November 21 - Reception for 1924 All Blacks in Cardiff

From “With the All Blacks in Great Britain, France, Canada and Australia 1924-25” by Read Masters. Pub. 1928 by Christchurch Press Co. Ltd p.80.

Ian Harvey. being obliged to undergo another operation, did not accompany us when we left London at 11.55 a.m. on Friday, November 21st. We arrived at Cardiff three hours later, where, upon alighting from the train, were given an enthusiastic reception by a large crowd that had gathered at the station. We then proceeded to the City Hall, where we were received by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman W. H. Pethybridge), who accorded us a very hearty welcome, and reminded us that it was in his City that the 1889 and 1905 New Zealand teams were defeated. He hoped that the best side would win tomorrow’s match, and that Cardiff Arms Park, in accordance with its traditions, would prove the field of Waterloo to us. Sir Thomas Hughes asked us to return to Cardiff to play a charity match on January 1st. This Mr. Dean in his speech said, we would be unable to do owing to our match against England being fixed for January 3rd. We then inspected the City Hall, which is a magnificent building, and in the Council Chamber saw the flag which Captain Scott took with him on his last fateful expedition to the South Pole. We were also shown the jersey the late Bob Deans wore.