RECORD CROWDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20258, 29 July 1937, Page 10

RECORD CROWDS.

SPRINGBOKS’ MATCH. ATTENDANCE OVER 15,000. TAKINGS TOTAL £1843. The attendance and the takings at Rugby Park yesterday constituted i record for Hamilton. No fewer than 15,053 people paid for admission and in lddition over 2500 schoolchildren were seated upon boards inside the fence. The takings on Hie day amounted to £1593 12s and the bookings for reserved seats realised approximately £250, making an aggregate of £1843 12s. These figures show a considerable advance on those of the match against the touring British team in 1930. Then Hie attendance numbered about 13,000 and the total takings were £ISOO. The attendance at the Springboks’ match in Hamilton in 1921 was estimated at 8000.

NEW PLYMOUTH REACHED. PROSPECTS FOR SATURDAY. OFFICIAL WELCOME EXTENDED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday. I! After a night journey Ihe Springboks arrived by special train from Hamilton this morning so early that they needed a cup of tea on ttie train before going to an hotel for breakfast. The tourists were met by Hie Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C., chairman of the Rugby Union. No casualties are reported as a result of yesterday’s game. Later in the morning the new Rugby Park, which will have its first international match on Saturday, was inspected and the Springboks decided to train lids afternoon. The visitors were impressed vfllh Hie standard of Rugby seen in tho two games played but found the conditions at Hamilton very unfamiliar. Prospects of a dry ground here are improving with the sunshine and AI noon Hie visitors were given an official welcome by the Rugby Union in which the mayor, Mr E. Gilmour, participated. Hotel accommodation in New Plymouth and nearby places is already fully taxed, even tents being requisitioned to cope with the expected

THE ALL BLACKS. NO MARLBOROUGH GAME. (By Iparaph—Tress Association) WELLINGTON. Wednesday. When I lie suggestion by the Marlborough Rugbv Union that the New Zealand team to train for the first test should plav a match at Blenheim on August 7 was referred lo Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the executive commil lee of Ihe New Zealand Rugby Union, he slated that it had been decide.l that no sucii match would be played.