THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1925, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

THE LUNCHEON. [BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, March 17. There was a crowded attendance at the luncheon given by the Government to the All Blacks. The Prime Minister was in tiie chair, and besides the members of the team and the official party and fifty or sixty Parliamentarians, Messrs Wynard, Wilson. Elliottof, the Native 1888 team, and Messrs Walliace, Thomson, Roberts, Glasgow, Glenn /and Dixon ‘(manager) <f the If 05 team were also present and there were quite a number of Visitors from outside Wellington.

The speeches were very short, and largely covered by those already made earlier in the day.

Mr Massey proposed,The Victorious All Blacks,” and referred to the exploits of previous sides including the Army Team, and the victories of the New Zealand oarsmen in Sydney last week. They had been, a good advertisement for the Dominion, he said, and now they had come hack to settle down to the serious avocations of life, which he counselled them to tackle as earnestly as they played football, and, above all, whatever, the future held ill store, to play the game for their countrv.

Both Mr Dean and Captain Porter replied, the former again laying stress 011 the excellent relations that had existed among the players from the beginning to the cud. He mentioned the presentation of .the loving- cup in England. ami the trophy itself was conspicuously displayed on the wall. Besides that another cup was shown which was presented by Vancouver for competition among primary schools, q'hev also gave each member of the team gold sleeve links. He thanked the Government for voting the CIOOO which enabled the men to return by Canada. Captain Porter also thanked Mr Massey for the kindly messages received from time to time, encouraging the team before the matches and congratulating them after them. THE JAZZ BALL. WELLINGTON, March 17. Twelve hundred assembled lor the Jay: Ball to the All Blacks. The Loving Cup and other trophies were oil view. White made a presentation of an oak and silver tantalus to Mr Dean. Badeley handed a rose howl to Porter, (lav scenes were witnessed, which extended far into the nigh!. 11011. Mr Coates and many Rugby Officials were

present. RICHARDSON’S INJURY. WELLINGTON. March 13.

Everyone was glad to see Richardson did not have to he carried till the steamer yesterday and had so far recovered that he was able to walk with the assistance of crutches. His leg was broken at the rear of the ankle, and as is the’ commonly the case, it occurred in a very simple manner, which may have happened hundreds of times to other players with 110 serious result, lie wits playing wing Lhreennnrter at practice in \ aneoitver an.l mi receiving the hull endeavoured >0 I eat. Parker, who was playing opposite him. lie swerved as he neared the Canterbury man and was just passin"- when Parker got hold of him. j! e tried to recover and in doing so his leg snapped.