NORTHWARD BOUND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 15

NORTHWARD BOUND

AN EXCITING DEPARTURE. Slowly the steamer Congress swung wide of tho wharf and turned'her nose seaward. Presently the engines rumbled more loudly, and dhe began to gather way. What were we to do? Tho manager was left behind, and he had all the tickets. Suddenly', to our groat relief, a launch put out towards the steamer, containing Mr Mason; a rope ladder was swung over, and tho manager clambered aboard amidst applause. It was due to Mayor Rolph’s efforts that he had caught the steamer. We had a fair passage up the coast and a better steamer than the Congress it would ’ be hard to find. She is unanimously voted by the party the most comfortable and tho best vessel they have travelled in. Sunday and Monday, tho 16th and 17th, passed pleasantly, and on Monday afternoon we turned Cape Flattery* into the Straits of Juan de Fuca, on the way to Puget Sound and Seattle. We arrived at Seattle about 9 p.m., and arrangements were made for us to stay on board ship for tho night. We had a good look round the town, and Mr Alec. McMillan, formerly of Christchurch and Wellington, who is located there, took some of ns for a motor drive, which was delightful. Early next morning wo left by one of the C.P.R. boats, tho Princess Victoria, for Victoria, and about 1 o’clock landed onco more on British soil. And proud and glad wore tho looks wo cast at tho Union Jack floating above the Government buildings. Victoria, where we were to play two matches, is situated on Vancouver Island, about eighty miles from Vancouver, which is on tho mainland, and has a population of between 40,000 and 50,000 people. While there we lodged at tho Dominion Hotel, and had our meals at tho Camosun Club, whoso secretary is a New Zealander, Mr George Nichol-

son, formerly of Wellington. We arrived in time for lunch, and from that I’uesday till the following Sunday, when wo left for Vancouver, wo were right royally treated by the Camosun Club in genera] and fVIr Nicholson in particular. Hero we tasted real butter, in the shape of a consignment from Rangitikei, New Zealand, and right good it was, too. On Wednesday afternoon we played the Victorian team, and struck a husky bunch of forwards—an allround team that knew considerably more of the game than the Californians. Tho ground was turf, but heavy from tho rains which were almost continual from the time we left San Francisco, and a cold wind blew down tho ground. New Zealand won a tough battle, mainly amongst tho forwards, by 23 points to nil, the spells being 30 minutes each. R. Roberts scored the first try after a quarter of an hour’s play, and it was not improved by Graham’s kick. Mitchinson then scored a, try and converted it,’ and shortly afterwards the same player kicked a good penalty goal. The remainder of the score was made up of three unconverted tries in the second spell by E. Roberts, Cain, and Loveridge, tho scoring being in that order. The Victorians’ forwards were better and harder to heat than any team wo had met on the tour, and a rather lax control on tho part of the referee added sometimes an element of roughness in tho forward play, but altogether it was a very pleasant game. In the evening wo were entertained by the Camosun Club to a dinner, and tho tables weie decorated with fern after the New Zealand pattern, only the walls were hung with tho Union Jack and the New Zealand Ensign. An apology for absence was received from the Premier, Sir Richard McBride. Tho whole party had a very pleasant evening. The Thursday and Friday before tho return match were spent in viewing sites and in taking motor drives. We also witnessed tho “All-Star” game of the previous Saturday in moving-picture form from a film sent up to the manager from San Francisco. This film has been brought to New Zealand by Mr Mason and H. Taylor. It rained heavily on the two nights preceding the game, and although *the afternoon was fine the ground was again heavy. In this game New Zealand played better than on the Wednesday, and had ho difficulty in winning by 35 to nil. Tries were scored by Lynch (4), McGregor (2), McKenzie and Taylor, Stohr converted two and kicked a penalty goal, and Cain and Roberts each converted a. try. PLAYING AGAINST DEATH. It was in this match that tho regrettable accident that led to the death -of Peter Ogden occurred, and ;he sad happening put quite a'damper on ihe whole tour. Ogden played fullback for Victoria, and it would be difficult to find a more reckless player or one who launched himself into a game with so little regard for tho consequences. The risks that he continually ran were great, and altogether he was knocked out on three occasions. Each time he acted peculiarly and was badly dazed, but he answered all queries with tho reply, “I’m all right,” and simply ref used to quit playing. Subsequent happenings revealed the fact that Ogden received a mortal hurt tho first time he went down, and it is dreadful to contemplate that we ..were playing against a dying man for a considerable part of the game. That hurt was caused by diving head-firsa into a forward rush. Ogden was carried off the field a few minutes before the game ended and he died on tho way to the hospital. Tho team, with the exception of McDonald and Douglas, who were subpoenaed for the inquest, left for Vancouver on Sunday afternoon. At the inquest held evidence was given by Mr Patterson (the referee), McDonald, Watkins (captain of Victoria), and a doctor. The medical evidence stated that death was due to concussion and hemorrhage, and, a verdict of purely accidental death was returned. The funeral took place on Wednesday, November 26th, and the New Zealanders sent a handsome wreath. FINAL MATCH OF THE TOUR.

McDonald and Douglas rejoined-'' tha party at the Hotel St. Ilewis on Monday night, and on the Tuesday the last match of the tour was played, against Vancouver, at Stanley Park. The rain had been almost continuous, and although it was fine for the gam© the ground was muddy, very heavy, and in places covered with water. The team badly wanted Mr L. P’attorson, who had officiated in the second, Victoria game, for referee, but he was not available. Mr Patterson was quite the beet referee wo had struck in America. Finally a substitute was secured, and ho gave every satisfaction. Tuesday was an off-day in Vancouver, and the date could not bo altered, as the Niagara left the nest day, but a largo crowd turned out and viewed the game enthusiastically. The Maori cries of a bunch of New Zealanders were qhita a feature of the proceedings. The nain held off during the game, and, despite the adverse conditions of the ground the backs gave a magnificent display of the passing game, while Stohr’s goalkicking with the heavy, greasy ball was really marvellous. All his £oals were kicked from the touchlihe, and the ball sailed squarely over between tbo uprights in the fashion the Taranaki man was wont to show in New Zealand. The score of 44 to nil is sufficient indication that the play was fast. E. Roberts, who played a, great game, scored the first try by working the blind side, and.Stohr converted with a great kick. Mitchinson scored the second try and Stohr kicked another beautiful goal. McGregor next touched down, but Stohr missed, only to kick a great goal a few minutes afterwards from a try by McKenzie. Three more tries were added before half-time, McGregor scoring two and Stohr one. Tho score read 27—0 at tho interval. In the second spell the passing was good and the pace fast. Mitchinson set the ball rolling with a try,, and . then McGregor scored his third try, after a grand,* dodging run, and Stohr kicked another of his “specialities.” Roberts scored again and Mitchinson notched the last two tries of the of the tour, all three goals being missed. “GOOD-BYE” We met many New Zealanders in Vancouver, and they entertained members of the team both individually and collectively, although our stay was all too brief. Shortly after noon on Wednesday, November 26th, we boarded the Niagara, and a ooupfe of hours later bade “Good-bye” to the wet, cold north, and were homeward bound. That evening w© reached Victoria, but the weather was too bad to go •alongside, and it was not until early morning that the Niagara tied up at tho wharf. An hour later she was full speed ahead for Auckland. We encountered a very heavy gala immedi-

ately after we left the shelter <sf the Lapd, and the ship was hove-to for seventeen hours at the height of the storm on Friday night, November 28tb. After the first week the weather was fine and the remainder of the trip was very pleasant. At Suva on Saturday last the “sports” of the town gave the returning tourists a real British' welcome, and entertained them right royally. Through the efforts of Paddy Sheehan, tho ex-Dunedin and Otago representative player, Rugby" has obtained a strong hold on the island, and a match had been arranged between New Zealand and the Suva fifteen. This was played in the late afternoon, and afforded the islanders, »nd also the majority of tho jiassengers off the Niagara, an opportunity of witnessing the Blacks in action. The ground provided was excellent turf, and although it was very warm for Rugby football tli© visitors carried all before them, winning by 67 points to 3 (a try). Mr W. W. Hill, of the New South Wales Rugby Union, who returned homo on the Niagara, was referee, and Paddy Sheehan captained the island team, which, by tho way, is composed of white, men, mostly New Zealanders. Tli© Governor, Sir Ernest Swect-Escott, kicked off. His Exceflency takes a great interest in the game, and has provided a very handsome shield for competition amongst the clubs in Suva. It was won this season by the club to which Paddy Sheehan belongs. In the evening we were all entertained to an excellent dinner, and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. His Excellency presided. THe ship loft about 11 p.m., and the Suva boys gave us an enthusiastic send-off.