SOCCER

Evening Star, Issue 18729, 3 September 1924, Page 2

SOCCER

CHINESE TEAM ENTERTAINED. After the civic reception ’yesterday tlie visiting Chinese proceeded to the Y.M.G. A., where they were the guests of the “ V ” Luncheon Club. Over seventy persons sat down to lunch, the chair being occupied bv Mr H. Tv. Wilkinson, vice-president of (he Y.M.G.A. The tables were daintily laid out by a committee of Indies, the Ghincso colors being most prominent, in the decorative scheme.

In his opening remarks Mr Wilkinson welcomed the visitors on behalf of tho directors, and accorded a. special welcome to the chairman and members of the Otago Football Association, tho president, of the Canterbury Football Association, and several local Chinese residents. After speaking on several of the characteristics of tho men of China, tho speaker urged the visitors to go hack to their homes and take, a very definite part in the upbuilding of China.

Hr Andrew Cameron said that, realising that the players were all university men. ho desired on behalf of the University of Otago to bid them welcome. Dr Cameron then spoke from intimate knowledge, of China and its conditions, intensely interesting his hearers. In reply, Air Dome, the physical director of the Hongkong Y.AI.G.A. and manager of the team, returned thanks for the welcome, and told something of Ihe place that sport is taking in the university life of China. At one tirno tho Chinese scholar was always a scholar, and nothing but a scholar, but now he was becoming in addition a sport, and it had been found that sport had opened up international relationships of great value, even with Japan. Air Wong, tho coach of the leam, then spoke in most appreciative terms of the Y.AI.G.A. Ho said that the visit to New Zealand had come about as the result of correspondence between Mr Varney, Y.AI.G.A. national secretary, and Dr Gray, national physical director for China. All the members of the team belonged to different universities in China. Mr Wong then touched upon the transition period through which Ins homeland was then passing. He said transition always takes time, but in the case of China, in view of its traditions, its conservatism, and tho fact that the people were passive and patient, it was difficult quickly to change to the republican form of government; but as confusion was ever the forerunner of a better period to come, so China looked forward to a great future. There were difficulties, ho pointed out, of foreign intervention. They had difficulty with their near neighbor, Japan, hut he looked forward to a bright future for his country. Last night at the Y.AI.G.A. a basket ball evening was held. After an exhibiton game between the Y.M.C.A. A and i! teams tho ■ A team played a team of Chinese players. The game was most interesting from start, to finish, resulting in a_ win for the Y.M.C.A. team, who had possibly a better knowledge of the floor on which they were playing. At the conclusion the general secretary', Mr Drew, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the visitors for their splendid exhibition, and pointed out that they had come at considerable cost, as most of the members .of the team had to refrain from playing, owing to the proximity of two big football matches, and he further pointed out that the visitors had played somewhat at a disadvantage owing to the fact that the two teams had practised under slightly different rules. Ho also thanked Air Pinfold for his excellent control of the game as referee. Air Wong, in replying, said that they had enjoyed the game, but they had been taken by surprise by the splendid combination of their opponents, and he had no hesitation in saying that the Dunedin Y.AI.G.A. possessed the best basket ball team in New Zealand, for he had seen the game played in each centre so far visited.

Tho Chinese team consisted of Messrs Wong, Lowe, Pao, Chang, and Tsai. The Y.M.C.A. representatives were Messrs Hughes, Robinson, Gain, Garden, and Churchill,

Yesterday afternoon the party were taken for a motor drive along the Peninsula, the route taken being down the high road and bark the low road. The trip was greatly enjoyed by the visitors, who expressed their appreciation of the splendid panoramic views to be obtained along the route._ Motor cars were kindly lent for tho occasion by Messrs Hudson (2), das. Black, Cunningham, Stodman, J. Macr*mga!l. P. W. Breen, H. HaUiday, and M‘ La u chi an. THE THIRD TEST, The full Yew Zealand team for the test match on Saturday next will not assemble in Dunedin until Friday, and during their stay they will bo quartered at (lie Prince of Wales Hotel. Four of the Wellington players and one from Chriatchurcn arrive to-morrow, whilst the three from Southland and three from Seacliffi will not arrive till Friday. Mr L. H. Scott, of the local association, has boon appointed manager, CHINA-CANTERBURY MATCH. AN EXPLANATION WANTED. [Special to the ‘ Stab.’] CHRISTCHURCH, September 3. , Two Canterbury representative Associa--tion football players will be called upon to answer allegations of illegal play in the match Canterbury v. China on Saturday At a meeting of the Canterbury Football Association Mr G. H. Shoulder moved that two members of the Canterbury team should ho requested to appear before the committee at next meeting and explain their conduct in incidents which, he said, occurred during the progress of the Chincse-Cantcrbury match. One player, he said, had kicked the ball deliberately from him when the referee had occasion to give a decision against him. The other had received an accidental kick from a Chinese player, and hid immediately retaliated with a kick in the leg. He thought that an explanation should ho demanded from, the players concerned.

The Chairman said ifc was only right that tho men should be brought before the committee, and be given a chance to vindicate themselves. The allegations were serious.

W. L. Whittington ! “ Mr Chairman, the Chinese were also responsible for rough piny. I could point to at least two cases. If onr players are to be reprimanded the Chinese offenders should also he brought up.” The Chairman; “Tut, tut. Wo can’t deal with that.” The motion was carried.