GOOD-BYE!

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18895, 10 January 1927, Page 9

GOOD-BYE!

0 I MAORIS LEAVE ENGLAND. DELIGHTED WITH TOUR. —: i (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTSIGHT.) lACSTKAUA3 AK» K.S. CABLB ASSOCUTIOS.) ! LONDON, January 7. Merrily singing tho Froth-blowers' Anthem and performing a farewell haka, twenty-six of the members of the Maori team steamed out. from Euston Station amid the cheers of a large crowd. Mr C. J. Wray accompanied the team to Liverpool. Mr Parata and S. Gemmell will arrive in Wellington by tho Narkunda the day after the team reaches Auckland. The manager, Mr Harris, in an interview paid a tribute to the kindness and courtesy shown the team everywhere in Britain and France. They were delighted with the results of the tour. The team will receive'the Prince of Wales's medals from Mr Coatcs after their arrival. Mr Harris said ho was agreeably surprised by the high standard of play in England, where they found an abundance of first-class players. Ho had no wish to make any excuse for thoir defeats beyond pointinp out that wet grouuds did not suit the Maoris' best form. Earlier selection of English international teams would ensure a spirit of combination and better results. Considering tho short time the French had played Rugby their standard was marvellous. There were already many stars. Besson was one of the finest three-quarters he had ever seen. French schools were keenly fostering Rugby and would provide fine recruits, enhancing the standard of play. Barclay, who was wearing a slipper owing to a poisoned toe, hurt on the hard ground in the final match in Paris said he was satisfied with the results of the tour. The toughest struggles in Britain were the first match at Newport and the last at Cardiff.