CIVIC RECEPTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 June 1927, Page 6

CIVIC RECEPTION.

A civic reception, was tendered last evening to the visiting Canadian Soccer team, on the balcony of Revington’s Hotel, at which the Mayor' (Mr J. W. Greenslade), presided. Among those present were Messrs T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., W. Robertson (President of the Westland Football Association), J. McLean (Vice-President), A. Adams .(President of the West Coast Rugby Union), J. D. Wingham .(President of the West Coast Rugby League Centre), H. H. A. Renai (New Zealand Soccer Association). , The Municipal Bapd was present and played selections b'efore and after the official the addresses being preceded by the playing of the National Anthem. • . . . , . Mr Greenslade, the Mayor, in extending a welcome to the West Coast to the Canadians, said the West Coast was essentially a Rugby centre. Nevertheless there was room for a third code, and he was glad to see Soccer was coming- into its own. They bad already heard of the fine achievements of the Canadians on the Soccer field, and .Greynioutli was looking forward to seeing a fine .exposition of the game on Wednesday. Greymbuth was especially pleased to welcome representatives from the sister Dominion of Canada, which had established traditions of which not only its people, but the whole of the Brit? isli Empire, were proud. Their visit to Nqw Zealand would serve to form another tie which bound the two Dominions together. The Dominion of Canada had not only produced good soccer players but their soldiers had made a name for themselves both on the battlefields of South Africa, and' in France. He hoped the visit to New Zealand would bring the two parts of the Empire together in stronger bonds of kinship. There were cogent reasons why the two peoples should of necessity stand firmly together. He hoped their visit to the Dominion would be not only successful as far as their special mission to play soccer went, but hoped they would enjoy themselves to the full. Their manager was Aiderman Adam from Victoria. If he

could give any tips as to how to make 20/- civic shillings go further than they were making them go in Greymouth, he wpuld be glad as Mayor, to know it .(Laughter). He then called for three cheers for the Canadian Soccep team, which were given with zest. By special request, the visitors then sang their National Anthem, the “Maple Leaf.” . Mr Seddon, speaking, said he was ' glad to see the visitors getting such a fine welcome. As a special concession, it had been arranged that the weather during the stay of the Canadians would be cold Canadian weather. He hoped that whoever won, their game on Wednesday* would .be- a good one. He, had played Soccer in his boyhood days, but had to switch off to Rugby. He remembered that the Canadians had fought shoulder to shoulder with the New Zealanders at Passchendale. They had a good record in the field where they had added lustre to the fame of their Dominion. He knew their tour would be characterised by the most friendly spirit on both sides, and that their visit would make the. existing bond between the two Dominions even stronger than it was, if suqh were possible. Mr W. Robertson, the President, said the Westland 'Soccerites extended the. heartiest of welcomes to their Canadian brothers. They hoped the present trip would be nothing, but full of pleasure, and that they would carry away with them the happiest memories of their visit. They had had visits to the Coast of three touring teams, the Australians in 1921, .the Chinese in 1924, and now the best of all, the Canadians, The team represented Canada, for. with the exception, of three small provinces, New, Brunswick, Novia Scotia, ,ai)4. . Newfoundland; every province from east to west of that. great j territory , was represented. He wanted to say that New Zealand was inking up the ganje This year t GOO. wpre playing Jt. Next year he, hoped, to see, at.least;Boo teams,.playing,Soccer., He e.xpecteijvto sea the West Coast play a good .gani.e on Wednesday, he was sure would do their best, win or lose. QApplausp), Mr J._ McLean said he joined wiijli the President, in extending a. welcome to the Capadian .team.. .He was glad to see the’’West Coast/hohoured with ,a visit from a team with the reputation

held* by the ( Canadians., He was proud to be associated with Soccer, and he wished the visitors a successful and thoroughly pleasant tour. Mr Adams, said the W.est Coast Rugby Association, was glad to see players like, the Canadians visiting the Coast. T.h e New Zealand Association was to be' congratulated on its enterprise hi bringing the team to New Zealand. He trusted the gate would be a good one, as that would help to eliminate financial worry from the tour. Mr J. D. Wingham said he was glad in ; the name of the League Centre, to welcome the Canadians to Gr.eymouth. He was sure they would have a good time, as the West. Coast Soccerites had lajd themselves out .to. make the visit pleasurable foi* the team. The West Coast usually rose to the occasion when visitors came along, and it saw to it that they were given a good time, and were, able to carry away pleasant memories with them. He wished the visitors a happy time. Responding for s the Canadian team, Mr Adam said they were delighted to be,honoured with, such a reception as they |iad been given., They had bepn treated well wherever they had been. They had managed to have luck on their side and had .not lost a match. . j.The opposing forces had given them good games, and the whole trip since landing in the Dominion had been fraught with . the greatest pleasure, as.no pains had been spared for their enjoyment. Unfortunately, they would have three winters on end, having left Canada in the winter, arrived here in the winter, and would be returning home next winter. Still that could not be helped as football was essentially a winter game. They were looking forward to seeing some of the points of interest on the Coast before leaving on Thursday. , v Mr Adam then called for three cheers for the Greymouth citizens, which were given by his team. The Band played a selection, and the National Anthem, and proceedings terminated. , .- - The team, were the guest's of Mr A. Behan at the pictures evening.

TO-MORROW'S MATCH. Everything is in readiness for the match at Victoria Rark to-morrow afternoon ( at ,2 : 45, between the Canadians and Westland. The latter lias a strong team, which may bring off a surprise. A large attendance is assured, if the weather keeps favourable, a large contingent coming from the country districts and mining townships. A curtain-raiser between the primary schools in . town and country- will start at 1.30 p.m. PRIMARY REP. MATCH. The following teams have been selected to meet at the Park to-morrow in the Town v. Country match. Names of ■ schools are given in parenthesis. Match commences at 1.30 sharp. COUNTRY. Goal: N. Speakman (R.S.)' Backs: T. Caldwell (B.), F. Naylor (B.). ;J , n; - r r- < i > Halves: R..Hoggarth./T.), C. Campbell , ; (£,S.). J. Cldrk _(R.S.). r .. Forwards: P..Cailinari (R.C.),, B. McTaggart (R.C.j, H. Doote (R.S.) (Capt), B. Harris (R.S.), P- Hart (R.C-.) , > Oui „. ... Emergencies: J. Quin,n JMarshall, (1t.C.1, ,A. flill (R. 5. J. Beale (R.S.); Ford (D.), J. Pender (R-C.) , TOWN. Goal; Backs: Eggleton (C.), N. Morrison (S.) ... .Halves: J. Roberts (M.), D. Kiely (M.), R. Willjams ,(S.) ; Forwards: P. Duffy (st), Griffiths (C.) ?; JL Jones (S.), Clark (C.), Goodall.( 5.,) k,-,... f-j l ( ‘ ,H' J.' 1 i Ejnergencles: Baty (Q.), Auld (C.), White (0.), R. Quinn (M.), L. Payne iM.) , . | .