MAYORAL RECEPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 19 September 1938, Page 10

MAYORAL RECEPTION.

WELCOME TO AUCKLAND.

A cordial welcome to the city was extended to the Eastern Suburb* Ru«bv League team to-day by the depirty*l*?r'* lr - J „\ C - Mlum > at a reception at the Town Hall. Mr. Allum expressed the regret of the Mayor at being unable to attend owing to an indisposition. We take second place to no one in our welcome to visiting sportsmen, particularly from our sister Dominion, which has produced so manv outstanding athletes in every branch of sport," said Mr. Allum. "To-day we welcome to Auckland a clul> team which, in our opinion, would rank with any similar combination in the world. We are pleased to see Mr. Ray Stehr. the captain of the team, who. with Mr. Joe Pearee has twice represented Australia in Great Britain. We have also Mr. Harrv liercc, who was a member of the team winch toured dreat Britain last year \\e remember that Mr. Pierce was badlv injured while in Auckland, but it is to the everlasting credit of the Rugby League Council in Australia that they insisted on Mr. Pierce accompanying the team on the tour. Tfo are particularly pleased to see Mr. Pierce back on the playing field again. "Another player who has been mentioned to me as* one of outstanding merit is the half-back, Mr. Robinson. One is impressed also with the youth of the team."

Short addresses of welcome were also extended by Mr. J. A. Lee. M.P., president of the .Auckland Rugby League, and Mr. H. Wilson, deputy-chairman of the Xew Zealand Rushy League. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of'the hoard of control, later expressed appreciation of the arrangements made for the reception.

The manager of the team. Mr. J. Quinlan. and the captain. Mr. Rav Stelir. conveyed the thanks of the team for the welcome extended.