Au Revoir! But Not Goodbye

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 6, 22 August 1930, Page 5

Au Revoir! But Not Goodbye

« ae Our English Visitors Bid a Radio F arewell

THE tour of the British Rugby team ‘was brought to a conclusion last Thursday evening, when the manager of the team, Mr. J. Baxter, and the captain, D. Prentice, bade farewell to their listener friends:from 2YA. Mr. S. S. Dean, manager’ of the New Zealand team, and ©. G. Porter, the All Black captain, also spoke. "From the .time we landed you took us to your hearts," said Mr, Baxter, "and made us feel welcome to your delightful country to which nature has been very good." The British team had played. to the best of its ability. He would ask his listeners to look after the game and to play it with care-free enthusiasm for the game’s sake, and not worry about the result, which, after all, did not matter very much. ‘""We have been able to learn much from you," he said, "and I hope that you have benefited from meeting us." He thanked the people of New Zealand for their kindness, and concluded with "Good-bye and God bless you." "Tt am very glad of the opportunity to thank our friends for the wonderful kindness which you have shown to us, and to thank all who had made us feel at home," said Prentice, who thanked also the public, which, he said, had stood by them splendidly. "We knew you. during the war, and

we are happy to belong to the same Empire as you all," said Prentice. Porter hoped that such tours would be more frequent in the future. The British team had put up a splendid. record,- and with a little luck would have done much better, but he was very pleased his team had come out just a little better than the magnificent British team. The Team Sails. MID a scene of enthusiasm, the touring British Rugby team left for Sydney by the s.s. Maunganui last Friddy afternoon. Upwards of 4000 people, juveniles and adults, assembled on the wharf to give the British footpballers a send-off they will never for-

get. A microphone was installed in a large wharf shed, adjacent to the steamer, so that the valedictory speeches in the shed could be relayed to broadeast by 2YA, Wellington. The speakers were Dr. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. 8S. S. Dean, chairman of the N.Z.R.U., Dr. McEvedy, president of the Wellington Rugby Union, and Mr. McEwen, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board. Very feeling replies were made by Mr. James Baxter, manager, and Mr. Prentice, captain, of the British team. Then each member of the team was invited to come forward to broadcast a farewell message to any young lady in particular and

the people of New Zealand in general. As each stepped forward his name was announced through the microphone, and a cheery farewell was given. Not a few young ladies were thanked for their hospitality. A microphone on the wharf signal. tower balcony, about 30 feet above the crowd, was next switched into circuit with 2YA, and Mr. Drummond, the announcer, gave @ graphic description of the exciting scene alongside the Maunganui. The British footballers held scores of coloured paper streamers, which reached in festoons to their friends on the wharf.,. . About 10 minutes past 3. the ship’s gangway was lowered and lines were cast off. The Maunganui slowly backed out amid tumultuous cheers anid handkerchief waving. As the vessel swung round to head to sea the final cheers rent the air, and soon the ship was speeding down the harbour. The weather was fine, and the people of Wellington did justice to a memorable occasion, Through 2YA many thousands of listeners throughout the Dominion, were able to obtain a vivid impression of the fitting send-off accorded our late visitors, whose sports: manlike attributes and gentlemanly bearing won innumerable friends throughout New Zealand. '