BLANKETS ON PATHS; SLEEPING IN CARS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 2, 25 September 1937, Page 5

BLANKETS ON PATHS; SLEEPING IN CARS

•Prcss Aauociatiou-.)

Test Enthusiasts 14 SPECIAL TRAINS Rugby Legions Pour Into Auckland RAIN SOFTENS GROUND

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, This Day. From all points of tho compass, and by every means of transport, people are flocking to Auckland to-day for the final Test. Throughout the night and again to-day the railway traffic has established a reeord. Commencing with a train from Wellington at 2.19 this_ morning, 34 special trains poufed in with excursionists up to 10.18 a.m. Passengers arriving in the early morning remained in the steam-heated trains until five o'clock, when the rcfreshment rooms opened for breakfast — and what a pusk there was. Several parties parked thoir cars outside Eden Park at ten o'clock last night and huddled together in fitful sle'ep. Other intending patrons spread blankets on the footpaths. When the gates opened early this morning, 700 people rushed for the best places. By tcn o'clock the crowd on the ground was estimated at 2000. A change of wind and sunshine yesterday dried the grouud eufficiently to give rise to high hopes o t a dry grouud ior 'the epic battle, but when rain fell at nine o'clock this morning hopes were dispelled. Thereafter light showers fell, with interveniug sunshine. The Springboks last night realised that the" ground was unlikely to be to their liking, but rose in good spirits with their determination fo win even strongcr. The All Blacks spent the forenoon at Takapuna. They are quietly confident of euccess. 50,000 Present at 1.30. By 1.30 o'clock the crowd at Eden Park was estimated at 50,000, and the green ova'l ;vas hemmed in by humanity. The grandstands were rapidly filling, rooftops were peopled and trees were swaying under the uuaccustomed weight^ In bright sunshine tne curtainraisers^ were played. the ground being some'.vhat heavy. Motor traffic during the forenoon on all main roads leading to Auckland was in continual streams iniles long, hut eased olf early in the afternoon. Miles of parked cars in tho districts surrounding Eden Park. Many cable and radio messages have been received both by the Springboks and the All Blacks. From the South African Rugby Union the Springboks received a cable signed "Scrummaging": "You can only do your best. We expeet no more. Earnestly wishing you a successful game, with good eportsmanship prevailing." From the "tough quarter," of Capetown, which is known as "district six" the Springboks received the followiiig: "Geeing for Springboks to-day." The teams took tho field as under:— NEW ZEALAND Full-back : J. M. Xayior. Three-quarters : J. L. Sullivan, N. A. Mitchell. T. H. G Caughey Five-eighths : Trevathan, J. Hooper. Hali'-back: H. Simon. Fronb row: D. Dalton, A, Lambouvnc, E. S. Jackson. Middle row: R. M. McKeuzie, It. R. Kiug, S. T. Uoid, R. H. Ward. liack row; A. A. Parkhill. SOUTH AFLtlCA Full-back: G. H. Brand. Three-quarters: D, O. Williams, L. Babrow, G. P. Lochner, F. G. Turner. Staud-off half: T. A. Harris. F. Yan de Yyver. Serum-half : D. H. Craven. • Front row: S. C. Louw J, W. Lotz, ,M. M. Louw. Middle row: L C. Strachan, P. J. Nel, M. A. Van den Bergi, W. F, BeTgh. Back row: B. du Toifc. Back row: W. E. Bastard. Mr J. S. King, Wellington, is tho referee. Presentation to springboks. The presentation of a New Zealand rug to each member of the Springbok team was made by Mr T. Meredith, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, at a function held at the Cargen Hotel yesterday. Mr Meredith stated that this was made on behalf of the council of the Ncw Zealand Rugby Union as a token of tlie esteeni in which the visitors' grcat sportsraunship was held, both on and olf the field. On behalf oi' Ihe Springbok team, Mr A. de Villiers, the manager, in thankiug the council, said Ihe wariutb that the players would receive from the rugs woufd be a minor consideration compared with the maguificenb leception which the side had received throughtout New Zealand. Desirous of getting away from all i'ootball discussions, many coustant visitors and a host of juveuile autograph hunters, the All B|acks held a picnic at Tui Glen yesterday. They left the Mon Desir Hotel, Takapuna, where they liave been. accommodated during tlie week at 10.3{) o'clock jn the morning. A large hainper was taken and also a case of Australian oranges, presented to the team by a leading Auckland produce market, and nearJy tour hours were spent in various games and ainusements. On their return to the city, members of tlie party spent some time at the Zoo, after which they returned to the hotel shortly before dinner. The final hour's team talk was held before the players retired at 9 o'clock. The manager of tlie Hotel Mon Desir stated that the members of the team had received liundreds of telegrums expressing good wishes, during the week, from all parts of New Zealand and as far alield as Australia. He added that all the players were thoroughly rofreshed alter thejj- week's training and were in good spirits and quietly conlL dent..