THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1925, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

[Reuters Telegrams.] VISIT TO KING’S,COLLEGE HOSPITAL. (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. January 21. The All Blacks visited the King’s College Hospital this morning. Porter in the presence ol the Hospital Board and students affixed a plate inscribed “ New Zealand bed ” to the head of a cot provided by New Zealand subscriptions. The All Blacks were previously photographed on the steps of the hospital. They were cheered by hundreds of youngsters who crowded the windows of the neighbouring schools to which the New Zealanders responded by waving their hats. The Internationals, Cove Smith, Collins. AlacAlyu and other members ot the Hospital Club received the team and conducted them with Sir J. Allen, to the hoard room.

THE SPORTSMEN’S LUNCHEON’. A GREAT GATHERING* LONDON. January 21. The most representative body of British sportsmen on record gathered at the luncheon at Piccadilly Hotel today. presided over by Lord Deshorougli, in honour of the All Blacks and New Zealand. At the request of the Prince of Wales who wished the function to he informal, the company numbering three hundred wore lounge suits. Those present included the Dukes of Sutherland and AVestmiiister, the Alarquisos of .Londonderry and Pembroke, Lords Londsdale, Dosborougli. Denhigh, Portarlington, Burnham, (Camden, Ciiiroii, Ashfield, Ballotir, Pembroke, Cadogan, Strathspey, Riddel, Wolverington and Defies. Others present included Colonel Amery, Admiral Halsey, the Bishop of Buckingham, Generals l.irdwood, lan Hamilton, Alexander Godlcy, m.etn.hcrs ot the English fifteen, the President of the Scottish Rugby Union, representatives of soccer football, Jimmy Wilde, Steve Donoglme. The Prince of AYnles gave the toast of the All Blacks, the speeches being broadcasted. 11,* began : “Air Chairman and follow sportsmen,” and dwelt oil the advantage ol the visit ol such keen snortsmen, not merely to the Old Country, hut to the Empire. The All Blacks of 1925 proved to he of the old lira ml of New Zealanders. lie himself saw a splendid brand in wartime and he pointed out that eleven members of the team were ex-servicemen. The Prince hoped that when they returned home they would toll the people that the Old Country knew how to lose, hut were going to do their host to make a habit of it. He wished the All Blacks an revoir.

The Manager of the All Blacks (Air De-in) replying, said lie hoped the time was coming when the Dominions Mould he taken into their confidence and given a sav in Rugby iootball. He suggested a sort of Rugby Impel id Conefrence. Colonel Amery (Colonial Secretary: promised to do ltis best to visit New Zealand shortly, and he urged that they should not allow twenty years to elapse before the All Blacks revisited them. The Prince of Wales presented Xepia (for the New Zealand Rugby Unioni with a Loving Cup. subscribed to by New Zealanders in London and inscribed with verses written by the Hon. A\ . Pember Reeves, which are intended to he given whenever the cup is used in functions in New Zealand. The verses are:

“To the shining leaf and the jersey black. To the journey without a defeat. To the mighty hearts of the striving pa ck. The runners with the Hying feet. This Living Cup. drink, drink in turn AY bile memory stirs each breast. And lift it high to the Silver Fern. And the record that beat the best. The menu was ornamented with a silver few, atul gave an account of tiie All Blacks' matches here and in France. laird Lonsdale, in proposing the toast of the Chairman, referred to the Brownlie incident. He emphasised that it "'as not a question of who was right or who was wrong. Accidents happened which wore apparently against tiie regulations of the game. All honour was due to the referee for saying "hat he believed to he honest. The Ifon. L. C. AL S. Amery (Colonial Secretary) in giving the toast of the “Land where the All Blacks Grow”.

said they had not forgotten what they had owed to the qualities ot the New Zealanders as patriots and warriors. New Zealand played her part worthily in the common interest of the Empire ever since she became a. nation, she would become even a greater factor in the conduct ol all affairs ol the British Commonwealth. Sir James Allen replied. Air Dean in the course of his reply to the Prime of AYnles. referred to the titanic struggle in Australia and sympathised with the English team. No body, he said, would he happier than the AH Blacks if they pulled the game out of the tire. Porter (All Black Captain) thanked Britain for the most enjoyable tour.’ Parkin (the cricketer) was present at the luncheon. Interviewed, he said, that he had. after careful consideration, decided not tu reply to Lord Hawk. It is learned that cricketing friends have been advising Parkin on the subject. Correction —The Prince of A\ ales, after the luncheon presented his bo"l to the All Blacks and Sir James Allen presented the inscribed Loving Cup at a purely New Zealand function at the Hotel Victoria, "here Duly Allen presented replicas of the Cup to each member of the team, who each also received a gold medal from Sir Arthur Myers.