SPORTSMEN MEET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 188, 10 August 1936, Page 9

SPORTSMEN MEET.

MAYOR GIVES DINNER.

ENGLISH LEAGUE VISITORS

AMBASSADORS OF SPORT,

The members of the English Rugby ' League touring team -vere the guests of honour at a sportsmen's dinner, tendered by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, at the Hotel Auckland, on Saturday evening. I There was a large gathering, including the New Zealand team, and representa- | lives of all sports and prominent citizens. I Proposing the toast of the visitors, the j Mayor said the gathering which had assembled to do honour to the English team included .outstanding representatives of every branch of sport and I athletic activity in Auckland, as well as 1 representatives of the Government and I of every phase of municipal life in the city. lie had not had the opportunity ' of welcoming the visitors 011 their arrival I in New Zealand, but that office had been ! discharged by the deputy-Mayor, the Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C. I "I now meet you for the first time I officially," added Mr. Davis, '"and I offer Ito you cordial greetings, accompanied ' by the hope that your stay in our midst ! lias been of the happiest. In the Test match this afternoon, I had the combined privilege and pleasure of seeing your side in action, and I was impressed with the display. Your contact with New Zealand footballers has been io the good of the League code in the Dominion, and the benefits to be derived from it will, I am sure, prevail long after your sojourn in New Zealand has entered ihe storehouse of memory. Empire Fellowship. "As with that of other touring sides, so with yours, the visit has a deeper significance in its influence on the Empire fellowship, which is one of our greatest heritages. For the remainder of your tour, as at the beginning, we wish you well not onlv as kinsmen of the British Commonwealth of Nations, but also as exponents of League football, as it is ~laved in the heart of the Empire. When von leave these shores, our thoughts will travel with you along the ocean highways that lead to' Home." Mr. W. Popplewell, joint manager, in responding, said they had come a* (ambassadors of sport from England. ! and would return as ambassadors ot the Empire. The ties of sport bound them together. The team had a cine camera with it, and many views had boon taken of beautiful New Zealand. Illustrated lectures would lie given throughout England 011 their return, and tliev would be able to tell their peop.e of the Dominion's scenic wonders. Mr. J. H rough, captain of the team, who also responded, said tiiev had been told what to expect in New Zealand, and the hospitality had exceeded expectations. They tried to play the game on I and off the field, and they hoped they would be remembered as sportsmen. He Congratulated the New Zealand team on Saturday's performance, and said they were looking forward to another good exhibition this week. New Zealand Standard Improved. The toast of "New Zealand Rugby League and the Ne.v Zealand Team" was proposed by the other joint manager, Mr. ft. F. Anderton, who recalled that he had accompanied the 1932 team. Mr. Anderton had a word of praise for what lie descril>ed as the "spado work" of the officials of the New Zealand board of control. Speaking of Rugby football, he said there was room for both games in the two countries, New Zealand and England, and that they had no quarrel with the other code. He was impressed with the good work of the junior and school teams, from whose play the Dominion would later reap the benefit. The toast was replied to by Mr. C. A. Sneddon, president of the New Zealand liugby League, and Mr. Steve Watene, captain of the Dominion team. Mr. Sneddon said the visitors were worthy of ranking with the world's best footballers. If England, which now held the trophy presented bv Mr. R. O. Courtney, were ever defeated for its possession it would only be by a team as worthy to hold the trophy as the visitors had proved themselves to be. Mr. Watene, after expressing in Maori "salutations, greetings and long life," congratulated the victors 011 Saturday's success, and referred to the fine sportsmanship evident throughout the game. "Football is a game for he-men; the pressure must be hard on," said Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., president of the Auckland Rugby League, in proposing the toast of "Kindred Sports Bodies." He had not seen one unseemly incident in the matcli. League had sprung from the loins of the Rugby code, and the two games were played in friendly rivalry. The toast was responded to by Mr. A. A. Baker, representing winter sports, and by Mr. W. R. Fee, representing summer games. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the Auckland Rugby League, proposed tiie toast of "The Press." He also congratulated the Mayor 011 the successful nature of the function. \