TEAM SINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 194, 17 August 1936, Page 9

TEAM SINGS.

CIVIC RECEPTION. AUSTRALIANS WELCOMED. GOODFELLOWSHIP EVIDENT. Auckland lias given a civic reception to many a Rugby team, and much the same sentiments are expressed by visitor and host; but the welcome given to-day to the visiting Australian team was somewhat unusual in one respect. The visitors did more than speak. They sang—and right lustily, too. It was a happy function, breathing a spirit of good, fellowship from, the first Words of the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davjs, to the last words of the captain, Mr. E. S. Hayes (Queensland); and into that good fellowship something that was typically and breezily Australian was infused by the manager or the team, Mr. G. Shaw. The council room was filled to capacity, those present including many well-known Auckland footballers and football enthusiasts. The speakers in the order in which they spoke were: Mr. Davis, Mr. R. J. Smith, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. H. Frost, president of the Auckland Rugby Union, and the manager and captain of the team. The Mayor extended the formal welcome of Auckland, and also of New Zealand. Auckland, he said, was always glad to see Australians. For many years Australia and New Zealand had met on the fields of sport, and not a few occasions had been on the Rugby field. There was, however, another aspect apart from the sporting. That was the value of engendering closer relations between the two countries, which was vital for their welfare and safety. The whole tenor of his remarks about the games for the future was "let the best team win," New Zealand and the Bledisloe Cup. The occasion of this visit, said Mr. Smith, was considered in New Zealand to be most important. The visitors held the Bledisloe Cup, and New Zealand wanted it back. New Zealand would do its best to do that; but if the Australians proved better, then New Zealand would be pleased to send it back with them. These sentiments were endorsed by Mr. Frost, who said that the Australians at the present time might be termed the Rugby champions of the Pacific. In the games to be all hoped to see something from which the country might learn. It was he who told the gathering of the Australians' prowess at singing. It was he, therefore, who was responsible for having the team sing—though, it is true that it was Mr. Davis who asked them to. "I am certain ' that the whole team knows this - welcome comes from the bottom of your hearts," replied Mr. Shaw. The team was young and wanted to leave the country with the name of sportsmen. "We do not mind about the cup," he said. "We want the public here to see how we in Australia consider the game should be played." He promised that play would be open and fast. "And," he added, "we are not going to worry whether you eat our oranges or we eat your potatoes." The Team Sings. "We have all heard of your reputation as sportsmen," Mr. Hayes said. "Wc have heard that you know how to win or to lose. We hope to give you plenty of practice at the latter." It was at this stage that the Mayor asked the' team to sing. There was a little pause and then the team rose as a man. They justified their reputation as singers. In fact those passing on the street outside might have been justified in wondering what was happening within. First they sang "L'Alouette," a French-Canadian 3ong, and as an encore "The Wallabies Are Happy." After the reception the team was entertained in the Mayor's room. Mr. Davis was presented with a Waratah badge and the team sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." ■