CIVIC RECEPTION

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 10

CIVIC RECEPTION

The, visitor? were accorded a ciyic reception in the Concert Chamber ', of the Town Hall today by the Mayor (Mr: T. C. A, Hislop), who recalled the success of the 1926 tour and paid a tribute to Dhyan Chand's prowess and characteristic modesty. He said that in view of the easy victories gained by the Indians in Australia the New Zealand teams would be faced with an extraordinarily difficult proposition, but they knew, they would learn a great deal from the tour. Mr. Hislop alluded to the friendly attitude of the Rugby-and Association football auth-

orities in agreeing- to postpone their matches on June 1 to avoid clashing with the India v. Wellington match. Mr. H. J. Goodman, president of the N.Z.H.A., warmly welcomed the team, and stressed the point that, regardless of the probable outcome of the matches, the local players' would take the field with stout hearts. After all, he added, it was the way in which the game was played thai really mattered most. Mr. B. Doctor, manager of the team said the fact that ,the team: had been invited to make the tour after India's sweeping victories in other international matches was definite proof of the fact that the players in the Dominion had stout hearts. If the visit gave an impetus to the game in New Zealand the real object would be attained. They were more or less on a good will mission. Mr. P. Gupta, assistant manager, said it was hoped by the tour to make Indian civilisation better known to the people of New Zealand. The players were the standard-bearers of that civilisation. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the function. The members of the team were entertained at morning tea by "the Government at Parliament-House.