THE ALL BLACK TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1928, Page 4

THE ALL BLACK TOUR

TARANAKI’S REPRESENTATIVE. PRESENTATION TO P. WARD. A large and representative gathering of footballers assembled in the Clifton Hall, Waitara, for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. Pat Ward, the well-known Clifton player, who has had the distinction of being the only Taranaki representative chosen to uphold the honour of New Zealand in the football fields of South Africa. Mr. H. Spurdie, president of the Taranaki Rugby Union and a club-mate of the guest, presided, and there were also present Messrs Janies McLeod (chairman), J. Garcia and S. E. Neilsen (secretary), representing the Rugby Union. “A giant in his assistance to the club and a great leader,” were the words with which Alj. Spurdie aptly described Pat Ward in making him a presentation of a pocket wallet on behalf of the Clifton Football Club. The club, he eaid, was very proud tliat he had been selected, and so, too, was every footballer in Taranaki and .the Taranaki Rugby Union.

Mr. McLeod expressed the union’s appreciation of Mr. Ward, both as a man and a player, and their recognition that his prowess in the game justly entitled him to the position in which h© thought they would all agree was the greatest team that had ever left New Zealand. He was an adept footballer—a man who had no peer in the department in which he specialised. No man in New Zealand had better control of the ball with his feet than Pat Ward. Control of the ball with the feet at times was as useful as the brilliancy of the inside backs. The Springboks had shown that they could dribble, and dribbling was becoming a lost art in New Zealand. Pat Ward was an honest type of player who grafted hard and saw that he took the field fit. Off ■ the field, too, he would do Taranaki credit. He had had'differences and when called to account by the union took his gruel well, that being the true test of Whether or not a player played the game for the game’s sake. Those Who watched his play critically were satisfied that be was one of the most solid players in New Zealand.

The members of .this team were carrying a responsibility greater than any other team that had left New Zealand. For one reason, the New Zealander was better know in England, and for another South Africa was not united, politically speaking. South Africa was a nation of two races—one not yet reconciled to the new conditions under which they found themselves to-day. That particular section was a great football race, and while football was a religion in New Zealand, it was held as a greater religion in South Africa. New Zealand was part of the great federation of the Brtiish Empire, to which one section had never been too cordially disposed.

Mr. McLeod felt that the bringing together of the young people of New Zealand and this race on the football field could not but have a good effect. The men who were being sent were good average New Zealanders, and the fact of this team going to South Africa to challenge them practically for the world’s supremacy in the game would cause all eyes to be on them, and they could be relied upon to 'behave as sportsmen and gentlemen. lie felt that Rugby football eould do a great' deal, to cement the growth of friendship between the young Dutch and the Afrikander. He was sure that their representatives would at all times uphold the dignity of New Zealand and show that, in social life too, they were always gentlemen. Mr. McLeod presented Sir. Ward with a travelling bag and rug. Mr. J. Garcia spoke of the serious manner in which their guest had taken his football when on the southern tour, being very thorough in his training and always taking the field fit to play the game out to the end. He had no doubt but that Mr. Ward would uphold t'he honour of New Zealand. He expressed regret that Mr. J. McLeod was not accompanying the team to South Africa as manager. For nearly twenty-five years Mr. McLeod had 'been actively associated with the management of football in Taranaki. As president of the New Zealand Rugby Union he had been closely associated with the- Springboks during their tour of the Dominion, and his appointment would have been well merited. Mr. Ward, who was enthusiastically greeted, briefly expressed his thanks. He was pleased to have played for Clifton and Tarinaki because he loved the game. When'he came back from South Africa he would ‘be pleased to teach anything he had learned to younger players.

On the initiative of the chairman sheers were given for Mr. Ward. Subsequently the gathering adjourned to the Marble Bar, where they Svere entertained to light supper. A eihort toast list was honoured.

Mr. Ward leaves on Saturday for Christchurch, .where he will spend a few days before joining the team.