THE FRIGID HAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XL, Issue 13263, 23 December 1913, Page 6

THE FRIGID HAND.

TO ALL BLACKS IN 'AMERICA. "Americans don't like being beaten, and they, don't liko losing money," was tho cryptic comment of one member of the "All Black" team of footballers who returned from America. "Were yon hospitably treated?" was asked. "Well, no! At least not by the Californian Union. Some of tho people we met could not do enough for us, but the Califorman .Union had the frozen hand. More than once we went to fulfil an engagement, rind there was no one there to meet us. They weren't worrying much, anyhow !" "Why?*' "Well, I think it was because they lost money on the first few games." "Lost money?" "Yea, all because nobody knew that wo were there. The games weren't advertised as they should -have been. The American is largely bluff. Look at this — he had a good attraction, and didn't know how to handle it. Then, because the money didn't just roll m they got cool aud nasty. It was better when w* got to the "colleges. At each of the college games we nad about 5000 or 6000 students. Of course, you heard i about the rough play m the second game | with the • Californian University. We couldn't make it out at first, and took it all m good part, but when they made it hot we could do nothing but get back, nnd \vi! made hacks of them at that game. The coach was going to order his team off the field, and things were only middling, but we got going again. That was when they scored tiie only try of the tour. Nobody was watching them and thoro were only a couple of men to paas, and they scored a try." "And how did the tour wind up financially?" "We went over at their invitation, you know, and after paying our fares, board and lodging, and washing, they came out about square. They did really well towards the end. At t/ho last match against All America there must have been about 12,Q()0 present. The lowest price of admission was 75 cents (os), and the highest a dollar and a-half (65)." "Did they, allow the members of the team pocket money?" "No— not a, e«nt. But that wwn't expected !"