Yet-to-be-famous back in form

Palmerston North, July 26: Ideal conditions prevailed for the final match between the yet-to-be-famous All Blacks and a combined Manawatu-Horowhenua team to-day before a crowd of about 16,000 spectators from all parts of the North Island.

The final score was 27 points to 12 in the All Blacks’ favour. The game comprised a tight forward tussle throughout, the home forwards confining themselves mostly to spoiling tactics in their efforts to stop the national combination getting under way, Cooke being particularly well marked. The training slogan of the home team, "Get Cooke", was carried out to the letter. No unbiased witness of the game, however, could claim that the All Blacks had much on the Green-and-Whites. In the scrummages and line-outs the home team were as good as the visitors, and they got their full share of the ball. The difference practically lay in the superiority of the New Zealand backs. All Blacks 27 points. Manawatu-Horowhenua 12 points, Mr W.J. O’Neill was referee.

Auckland’s victory gave some cause for alarm, although seasickness and the general weakness following accounted largely for the All Blacks’ poor showing. However, the result to-day placed them up on a high pedestal again. Despite the slight reverse the All Black team received at Auckland after a rough sea trip, those who saw them in action today are quite confident that the honour of New Zealand can be safely left in the hands of the All Black touring team of 1924 when defending the rights of this dominion on the Rugby fields of England, Wales, Ireland and France.

Boys' statements confuse judge

Two boys, 14 and 15 years respectively, were charged with the theft of binoculars, tinned fish, etc, of a total value of £9 10 shillings, the property of Charles Wm. Sundstrum. The eldest boy was also charged with committing mischief by wilfully damaging the launch Norana, the property of C.W. Sundstrum, to the extent of £41.  Detective Sneddon read two statements made by this lad, in which he at first admitted being responsible for the thefts and the damage, and then he denied causing the damage, and admitted stealing some of the articles. The father of the lad said he was all right in the home. He was a great romancer at times. He imagined all sorts of things. The Magistrate then took a hand at questioning the boy and at the end of about five minutes had to admit that he could make nothing of him. He said he was at a loss to understand him. The Magistrate said that the lad appeared to be abnormal. He was a most extraordinary boy. He had made different statements, and had led the detectives on wild goose chases. The case might be a mental one. There were occasionally cases of individuals making confessions to offences in which they were not in any way concerned. He was inclined to think that this was a matter of that sort. It would be quite unsafe to rely on anything the lad had said in regard to the present charge. It seemed to him quite a likely thing that the lad had some mental trouble, and that his stories were the result of a diseased imagination. He should be placed under medical observation and supervision. The charges of theft and mischief at the boat harbour would be dismissed.

Wembley impresses ODT boss

Sir George Fenwick writes in a letter received this week: "I spent to-day at the Exhibition, and a good part of the time at the New Zealand Court, which has now got well settled down, and looks extremely well. There is a very great difference in its appearance now as compared with a month ago. It now makes a very creditable show indeed in most of its principal sections, and New Zealand has nothing to be ashamed of, although it is of course a small court compared with those of Australia and Canada. I really think our frozen meat exhibit is the best of the exhibits of that primary industry. The meat is far better looking than that of Australia. Our wool exhibit, too, is splendid."

— ODT, 28.7.1924  (Compiled by Peter Dowden)