BOWLERS AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 7

BOWLERS AT HOME

MAYORAL WELCOMES MANSION HOUSE FUNCTION THE PEOPLE OF KENT (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 27th April. By 10 a.m. yesterday morning the New Zealand bowlers wore assembled Jit. the Mansion House, by invitation of the Lord Mayor. They were accompanied by the ladies of their party, and they had the opportunity of seeing the treasures which the- official residence of the Lord Mayor houses. Tho Lord Mayor said he was more than delighted to welcome the New Zealanders to tho Mansion House. Perhaps it was somewhat appropriate that they had come as bowlers for the reason that his own home in the country of Essex was in one of those counties ■well known for its bowls, while Lady Bathos county (which was nationally known as the county of tho "Silly Soccers") was also extremely prominent as a bowls county and had produced many efficient players. He well remembered in his own young days receiving many a hiding from his late father-in-law, who was a good bowler in his time. He know of tho value of links between tho Dominions and the Mother Country, whether they were links formed by sport, or commercially, or professionally, or, indeed, by any other walk of life. Tho Mansion House was renowned for many traditions, one of them being that of hospitality, but he begged forgiveness for not at the moment extending the tradition of the city, for the hour was the early one of 10 a.m. He outlined the busy official' day ahead of him. It had begun at 7.15 a.m., when he was in the middle of his bath; at that hour ho was informed that a Japaneso gentleman who is flying round the world had come to see him! But, after all, what was the aim of a' busy day but service? Service given by men and women, whether great or small, was an asset to tho country. The visitors were all out to do service from the sports side of life,'and the players of bowls were all out to play the game in tho manner of what people in the Mother Country called "cricket." From Sir James Parr he had heard a great deal about New Zealand. He always tried to be a cheery optimist, and one of these days, perhaps, Sir James would extend an invitation to him to visit the Dominion. Ho lived in the hope of seeing tho great Continent of Australia and the Dominion of Now Zealand, and if he ever got there the first person lie would seek in the Dominion would bo Sir James Parr, because he knew him so well and had seen a good deal of him lately. He hoped the bowlers would have a real good time. WELCOME ACKNOWLEDGED. Mr. J. AY. Hardlcy made a very good speech on behalf of the Now Zealand Premier, tljo New Zealand Bowling Association, and tho visitors. On behalf of his party he said he deeply appreciated the signal honour that tho Lord Mayor had conferred upon them; they highly appreciated the gracious welcome which he had accorded them— a welcome that aroused feelings of genuine emotion. The New Zoalanders were British born—Britons of the Britons —sons of the Umpire, bound to the Mother Country by tics that could never bo severed. To New Zealanders the- Mother Country —with London — was tho rock to which their hearts were aiifhord. They tinned to tho Mother Country as the compass turned .to tho magnetic North. All New Zealanders —whether of English, Scottish, Irish, or Welsh cxtration —were proud of their British parentage, and proud also to be counted as members of the great and glorious British Empire. London had memorials and treasures that were veritable treasures to New Zealanders; there were memorials of men who had shaped the destinies of the Empire. Therefore, the Lord' Mayor would understand in no small measure how New Zealanders loved London and appieciated tho Empire's great treasure house. Now Zealanders were proud of their country; they also honoured their forefathers who laid the foundations of the great-little country from whence [they, had just come. The Dominion's Bowling Association and tho people of the Dominion, as requested by the Prime Minister, desired to convey to London headquarters the heartiest greetings possible and all good wishes. Ho and his party would carry away most interesting memories of their meeting with the Lord Mayor and tho Lady Mayoress in the historic Mansion House. Sir James Parr called for cheers for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. After this the badge of the New ZcaZealaud Bowling Association was bestowed first on the Lord Mayor and then on Lady Batho, and tho ceremoily concluded by the party facing the incvitablo battery of cameras. WELCOME IN KENT. "When the travellers landed at Folkestone from France, prior to arrival in London, they were accorded a real Kentish welcome. Those present included: Tho Lord Mayor of Folkestone, the president, of Ihc Kent County Bowling Association (Mr. AY. J. GiHott), the secretary of the K.C.B.A. (Mr. AY. Thorn}, Mr. Percy Snow, a member of the Council of tho English Bowling Association, and Mrs. Snow, Mr. AY. ilug: gcit (ex-president X.C.8.A.), Mr. Kini; (px-prcsident, X.C.8.A.), Mr. AY. IC. Hayninn, Folkestone, representing the K.C.8.E., Mr. Kanwell' (vicepresident, X.C.8.A.), Mr. G. T. Sharp, Folkestone, J. H. Kent, ex-captain Folkestone Bowling Club, Mr. W. J. Hall. Folkestone Bowling Club, and vicr-captain, Folkestone Bowling Club, >Ir. W. E. Scott, secretary Folkestone Bowling Club. Mr. Gillett, 'on behalf of tin- English Bowling Association and tlie Kent County Bowling Association, extended a very hearty welcome to tho visitors and hoped that they would lui.ve a most successful tour. They hoped they would have many close and exciting games during their tour. They were very happy to welcome visitors from such a distinguished part of the Emjiirc as New Zealand. (Applause). Mr. Hardley said if the Kentish people were pleased to see them they (the New Zealanders) were ten thousand times pleased to see them, and the Old Country. (Cheers.) They, as New Zealandcrs, were proud of their country, but they were prouder still to be counted w 'iieu'lics of the great British pmpV* ilr 'i.anked Mr. Gillett for the very hearty welcome. They cared not whether they won or not in the Old Country; their 'main object was to grip every bowler's hnml and show that the brotherhood of bowlers counted more than winning games. (Cheers.) Thcv felt honoured by tlio prrecice of the' Miiycv uf Folkestone. (Applause.) The last person to bid Ilk.mii farewell w:is fhr: Mayor of 'Wellington, and they were delighted to be w< Icomrd by Ihe .Mayor uf Folkestone, upon I.lieir arrival in England. They were r.U looking forward tv a very happy li»if. • Tho Mayor of Kolkcsimie e>C|)i esscd hi.s pleasure ,-it being able to come and grip the bowlers by the hand ;m;l welcome them to the Old Country. They wore delighted to see such an enthusiastic parly of bowler.s, ,-im.J Ik was pleased ami proud to be the first Mayor of an English town to welcome, them.

He hoped they would be delighted with their visit. There was ono_ fly in the ointment—they were not playing at Folkestone. Last year Folkestone, had been honoured by a visit of the New Zealand cricket eleven,' and the year before by tho Australians. If they found it possible to spare the time to run down to Folkestone- ho was sure they would be accorded a very hearty welcome. Mr. Hardley then decorated tho Mayor and Mr. Gillett with the New Zealand bowlers' 102S badge. Before the New' Zealand party left, the Mayor presented to Mr. Hardley one of the Folkestone Bowls Club's bridges.