THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9289, 14 December 1895, Page 8

THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM.

ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION.

The New South Wales cricketers arrived at Lyttelton early yeacerday morning in tbe Talune from Wellington, and were received by Messrs Cuff, Wanblyn, Harman and Smith (Secretary of the Cricket Council). The offioial reception took place in the Provincial Council Chamber at 11 a.m., to which the visitors were driven in a drag. Hia Worship the Mayor of Christchurcii occupied the chair, and among the large number of people present were the Mayor elect (Mr H. J. Beawick), several members ot the Canterbury Cricket Association, the New Zealand Cricket Council, many prominent Christchurch citizens, and a number of present and past cricketers. The visitors were received at the door by Mr C. R. Smith, Secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Counoil, and presented to his Worship the Mayor, Mr F. Wilding and Mr A. M. Ollivier, who welcomed them respectively on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch, the New Zealand Cricket Council and the Canterbury Cricket Association. The visitors having seated themselves, his Worship the Mayor said that the citizens had assembled in the Provincial Council Chambers to welcome the team ot* New South Walea cricketers, and he, as Mayor of Christchurch, had, on behalf of the city, very great pleasure in extending to them a cordial and hearty welcome. It waa sincerely hoped that during their sojourn in the colony they would enjoy themselves, and when they left our shorea would look upon their visit, not only to Christchurch, but to New Zealand, with pleasure. (Loud applause.) In alluding to the noble and national game of cricket and the classes of society it reached, he observed that among those present were old cricketers, who had been educated at the leading universities of the United Kingdom. *" (Applause.) Mr F. Wilding said that, in the absence of the President of the New Zealand Cricket Council, he had, on behalf of thai body, to welcome the visitors, and he endorsed the remarks which had fallen from his Worship the Mayor. The New Zealand Council was much gratified that tbe invitation sent to the New South Wales Association had met with so cordial and prompt an acceptance, and Christchurch was glad to welcome a team which embraced within its ranka some such as Mr Walford and Mr Callaway, who had been known and admired in New Zealand cricket circles —(loud applause) —and also a large number of the moat prominent and rising batsmen in New South Walea. Our cricketera would be especially glad to meet in the field those who no doubt in the immediate future would be looked upon as the pride and hope of cricket in the sister colony. (Loud applause.) One of the objects and the hopes of the New Zealand Cricket Couucil waa to promote matches with Australian teams. In every town in New Zealand there was an abundance of raw material, and the only way in which it could be worked and developed into finished batsmen and bowlers was by meeting team 3 from Australia and trained cricketera, aspiring to that high standard which, unfortunately, was not prevalent in New Zealand at the {present time. He wished the visitors success, he could not say conscientiously that he hoped they would win every match, but he did hope that there were in Christchurch eleven humble individuals who, in the hands of Providence, might be able to prevent the visitors returning with their pride inflated over an unchequered career of matches. (Laughter and applause.) He concluded by extending a hearty welcome. Mr A. M. Ollivier, in tbe absence of the President of the Canterbury Cricket Association, extended a welcome to the visitors on behalf of that body. It gave him great pleasure in doing so, because this was the first representative team from any of the Australian colonies. Had the visit come from Victoria he would not have been so surprised, because some twenty years age a team went from Canterbury to do battle on Victoria ground. It met with some success, and a return visit was promised. He regretted to say that the visit had not yet been repaid, but, no doubt, when we did get it, it would be all the more welcome. He could not help thinking that the New South Wales Association had shown a good appreciation oi our cricket in sending a representative team here. He hoped fine weather would prevail, and felt sure they would have a pleasant game, because wherever cricketera met to play -one of the essentials was a pleasant game. (Loud applause.) In conclnaion, he repeated bis welcome, and hoped there would be witnessed iv cricket a spectacle we here had not often the opportunity of seeing. (Loud applause.) Mr H. R. Webb said that though not on the official list he wie.hed ou behalf of three of the oldest New South Welshmen in Canterbury—Mr Cox, the Hon. J. T. Peacock, and himself—to offer them, hearty congratulations on having the team in our midst, and to say how pleased they were at receiving a visit from their countrymen. He also, as representing the Canterbury College Board of Governors, extended a cordial welcome. Champagne was handed round, after which his Worship the Mayor proposed the toast of " The Visitors," coupled with the name of the manager, Mr Waine. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with cheers. Alderman J. C. Wainb said he was sure the whole team would agree with him that they little expected to meet with such a reception at the hands of the cricketers and cricketing public of Christchurch, though they were acquainted with its hospitality ; aud on behalf of the team he begged to tender their most sincere thanks for the kindness, courtesy, and hospitality which had been extended to them. When first the question of sending a team to New Zealaud was mooted—when the letter came from Mr Smith—it waa taken up enthusiastically and warmly by the Association in Sydney, but he did not think tbe presence of the team here was due so much to that as to the energy and activity displayed by Mr Smith, the Secretary of the New Zealand Council. Several members of the cricketing body had been pre/ioualy to New Zealand* with unofficial teams, and had a lively recollection of the hospitable treatment they had received, so that when the matter had progressed, the trouble with the Association and the selectors waa to decide whom not to send, there was such a rush to make one of tbe team. (Laughter.) This was bis second visit, and he knew perfectly well when he took.up the position of manager that he was in for a right good royal time at the hands of the lSew Zealanders, because their hospitality was proverbial. There were some difficulties in the way of getting the best team, though if by any possibility they should' not win, he did not wish to advance that as a strong reason; bnt in view of the three intercolonial matches, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia, they had got as goo i a team away as he believed under the circumstances it was possible to get together. There were a good many young, players, and ' a great deal of credit was due to the team that they were pretty well all teetotallers, which was a great consideration").with a manager. (Laughter.) They were' also youthful players, who were enthusiastic and loved the game, and be was sure when the tour waa finished they would leave behind them a good record of their cricketing capabilities as of their conduct otherwise. (Loud applause.) As to the matches, they would play them in that manly spirit which, characterised and actuated every cricketer. (Hear, bear.) If they won they would not be uuduly elated ; if they lost, more power to the better team who beat them. (Loud applause.) But be could promise this, that they would give Canterbury a right good royal battle with the game of cricket. (Hear, hear.) He was pleased to hear the remarks of Mr Webb, oecause it showed that the love of fatherland was never lost, no matter how long we might have been

away, and he was sure the remarks of that gentleman would receive a reaoonse in the breasts of all the members of the team, who would do their best to go baok unbeaten. He hoped that this visit would be the forerunner of a bi-annual or tri-aunual, if not an annual one, between the colonies, and he could safely say thac should a team go from New Zealand, New South Waies would do her best to reciprocate that kindness and hospitality which had been so generously extended on the present occasion. He did hope that next season they would have the satisfaction and pleasure of welcoming a team from the New Zealand Cricket Council. He concluded by again returning the thanks of the team for the reception accorded it and called for three cheers, which were enthusiastically given, for the Mayor, the Cricket Council, the Association, the citizens and the New South Welshmen iv Canterbury. The proceedings then closed.

Mr Cobcroft, the captain of the visitors, and some of his team called at the office of this journal soon after their arrival, and in a couveraation with a member of the staff the former said the Taiune had a good passage across from Sydney, aud he anticipated that all his team would be fit for today's match. Callaway, who bad his left thumb injured while practising in Wellington, would be well enough to take part in the opening contest. The Sydney men are delighted with what they have so far seen of New Zealand. They were shown over the Press office, and marvelled at the magnitude and completeness of the premises and machinery, &c.

The New South Wales men visited Lancaster Park yesterday afternoon and indulged in a good praotice. From a casual glance at the visitors' play they appear to be a very even lot. Noonan bowla a remarkably good ball, aud Wade, Poidevin and Ridge are batsmen of great ability. With regard to the others they appear to be about the same standard as our own men. With fine weather and a good wicket a good game should result. By a letter just received from Sydney by the Hon. Secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council, some notes of Hume, who took the place of Austin, are to hand. Hume ia a right hand bat and bowler, captain of the Redfern C.C., and last year, though not so successful with tbe bat as formerly, secured the bowling average with 13, while his batting average was 20. Medium to fast bowler.