RADIO FAREWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1930, Page 3

RADIO FAREWELL

BRITISH RIJGBYIT.ES. ißy Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 14’. Gratitude for what New Zealanders had done for the British team and foi their messages of farewell, were expressed by the Manager of the team, Mr Baxter, and Captain D. Prentice, from Station 2YA to-night. Mr C. G. Porter, the All Black Captan, also spoke. ■ “From the time we landed, you took us to your hearts,” said Mr Baxter, “and made us feel welcome to youi delightful country to which Nature has been very good.” The British team, he said, had played to the best of its ability. He would ask his listeners to look after the game, and to play it with careful enthusiasm for the game’s sake, and not worry about the result. He thanked the people of New Zealand for their kindness, and concluded with “Goodbye, and God bless you!” {( X am vgtv glad of the opportunity to thank our friends for the wonderful kindness winch you have shown to us, and to thank all who had made us feel at homo.” said Mr Prentice. He also thanked the public which had stood by them splendidly. He said that they were glad to have met the Maoris, and had fallen in love with them, and they would carry away with them some cherished memories. “Wo knew you during the war, and we are happy to belong to the same Empire as you all,” said Mr Prentice.

Mr Porter hoped that such tour' would he more frequent in the future. The British Team had put up a splendid record, and, with a little luck would have done much better; but he was very pleased his team had come out just a little better than the magnificent British Team.

FAREWELL BY GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, August 14. The British team was farewelled ot behalf of the Government at a pleasant function in the social room of Parliament House this morning. The manager and the captain were presented by the Premier with bound volumes of scenic views of the Dominion, as a momento of the visit. Mr Forbes said that when the team ame to New Zealand they were certain of .a warm welcome, and they must have been surprised at the enthusiasm with which they had been greeted from the North Gape to the Bluff. The sporting way in which the team had taken their wins and their losses had made a fine impression. After all, football was only a game, and what told more than wins on points scored was the manner in which it was played. They had shown a true sporting spirit. He felt sure that the 'New Zealand players had also been inspired by the same spirit and that they had left the field witli a feeling of the greatest admiration for their opponents. He expressed pleasure to have had the opportunity of meeting mem hers of the team, and assured them that they would leave behind a reputation of which they might feel proud. He expressed best wishes for a line trip to Australia, good games and a safe return Home. Mr Baxter expressed regret of the team at their departure. If in their short visit they had done anything towards developing good relationship they were very proud. They would return to the Homeland with very happy thoughts of New Zealand. Mr Prentice said that they had had a very happy time and honestly felt very much their departure from this beautiful country. They had tried to play the game both on and off the field, and he thought they had succeeded. (Hear, Hear.) Most of them were leaving a good deal of their hearts •liehind.