BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1930, Page 5

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

FARE WELLED AT LONDON

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copy r igh t. ]

LONDON, April 11

Three hundred attended the New Zealand Association’s dinner at the •Savoy Hotel to farewell the British Rugby team. Among the distinguisheu guest.-, were,,the Duke of York, Lord Passiielcl (Secretary for / .the Dominions), Lord Liverpool, Lord Dew borough, Lord Ampthill, Sir Charles Fergusson Sir James I’arr, Sir C. AI ills, oir \V. Braiflnvaitc, Sir Percy Chapman.

Responding to the toast of “The Royal Family,” the Duke of York wittily referred to Ins own visit to New Zealand. He said: “The time I spent there lias left me with a lasting admiration tor New Zealand’s athieveuients and potentialities. I assure sportsmen that New Zealand affords an all-round scope. I sampled several sports but 1 was not allowed to stay long enough anywhere to witness a cricket match.”

At this remark there was prolonged laughter.

The Duke continued : “You will find that the New Zealanders are as determined as hosts as they are as players. I envy you the trip, and I wish you good Jack.” Hon T. M. Milford (New Zealand High Commissioner) read “bon voyage’' messages from the King, Sir Joseph Ward, the Manager of the All Flacks, and the New Zealand Rugby Union Air Wilford advised the team to beware of matrimony, but said that if the ladies there proved irresistible, then let the visitors become New Zealand citizens, and not bring their orides to Britain.’’

RUGBY AFFAIRS

WELLINGTON, April 12. The British footballers have notified

tney would not play the Nelson match, the last on the list. It was suggested they were afraid of the Straits. Air Dean said it would not'be fair to the Seddon Shield district to abandon the match. The committee would take the matter up vigorously and do its best to see the game was played. Maoris want June 3rd. at Christchurch and June otli. at Wellington for the Prince of Wales cup games. Both are to be 1: regarded as trial matches for the game with the British

team. M'eilington representatives raised objections on the ground that the Rugby Union had already made sacrifices for —e British tour and could not give up another Saturday. The matter was eventually left to'the committee.