HEENEY'S RETURN

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 13 September 1928, Page 13

HEENEY'S RETURN

♦ HOME TOWN EN FETE (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBOKNTE, This Day. Gisborhc was beflagged for Tom Heeney's return, and a large crowd assembled to witness his arrival. Hecncy and his wife attended a banquet in their honour at Opotiki last night, and afterwards motored to Motu, taking train from thero and reaching Gisborne about 11 o'clock. They took up a, position on the hotel balcony, and wero loudly cheered by the crowd. Addresses of welcome were delivered by the .Mayor and other citizens. Heeney will bo entertained at a. banquet given by representatives of numerous public bodies to-night. To-morrow he will attend the boxing contest, and will givo a sparring exhibition with his brother Jack. On Saturday night ho will be entertained at Gisborne. There will be a visiting party of Wellington Savages. In reply to the addresses of welcome, Heeney praised American sportsmanship. He said he had gone there unknown, and was treated as though he was an American. He announced that when ho had finished his career he would come back and settle in Gisborne. Mrs. Heeney, in response to a call fom the crowd, also spoke.