THE SPRINGBOKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 254, 7 August 1937, Page 2

THE SPRINGBOKS

GOVERNMENT RECEPTION. EVERY ALL BLACK TEAM REPRESENTED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 6. Representatives of every Rugby football team which has represented New Zealand were present at a Government reception at Parliament Buildings this morning to the touring South African footballers. The 400 guests included Cabinet Ministers, members of bottt Houses, beads of Government departments, representatives of the law, public services, military*-, naval and air forces, the New Zealand selectors, and various sports bodies. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) began liis address at the reception by describing General Hertzog, Prime Minister of South Africa, whom he met at the Imperial Conference, as one of the most lovable of men. They had disagreed about many things, said Mr Savage, but they had established a friendship that would last while life lasted. The visit of the Springboks would similarly cement friendship. The Prime Minister recalled that Mr Percy Day (manager of the Springboks) had been “guide, philosopher and friend’' to the New Zealand Army team in 1919, and mentioned that the captain, Mr P. J. Nel, had represented his province 65 times. Mr Savage said the present gathering was the greatest reunion of All Blacks that New Zealand had ever had, among the former All Blacks present being Harry Roberts, who went to Australia with the 1884 team. Mr Day thanked Mr Savage for the cordial welcome and the kind references to General Hertzog, Mr Nel endorsed Mr Day’s remarks.

TOO MANY FUNCTIONS. NEED FOR REST EMPHASISED. WELLINGTON, August 6. There was a large attendance in the Town Hall this afternoon at the civic reception to the Springboks. Addresses of welcome were given by the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) and the president of the Wellington Rugby Union (Mr D. M. Prendeville). Mr Percy Day (manager of the Springboks) replied. “We can’t hope for fine weather, I suppose, when there are only 29 of us praying for a brilliailt day to-morrow and there are 10,000 or more of you praying for rain,” said D. Craven, vicecaptain of the team. “New Zealand is Rugby-stricken. In South Africa we are regarded as ordinary human beings, but here we are treated like kings.” “Civic functions are coming fast and furious because we travel so quickly between them. We hope that other cities will realise that it is not an act of discourtesy on our part if we ask that there be no further receptions,” said Mr Day. “We have a duty to pierform here, and it necessitates rest and care between matches, so that we may fight the fight on the battlefield of Rugby.” RECORD OF THE TOUR.

The record of the tour to date is:—

Opponents Pts. for Pts. agst Auckland 19 S Combined Team . 6 3 Taranaki 17 3 Manawatu 39 3 81 14