THE ALL BLACKS

Southland Times, Issue 19458, 23 January 1925, Page 6

THE ALL BLACKS

FAR EWELL ED IN LONDON. LUNCHEON AT PICCADILLY HOTEL. PRESENTATION OF LOVING CUP. (Reuter’s Telegrams) LONDON, . January 21. ihe All Blacks visited King’s College Hospital this morning. Porter, the captain, in the presence of the Hospital Board and students, affixed a plate inscribed: “New Zealand Bed” to the head of a cot provided by New Zealand subscriptions. The team was previously photographed on the steps of the hospital, and was cheered by hundreds of youngsters, who crowded the windows of the neighbouring schools, to which the New Zealanders responded by waving their hats. The internationals—Cove Smith, Collins, Macmyn—and other members of the Hospital Club received the team L.nd conducted them, with Sir James Allen, to the Board room. REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. The most representative body of British sportsmen on record gathered at the luncheon at the Piccadilly Hotel to-day, presided over by Lord Desborough, in honour of the All Blacks and New Zealand. At the request of the Prince of Wales, who wished the function to be informal, the company, numbering 300, wore lounge suits. The Prince of Wales was present as a guest, and Sir James Allen was the host. A few of those who were unable to be present were the Dukes of Sutherland and Westminster, the Marquesses of Londonderry and Pembroke, Lords Lonsdale, Desborough, Denbigh, Portarlington, Burnham, Campden, Curran, Ashfield, Balfour, Pembroke, Cadogan, Strathspey, Riddel and Woolavington. Included among others present were Mr L. C. Amery (Colonial Secretary), Admiral Halsey, the Bishop of Buckingham, Generals Sir William Birdwood, Sir lan Hamilton and Sir Alexander Godley, members of the English fifteen, the President of the Scottish Rugby Union, representatives of Soccer football, Jimmy Wilde and Steve Donoghue THE PRINCE’S SPEECH. The Prince of Wales gave the toast “The AU Blacks,” which was broadcasted. He began: "Mr Chairman and fellowsportsmen,” and then dwelt on the advantage of the visit of such keen sportsmen, not merely to the Old Country, but to the Empire. The AU Blacks of 1925 had proved to be of the old brand of New Zealanders. He himself had seen that splendid brand in war-time. He pointed out that 11 members of the team were ex-service men, and he hoped that when they returned home they would teU the people that the Old Country knew how to lose, but were going to do their best not to make a habit of it. He wished the AU Blacks au revoir. MR DEAN’S REPLY. Mr Dean (manager), in replying, said he hoped the time was coming when the dominions would be taken into confidence and given a say in Rugby football He suggested a sort of Rugby Imperial Conference. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Mr Amery promised to do his best to visit New Zealand shortly, and urged that they should not allow 20 years to elapse before the AU Blacks revisited them. PRESENTATION BY THE PRINCE. After the luncheon the Prince of Wales presented a bowl to the AU Blacks. The menu was ornamented with a silver fern, and gave an account of the AU Blacks' matches here and in France. The following cable was drafted to Gilligan;—‘This great gathering of British sportsmen assembled to bid fareweU to the AU Blacks after their triumphant tour in the Mother Country, is watching with the greatest admiration the magnificent struggle between the two great teams. FeUcw sportsmen drawn from the ends of Empire.” AN ENJOYABLE TOUR. Lord Lonsdale, in proposing the toast of ‘The Chairman,” referred to the Brownlie incident. He emphasised that it was not a question of who was right or who was wrong. AU honour was due to the referee for saying what he believed to be his honest opinion. Mr Amery, in giving the toast of “The Land Where the AU Blacks Grow,” said they had not forgotten what they owed to the qualities of the New Zealanders as patriots and warriors. New Zealand had played her part worthily in the common interests of the Empire ever since she became a nation, and she would become even a greater factor in the conduct of all the affairs of the British Commonwealth. Mr Dean, in the course of his reply, referred to the titanic struggle in Australia, and said he sympathised with the English team. Nobody would be happier than the AU Blacks if they pulled the game out of the fire.

Mr Porter thanked Britain for a most enjoyable tour. THE LOVING CUP. At a function in the Hotel Victoria later Sir James Allen presented Nepia, for the New Zealand Rugby Union, with a Loving Cup, subscribed by New Zealanders in London, inscribed with verses written by Mr Pember Reeves, which are intended to be given whenever the cup is used in functions in New Zealand: ‘To the shining lead and the jersey black, To the journey without defeat, To the mighty hearts of the striving pack, And the runners with flying feet, This Loving Cup drink, drink in turn, While memory stirs each breast; And lift it high to the Silver Fern. And the record that beat the best.” Lady Allen presented replicas of the cup to each member oi the team, who each also received a gold medal from Sir Arthur Myers. “THE KINGS OF RUGBY.” Cyril Brownlie and Nepia were singled out for special ovations as they received the trophies. Mr Dean, returning thanks on behalf of the team, became enthusiastic over the hospitality everywhere accorded them. He eulogised the bonhomie and behaviour of the team, which was a happy family throughout. Sir Arthur Myers, praising the team’s exploits, recalled the French Press references to them as the “Kings of Rugby,” and as “the men who play a clean game with their skill and not their strength.” NEWSPAPER TRIBUTES. The newspapers editoriaUy join in congratulating the All Blacks, and cordially invite an early return. The Daily Telegraph favoors consideration of the suggestion that the overseas dominions should be given a say in the regulation of a sport in which they have proved their prowess. The Morning Post says the New Zealanders have demonstrated an inexhaustible will to victory which is somewhat lacking, momentarily, among England’s repreaentatrvw, not only on the football field, but on the cricket pitch. EFFECT OF THE ECLIPSE. The eclipse of the Sun on Saturday is expected to affect football. Greenwich observatory advises that matches be started earlier. It will probably be completely, dark in London at four o’clock if the sky is cloudy. THE CANADIAN PROGRAMME. VANCOUVER, January 22. The AH Black footballers, returning home from their triumphant tour of Britain and France, arrive at St. John, New Brunswick, on January 31, and spend several days sight-seeing in Eastern Canada. They are due at Vancouver on February 10, and remain here 11 days playing three games of Rugby. They then proceed to San Francisco, from which port they sail on February 25 for New Zealand.