ALL BLACKS RETURN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2031, 18 August 1920, Page 11

ALL BLACKS RETURN.

RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON. With one exception, all members of the New.. Zealand Rugby Football Team returned to Wellington by the Ulimaroa yesterday. The absentee was V. Wilson, of Auckland, who remained in Australia for business reasons and is proceeding direct from Sydney to Auckland. The manager (Mr T. H. Jones) reported that several players were suffering from injuries—Fletcher, McLean, 0 'Brien and Steele —and Carroll was on the sick list. Carroll proceeded to his home yesterday. Allj however, were improving. Only a bare 15 were available for the match against Wellington to-day. The trip had been a success from a scoring point of view.

The members of the team were accoided a civic reception at Wellington. There was a large attendance fully representative, of Rugby iltterests, and the proceedings were most enthusiastic. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke, M.P.) stated that, in view of the short notice, he was gratified to find such a large attendance. The All Blacks had done well in New South Wales, and had shown that Rugby had not receded as far as New Zealand was concerned. New Zealand could still produce a team which would hold its own in any other part of the world. Seven games were played in New South Wales, and seven games were won. It indicated the virility and physique of the New Zealanders. They were indebted to the latest teams of All Blacks, for they had proved that they were still fitted to represent the Dominion. Ho congratulated "Jimmy" Tilyard (who captained the team), Mr T. H. Jones (the manager), Mr Slade (chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union Committee) and every member of the team. T)r A. K. Newman, M.P., said that they all realised that the All Blacks had upheld the honour of the Dominion. In the past there might have been greater chances for individual play, but he regarded the team as almost equal to the original All Blacks. Regarding the Rugby game, he stated, with due deliberation, that it might have to be opened up, in order that it could retain its hold upon the public. - Mr T. H. Jones expressed the team's thanks. Members of the team were glad to be home, although they were given a splendid time during their stay in New South Wales. They had had a surfeit, of football—seven matches in 14 days, with a team of 19. A heavy strain was put upon the' men by a rather severe programme. The team scored 264 points, as against 246 points scored by the 1910 team which went to New South Wales. A total of 77 points was scored against the team. Altogether, New Zealand teams had played 72 matches in New South Wales, and had won 66-; only four had been lost, and two were drawn. When he stated in Sydney that he hoped the home teams would win he did with good reason. Rugby football in the State had fallen off considerably, and, while the New Zealand matches drew v crowds of 3000 and 4000, the attendance at unimportant League matches totalled 15,000. He was satisfied that the amended rules, as played in Auckland, would have to ; operate in New Zealand if the game was to hold its own. The recent amendment adopted by the English Union did not go far enough. Mr Jones concluded: "When I say that the team's record off the field was of the same high standard as on tire field, then you hear all there is to say regarding the team." Mr J. Tilyard stated that the team played good football, and would have played better football had they been up against it. The team was never up against it once, and on and off the field the members were thorough gentjemen. After the adjournment, the foreman of the jury requested the recall of the motorman, who was asked under which light he first saw the motor-ear, as there were two electric light poles on the road, one at the top of the rise and the other at the scene of tho accident. The posts were numbered 127 and 133. Witness: Tho pole was numbered 133. Mr Cuningham, in opening, stated that the tramlines where the collision occurred were projecting above the level of the road, and kept the car on tho track. The front left spring of the car was broken many months ago, as the present condition of the car showed. When Forsyth tried to turn off the rails to his right the spring was bumped from its socket and locked the steering apparatus, consequently the ear kept to the rails. Forsyth had not been drinking a quantity of liquor. The whole collision had been a pure accident, regrettable but unavoidable. Independent witnesses would bo called to show that Forsyth was travelling at 15 miles an hour, and not at an excessive speed. Forsyth had made a superhuman effort to dislodge the car from the rails. (Proceeding.)

came on, and at the last minute endeavoured to avoid contact by swerving to his right-hand side. It was too late, and the left-hand side of the motor-car struck the left front of the traniear. The tram was travelling at about five miles an hour, and judging by the damage done to the motor-car the latter must have been travelling at a high rate of speed. Witness was asked to back the tram and Griffin was extricated. Witness thought that there had been only one person in the motorcar. Forsyth smelt strongly of liquor. Witness identified the two brief bags and jar (produced) as being those found in the ear. There was about a chain's space on the motorist's right-hand side, of the tram-line, and room for him to pass on the left. To his Honour: The road was straight, with nothing to obscure the lights of the tram. To Mr Donnelly: On the motorists' left-hand side there was a "dip" which served as a channel. To Mr Hanlon: With dust on the rails, and a grade to ascend, it was impossible to obtain a speed of more than fivo miles. With a tram travelling at live miles an hour "it would bo impossible to pull it up in less than five yards. When 10 yards from tlie oncoming car, witness applied the emergency brake. He saw the motorcar first uniler a street light. Arthur G. Read, conductor on the trailer, gave corroborative evidence. Constable F. Swann stated that Forsyth smelt strongly of liquor and seemed to be dazed. . He had to be asked several times before he could give his name. This completed the case for the Crown and an adjournment was made to enable the jury to view the scene of the accident. (Proceeding.)

The :t(ith Annual Festival of the Choral Association will take place in the Cathedral on Thursday, October 7. There will be four practices altogether, the lirst taking place tomorrow evening in St.-Luke's Church, and the remainder in the Cathedral on September •S.i and .10 and October (i. It is hoped that over :;.">() choristers will be taking part from the 1-1 choirs afliliated. A limited number of festival books are now obtainable from the secretary.