British Team Leaves New Zealand Shores

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1052, 16 August 1930, Page 10

British Team Leaves New Zealand Shores

CROWD BIDS FAREWELL FINAL SPEECHES MADE 9t Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. Gaiety and sadness were blended in the enthusiasm ot the crowd of more than 2,000 which thronged Queen’s Wharf this afternoon when Ihc British footballers sailed by the Maungauui tor Sydney. When all the farewell speeches in the shed were over, the last of them concluding amid shouts of “All Aboard” from the ship, the members of the team filed from the platform to the gangway. Every yard found someone waiting for a final handshake or frequently a more affectionate form of farewell. As each player at last made his appearance on the gangway and came within view of the crowd assembled on the wharf he was greeted with cheers and various remarks more or less suitable for the occasion and when eventually the team was safely on hoard multi-coloured streamers flew to form a last material liulc with New Zealand shores. On the call of Mr. S. S. Dean, hearty cheers were given for the team and as the ship slowly pulled out a confusion of cheering, singing and farewell shouts arose.

Mr. Dean was present at tho function held in the shed half an hour before the ship’s departure and with him on the platform were Mi*. J. B. McEwan, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board. Dr. G. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Dr. P. F. McEvedy. president of the Wellington Rugby Union, and members of the New Zealand and Wellington Rugby Unions. Mr. Dean said he was sorry the team was going, but he was happy to know it had enjoyed its stay in New Zealand. It was his hope and that of all Rugby enthusiasts that it would not be many years before most of, if not all, would come back again. The team, said Dr. Adams, had endeared itself to New Zealanders by its scintillating, spirited performances ou the field and equally by its social attainments off the field. Dr. Adams said he was sure the tour had done much to form a last link in the chain of Rugby Empire unity when the same code would be played in each country within the Empire and he thought that New Zealand would do its part in conforming to that code. He w-isbed the British team all success in Austral ia. The visitors had played the game both on and off the field said Mr J. B. McEwan. who was confident that »c would add to its splendid record in Australia. Mr. McEwan, on behalf of the Harbour Board, presented Mr. Baxter, the team’s manager, and Prentice, the captain, with a copy of Lindsay Buick’s "History of the Port.” Dr. P. F. McEvedy said the tour had done New Zealand football a world of good. He thought that in the next few years the game as played in New Zealand would be remodellqri and would be played as the British team had demonstrated that it should he played. "When we came here three months ago we received a generous and delightful welcome,” said Mr. James Baxter, manager of the British team. "That welcome we have had everywhere in this great country of yours. We are going with feelings of genuine regret for we have had a wonderful time here.” Mr. Baxter was sure the tour had done a great deal of good. ‘Thank you one and all for all you have doue for us,” Mr. Baxter concluded.

"This is a day that had to come, but one we have been dreading ever since the tour started,” said Prentice. "We will never forget what you have done for us and the wonderful time you have given us.”