WITH THE RAROTONGANS IN EGYPT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1432, 4 October 1917, Page 14

WITH THE RAROTONGANS IN EGYPT.

NATIVES’ PROWESS AT FOOTBALL AND BOXING.

HARDY SOLDIERS EXCEL IN ATHLETICS

OFFICER’S INTERESTING LETTER

Captain G. A. Bush, Officer Command ng the Rarotongan Company, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, sends an interesting letter from Palestine, describing the activities of the men under his charge, who have taken to New Zealand Rugby football and boxing as a duck to water. Cap-ain Bush is a brother to Mr. H. R. Bush, of the South Auckland Rugby Union, who is well known in racing circles as judge of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club, and being a keen football enthusiast, his impressions of Rugby football in Egypt and more particularly the activities of the Rarotongans in their latest field of athletics, afford interest reading. A series of photographs taken of the Rarotongans on active service are reproduced on another page. Captain Bush writes as follows: — “Kiaorana kotou e te au temariki” (which is “Love and luck to all you children” in* Rarotongan). I am in command of a little band of New Zealand Infantry in Egypt, and we are not far from the firing line in Palestine. I left the Dominion first in September, 1915, as a “sub.” in the Second Maori Contingent — the pioneers of Narrow Neck —going well through the Imperial School of Instruction at Zeitoun. I was sent back on duty to assist in the training of Maori reinforcements, and was in Narrow Neck Camp from June to November, 1916, eventually getting away in charge of a half company of

Rarotongans. We left without ceremony—no band, parade or other frills —from Auckland on November 15, and dropped into Egypt in December, 1916. In January of this year we joined the Mounted Brigade at El Arish and were used by the Naval authorit'es as surf-boatmen. Our brigade moving on the Sheikh Zowaid we trekked the 25 miles in two short days’ march, and joined them. No men fell out on this trek, and I attribute this to the fact that we had a football which was worked fully four hours a day in heavy sand. While at El Arish I saw some splendid Rugby between different New Zealand regiments, and the Rarotongans met the Wellington Mounted Rifle soccer team and played a draw w’th them.

While at Mosscar Sergeant lorangi, one of our Cook Islanders, made his first appearance in a boxing ring in a welter tourney, and did very well, going through four contests to the semi-final, :n which he was just beaten on points by the eventual winner of the class, who is an Australian boxer.

Since April we have been up here, and are attached to the Eastern Force Ammunition Unit, and our task consists chiefly of receiving and forwarding all classes of ammunition to the firing line from small arms to Bin. howitzers. These men have been complimented many times on their quickness in getting the stuff away and the apparent ease with which they handle heavy shells. One man tackles an Bin., which weighs 2001 b. and lifts it on to a waggon. I have a couple who occasionally carry six 601 b —three on each arm —some load you’ll admit. During the big April stunt the Rarotongans worked night

and day for three days without a murmur except for a sing-song in between times. They are very like the Maoris in nature, and happy to think they are doing something for the cause.

They have an Association Football team and their record to date is: — V. Wellington M.R., drawn, no score. V. British West Indians, drawn, one goal all. V. British West Indians, won, two goal to one. V. British West Indians, won, three goals to nil. V. British West Indians, won, four goal to one. V. 52nd D.A.C., drawn, one goal all. V. East Force Ammunition Unit, won, two goals to one. Now I have a rather pleasing piece of news for New Zealand footballers. We started Rugby football here a short time ago, and, being attached to an Imperial Unit, there was a great go as to the merits of the three-two-three pack against the New Zealand two-three-two. We had some good stuff to work on, and had a game. My team, packing two-three-two, had control of all the scrums, and the argument was all in our favour, resulting in a win by nine points to nil. Recently we played a team of Welshmen (all Rugby exponents), and, packing the New Zealand style against their three-two-three, we beat them by five points to three, although their backs were far superior to ours.

Captain Darbyshire, of the East Force Ammunition Unit, was “pivot” for us and the best forward on the ground. With a season in Auckland I think he would produ.ce “Bill” Cunningham’s best, and that’s a tall order. Lieutenant George Fromm (Gisborne, Poverty Bay and North Island country team) gave a fine exposition as fiveeighths in one spell and full-back in another. He was easily our best back.

We picked a Rugby team from the Rarotongans, and after a practice or two and coaching by Fromm and myself we met and defeated the other day the 42nd D.A.C. by 14 points to nil, Fromm scoring three nice tries, and Lance-Corporal Kopu, a Rarotongan three-quarter- notching a remarkably pretty try from very neat work. One try I converted. These boys are fairly fast, can stay all day, and with a I'ttle coaching will play the game well and keep New Zealand’s end up at Rugby.