Farewell Smoke Concert.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8206, 31 July 1905, Page 5

Farewell Smoke Concert.

In the Town Hall in the evening the members of the New Zealand team received an enthusiastic send-off from footballers from all over the Colony.

Amongst those present were the Premier (Right -Hon. R. J. Seddon), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr W. F. Massey), the Mayor of Wellington (Hon. T. W. Hislop), Sir Joseph Ward, Drs Newman and Pollen, Mr G. F. C. Campbell (vice-president of the Union), the manager (Mr George Dixon), representatives of the various Unions, the Selection Committee, and many others.

The following toasts were proposed and honoured:—" The New Zealand team," proposed by the Premier, and responded to by the manager of the team, Mr G. H. Dixon; " The Parliament of New Zealand," Mr Hislop—The Premier and Mr Massey; "The New Zealand Rugby Union," Sir Joseph Ward—The Chairman (Mr G. F. C. Campbell); " The Referees," Mr E. Wylie— Mr George Fache.

The Premier's announcement that the manager would be provided with a letter of introduction to the High Commissioner, and there would be another " for whom it might concern " was received with loud applause. After having consulted his colleagues and the Leader of the Opposition, it had been decided to instruct the High Commissioner to send from time to time reports of the team's doings at Home—(applause)—and if any accident or illness unfortunately befell any member of the team, his friends and relatives would be made aware of it. THE LAST FAREWELL. At nine o'clock yesterday morning a good crowd boarded the Admiral, and accompanied the team to the Rimutaka's side. Brief farewells were said, and the little steamer swung out, and the big liner headed for the Pacific, to the accompaniment of fog horns and hearty cheering. At Seatoun the Admiral drew up near the liner, a final cheer was given, " Auld Lang Syne " was sung, and half an hour later the good ship and the tiny fluttering hankerchiefs vanished from view.