FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1928, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

SOCCER. TOUR, By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. WELLINGTON, April 12. The Council of the New Zealand Football Association met to-night. It was decided to cable the Australian Association, regretting very much that the tour could not take place, owing to tlie attitude of the Associations. In regard to the Football Association trophy, it was decided to appoint a delegate from each major Association to. meet prior to the annual meeting, and to submit a report and recommendation to the annual mceting. The matter of the offer of a visit from a South African team for next season is to ho considered at the annual meeting. The N.Z. Council sent its best wishes for the success of the All Blackteam, THE ALL BLACKS. EAREWELLED LAST NIGHT.

WELLINGTON, April 12. The All Blacks will leave Wellington on Friday afternoon for South Africa. The members of the team were accorded a civic farewell to-dav. and were entertained at a banquet to-night. The Prime Minister was present, on both occasions. Mr llornig (manager) and -Maurice Brownlie (captain) stated that, although they did not expect to return with mi unbeaten record, they would lie well satisfied to win a majority ol the tests. Both of them stated that they realised the magnitude of the task set for the team. At the banquet there were among those present: Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Hon. K. S. Williams, -Mr 11. Mniiov, of Motueka (President of the N.Z. Bughy Union). Honoured guests were: Mr TV. T. Wyliward (a member of the Xe-jv Zealand Native team which toured Great Britain in 1888), Messrs E. Roberts, E. Glasgow. AY. Wallace, 11. 1). Thomson, and G. 11. Dixon (members of the 1005 All Blacks), and several members of the New Zealand team which loured Great Britain and France without sustaining a single defeat. Mr Coates said ho wished the team every success on the tour. The people of New Zealand, he said, would be behind the team to a man in the stern tussles ahead. 51 r Coates proposed the toast of “The Now Zealand team.” He said the people had every confidence in the members of it. The players had to remember that they were representing New Zealand amongst a strange people in a strange land. Nothing could bring the two peoples together more quickly than the bond of sport, and the team could do the Dominion a great service hv leaving a good impression. No one could under-estimate the stamina of the Springboks. “ The best of good lock!” concluded Mr Coates, “and if it should lie your fortune to he beaten, remember the same welcome will await you in Now Zealand as if you had been victorious." All the speakers oxnrossed the opinion that the tour will he the hardest that any New Zealand team has ever been called on to undertake. All the inemfiers of the team were presented with New Zealand Olympic badges. INTEREST AT THE CAPE. CAPETOWN. April 12. Rugby season tickets, giving the right to re-book tbo same seats for the All Black matches, are now being sold in South Africa.