Canadians on Tout

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 111, 1 August 1927, Page 11

Canadians on Tout

Impressions of New Zealanc (By Dave Turner.)

IN tlie following article, Mr. Dave Turner, who was the second highest goal scorer on the Canadian Soccer team's New Zealand tour, records his impressions of the Maple Leafers’ tour of Maoriland for The Sun. Mr. Turner i> under suspicion of wielding a fountain pen with the same unerring facility as he pilots a Soccer ball on the field, and his breezy reminiscences of the tour should make interesting reading.—Sports Ed.

TX November last, the Dominion Foot- -*■ ball Association of Canada accepted the invitation of the New Zealand Football Association to send a Soccer party to New Zealand. Without delay, the Canadian Association requested the provincial bodies to submit the names of players who, in their opinion, were best fitted to represent Canada, not only on the Soccer field, but as younger citizens who could receive and retain the impressions of our sister Dominion in the Southern Seas. From Montreal to Vancouver Island selectors carefully and conscientiously made their recommendations and forwarded them to Sam Davidson, our genial secretary, at Winnipeg, where, in council, the final IS men to form the party were chosen. Alderman James Adam, of Victoria, 8.C., who so ably managed the team that toured Australia three years pre-

viously, agreed to take charge of the party, readily consenting to face the loss that absence from his business would entail in his keenness to see the Soccer game furthered. The Chief, or “Jim,” as the boys disrespectfully call him (for he has that bright, cheerful manner that dispenses with the

“Mr.”), has been a wonderful asset throughout, and to him the success of the team as a winning combination is largely due. Happiness and harmony are just as essential to the winning of games as is physical fitness. Fortunately, we have had both, due to the efforts of the Chief and Colin Reid, respectively. Jim has kept our hearts buoyant; Colin our bones mended. The boys wish to pay tribute to Colin Reid, as a trainer, as a sport, and a man. Whenever we have required attention, whether day or night, Colin has clieerfuly given it, making of himself a slave so that the individuals of the unit might always be physically able to give of their best. His efforts have been untiring, he has been considerate of our every whim and fancy, and, which is the greatest tribute he can be paid, he enjoys the frank confidence and camaraderie of every one in the party. To say good-bye to Colin will not be easy, for he has grown to be part and parcel of us. We view the parting to-morrow with genuine regret. A GREAT TOUR Yes, the tour is about over. To-mor-row, at 3 p.m., R.M.S. Niagara will leave Auckland carrying the Canadians back to their homes after a memorable visit to the land of the Maori and the fern. In the 19 days’ sail to Vancouver we will have much idle time to review the happy times that have been left behind, the glorious passage that stretched from Invercargill to Whangarei, the 10-week marvel of magnificent scenery, rich hospitality and in-terest-crowded days. Time will permit us to sort out the outstanding features of the trip from the chaotic whirl our impressions are now in. Before we go we will try to pin down a few of the more outstanding impressions and commit them to paper. We would not like to sail away before telling our New Zealand cousins just how we view their homes, their manners, their customs and their sports, and, if there are no objections, we will discuss the points in the breezy, frank way that commends itself to the Canadian West. Sailing into the Auckland Harbour on May 23, we were delighted with the colour scheme of the city. Throughotit the land, this first impression has grown, and grown so that we go back to Canada enthusiastic over the red and white uniform colouring to the buildings. Against the green of the foliage, New Zealand towns have an attractive, clean, orderly appearance that is sadly lacking in those of Canada. New Plymouth, especially, comes to mind in this respect. The team unanimously fell in love with the place at first sight, and, discounting the advantage of splendid Punakaiki Park and the fact that our first game was played at that point, the Canadians are unanimous in the opinion that New Plymouth is the finest little city of its size in New Zealand. As far as that goes, there are many places in New Zealand, with a 20,000 approximate of population, that back any Canadian city of the same size right off the map. Timaru, Gisborne, Nelson, all stand head and shoulders over Canadian cities of the same magnitude. I refer to street planning, appearance and general attractiveness. I’m afraid I cannot speak for civic policies, nor would I if I could. Mayors are touchy individuals. That goes for Aldermen, too. BUTTER, GOOD OLD N.Z. BUTTER Without question, New Zealand butter has fascinated our boys more than anything else. This fascination has communicated itself to the hotel proprietors as they have leaned weakly against their dining room doors and watch their profits go ruefully up, as tremendous quantities of the delicious butter went down. Every member of the team has gained weight since arriving in New Zealand, and the reason thereof is—butter. The ordinary dish of butter is as useful to us as an extra neck—quantity is as essential as quality. On a rough estimate, the Canadians have consumed £lb. of butter per day, per man, and I don’t mean perhaps. For 10 weeks or so the total comes mighty close to half a ton. The estimate is conservative; if you don’t believe it. assurance will be forthcoming, promptly and vigorously, from 20 experienced hotel-owners throughout the land. AMONG THE SCHOOLS Whenever it has been possible, the Chief has been keen on visiting the schools. Being a strong family man, meeting and talking to kiddies is more or less a passion with him. Telling them of Canada with its Indians, Eskimos, cowboys, snow and ice is a delight to him, and the inimitable friendly manner he addresses them in wins their hearts. We have enjoyed it with him, at all times, cancelling other engagements to work in a school in the limited time. We are greatly impressed with the physique of the scholars, the healthy faces, robust frames and sturdiness. The uniform dress adopted is a fine feature, setting off to the best advantage the strength and freedom of j movement that we have found charj acteristic. The high school lads of I College and Timaru High School were a lesson in physical cul-J-Mjre. To study the latent strength in the vigorous boys growing up in these

schools is to learn why New Zealand is pre-eminent in the Rugby world. Incidentally, it is the reason the Canadians are glad that they came to play Soccer, not the oval game. I'd die of fright if 1 had to stand on a field to stop such human catapults!

Much of the enjoyment of the tour has been gained by the motor trips we ; have taken. From Blenheim to Grey- j mouth (our Waterloo, with emphasis j on the “water”), we had some wonderful drives under the expert chauffering of the Gibbs Motors’ boys. To single out the funniest hour is diffi- | cult, but I think the incident on Hope i Saddle would win the marshmallow j cuff-buttons. There we came to grief, i in nine inches of snow, the cars a mile j on this side of the summit, and our j lunch somewhere in the far-off miles! on the other side. The grade was j steep, greasy from the snow already on it, and obscured beyond a distance of : 20 feet by a blinding, fleecy storm. No chains, no tow ropes, and no mother 1 to guide us; nothing about us except j an affectionate precipice leaning hun- j grily over us, a bottomless crucible of j whirling snow yawning below us and a few blurred figures wandering around. I took them to be drivers (their language helped me to determine this). For an hour we were back again in Canada, smoking, chatting, and playing our 25-dollar gramophone in the shelter of one of the cars, evincing as much desire to get out and help as a murderer shows enthusiasm in bounding out of the cell on execution morning. No progress was being made, however, so we tui'ned out en masse and practically carried the cars up. Once out, and wet to the skin, we had a whale of a time, for the snow let up and the air cleared nicely for a peach of a snowball fight. The fun abruptly ceased, I may mention, when a stray whiz-bang caught the manager behind the head and nearly somersaulted him from the runningboard to the ravine below He maintains that the tumble was the closest invitation he ever had to tune up his eternal harp, and he was annoyed. He isn’t the least bit musically inclined. ON THE MERE MERE HILL The Mere Mere Hill, on the road to Rotorua from Gisborne, is another motor episode, or escapade. Once again a New Zealand bump interfered with our meals, a touchy point with visitors who have readily fallen in with the country’s enthusiasm for “grub,” and lots of it. This time mud blocked us effectually. Never have we seen anything like the mass of yellowish, treackly clay that poured down from the mountain, oozing across the road in a two-foot layer. We were as hopeful of getting through as the Germans must have been in 1918. We bucked it in the car and sank to the axles for our pains; we shovelled mightily to make a road that simply wouldn’t appear; we tugged with ropes, shoved j with poles, plunged Into the mess, j thigh deep, prayed, and did not pray alternately. The rain, that mellow, pleasant rain the poets praise, turned at last on the 1 long-haired flatterers, and let loose with a wallop. The pity is—no poets ! were on hand to receive the homage. 1 A high gale chased it plafully about us, and nearly stripped us where we j stood. Stan Tait, our elongated goalie, was in his element. His trousers were ■ ' : sis of the limbs owing to the mud aHr th a t weighted them from belt to Wj? cuff, .so he immo- |« , destly took them fa&UU ; 'l|p|Bjßßg off (to save the braces, without doubt) and washed ' tlieqi in a torrent that splashed merrily down the S. Tait mountain-side. Hanging them on a | convenient tree to dry (the rain was , raging down by now), he offered a ! series of ethereal dances for our delectation plunging through, or, rather, as I suppose I should say, wafting o’er j the surface of the mud in the free | abandon of B.V.D.’s and a cherubic smile. He kept up the “pant”-omime until, after the most strenuous efforts, we won clear of the mire. When I say that we limped into Rotorua at midnight, nine hours behind schedule, you will gather a little idea of the incovenience that dashed mountain caused. One more such slide on the Mere Mere Hill and there won’t be a Mere Mere Hill any longer. Which would be a blessing, would it not? “THE FINEST GIRLS” But I must be brief; the sports editor mentioned anything in reason, not “copy” enongh to fill an Extra. Summing up other -things that have forcibly struck us (figuratively, I mean, and apart from football), the inveterate tea-drinking must be mentioned, and the warm-hearted hospitality of the Rotary Club, and, of course, the girls. The last must be mentioned in passing, as the girls say themselves. We appreciate their kindness to us, and only hope that when they come to Canada, we will be able to return the royal welcome they have given us. Everywhere they have been gracious to us, and, which has been an eye-opener for the Canadians, have Insisted on entertaining us wholly at their expense. We bid a very pleasant farewell indeed to the girls of New Zealand and voice a unanimous acclamation that they are the finest girls we have ever met. Regarding the tea question, we now understand why Lipton is able to build a new yacht each year in his quest for sailing supremacy. The money comes from New Zealand. Should the Government ever decide to change the national emblem, the Canadians would suggest, as a worthy successor to the kiwi, a tea-cup, or cosy, or kiosk. THE TOUR ITSELF The N.Z.F.A. has undertaken, and brought to a financially-successful end, an enterprise of courage involving an £ 8,000 outlay—the tour of the Canadian Soccer team. In a solid Rugby country, the bringing of an Association team from a sister Dominion, many thousands of miles away, was a venture that none but stout-hearted, farseeing men would sponsor. The success of the tour was highly problematical for the reception that would be accorded such a team by the people of a country raised in the Rugby code would be speculative indeed. They did not err, however, for the sporting spirit that dominates the every ac-

i tivfty of the country rose above all prejudice and guarjuitecd a British ; support from the very outset. The Canadians acknowledge with pride the open-hearted welcome our ! cousins have griven us, and wish pub- ' liclv to thank them for it. Canada will learn of how keen Rugby fans contributed whole-heartedly, so that j their kin from overseas might know ! the affection with which they are re- | garded. We thank our cousins under I the Southern Cross for the splendid j treatment they have accorded us, and 1 especially do we thank the N.Z.F.A. for I the wonderful holiday it has provided ! for us. May Soccer prosper as it de- ! serves, under the competent eye of a council composed of what we, in j Canada, term square-shooters! j The standard of Soccer in this counj try has been a surprise to us. The game, perhaps, has not developed so I' far as ours, in the respects of positional play, Head work and shooting precision, but the germ is there. Keen men are heart and soul for the betterment of the game and experienced ( players are contributing the finesse, j Were I to recommend a change in the style of the play, I would emphasise short passing. The style j is the Scots game, and the most 1 effective type of Soccer in the world to-day. A kick and a rush is generally futile, is not thrilling, and devoid of the science that the game has. Attention to control of a ball in a small area would be beneficial, for it is by the faculty of being able to manoeuvre a ball in a restricted space that lends snap and a pretty effect to the watching. More co-operation between wing forwards and the respective halves would develop the penetrating triangle play that is so upsetting to a defence. This wedge formation is highly productive of results, is essential to every good game of Soccer and. withal, is a very clever movement. Practice is ail that is needed to bring about the understanding and harmony that marks a winning team. Our hoys were utterly strange to each other on assembling in Vancouver, but in a few exhibition matches we had a machine that could function smoothly and eiliciently. BEATEN BY A GOALIE The teams that we select throughout the tour as giving us a taste of our own style are Wellington, Otago and Hastings. These teams played neat, scientific Soccer, with the result that the displays were greatly enjoyed by the spectators. Our weight and condition swung the balance in our favour in each of these games; otherwise Greymouth would not stand alone in holding a win over the Maple Leaf. While mentioning Greymouth, I would like to call special attention to Timlin, the goal-keeper of that side. Alone he beat us, breaking our hearts with the magnificent exhibition he put up. The field was deplorable, comparable with Blandford Park on Saturday last. We had so much of the play that Edmunds and Moon were down at the Greymouth end. shooting in, but—Timlin was there. We do not regret being beaten. Rather do we give all praise to the West Coasters. They arc a real sporting crowd, and, after all. what more can we say. The best wishes of the Canadians go out to them and may they raise many Timlins to gain honour for them in every field of sport and life, and, mayhap, one may be assigned to stoke the fires of Westland, for the chillv climate* compares ill with the cheery temperatures that the hearts of the people have. In conclusion, the heartfelt thanks of the happy manager and boys of the Canadian Soccer team are tendered to the people of New Zealand. From the moment we received Premier Coates's cable of welcome in mid-Pacific, w*» have felt at home. To-morrow we sail away to Vancouver with our happy recollections, genuinely regretful that the happiest holiday we have ever had is oyer and we cannot go without trying. in a small way, to acknowledge the great debt we owe to New Zealand. Wo thank one and all and pray that the , opportunity to return the compli- | meats will soon materialise. SOCCER TOUR ENDS CANADIANS’ RECORD The tour of the Canadian Soccer combination ended on Saturday with a four-goal victory over Auckland. The visitors’ record was a very fine one. They played 23 games, won 20. drew one and lost two, scoring 116 goals against 16—a margin of 100 goals. Their finest achievement was the winning of the “ashes.” Following is the table of results:— v. Taranaki. —Won, 10 —l. v. Wanganui.—Won, 7—o. v. Manawatu.—Won, 6—o. v. Wellington.—Won, 2—o. v. Marlborough.—Won, 11 —0. v. Nelson.—Won, s—o. v. Buller.—Won, 2—o. v. Westland.—Lost, o—l. v. Canterbury.—Won, 6—o. v. Ashburton. —Won, 7—l. v. Otago.—Won, 6—2. v. Southland.—Won, s— o. v. South Canterbury.—Won. 6—o. v. Hawke’s Bay.—Won, f»—2. v. Wairarapa.—Won, 6-—O. v. Poverty Bay.—Won, 6—o. v. South Auckland.—Won, B—l. v. North Auckland.—Won, 4—l. v. Auckland.—Won, 6—2. v. New Zealand.—Drew, 2—2. v. New Zealand. —Won, 2—l. v. New Zealand.—Lost, o—l. v. New Zealand.—Won, 4—l. The Canadian goals were scored as follows:—Archibald, 34; Turner, 16; Gibson, 14; Davidson, 10; Brolly, 9; Monaghan, 7; Pogrson, 8; Francis. 4: Thomson, 4: Milligan, 3; Crawley, 3; Williams, 2, Paynter, 2. CHINESE IN AUSTRALIA DEFEATED BY SOUTH COAST j By Cablr.—Press Association.—Copyright SYDNEY, Sunday. I In an Association football match : yesterday a South Coast team defeated China by 6 goals to 3.—A. and N.Z.