All Blacks were holding back

The result of the opening match of the All Black team — against Devon — was received with considerable surprise by local followers of the game. In 1905 the All Blacks defeated Devonshire by 55 points to 4 points, and I suppose we expected something nearer that number of points, and margin of victory, instead of 11 points to nil. We certainly have reason to feel disappointed after reading the comment by Sporting Life on the match: “Few Devon men had put on a boot this season, so it is astounding that they compelled a thoroughly trained and perfectly organised combination to play such a game. In many ways the All Blacks were disappointing. In others they fascinated. The forwards did not hook well, but possibly the 3-2-3 formation of their rivals was disconcerting. In attack, however, the All Black forwards are immense. They are all very fast in the loose, and they break away at great speed. Their height and strength in the line-outs make them formidable. The outside — Lucas and Svenson — and Dalley will contribute much to the success of the team. Their ability to give and take the reverse pass at full speed is extraordinary.” There seems to be something wrong with the English writer’s point of view seeing that the All Blacks only won by 11 points to nil. But that’s by the way. What particularly strikes one is the fact that few of the Devon men had put on a football boot this season, and yet they could hold their own against the great All Black pack. This pack, without any exaggeration, should be, and is, equal to the international strength of Britain or South Africa. That being so we can only come to the definite conclusion that they were not playing up to form or that there were too many “scrum-shy” forwards selected on the day. The result should really have a good effect as it should show the New Zealanders are not going to have any walkovers. It should also demonstrate to the All Black selectors that they must stand on the back of any forwards who shirk the tight stuff. — by ‘Full Back’

Resort to go electric

The matter of greatest moment to us at present in the City of the Lakes is our hydro-electric scheme. Long before we gained unenviable notoriety by blowing up our acetylene gas works we had been contemplating the installation of an up-to-date hydro-electric plant for lighting the town. As a matter of fact, we had a poll and authorised the raising of a loan for the purpose. Since then much water has flowed under the bridge, due to the usual delays in securing the money with which to proceed with the scheme, so that it was really not till 12 months after the loan was sanctioned that we, so to speak, turned the first sod. Since then the work has been proceeding satisfactorily, and we are now about to see the fruition of our labours and patience. Tomorrow afternoon the ceremonies connected with the turning on of the power are to take place, and we intend to make the celebrations worthy the epoch-making event. A great many householders are still waiting to have their premises wired, as local staffs have not yet been able to overtake all orders for installations. The great comfort and convenience which electric light and power give, as well as the fine street illumination afforded by 80 lamps should do much to increase the popularity of Queenstown . The council has decided to use some of the discarded lamp posts for carrying a semi-circle of lights on the town waterfront. This should be very effective. — by ODT Queenstown correspondent

More room for firefighters

It was stated in the annual report of the Dunedin City Fire Brigade that the imperative need of provision for more accommodation for married men and an increased permanent staff had been apparent. The matter had been considered  and the board had now purchased a site approximately in area one acre, on which would be erected an up-to-date fire station, which would serve Dunedin for many years to come. The site approved by the board was a most central one for a fire station headquarters, and included frontages to Castle, St Andrew and Leith streets. It was not likely that the erection of the station would be commenced until after the Exhibition of 1925-26. — ODT, 18.9.1924

Compiled by Peter Dowden