Back From Paris: N.Z. Cricket Team Saying Farewell

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1949, Page 5

Back From Paris: N.Z. Cricket Team Saying Farewell

LONDON, Sept 20 (Rec. 10.05 a.m.) —The New Zealand cricket team has arrived in London from Paris and will be the guests of the Lord Mayor of London at a banquet at Mansion House tonight. Tomorrow the New- Zealand High Commissioner, Mr Jordan, is giving a farewell luncheon and in the evening Mr J. H. Phillips, manager of the team, on behalf of the New Zealand Cricket council, will entertain officials of county clubs, and other notable personalities associated with cricket. The New Zealanders had a long and tiring journey from. Berlin to Paris. They stopped en_ route at Bieldefeld, and were driven from there by car to Dusseldorf, via Mohne to see where the Mohne dam was bombed during the war. The drive to Cologne to catch the train for Paris, where they arrived nearly 12 hours later. They had a two-hour drive round the city to see all the famous sights, including Place Concord, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Arc De Triomphe.

Their arrival at the Arc was in time to coincide with the laying of a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior by Miss Jean McKenzie, of the New Zealand Legation. French military bands, with gay cockaded caps, played “God Defend New Zealand” as Miss McKenzie stepped from the car, and it was an interesting moment for the New Zealanders to hear the strains of their National Anthem echoing round the great Arc. Miss McKenzie laid the wreath, signed the visitors’ book, and walked back to her car to the accompaniment of more martial music. That evening the team called on Miss McKenzie at. the Legation. A visit was also paid to the Palace of Versailles and the team was the guests of Mr Arthur Sims at a performance of the Fblies Buergere. The team also attended a party given by Wing-Commander and Mrs Cory James, to celebrate the engagement of their only daughter, Elizabeth, to M. P/Donnelly. Miss Cory James works at the French embassy in London. The wedding is planned for the new year.