CIVIC RECEPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 9

CIVIC RECEPTION.

N.S.W. TENNIS PLAYERS. WARM WELCOME EXTENDED. "HOPE BETTER TEAM WTNS." Members of the New South Wales lawn tennis team, who .arrived at Auckland yesterday on the Maunganui, were tendered a civic reception in the City Council chamber this afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. Geo. Baildon) regretted that the attendance of the public at the reception was not larger, but explained that, owing to the late arrival of the boat, the date fixed for the gathering had necessarily to be altered, and this fact, no ddubt, had made it difficult for many who would otherwise have been present to attend. New Zealanders were always pleased to see visitors, said the Mayor, and when the visitors happened to be representatives of good clean sport they were doubly assured of a warm welcome. All New Zealanders were keenly interested in sport, and Mr. Baildon thought that this was good, providing the more serious things of life were not neglected. During his term of office it had been his privilege and pleasure to welcome to Auckland representatives from many different branches of sport, but this was the first time lie had welcomed lawn tennis players. He was glad to make them welcome, because it did not matter what the sport was, since all sport had his earnest support. Mr. Baildon understood that in the New South Wales players we had the best team that their State could send across, with the exception, perhaps, of Mr. F. Kalms. Everyone regretted that Mr. Kalms had been unable to come. There had been a rapid increase in the amount of interest shoiVn in tennis, and although, tennis might not be the most popular sport in New Zealand, it had a very high place. The present was an age of competition, •which was a good thing, and he found that New Zealand and New South Wales had met on the tennis court on six pre-

vious occasions. Honours were now even. New South Wales had won in 1981, 1922 and 1826, and New Zealand in 18SI6, 1923, and 1924. Mr. Baildon regretted that the test match was not to he played in 'Auckland> but everyone was. pleased that the New Zealand championships, in which the visitors would take part, were to be played here. Mr. Baildon then said a few words concerning each member of the New South Wales team, hoped that the better team would win, arid, said that, win or lose, New Zealanders were glad to see the visitors. An occasion such as this could sot he allowed to pass without making mention of the late Captain Anthony Wilding, who laid down his life in the battle of the Marne. With Norman Brookes, the Victorian, Wilding had wrested the Davis Cup from the Britishers, who had just taken that cup from the Americans. Mr. Baildon concluded by wishing the visitors the compliments of the season. Growing Interest in Tennis. On behalf of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association and the Auckland Association, Mr. E. W. Griffiths, president of those bodies, extended a welcome to the visitors. "Lawn tennis has made great strides since 1920, when the Davis Cup matches were played in Auckland, and New South Wales players first visited the city," said Mr. Griffiths. Much of the increase of interest in the game he attributed to the visits of New South Wales teams. He had to congratulate those representatives whom- we had seen on their wonderful performances, and on the good work they had done in encouraging new players to take up the game. Unfortunately the present team could remain in New Zealand only till the end of January, and as practically every association in New Zealand had asked that the Australians should play at their tournament, any number of matches could have been arranged. However, it was certain that New Zealanders- were going to see some very fine tennis. Mr. Griffiths hoped that the visitors would have a good time in both the North and South Islands, and that their visit would do much to strengthen the already fine feeling that existed between the Dominion and New South Wales. Mr. G. L. Taylor, past president of the \ Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, also spoke. He said he had to more or less apologise that a match had been arranged between the visitors and Auckland players on Christmas Day, but it should be understood that no other day was available. Mr. Frank Peach, captain of the New South Wales team, in returning thanks for the very warm welcome which had been extended, made reference to the cent visit of New Zealand players to New South Wales. The members of that team had, he said, proved themselves men in the fullest senee of the word, both on and off the court. Mr. Peach thought Auckland and Sydney had something in common. Both cities had harbours. Auckland had a beautiful harbour, and so had Sydney, but he would not say which had the better. This morning, through the kindness of Mr. Griffiths, members of the team had been motored out to Titirangi to see the beautiful view. This had been enjoyed to the foil, and Mr. Peach felt that he would come to New Zealand oii many more occasions, so much did he enjoy his visits. His team were enthusiasts through and through, and they were hopeful that they would beat New Zealand. That was what they had come to do. However, if they were defeated, they "would be glad to congratulate the winners. Personally he was glad to see Mr. Griffiths in the position of president of the New Zealand Association. In New South Wales the position was rather difficult between players at the present moment, since Jimmy Anderson had turned professional, and nobody quite knew what would happen next. Others might be lost, too. There had been a move to bring in all the players of the State,

including the Hard Courts Association, and this had.proved successful, so that ■ to-day there were 20,000 players linked up in New South. Wales. The "association had. a tremendous number of players to ; cater for. .- Bartleet Wanted in Australia. Mr. E. B. McKay, manager of the team, said that he had brought a strong team to New Zealand. Personally ho considered it an immensely stronger team than 8 the one which had visited the J Dominion three years ago. He felt that on and off the court members of the team ! would create a favourable impression. Sport properly entered into created a feeling of business friendship, playing became something more than a game, li the New South Wales boys realised that they made the tour of New Zealand, not as individuals, but as a body representative of the Mother State of Australia, they would be doing the right thing. "The visit of the New Zealand players this year gave us great pleasure," said Mr. McKay, ''and if you could possibly induce Mr. Edgar Bartleet to come across next time you send a team, ouc aim, end, and ambition would be realised. We have seen Andrews ant , other boys—all of them good—but we want to see a representative of Auckland come to NewSouth Wales." Mr. McKay rounded off his speech by making reference to the colourful array of hothouse flowers banked in front of the dais. More beautiful blooms he had never seen. The flowers referred to were from the City Council's glasshouses in the Domain, and were the admiration of all who attended the gathering.