TOUR OF THE SPRINGBOKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1921, Page 5

TOUR OF THE SPRINGBOKS.

MANAGER’S BUYER COMPLAINTS.

BADLY ARRANGED JOURNEY, WHO IS TO BLAME? By Telegraph.—Preps Assn.—Copyright. Nelson, Sept. 10. The Springboks, who played here this afternoon, left by the Mapourika at 4.30 p.m., proceeding straight to the boat without changing. Arrangements were made for a bath on the boat, and as no accommodation was secured it was arranged to give them the saloon after dinner. Baths were prepared and accommodation was set apart to enable them to change and get as comfortable as possible. Cheers were exchanged between the crowd on the wharf and the Springboks as the vessel left 1 rhe wharf. Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, speaking at a civic reception this morning, after thanking the Nelson public for their enthusiastic welcome, said they came here as amateurs and as the guests of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The people had given them wonderful receptions throughout which they appreciated and they had enjoyed their stay. His grievance was that “we had a lot of travelling and because of the form in which you welcomed us we have had a long programme of entertainments.” •Continuing, Mr. Bennett said: “We found your football to be particularly strenuous; every game has been really hard. There was nothing brutal in any way, but it was real earnest football. Of that we make no complaint, but this has had one effect—a number of casualties during the last few weeks. We have had a particularly strenuous time. We left Napier, had a night’s rest at Wellington, and then on board the boat. (Laughter). We have brought only 17

players, and to tell the honest truth they are the only available men we have; the rest are in Wellington undergoing treatment for injuries. In all due deference to those responsible for it the boat was a most uncomfortable one and there were no conveniences. Several of the team could not get berths until we left Picton. Yo,u are not responsible, but somebody is. Fortunately the journey was not rough, otherwise we probably would have had .something very much worse to say. We have had a night’s journey; I will not say a night’s rest, because we did not get any. “When we arrived this morning we expected to come to a comfortable hotel and to get a room and have a decent bath. But we were taken to a hotel and stood in the vestibule like a number of uninvited and unwelcome guests. It was due mainly to a few gentlemen who were staying at the hotel that a few' rooms were placed at our disposal. We had breakfast’, however, and perhaps feel a little bit better. Later the draw-ing-room was placed at our disposal. When we left Wellington we were under the impression that to-day’s match started at one o’clock, in order to give us time to get back and bath before we left. We do not know whether your people are so anxious to keep us here that it is arranged otherwise? but I am astonished now to learn that the match will be played at two o’clock. Tam now told there is a possibility that we might not get aecommcwlation on the boat, and to be told that at the last moment is about the last straw. What we do want at this stage of the tour is comfort. If you want a fair run in the test then we want every possible convenience and comfort in order to get fit

(Hear, hear!) “Now we are told we might not get back to Wellington until Tuesday. This will upset all arrangements and we will have no chance to get the team in fettle. Somebody is to blame for this. Why a body of visitors from overseas should be treated in this way I do not know. It is not a matter of finance and we have not asked much. We have carried out our programme in every possible way and have tried to give as little trouble as possible, but. we do strongly object to being treated in an off-hand manner.” (Hear, hear!) Mr. Bennett added they were out to win. They came with the first object of beating New Zealand in the test matches and if they could not they would be perfectly satisfied, but they would like to have been given a fair chance to win. They had nothing but the deepest gratitude for the wonderful way New Zealanders had treated them. If New Zealand ever repaid the visit he could assure them they would have the time of their lives in Africa. In conclusion, Mr. Bennett said he jvas sorry he had to make a “grouse,” but he thought it was time, and if anything he had said would remedy the complaints he would be very glad. In regard to Mr. Bennett’s remarks re-

garding the time the match was set down to start, it should be mentioned that the Nelson Union informed the New Zealand Union that the game was to start at 2.15 p.m. and as no reply was received it was understood that the New Zealand Union had accepted the, time. Regarding the accommodation, or lack of it, at the Masonic Hotel the Nelson Rugby Union state that the accommodation was cancelled by the New Zealand Union.

Immediately after the civic reception Mr. Atmore, M.P., despatched the following telegram to the general manager of the Union Company at Wellington: “Manager of the Springboks complained that no berthing accommodation available for return trip; can you do anything in the matter; please wire me.” Mr. Atmore received the following reply: “No application made to this office for berths return trip; we naturally assumed the Rugby Union officials at your end would, be arranging >crioram'odation; the passenger clerk when booking for Nelson advised Mr. Coombs (secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union) to wire Nelson for berths for the return trip.”