BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 8

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

WANGANUI’S WELCOME * HERE TO PLAY THE GAME . Under the fringe of the hill, which, in far distant days, was the site of the Rutland Stockade, and on a vantage point provided by steps erected in honour of thc men who fell keeping vigil there, members of the British Rugby team were welcomed to Wanganui yesterday. There was a pleasing spirit of cordiality about proceedings, in which a crowd numbering upwards of 2000 took part. The visitors, escorted by Dr. G. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, arrived in the city by the afternoon’s New Plymouth Express and were driven to the Veteran Stops in the Civic Square. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. J. Rogers), City Councillors, representatives of the Rugby Union and public bodies were in attendance and the team was honoured in most enthusiastic fashion. Mr Rogers, with characteristic warmth, bado the visitors welcome. ILs wish, he said, and that of his follow councillors and every citizen was that the team would have a good time during their stay. Wanganui was honoured in having the first match allotted to A. The whole Dominion was anxious know how the visitors shaped. The line of thought he took in those things was that what mattered most of all was the spirit of the game. “Win or loose, the game is thc thing,” he said. He felt sure the Wanganui team would

give the visitors 44 a good go.” “Thcsfl visits are far too few,” Mr Rogers went ou. ‘‘We look upon them us ties to uind the freedjin of the British speaking peoples of the world.” He referred to tne election of Dr. Adams to the presidency of the New Zealand Union, and the honour it reflected on thc city. (Applause). JLlis Worship felt sure that the team would have a really good tune in Wanganui. “I confer upon you thc ‘freedom of the city,’ ” he said amid applause. “B 3 Sportsmen.” Dr. Adams, in an endorsement of the Mayor's sentiments, said that Wanganui had accorded the team a welcome which would not be bettered in any part of the Dominion. (Applause). He felt it an honour to be holding thc presidency of thc New Zealand Union at such a time. Not only because of tho visit of thc British team, but because 1930 was thc diamond jubilee year of Rugby in this country. Mr J. Baxter, the team’s manager, accepting “the freedom of the city,” jokingly remarked that it might be useful as many members of the team were young. (Laughter). “We have been in New Zealand three days so far and none of us ha\W been to these shores before, but the welcome wc received in Wellington and in Wanganui to-day endorses only what wo have heard at Home—the hospitality of New Zealand is unequalled tho world over,” said Mr Baxter. “I do trust that wc will get to know one another in thc six days wc will spend with you and that you will bo exceedingly sorry to see us go.” (Applause). Winning Does Not Count. “On behalf of thc players I thank you for your welcome,” said Mr F. D. Prentice, the team’s captain. “Wc are all fit and well and we are very keen, for the game next Wednesday. We look forward to a great game. It docsn’t matter what side wins. Wo will endeavour to play the game in thnrtvay in which it should be (Applause). The team was cheered as it departed, for Foster’s Hotel.