BRITISH BOWLERS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 89, 9 January 1926, Page 8

BRITISH BOWLERS

GOVERNMENT RECEPTION

A NOTABLE GATHERING

TEAM LEAVES FOR THE SOUTH

There was a very gay scene in the old ballroom at Parliamentary Buildings yesterdav afternoon, vVlten the Government, officially represented by Sir Francis Hell, tendered a reception to the touring team of British bowlers whose visit to the Empire City has been plcasurablv anticipated for so long. The visitors arrived soon after noon from Palmerston North, and after luncheon at the Grand Hotel, repaired to Parliament Buildings, where they met with representatives from all paits of New Zealand, and even some from Australia, includin’' the president of the Dominion Association (Nir. 11. F. AL Mercer) and Mr. J. Marlow (of the Dominion Council)', who had journeyed from Dunedin to meet them, Air. Percy Cotton (vicepresident of the Queensland Association), Air C. J- B. Norwood (Mayor of Wellington), the president of the Wellington Bowling Centre (Air. S. Stone), and the presidents of the local clubs, together with their. wives and lady friends. Sir Francis Bell, and with him Airs. Harold Johnston, received the "uests and the visitors, who were at Slice ushered into the assembly room, where afternoon tea was spread on tables encircling the room. . Sir Francis Bell, in welcoming the visitors, said that bowlers were a very large and influential section of the community in New Zealand, influential because that influence sometimes extended to the regular inhabitants of the building thev were in. He was well aware of the nature of the reception which hac., been accorded to the New Zealand bowlers during their visit to Great Britain, not only the reception which had been given them, but the hospitality that had been tendered them wherever they went. Whilst thev could not hope to offer an equivalent to that hospitality, they could at least try to make it clear to the visitors that they were assured of a welcome, and, further, that it was not possible for them to outstay that welcome. (Applause.) He would like to make it clear that as far as the Government was concerned it was holiday tunc and that part of the premises thev called “Bellamy’s” was closed, but’ in welcoming them on behalf of the Government be expressed the hope that their visit would be pleasant whilst they were here, and a happy memory when it had ended. (Applause.) He was sorry that Air. Coates, the Prime Minister, was not present to rccevie them, as lie would have liked, but he represented him personally, as well as on behalf of the Government, and as such he wished to assure the visitors of the sincerity of spirit that lay behind the welcome. He did not know w licthci Mr. Coates was a bowler. He (the speaker) was not; but it seemed to ilim that the most ancient game of bowls hail developed in the. same manner as gold—it was not an innovation ; it was a revival. He had beard of a green in the South of England that was said to be GUO years old and v.is still in use, and everyone knew of the famous game of bowls that was being played on Plymouth Hoc when the courier dashed upon the scene to tell that the great Spanish Armada, that was to destroy England, was in sight, and how Drake, who was playing, had said there was time t<> play the game and beat the Spanish too. And lie proved if. Doubtless the game had improved since those davs, just as golf had. The Parliamentary Building was .inen to them all. and he believed that here and there thev would find objects -if interest. Thev would f-x, mid he asked them to nofe. that they provided (or the recreation ol Mic members of the Legislature. Just down the corridor a little they would find a green—ol" cloth--and ivory balls, as free from bias as the Legislature was. (Laughter and applause.) Once again Sir Francis dell emphasised the welcome from the Government ami wished all a very nanpv time whilst in New Zealand. (Applause.) ••It’s Nothing Who Wins or Who I oses.” Mr. H. F. AT. Mercer, of Dunedin, ©resident of the Dominion Bowling Association. took the opportunity in thanking the Prime Minister and Sir Francis for according a Government welcome to tile visitors, of congratulating both 0:1 the honours recently bcsrowco upon them by His Majesty the King, and, addressing .Sir Francis Bell, •aid his honour was well merited owing to his long and faithful services to tne country. In welcoming the British bowler’s Mr. Mercer said it was nothing who wins or who loses the name so long as thev met socially ami gained pleasure from contact with their fellow countrymen from overseas. He wished to assure them, on behalf of the association, of a very hearty wcl"otne. (Applause.) Brilish Captain in Reply. Mr. Geo. Wright, the skipper of the team, and president of the English

Bowling Association, said it was with the very greatest pleasure that he bad to acknowledge the kind welcome which they had received everywhere. Contrary to what Sir Francis had said, the hospitality they had received far exceeded that which had been given the New Zealand team of 1921 at Home. They had done what they could, but would try and do a little better the next time. With reference to the old green at Southampton, he had played <>n it as late as last August twelve months. That fine old green dated back to the thirteenth century. He had also handled the trophies, beautiful works of art, medals as big as tea trays, in the old pavilion, trophies dating back to .1599, and records of the club dating back four centuries. Praise had been given the bowlers for providing the beautiful greens, but what had interested him even more was to see how well the children were provided for with playing grounds in this country. In that respect New Zealand was much in advance of what they were in the Old Country. It was a matter of great importance that the children should be taught and permitted to play. He had had the pleasure of seeing the New Zealanders play football at Twickenham, and a very fine team it was, and a long way too good for them, but it was typical of the energy of the people here that they wished to get them out of bed in , time to commence play at 9 a.m. and j play till the last thing at night. That was a physical impossibility, if they . were to give of their best. Even when j they left Home they all knew that the 1 team did not really represent the bowling strength of Great Britain and Ireland. He thanked the Government for its splendid reception. Provost Husband, representing the Scottish division, said that they had been experiencing a verystrenuous time. He had interested him- | self in the matter, and had discovered that the average age of members of the team was 55 years and 3 months, so it would be seen they were past middle age. Almost everywhere they had been they had been given civic receptions, but this was the first occasion ou which they had been welcomed by a Government, in which they were honoured. In one place they had been given the freedom of the city, and he had inquired as to whether that meant that the members were immune from arrest. He was told that such was the ease; it was certainly true that they were immune from a rest in New Zealand. (Laughter.) , “The Wonderful Empire.” 1 Air. Ivor Thomas, speaking for the Welsh trio of the team,said he thought ■ it was a great honour for the team to I be received and welcomed by the Gov- ; eminent of the most prosperous of their • self-governing Dominions. One thing I the trip had done for him was to make I him extremely proud of this wonderful British Empire. They knew beforehand of the loyalty of the people of this country, but it was good to come and sec it face to face. It was true that the Old Country was passing through a period of great distress, but since tiicv had left they bad learned that a little better outlook was apparent,',and lie felt that with the help of New Zealand and the other Dominions England won'ld pull through as she always had. (Applause.) Air. John Millar, the Irish representative, briefly thanked the Alimster and the Government for the reception which had been accorded them.

At the request of Sir Francis Bell thev all joined in singing “Auld Lang Sviic,” after which the gathering dispersed, the visitors to inspect the building at their leisure. The team left for the south by’ the Wahitie last evening.

ITINERARY SLIGHTLY AMENDED

The itinerary set for the visitors, it has been found, was a good deal too crowded for perfect enjoyment, and as a result of a conference yesterday between the officials of the team, Messrs. IT. Mercer and J. Marlow (of the Dominion Bowling Council), and the local centre representatives, it was decided to cut out the final trip from Wellington to Napier next month. Some of the plavcrs may go to Masterton on February 14, but it will not be possible for the full team to make that trip, as about twenty members have made arrangements to leave Auckland by the Aorangi on February 16 for Vancouver, instead of leaving here for London bv the lonic on February 17. This will mean that they will have to leave for the north on February 14 at the latest. It may also be' arranged for thfe team to spend the week-end in Christchurch, instead of proceeding on to the West Coast on the Saturday.