JOURNEY'S END

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22346, 18 February 1936, Page 15

JOURNEY'S END

ALL BLACKS RETUKN WELCOME AT AUCKLAND GREETINGS FROM FRIENDS THE OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS After a tour lasting seven and a-hali months, during which they played .'3l matches.in Great Britain, Ireland and Canada, the 1935 All Blacks returned to New Zealand yesterday by the Aorangi from Vancouver, landing at Auckland at about 7'a.m. They played 28 games in Great Britain and Ireland, of which they won 24, drew one and lost three, in Canada they won their three games with ease. Members of the team leaned against the rail and waved and shouted greetings to friends in the crowd on Central Wharf as the Aorangi drew alongside. And practically everyone in the crowd waved and shouted back. Cheers were called for and given. The gangway was lowered and scores of people rushed on board, where greetings were exchanged and congratulations showered upon the footballers. Personal greetings were followed by official welcomes. The men were met by members of the New Zealand and Auckland Rugby Unions and a welcome also was extended by Mr. C. G. Macindoe, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Tlio remainder of the morning was free, but at 12.15 p.m. the team assembled at the Town Hall, where a civic reception was held by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis. There was an attendance of about 2000. Later the team was accorded a complimentary luncheon at the Hotel Cargen by the New Zealand Rugby Union. Most of the southern members left for their homes by the limited express last night. All'the players looked particularly fit yesterday ,and, in spite of the wonderful time they had had abroad, all said they were glad to return home again. They had had an interesting trip across Canada and a pleasant voyage from Vancouver. Tributes to the men as individuals and as a team were paid by passengers and members of the ship's company, who were greatly impressed by their bearing. "They have been a magnificent lot of ambassadors for the Dominion," said a traveller who had made the journey from England with the team.

LUNCHEON TO TEAM LESSONS LEARNED ON TOUR KNOWLEDGE TO BE IMPARTED A welcome home luncheon was tendered the members of the All Black team at Hotel Cargen after the Town Hall function. j\lr. H. Frost, president ,of the Auckland Rugby Union, presided, and among others present were the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. Ernest Davis, Mr ; F. T. Glasgow, acting-chair-man of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. T. A. Fletcher, a member of the management committee of that body, and representatives of all amateur sports bodies in Auckland. Mr. Frost apologised for the absence of Mr. G. H. Dixon, manager of the 1905 All Black team, and Messrs, G. Nicholson and G. A. Tyler, members of that combination.

After the loyal toast had been honoured Mr. Glasgow proposed the toast of "Our returned New Zealand team." He referred to the fact that New Zealand teams would be called upon to meet Australia this year and South Africa next year, and said he hoped the members of the 1935 All Black team would give the benefit of the knowledge they had gained on tour to the younger generation of players in the districts to which they would be returning. "Football has given a lot to you, and inow it is up to you to do something for football," concluded Mr. Glasgow. In the course of a brief reply Mr. I V. R. Meredith, manager of the team. I said every one of its memberu had learned many lessons on the tour. He i was sure the players would be only too I glad to impart their knowledge so that when the old fronds of the fern leaf began to wither the young fronds would , wave again luxuriously in the winds of Rugby football. * C. J. Oliver, vice-captain of the team, said all the players would do their best for the younger generation. He referred to the fact that it happened to bo the Mayor's birthday and he trusted that all the future birthdays !°f Mr. Davis would be as pleasant as the one yesterday. Mr. 'Davis said that on behalf of the 'citizens of Auckland and New Zealand he desired to thank Mr. Merediith for the way in which he had held the discipline and goodwill of members of the team. The Mayor's health was drunk with musical honours, and the gatherling dispersed after three cheers had ; been given for Mr. Meredith and Mr. IDa?is.

THE JOURNEY HOME CANADIAN EXPERIENCES FITTING END TO THE TOUR "We had wonderful weather during our sea travel almost throughout the tour," said Mr. V. R. Meredith, manager of the All Black team, on arrival yesterday. Enthusiastic accounts of experiences in Canada were given by several members of the team. In Montreal they had been thrilled at one of the principal ice hockey matches. "It was the fastest, game we saw on this tour," said one of the players, "and the excitement of the huge crowd was most infectious."

At Montreal the team also engaged in winter sports, most of them for the first time. A brief stay was made in Toronto and a visit was paid to Niagara Falls. While in Winnipeg the team got an insight into true Canadian conditions, at a temperature of 47 degrees below zero. The whole of the transCanadian journey revealed the country under heavy snow, and a stop at Sicamous gave the team a close acquaintance with the invigorating conditions in the Rockies.

The matches played on the Pacific Coast were most enjoyable, one member of the team stated. The standard of play was surprisingly good and was Judged to be about that of a minor provincial team. "What they miss is the opportunity for more play with outside teams," Mr. Meredith said. That the trip down the Pacific had been a fitting conclusion to a wonderful tour was the general opinion of the team. At Honolulu they motored out to the famous Waikiekie Beach. In Suva they had been the guests of the local Rugby Union and had been "shown the sights" and had also renewed many acquaintances made on the football field. Tributes to the players were paid by Eassengers on the Aorangi and by inemsrs of the ship's company.