HAEREMAI!

Wairarapa Age, 18 March 1925, Page 5

HAEREMAI!

ALL BLACKS RETURN. GAY SCENES IN WELLINGTON., WELLINGTON, March 17.—Tremendous enthusiasm was shown at the return of the victorious All Blacks. Punctually at 9 o’clock the team disembarked wjule a band played "See the Conquering Heroes Come.” Having been welcomed by relations and friends, the members oOthe team foregathered on the platform in the gaily decorated Harbour Board shed. All the team looked in the best of health, including Richardson, who, obliged to use a crutch. Mr G. Mitchell, chairman of the Harbour Board, welcomed the team on behalf of the Board. He said that those at home followed the tour right from the very day the team left. He thought the All Blacks were the greatest advertisement New (Zealand had had since the Expeditionary Force in the Great War. “You have played the game on and off the field, and we are proud of you,” he said. “We are proud of your unbeaten record. You have silenceS the critics both in this country and in England. If there were any regrettable features in the tour, wc know you were not to blame. You are our heroes, and as heroes will be always remembered in the history of our country.” (Prolonged cheers.) The manager (Mr S. S. -Dean) had to® call for silence several times before he could sufficiently silence the cheering. In reply, he said: “We have had a happy time, and we have received boundless hospitality wherever we went. Nevertheless, we are glad to bo back, and still think New Zealand the best country of them all. The team played the game on and off the field, and generally behaved wonderfully well. From the day we left New Zealand tßere has not been a single argument or dispute. If there is a finer body of boys in New Zealand it will be a hard job to find them. My only regret is losing my family.” The crowd called for a haka, and the team, led by Ncpia, responded.— (P-A.) COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON. MR. MASSEY’S WISE ADVICE. LAST NlGHT.—There was a crowded attendance at the luncheon given by the Government. The Prime Minister was in the chair and besides members of the team and official party and 50 or 60 Parliamentarians, were W. T. Wynyard, G. A. Williams and W. Elliott of the' Native 1888 team, and W. J. Wallace, H. D. Thomson, F. Roberts, F. T. Glasgow, W. 8. Glenn and G. H. Dixun (manager), of the 1905 team.

Mr Massey proposed the “Victorious AU Blacks,” and referred to the exploits of previous sides, including the Army team, and to the victories of the oarsmen in Sydney last week. They had been a good advertisement for the Dominion, and now they had come back to settle Xjown to the seriof Mfe, which he counselled them to tackle as earnestly as they had played their football, and above all,. whatever the future held in store, to play the game for their country. Both Mr Dean and C. G. Porter replied, the former again laffing stress on the exceUent relations that had existed among the. players from beginning to the end, He mentioned the presentation of the Loving Cup in England, and the trophy itself was conspicuously displayed. Besides that another cup was presented by the .Vancouver people for competition among the primary schools. They also gave each member of .the team gold sleeve links.. He thanked the Government for voting the £lOOO which enabled the men to return by Canada.

Porter, also thanked. Mr Massey for the kindly messages received from time to time encouraging the team before matches and. congratulating them after.—(PA.) > GAIETY AT JAZZ BALL. RECEIVED MIDNIGHT: Twelve hundred assembled for the jazz ball to the AU Black#. The Loving Cup and other trophies were on view. “Son” White made a presentation of an oak and silver tantalus to ,Mr Dean, and Badeley handed a rosebowl to Porter. Gay scenes were witnessed and the revelry extended far into the night. The Hon. J. G. Coates, and many Rugby officials were present.—(P.A.) HARVEY’S RETURN. “The Age” made exhaustive inquiries in Wellington last night con- - cerning the return to Masterton of lan Harvey, but could receive no information beyond that he would be returning probably to-day by the .afternoon express. Q. Donald wiU return at the same, time to Featherston where elaborate arrngements have been made to celebrate the occasion. A meeting of the Committee of the Masterton FootbaU Club, of which Harvey is a member, was held last night to arrange for a welcome home.