WORK OF SPRINGBOKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22805, 12 August 1937, Page 13

WORK OF SPRINGBOKS

RABBIT SHOOTING ENJOYED ACCOMMODATION AT WEEK-END [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION"] MASYEKTON, Wednesday Several members of the Springbok team who have been suffering from colds, went to bed after Tuesday's practice and, as a result, were considerably better to-day. They trained for over an hour this afternoon, but it was noticeable that Brand, the fullback, did not turn out. It is stated, however, that he will bo fit and well for Saturday. In their training to-day, the Springboks confined themselves to orthodox methods, but there was considerably more speed as compared with the previous afternoon. There is no doubt they have enjoyed the spell of fine weather in Masterton and, while avoiding social engagements as much as possible, they have taken every opportunity of getting out in the open. Motor trips round tho outlying country have been greatly favoured, while tho interest of a number of the players in rabbit shooting bids fair to outrival their lovo for Rugby. During their stay here the Springboks have been inundated by autograph hunters, and some members of tho team have been literally writing for hours. An instruction was issued in Masterton schools to-day to pupils to refrain from bothering tho visitors. Even so, a group of youngsters was waiting hopefully outside the hotel after nine o'clocK to-night. Tho final practice will bo held tomorrow morning and the team will return to Wellington in the afternoon. It was stated to-day that Featherston hotels, 45 miles from Wellington, were' booked out by test visitors unable to obtain accommodation in "AVcllingtou at the week-end.

TRADING IN SEATS MATCH ON SATURDAY DEMANDS BY SPECULATORS Handsome profits aro evidently anticipated by speculators who bought grandstand scats at Athletic Park. Wellington, for the first Rugby test between tho Springboks and the All Blacks 011 Saturday. In a Wellington newspaper 011 Tuesday advertisements appeared offering for sale a total of 40 seats in the central blocks and several others in the side blocks and grandstand enclosures.

Most of the advertisers are willing to dispose of seats for the highest offer which they receive, but several of them are stipulating a definite price. One man with four seats for sale is offering them at £7 a pair, but at least three speculators are demanding £5 a seat. Tho actual cost of tho seats was £1 each. Another indication of tho extent to which Wellington is gripped by a "football fever" 011 tho eve of the match is provided by tho number of advertisements in Wellington newspapers offering bedroom-accommodation for what tho advertisers call "Springbok weekend." It appears almost as if everyone in Wellington with a spare bedroom is offering to rent it for a day or two.