OUR CHAMPIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10606, 3 June 1920, Page 5

OUR CHAMPIONS

“DON VOYAGE”; SUCCESS! NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC TEAM . FAREWELLED. LEAVING BY MANUKA TOMORROW. In tho . Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon a civic farewell was tendered to Iho Dominion’s representatives, who leave by tho Manuka to-morrow, en route to Antwerp, where they will compete in the Olympic Games. The Now Zealand team, comprising Miss Violet Walrond (Auckland), and Messrs George Davidson (Auckland) Harold E. Wilson (Wellington), and D’Arcy Hndfield (Waitcmata) received an ovation on taking their seats on the stage. There was a thoroughly representative gathering. Tho Mayor ;M. P. Luke) presided. The Prime Minister, the Hon. M. P. Lee (Minister for Justice), Mr A. Marryatt (chairman of, the Olympic Council), and others also occupied seats- on tho stage.

Mr Lube, after introducing tho quartette, stated that the present occasion in saying farewell to a team of sports to compote in the Olympic Games- was quite a new departure, which gave him much pleasure. Ho referred to tho performances of Miss Walrond (New Zealand’s champion swimmer), H. E. Wilson (of Wellington), who had gained great honours in athletics while on war service; to I'Xadfiold, tho champion sculler, who rowed with much success on the Seine and on the Thames; to Davidson, New Zealand’s champion sprinter. Mr Luke explained the genesis of tho Olympiads, which wore first held in tho year 776 8.C., when the best athletes of Greece and Rome tried conclusions. As the Grecians and Homans had entered the contests and took their part in sports, so the British race continued to emulate them, and ho was sure that the New Zealand team would do the same. (Hear, hear.) On all occasions the AngloSaxons had come out on top. This was tho first occasion on which New Zealand, as a separate nation, had selected a team to compete in the games; previously they had in conjunction with Australia. They would, he hoped, stand out as a distinct feature of the . Olympic games. Mr Luke added that the team was tho best tbat could jiossibly bo selected from the athletes of the Dominion, and New Zealand should be complimented on the selection. On behalf of tho citizens of Wellington, he wished the team a pleasant voyage, the best of luck, and a safe return to New 'Ze nl and. (Applause.) Tho Hon. Mil Massey then presented to Mr H. E. Wilson, manager of tho team, a finely-mounted New Zealand Ensign which is to bo carried on tho field of play by the team. Mr’ Massey said it gave him the greatest of pleasure as the Prime Minister, to say a few words of farewell to a team which he was sure would uphold the host traditions of the Dominion; (Applause.) He hoped Mr Wilson as the loader would carry tho flag to victory. (Hear, hear.) "I saw Hadfield as a member of . the New , Zealand, soldier ‘eights’ win a fine boat race on the Seine, when I was in Franco,” Mr Massey stated, “and I saw the New Zealand soldiers’ team, the ‘All Blacks,’ beat the wholei of the English football teams in England when they won tho King’s Cup, and when I was at Vancouver coming home X was informed by cable that Sergeant Loveday had won tho King’s Prize at Bislcy, when he competed against tho finest shots ol tho British Army anil Navy.” (Applause.) 1 That was surely a wonderful record and one that New Zealand ought well bo proud of. (Applause.) Mr H. Wilson, who responded on behalf of the team, was warmly received. He thanked the Mayor and tho Prime Minister for then- good wishes. ‘ ‘lf trying is winning,” ho said, “then there are four winners on this platform now.’; (Applause.) Silver fern badges with- the letters “N.Z.” engraved, were then presented to the members of tho team, and also to Mr Walrond, who is accompanying his daughter to Antwerp. “God Defend New Zealand” was then sung by Mr Charles Melyin, and the proceedings closed with hearty cheers for tho team, Mr Massey, and Sir Luke. * THE OLYMPIC FUND.

The hon. secretary (Mr R. W. Shal]orass) acknowledges the following additional donations to -the fund being raised to send a team to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games to be held in Antwerp in August next;.Already acknowledged, £793 7s 6d; S. Brice £1 Is, H. Seaton £2, F. L. Binnio £1 Is, per Air T. \V.- Leslie (Xhos. Fathers ss, T. E. K. Burgess £1 Is, Thomas Moore Festival. 10b 6d, Ellis and Alan ton £2 2s, Magnus Sanderson £5 ss, A. Hatriek and Co. £5 ss, Inglis Bros, and Co. £5 ss, T. W. Leslie £1 A. Menzies 10s Gel) Gamble and Creed £1 Is, W. W. Cook £1 11s ; total. £B2O 15s 6d. SOCIAL EVENING. A social evening was tendered to the New Zealand Olympic Games competitors :it Dustin’s rooms, Cuba street, last evening, by the ollicials of the New Zealand Olympic Council. There was a very large attendance, and the proceedings were marked with the utmost enthusiasm throughout. The chairman of the council, Air A. A. Alarryatt, presided, and amongst those present was Dr. A. K. Newman, ALP., who was introduced as one of the oldest sports in Wellington, and who proposed the toast of the competitors. Several toasts were drunk, and valedictory speeches were mode. An enjoyable programme of musical items contributed te the success of the gathering.