HOMELESS TEAM ALL BLACK FIASCO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 12

HOMELESS TEAM

ALL BLACK FIASCO

NO ROOM AT HOTEL WEAKIY WATT IN LOUNGE FORCED TO SLEEP ON SHIP [ijy telegraph —prksr association] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The members of the New Zealand Rugby football team, which is to leave for Sydney by the Wanganclla tomorrow for its Australian tour, assembled in Wellington to-day, only to find themselves without accommodation. This had been booked for them at one of tho leading hotels, but in the customary race week rush the footballers were left unprovided for. The trouble appears to have arisen from tho New Zealand Rugby Union's inability to give tho hotel the exact number of the 25 All Blacks who would require accommodation to-night. Ihe players were instructed to assemble "not earlier than July 6," and it was expected that a number would not come to Wellington until to-morrow. Shipping Company's Help The whole team was in the hotel by lato this afternoon, however. A lounge was placed at their disposal and luggage was crowded into it while Rugby Union officials sought alternative accommodation. Eventually tho permission of the Huddart-Parker Shipping Company was obtained for the team to take up its quarters on the Wanganella. Hie players accordingly, transferred themselves and some of their luggage to the cabins they wilT occupy on the voyage, leaving the rest of their belongings at tho hotel, to bo transferred later. Comment by Players Among members of tho team, although they described themselves as perfectly comfortable on board, there was a good deal of comment on tho breakdown of accommodation arrangements. Apart from the fact that many had arranged to meet Wellington friends at the hotel, and the uncertainty as to whether they would find accommodation of any sort, there was a feeling of annoyance at having to leave tho hotel after having gone there in the usual way according to instructions.