Tournament Personalities

An Appreciation

In any aggregation of humans there is an element which makes for elation, for man is a gregarious animal and in the presence of his kind is expansive and genial more often than not. But whatever the occasion, it requires the drive of an outstanding personality to give it life.

In this respect, Victoria's Tournament was successful to a remarkable degree.

We have in mind, standing against a confused background of scenes and events, four or five people who, perhaps more than any others, gae every moment of Tourney an elan and an impetus which is the accompainment of a personality.

Shallwe ever forget smiling Oliver Chapman, of Otago. Was there a haka, a team which needed rallying; was there a fight, a song which wanted singing; a damsel in distress or one who needed comfort, Oliver was on hand.

Never a party was thrown or a full keg emptied but his tall fair person graced the occasion.

And when in the mornings, weary, nerveless, we were sorry wrecks, Chapman was the tonic.

Shaven and sleek he was invariably on deck. Pink-cheeked almost cherubic, nothing upset him; a thousand "Banzais" affected his stentorian voice not one iota. And always that cheery grin reassured us that after lunch things would be all right.

Canterbury gave us another personality. Quieter, perhaps, but in his own restrained way, a thorough stalwart, Bill Young made many friends in Wellington. We hadn't heard of him before, but then one of the ideas implicit in Tournament is that we should get to know one another better, and Bill is one of the things which justify Tournament.

He, it was, who rescued Canterbury from ignominy at the St. George when the Horn contest was held, rallying round and collection a team to do gallant though futile battle.

And then there was Spragg of Auckland. Many a dull moment was lightened by his anappy songs and bright quips. did the discussion drag or become, as it often did at the N.Z.U.S.A. meeting, irresolute, Spragg would often remove his pipe from his mouth and give air to a song, or regale the Delegates with some witty tale. Never was his store exhausted; he was equal to every moment, his resource was unending.

Those and more, Victoria has to thank for the tide of bonhomie which carried Tournament to success. And "Smad" is more than privileged to be able to acknowledge the debt.