WARM RECEPTION

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 148, 19 December 1935, Page 10

WARM RECEPTION

CRICKETERS IN FIJI

"MAORILAND" TOURISTS

CReceived December 19. noon.) SUVA, This Day. The team of New Zealand cricketers known as the Maorilanders, arrived on Sunday, and, despite a drenching downpour, were'iii the best of spirits. They were met by the president of the Fiji Association, a former New Zealander, Mr. S.. H. Ellis, .and other < members of the association. A. reception in their honour was given in the afternoon at the president's residence at'l Tamavua, where they met the cricketing public. At Suva on Monday they were given a reception by the Mayor- (Mr. Alport Barker), who emphasised the splendid relations existing between Fiji- and New Zealand, arid the : value of tours such as this.The team's captain, r H. B. Massey (Wairarapa) ■ made a very apt reply. In the evening .there was an official dinner of welcome at the Hotel Pacific. There were eighty people present. The president's welcome was supported by Prince Ratu Pope, the reigning chief of Fiji, and also by Sir Henry Scott, who was a member of the Fiji cricket team which toured New Zealand in 1895. . ■'•:•■■■ The replies of the. manager (Mr. E. Sutherland), and of Mr. Massey were applauded. -■'.'■ \ .-.' On Tuesday the , team were entertained in the afternoon by the Governor, ana on Wednesday they made an expedition to Bau, the ancient Fijian -capital, . as. the guests of Ratu Pope.- They returned to Suva in the evening laden with presents of native, fruits. . \ The team have had sOme_ keen practices, and will face their first trial today against a Suva second eleven. i The team, which has been approved by the New Zealand Cricket Council, is: D. L. Martin (Auckland), M. J. Hewitt (Auckland); J. R. Norris (Auckland), W. Renshaw (Auckland), E.. N. Vipond (North Auckland), E. J. Dunning (North Auckland), J. D. Bright (North Auckland), L. W*'att (North Auckland), X.: L. Sandford (South Auckland),- E. Sutherland (Bay of Plenty), H. B. Massey (Wairarapa, captain), L.E. Riley (Wellington), C. V. Walter (Canterbury), H. N. Windle (Nelson), and E. C Andrews (a promising left-hand batsman from Rotorua High School). The average age of members. of the side is 22.