N.Z. Cricketers Say Farewell: King’s Message

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1949, Page 8

N.Z. Cricketers Say Farewell: King’s Message

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A. W. MITCHELL,

N.Z.P.A. London’

U. A V** Correspondent;] : LQNDQN, September 22.—A message ?tb ; the New Zealand cricketers fyom His’Majesty the King was read at, a farewell dinner given by Mr J. H. Phillipps, manager of the team, on behalf of the New Zealand Cricket Council, to the committee of the M.C.C. and other notable personalities. During the dinner, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is president of the M-C.C., described the New Zealand toato as one of the most popular sides ever to visit England. • Mr Phillipps presented the Duke with a china plate, bearing in gold letters the autographs) of the New Zealand team. Mr Phillipps said he hoped that the plate might be placed in the Long Room at Lord’s, “as a reminder that, in 1949, 17 New Zealanders thought it was a great thing to be in England.” ' .The King’s message -was in reply to a telegram sent by Mr Phillipps. Mr Phillipps’s telegram said the New Zealand team sent their loyal greetings, and would ever remember the -gi;acious interest of the King and ■Queen in its tour. Thanking Mr Phillipps lor his telegram, the King ..said he and the Queen wished the team “a pleasant voyage home after their most successful tour of this country.” Proposing-the toast of the M.C.C., Mi? Phillipps said his team welcomed the. Duke of Edinburgh as its president —the' greatest office that the world of sport had to offer. The Dulce had been a good friend of the team, which had been greatly touched when he wore a New Zealand tie at the fourth test. It was a good thing for cricket that its chief parliament, the M.C.C., was< still a club. ■Mr Phillipps said that although English cricket had been a war casualty, its wounds were healing. He- added: “While our own record has been surprisingly good—and we have been the people most surprised —we feel that everything is going along in English cricket as it should. If it continues to be controlled and guided ad it has been, it will go ahead.” Duke’s Praise For Team The Duke of Edinburgh replied to the toast, and first read a telegram from Sir Arthur Donnelly. This said: “At the end of our tour, I respectfully send through you the affectionate good wishes of the cricketers of New Zealand to the cricketers of England. Your players and administrators have been, as always, most charming hosts. We are proud of the reputation and goodwill which our team has earned by the style and spirit of its play, and that, with sporting help, there have been some grand finishes. We believe that tours, so conducted on both sides, help all in ways beyond the game. ’ The Duke of Edinburgh continued: “I was delighted to have this message, and I replied with the following telegram: “I would like to thank you for your kind message of good wishes. May I in return, send the warm greetings of the cricketers of the United Kingdom to their brothers in New Zealand, as we sadly say farewell to your first, eleven. Managed so efficiently by Jack Phillipps, and captained and led m such exemplary fashion by Walter Hadlee they have impressed us all with their ability and keenness for the game. Their charm and genuine sporting manner have made them one of the most popular sides ever to visit this country. Every man in the team deserves credit. We thank them for coming here, and you for sending them.” The Duke of Edinburgh claimed that the dinner was a unique occasion. “I don’t believe any touring side has entertained their hosts before,” he said. “As far as I am concerned, I wouldn't mind if further touring sides did the same.” The Duke said the New Zealanders could congratulate themselves on a very successful tour. “I believe,” he continued, “that the game has benefited enormously by the way in which you have played your matches. There is no doubt about that. I think I am voicing the universal view when I say that everybody in this country who has had the good fortune to watch you play will say the same thing. “The success story of this tour is almost too good to be true: not a single loss against a county, or indeed against England; and I believe the tour has been a very reasonable financial success as well.” Hadlee’s Gratitude Hadlee, who spoke next, said that all the arrangements for the New Zealanders were made so easy and everything was so delightful that pleasant matches were assured from the start. The New Zealand team would sail for home with mixed feelings, for it would leave behind many friends, not the least of whom was the Duke of Edinburgh, whose very great interest had stimulated every member. Sir Pelham Warner said he hoped that, as a result of the tour, Australia would pay New Zealand more attention in cricket than she had in the past. “I can conceive the day when New Zealand may even beat Australia.” he added. “If you do, then I am sure the Australians would be the first to congratulate you."