"PROUD OF YOU."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 259, 2 November 1931, Page 9

"PROUD OF YOU."

DOMINION CRICKET TEAM.

NEW ZEALAND "ON THE MAP."

CIVIC RECEPTION TO-DAY.

New Zealand's pride in the prowess of it's cricket team, which has just returned from a tour of England, was well evidenced by the enthusiasm shown in the crowded City Council Chamber where a civic reception was given to the team to-day. "It is my privilege to extend an oftkial welcome home to the. team," said the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. "I hasten to. tell you that "we are proud of you, not merely because you lost only three matches out of 37, not only that you won for yourselves the right to play three Tests, but that you upheld the reputation won by the New Zealand troops during the war time, and by the various teams which have preceded you to England. You, have done what we expected of you.". "I do not think that you realised the thrill that passed throughout the country when the prowess of the team was flashed home by cable," said Mr. D. Reece,./ president of the New Zealand Cricket Council. "To-day, we can say that we are the equal of the six best counties in England." He congratulated the team, particularly; the captain and manager, Mr. T. C. Lowry, C. S. Dempster for his great batting, and the youngest member of the team, H. G. Vivian) for his dash. He added a word about bowling, in which department lie said New Zealand would have to improve. "We must have not merely Saturday afternoon bowlers, but men who can last for three days."

Xot merely for the Auckland Cricket Association, but for the whole cricketing community, did".Mr. F. Earl, president of the Auckland Cricket Association, congratulate the team. In reply, Mr. Lowry thanked all the speakers. He said that his duties had been made pleasant by the team, both on and off the field. Perhaps the proudest moment of the tour was when they took tiie field against England in the first Test. "And when we received an invitation to play three, we felt that we had put New Zealand on the cricket map." At the Mayor's call the gathering cheered the cricketers.

FAREWELL LUNCHEON

DEPARTURE THIS EVENING. Members of the New Zealand cricket team assembled for the last time this afternoon, when they were entertained at luncheon at Hotel Cargen by the New Zealand Cricket Council. The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, was present, and all the senior clubs were represented. Mr. D. Recce presided.

The health of the team was proposed by Mr. Fred Earl, K.C., who said that hopes of the team's success had been fully realised. The team had fulfilled all reasonable expectations, and had definitely defined New Zealand's position in the cricket world. . . ■\ ■. • Mr. T. Lowry, captain of the team, responded. ; The , Southern members will leave Auckland to-night.