. McLean. M. N. Corner was absent owing to indisposition, and H. E. Brown is visiting Taranaki. Representatives of all sports bodies, as well as members of the general public, were present. • In wishing the players a successful tour, on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, t!he Mayor said he endorsed those j sentiments also as president of the New Zealand Football Association, as president of tho Auckland Football Association und as vice-president of the Auckland Rugby League. Both codes ! wished the team well. | "The presence in the 1935 All Black j team of seven Aueklanders speaks elo- | quentlj of the standard of Rugby football in our city," said Mr. Davis. "1 feel sure that the form which attracted tho attention of the selectors will be reproduced on the playing fields of England, to the credit of the side and the benefit of Rugby in the United Kingdom. * Famous Predecessors "The same prediction can be made with equal certainty regarding the form oi the other members of the team, into th' 3 hands of all of whom the maintenance of the highest traditions -of New Zealand Rugby can with confidence be entrusted. "Great signposts in the history of the game point the way to any New Zealand team which travels oversea. The records of your famous predecessors call for the best you can possibly i offer when you meet the British sides, j Naturally your aim is victory, but 1 j do not need to remind you that the j playing of the game for the game's sake is in the forefront of all your considerations. In defeat there caii only be dignity,, and in victory. generosity for the vanquished. "As with previous tours, this year's visit to the Old Country will add another link to that chain of fraternal associations which binds together the constituents of the British Commonwealth. I wish you bon voyage, accomplishments which,, if possible, will write i'resh H ug'oV history, and finally God speed." Confidence in Manager Mr. ilt. Rosser, a member of the City Council, and Archdeacon H. F. Hol■Jbrook also spoke. Replying on behalf of his team fellows, T. H. C. Caughey said they were following in the footsteps of outstanding teams. Whether they could emulate the deeds of their predecessors they did not know, but they were sure, that, under Mr. V: R. Meredith, in whom they had unbounded confidence, they would acquit themselves well. The team will assemble in Wellington on Monday morning. The South Island players will leave Lyttelton by the ferlry steamer to-night, and tho North itsland players will travel south by train to-morrow night. With Mr. Meredith, who is already in Wellington, thß team will sail for England by the Rangitiki at daybreak on Wednesday. r