M.C.C. TEAM'S ARRIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 293, 11 December 1929, Page 21

M.C.C. TEAM'S ARRIVAL.

CIVIC WELCOME ACCORDED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON,, this day. A civic reception was given the M.C.C. team yesterday on arrival from Sydney, and in welcoming the visitors on behalf o£ the people of New Zealand, the deputy-Mayor, Mr. M. F. Luckie, mentioned that he thought the present side the strongest ' that had visited the Dominion with the one exception of the side of 1887, which included Lohman, Briggs, Shrewsbury, Ulyett and others of notable standing. The Hon. H. Atmore, representing the Prime Minister, and Mr. D. Eeese, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, emphasised the welcome. Mr. Reese acknowledged the debt of gratitude which New Zealand cricketers owed to English cricketers, and the M.C.C. for their tutorship in the game. Sir Francis Bell, president of the Wellington Cricket Association, added a few words, and in a brief acknowledgment Mr. A. F. Gilligan said he desirea the people of this country to look at them as the M.C.C. team, not as so many amateur and professional cricketers. He added a word or two congratulating New Zealand on the fine reputation as keen cricketers and good sportsmen made in England by the New Zealand team in 1927, a reputation which had been closely rivalled by the South African visitors of 1929.