Springboks Sail for Home

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 8, 2 October 1937, Page 7

Springboks Sail for Home

-Press Assbciation.)

FAREWELL SCENES Laurel Wreath for Team'? Captain CIVIC TRIBUTES PAID

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, Last Night. An enthusiastie farewell was extended to the departing Springbok team by a crowd of about 3000 admirers and Eriends as the Awatea dfew out from the Queen 's Wharf late this afternoon. It was a send-off charged with goodwill, completely dispelling any doubt as to the attitude of the New Zealanders towards the Springboks and the happy scenes on board and ashore as final gestures were exehanged will live long in the memory of those who witnessed them. Brilliant sunshine added to the enjoyment and gaiety of the farewell. Seldom has a shipside been so beautifully tranSformed with myriad coloured streamers, fluttering and snapping as they were caught in a gusty wind. Bon voyage was ofS.cially expressed to members of the team before they went on board at a civic farewell at the Shipside.

An appropriately decorated dai# accommodated the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, the chairman of the Auckland Hafbour Board, Hon. T. Bloodworth, the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. T. Meredith, and other officials in addition to the manager of the Springboks, A. de Viiliers, the captain, Mr. P. J. Nell, and other members of the visiting party. The team members gathered in front of the dais, which Vas snrrounded by a large cro#6. "Your perfjrmances on the fields of the Dominion have been an inspiration to Rugby football here," said Sir Ernest Davis. "Your conduct off the field has reflected the highest degree of credit on yourselves and on the country you represent." a congratulatory and farewell message from the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, was also presented. Hon. Ti Bloodworth added his tribute on behalf of the Harbour Board and Mr. Meredith, speaking for Rugby officials, players and followers, said the Springboks' visit had been a greafc object lesson to all in the Dominion, who realised they had mUch to Karu about >Rugby at present. In reply, Mr. de Villiers referred to the amazing enthusiasm for the game shown in new Zealand, and said that, if the Springboks' tour had given pleasure to the New Zealanders, the visitors were more than satisfied. "We have travelled extensively and enjoye.i marvellous hospitality wherever we have been," added Mr. de ViRiers "For that reason, not forgetting ti - .scenie beauty of the country, we shai 'always look back on the happy time; spent in New Zealand. We appreciate the good wishes of this gathering, the message of the Prime Minister and the host of letters of congratulation. It. remains now for us to say kia ora." Loud cheering aecompanied the placing of a laurel wreath over the head of Mr. Nel by the Mayor and the presentation of a bonquet to Mrs. Nel. "For They are Jolly Good Fellows" was sung by the crowd aecompanied by( the Auckland Municipal Band, after, which cheering broke out afresh, and was maintained until the ship's depar-. ture. All hhen joined in the singing of| "Auld Lang Syne, " and the shipl moved slowly out from the wharf to thej strains Of the plaintive Maori song! "Farewell to Thee."