THE ROUND BALL

Evening Star, Issue 19588, 21 June 1927, Page 6

THE ROUND BALL

CANADIAN PLAYERS ARRIVE WELCOMED BY SOCCER MEN TO-DAY’S CIVIC RECEPTION. The Canadian Soccer team arrived in Dunedin by the first express from Christchurch yesterday afternoon, and were met at the station by Soccer enthusiasts and members of the O.F.A.’s Management, Committee. The team was escorted to its quarters at the City Hotel by the Tramways Band, which played ‘ The Maple Leaf’ as the train arrived. Last night Alderman Janies Adam, of Vancouver, the manager of the team, and Mr J. A. Milburn, the New Zealand Council’s representative on the South Island tour, attended the meeting of the Management Committee. The Chairman (Mr J. B. _M‘Callum) welcomed Mr Adam. He said that the Canadian manager would be able to see the Management Committee in working clothes, as it were, and to finally approve of the list of entertainments for the week to make the team’s visit as pleasant as possible.

| Mr Adam said the Entertainments Committee had given the team just what it wanted, the mornings having been left free. The Canadians had two hard games before them. At present they had only fourteen men .to go on the field, and they would be able to rest. It was football first, last, and always so far as the tour was concerned, but lie maintained there was more than football behind it. The tourists wero anxious to know what New Zealanders possessed, how they lived, and what they had to sell. The boys kept diaries, and sent back reports and papers to every part of Canada, while two members were supplying articles to the biggest newspapers of Vancouver and Montreal. That alone would bring the two great dominions ■ together. The Canadians had heard of and read of New Zealand, which in his opinion did not have enough visitors What the football boys bad seen accomplished had been a revelation to- them. On the Australian visit the team had been of sixteen players, and two men , bad been finished for the tour after the first half-hour’s play. That was j the reason why Canada had insisted that tho New Zealand touring team should bo of eighteen men. Even that number was not too many. Two men , had already gone to Wellington for ; treatment. Turner had assured him ' that he would he ready for the second j tost. They would find tho hoys easy J to get on with. i Tho Chairman said ho was very pleased with the appearance of the boys. They wero a fine stamp. In Otago they had much to learn, and they expected to receive the lessons on Wednesday and Saturday of this week.

Mr Adam expressed his regret that Turner, the star man and a bag of tricks, ami Graham would bo unable to participate in the Dunedin matches. On behalf of Mrs Adam, the team, and himself ho thanked the committee for the hearty welcomes given. T Mi (burn was also welcomed to the mooting, and he replied that the council was quite satisfied with the conduct of the game and the standard of play in Otago. THE RECEPTION The council chamber at the Town Hall seated a big crowd of representative sportsmen to support the mayor (Mr W. 13. Taverner) in according a civic welcome to the Canadians. “I am pleased to have this opportunity of extending to the visiting team of Association footballers a welcome to Dunedin, particularly as they are the pioneer team as far as Canada is concerned,” said the Mayor. “ft lias been said that Rugby is a part of the New Zealanders’ religion, but wo are at least sufficiently versatile to modify our sporting creed for tho time being in favor of tho Association game, of which our visitors are pronounced exponents. Their record to date is that they have played nine matches, and have only suffered one defeat, scoring 49 goals against 2. On this showing they are deserving of congratulations. “ That the ancient and manly game of football should have been elevated to the importance of international fixtures was indicative of tho growing importance of field sports. Interchange of visits provided a wonderful opportunity for establishing closer relationship between the different countries _of the Empire, and forged a link which permitted of friendly rivalry and fostered true sportsmanship. “ I am very glad to have this opportunity of welcoming the representatives of our sister dominion, and it is hoped that they will enjoy their stay in Dunedin and carry away pleasant memories of the games to ho played,” he said in conclusion.

The Mayor of St. Kilda (Mr If. W. Hall) joined in tho welcome. Unity of 1 countries was brought about by tho visits of teams. The friendship already existing between Now Zealand and Canada would ho renewed and increased. While it was recognised that the Canadians could not win in Dunedin—(laughter)—the visitors could be depended upon to make a good fight. Mr H. J. Duncan (president _ol tho Otago Football Association) said that all in Dunedin had heard ol the prowess of the Canadians in the north and their ability in Canada. The association was much indebted to Mr Stuart and bis colleagues of the Otago Rugby Union for the use of the Carisbrook Ground for the lortbcoming matches. They liked to know that the Canadians were bringing to this country a sample of the sport which was played so extensively in the Old Land. He welcomed the Canadians heartily, and assured them all they would _ do their best to make the stay an enjoyable one Mr Donald Stuart (president of the Otago Rugby Union) said perhaps they all thought the game they followed was the best, but it was the sport that counted. Tho Rugby Union was always prepared to help tho Soccer code. New Zealanders remembered the hospitality accorded the Maori team while crossing Canada, and lie hoped # to be able to reciprocate the welcome in the coming week. If the Canadians were playing the Otago Rugby team they would lose, but he picked a win for the visitors against tho Soccer team, (Laughter.) Mr L. J. Joel (president of the Otago Cricket Association) supported the words of welcome, find assured olio visitors of the unbiased sporting qualities of the Dunedin sportsmen. He spoke of the value of international contests in binding the Umpire. Mr James Adam, the manager of the visiting team, after thanking those present for the welcome and tho previous speakers for their addre si.:;, said that what struck him in Now Zealand was the way in which all the kindred sports seemed to flourish. He considered there was room in every country for all the _ branches of sport. Canada was certainly a large country. He said that though ho was proud to live in one of the great dominions, ho always liked to remember the tie that bound the dominions to the Old Land. Visits such as these gave them thorough mutual understanding. With reference to the British motor delegates who were visiting Dunedin, ho stated that their visit him that Canada was manufacturing automobiles on a large scale Ho paid a tribute to the Rugby playing ability of the New Zealanders, who, ho thought, were without peers throughout tho world. _ Soccer meant much to the Canadians just now, and at home the people would be anxiously awaiting news of the team and its doings. Ho considered that the team was having a wonderful time in this countrj.

Tho Canadians sang, ‘The Maplo Leaf ’ and gave cheers for the mayor and Otago, after which the local sup* porters returned tho cheers. INJURED MEMBERS TEAM FINDS COLD TRYING NO INTERNAL HEATING. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. June 21. D. Turner and D. Graham, two members of the Canadian Soccer team, bavo returned to Wellington, temporarily disabled. The former twisted his anklo at Greyraoulh, and Graham was injured in tho match at Nelson. Both will undergo medical treatment here, which it is Imped, will enable them to rejoin their side for the second test at Christchurch on July 2. Turner said that Timlin’s wonderful goal-keeping was responsible for the Canadians’ defeat bv Westland. They bad quite a big part in tbc game, but Timlin was unbeatable. Curiously enough, the visitors are feeling the cold very much. _ hi Canada houses and hotels are internally heated, but in Now Zealand they find tho interiors so ee'd that they cannot sleep. TO-MORROW'S MATCH The Canadians’ first match here will take place to-morrow at Carisbrook, starting at 2.45. Something exceptional in tho way of Soccer football should be witnessed in this game, a.s everywhere the visitors have played their fine head work and nippy play has been greatly admired. An instance of their fast and scientific play is tho manner in which they scored their first goal against Canterbury last Saturday. Within the space of 15sec from the time tho hacks cleared the hall by neat passing up to the forward line, and a stinging shot flashed through the goal without a Canterbury player having touched the ball. This afternoon the team indulged in light practice on the beach. Commencing at 1.30, a cur-tain-raiser between schoolboy teams will be played, and arrangements have been made for the accommodation of 800 school children on the ground. Mr A. Preston, of tho local Referees’ Club, has been appointed referee am] Mr W. P. Smith linesman. Tho first test is on Saturday, and box plans for this game will be opened at The Bristol to-morrow morning. Day sales for both matches will ho available from Jacobs’s and Otago Sports Depot.

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