THE SPRINGBOKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1921, Page 5

THE SPRINGBOKS.

ARRIVAL IN NEW PLYMOUTH. A TRIUMPHAL TOUR. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS. The Springboks arrived in New Plymouth last night, and the great reception they had all along the line, culminating in an enthusiastic welcome at New Plymouth, where thousands turned out to meet the mail train, shows the great interest that the visit has aroused, and points to a record attendance at to-morrow’s match.

At Wanganui in the morning the team visited the Technical College, quite a number being interested in education; indeed, a gentleman who has travelled with the team states that they are keenly interested in children, and no boy need be afraid of speaking to them. Later they visited Mr. Moore’s homestead at Bushy Park, and were shown his pedigree Hereford, cattle. They left Wanganui by the mail train, being accompanied by Messrs. D. J. Malone (president of the Taranaki Rugby Union), G. Pownall (president of the Wanganui Rugby Union), A. Griffiths (New Zealand selector), Takarangi (a Wanganui selector and well-known representative player), and E. Paxata (of Rotorua). At Patea they were met by a crowd at the station and the Mayor and Mayoress, the former expressing regret that the arrangements had been altered, as Patea had arranged a fitting reception. At Hawera, Eltham and Stratford there were large crowds, the team being welcomed by the respective Mayors. There was also a large gathering at Inglewood. On arrival at New Plymouth they were met by the band and a big crowd. Preceded, by the band, the team was motored to the Criterion Hotel, where they will stay during their visit, followed by the crowd. THE WELCOME. They proceeded straight to the balcony. Many hundreds of eager people gazed up as the visitors assembled prior to the civic welcome, and the street bore a packed appearance. Crowding along the rails the South Africans looked down on the crowd with interest, and were undoubtedly impressed with the cordiality of the welcome?. Someone suggested the war cry, and, led by Morkel, the big forward, the team gave in rousing chorus: “Inkoma ni nar-hyati. He-c-e. ("What «ort of cattle are, these? Big bucks, verily.”) The effort was hailed with cheers. Addressing the manager (Mr. Bennett) and members of the team, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) expressed the great pleasure felt throughout the town and district that the team’s long-prom-ised visit had at last eventuated. A voice: We like sports! The Mayor: We do like sports. Rugby has been called the national game in New Zealand, and I am sure Mr. McLeod has no doubt on that point. Certainly the game is played in every part of Taranaki, and I say with pleasure that the Rugby code is supreme. You will realise the very great interest throughout Taranaki, and it you want any proof I direct yon to the people in front. (Applause from members of the team).

The Mayor, in wishing the team good luck, expressed the hope that on Saturday the better team would win, “but,” he said, “I can’t say her? that I hope you will win.”

The response to the Mayor's call for cheers for the South Africans was a lusty and earnest one. On behalf of the Taranaki Rugby Union, the chairman of the management committee (Mr. J. McLeod) welcomed the team to the province. He said that after travelling with them for the past three or four days he could assure the penpie that in the team they had fine sports with them. The Africans were willing to take all that was coming to them, and they were up against a big proposition. Taranaki had played three visiting teams from England, and on no occasion had they been beaten. They hoped this was a good augury for Saturday, but at any rate that the better team would win. SOUTH AFRICANS’ APPRECIATION. Replying, Mr. Bennett said that during their progress on the journey from Wanganui that afternoon they had had a really royal procession. “I can assure yon,” he said, “we appreciate it. We never received such a wonderful reception in New Zealand as you have given us. We were told at Auckland and Wanganui: “Wait till you get to Taranaki, then you will be surprised,” and you have surprised us. The welcome which New Zealand has given us, and especially Taranaki, will never be forgotten in South Africa.” Later the Springboks gave the Maori welcome. “Komate,” and their manner of rendering quite took the fancy of the crowd. Three of the members —M. Ellis, J. J. Van Rooyen, and J. B. De Villiers—were motored through by Mr. Smith, one of the Wanganui selectors. At Patea they were met by the Mayor and leading citizens, and were given a great reception, as it was the intention of the citizens to entertain the whole team had. they motored through as originally intended. This arrangement, however, had to ‘he cancelled owing to the visitors’ late arrival curtailing their stay in Wanganui. THE PERSONNEL OF THE TEAM. The team to play Taranaki was not available last night, but G. Morkel and J. S. De Koch will not be available, as they are suffering from injuries. The last-named was injured at Wanganui, where it was thought he had broken a bone in the leg, but X-ray examination showed that it was badly sprained. Two other members of the team (L. B. Seidle and R. Walker) have been left hei hind owing to injuries. TARANAKI AT PRACTICE. Interest in to-morrow’s match has been steadily growing, and the large crowd which assembled yesterday on the occasion of the match between Taranaki representatives and a team comprised of New Plymouth players was further evidence of the keenness with which followers of Rugby are watching events. The representatives won by 9 points to nil aftei a showing which could not be regarded as brilliant, but the practice should have a good effect in improving the combination among the players. Opportunity was taken to try new men for representative honors, arid slight were saade

in the back division, with apparentlybeneficial results, as some of them ha-Teft selected in the team to do battlttt THE TEAM SELECTED. Sxast night the selector (Mtk D- BiMalone), made the final selection* follows: Full-back: Kingston (Clifton L Three-quarters: Hickey (Clifton), R. Roberts (Okaiawaj Capt.), Sykes (Old Boys). Five-eighths: Roberts (Okaiawa), Coutts (Inglewood)< Haflf: Atkins (OkaiaWC). Wing Forward:. C. McAlliun (Tuakap f , Forwards: Fogarty (Hawera), Spratt West (Hawera), Masters (Stratford) A Kivell (Stratford), Cain Campbell (Clifton). r / TO-DAY’S ARRANGEMENTS, This morning the captain and several members of the Springboks will visit th® New Plymouth High School, the captain being principal of a secondary school. At 9.30 the team will indulge in practice on the park.. At 11.30 a large party will leav& for Mr. A. H. Halcombe’s property at Urenui, where hunting attractions have arranged. Besides the Springboks, thera will be the Taranaki team, officials offc the New Zealand and Taranaki Rugby? Unions, and members of the NortU Taranaki Hunt. The party will be th< guests of Mr. Halcomb© at lunch, will return to New Plymouth in the- af-< ternoon. RECORD CROWD EXPECTED. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTROL. From the interest manifested in thq match right throughout the province and the better means of transit provided since the advent of the motor-car, it is anticipated that there will be a record attendance at Pukekura Park when thS kick-off takes place at 2 p.m. to-mor-row. During the morning four trains will arrive, viz., two from Hawera, and two from Stratford, one of the latter connecting with a special from Kohuratahi. In order to cope with the crowd and avoid confusion, the following instructions are issued by the controlling officials:— Ticket sellers will sell tickets on th< trains from south.

Ticket seller!?, ticket collectors, gatekeepers, Scouts, and Boys’ High School ushers are to report to Mr. A. Humphries at 9 a.m. at main entrance to Pukekura Park. All motorists will come under thtf supervision of Mr. Day, borough in-, spector. All officials will wear yellow marked “T.R.U. Official.” Ticket sellers will be stationed in pro* minent positions on all paths leading ;to the football ground, and rhe public are warned that the union will deal severely with offenders caught attempting to work a passage through. Cars from Inglewood and south ar© to be parked on the racecourse. Drivers of these cars are asked to enter the ground by way of John Street, and notices to this effect will be posted in prominent, places. All taxds will be parked at the Carrington Road entrance. No cars of any kind will be allowed in Liardet Street. Ticket sellers for main entrance will he at corner of Gilbert and Liardet Streets. In order to avoid congestion, the public for the eastern terrace are asked tc enter th? ground at the Fillis Street entrance, and not enter by the mail gate. The union wish the public to distinct* ly understand that there will not bl any seating accommodation except reserved seats, as the seats on the terraces will be utilised for standing and the terraces will be peopled quitt three deep. The union have arranged for a largs staff to usher the people on to the various terraces, and the public are a-sked to assist by not blocking. Reserved ticket-holders are asked, ii possible to enter by Liardet Street, tq avoid confusion. Notices will be Doata cd.