WELCOMED HOME

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1925, Page 1

WELCOMED HOME

[■BY TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.j JACK STEEL AT GREY. GREYMOUTH, A lurch 20. There was an enormous crowd at tile railway station last evening ta welcome Jack Steel home again, and on arrival of the train lie was cheered to the echo. At the. Opera House later a public reception -was given by an enthusiastic crowd, presided over by the Mayor (Air Parfitt). Speeches were made by the Alayor, Alessrs J. O’Brien, G. K. Perkins. T. K, Y. Sodden, A. A. Adams, J. Alt Lean and “Pie” Stevens, Air Steel suitably replying. Later a welcome home ball in the Town Hall proved a huge success. HA AY KITS BAY WELCOME. NAPIER, A larch 19. The six Hawke’s Bay members ot the All Black combination were officially welcomed home to-night. .Prior to a. civic reception, they were the guests of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby L nion at dinner, at which the Chairman ,in proposing the toast of the guests, gave voice to the Union’s pride at being the controlling body of football in a district .which produced such players at the Brownlie Brothers. Irvine, Mill, Pncwni and Xepia.

All six replied to the toast, and they were enthusiastically cheered. The Municipal Theatre proved quite inadequate to accommodate the wliolo of those desirous of attending the subsequent public reception, hundreds failing to gain admission.

The Deputy-Mayor of Napier presided, and others who addressed the gathering "ere the Mayor of Hastings. Air L. Mellvridc, ALP., Air AT. McKay, A1.1’., Air F. l-<>gan (patron of the 11. ILIUM, and Rev. A. F. Bennett, on behalf of tho Afaori race. The players were heartily congratulated on the success of the tour, awd on their part in it, The audience displayed great cnHnisism in welcoming the guests . Air Maurice Brownlie briefly replied to the congratulatory remarks, and the flattering welcome home, stating that they had had a wonderful trip, but they were glad to he home again. CHRISTCHURCH AY KLCOAIE. CHRISTCHURCH, March 19. Great enthusiasm was shown at tf civic reception to the Canterbury All Blacks to-night in King Edward Barracks. Thousands of people wore present, and when the players walked on to the platform, the cheers given for them fairly rattled the ,roof of tho building. The Mayor (Air Flesher) made a congratulatory speech. Air Dan Sullivan, ALP., spoke on behalf of the local Al’s.P.

Each of the Southern All Blacks present spoke a few words in reply. Air S. F. Wilson, who accompanied the team on the tour, paid a very high tribute to the men, saying they were true amateurs, and fitter and hotter at the end of the tour than at the beginning. At the close of the proceedings, tho players were carried shoulder high outside the barracks by admirers to a bqs decorated with the Canterbury colours, and left amidst tremendous cheering for the Caledonian Hall, where they "ere accorded a Welcome Home Dunce.

DUNEDIN WELCOME. DUNEDIN, March 19

The Southern members of the All Black team, Afunro (Dunedin) and Richardson and White (Southland) arrived at Dunedin this afternoon by the. first express, and were met at the station hv the officials of the Rugby Union, and a great gathering of enthusiasts. There was prolonged cheering and much hand-shaking, and the returned players were then motored to the Town Hall, "here a civic reception awaited them. Mayor Taplov presided. Air 11. S. 8, White (President of the D.R.TL) said it was unique in the history of Rugby, and they took it as a compliment to the players, that ihe Alayor tendered a reception to the members of the team. Ihe All Blacks had played the game on and off the field. Unis earning the respect ol the citizens of the towns visited, and iellecting credit on the Dominion. On behalf”ir-the O.R.F.V. ami the players of Otago, he tendered Richardson. White and Munro sincere congratulations on the completion of a record f ou r, and heartily welcomed them ifnno. “Jock” Richardson, they were pleased to sec. was recovering from Ins unfortunate accident, and lie "a» to he congratulated on loading three tost teams to glorious victory. (Prolonged cheering). ‘‘.Son” White was another popular Southland player and for"ai d that any province might he proud of (cheers). Last, hut not least, their own sole representative “Abe” Munro (prolonged cheering) was a most- popular ’Varsity player. An unfortunate accident early in the tour debarred him from playing, in the tost matches. Th e r<. was no doubt, however, that he fully justified his inclusion. (Cheers). The speaker said the tour had been one of glorious victories. Ihe defeat of Wales had been a victory which created great enthusiasm. If there had been an unpleasant incident, bygones should now he bygones, and anyhow, the All Blacks, with fourteen men. beat England.

MARK NICHOLES’ WEI.COAIE. WELLINGTON. .March 20. Mark Nicholls had a wonderful welcome home to Petone last night, the Palace Theatre being inadequate to accommodate all who wished to attend. The gathering included the Mayor (Air AlcKwcn) Air T. M. Wilford (Loader of the Opposition). Sir James Carroll, and Alessrs Dean and Porter. The last named eulogised Nicholls’ taotical genius on the field and Air Dean added tlmt l’etono had produced some great footballers, among them Mark Nicholls, but they owed a great deal to the coaching of Lynskv. If Lynsky went abroad he could do a great deal to raise the standard of football in other countries.