WELCOME HOME.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 9 November 1927, Page 6

WELCOME HOME.

NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS. FINE RECORD APPRECIATED. (BY telegraph—press association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. A civic reception was tendered the returned cricketers to-day. Apologies for absence were received from the lit. Hon, J. G. Coates and from Mr. Jb. Earle, president of the New Zealand cricket Association. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, speaking on behalf of the citizens of New Zealand, said lie wished in the first' place to say : “Welcome home,” and then “Well done.” The team had far and away exceeded expectations, and on and off the field bad faithfully upheld the traditions of New Zealand.

“Apart from the game itself,” continued the Mayor, “we were very pleased with the modesty of the team throughout. We sent Home a team of gentlemen. lam sure your visit to the Old Country has enhanced the already good opinion) in which New Zealanders are held ab’road. You have earned your laurels and we heartily congratulate you. We congratulate the captain (T. C. Lowry) on the manner in which he led the team, and we congratulate every individual member oil the manner in which he upheld New Zealand.” Sir Francis Bell, who represented the Government, said “cricket” had two meanings iii the English language; one was a definition of the game, and the other was expressed in the proverb “not cricket.” The latter could not be applied to the doings of the New Zealand cricketers, who iiad come up to expectations and more. It made him hope that some day the “All Whites” would make as great an impression as the All Blacks.

Sir Francis mentioned the different conditions existing in New Zealand and England so far as cricket was concerned, and then referred to the remarks made by Mr. Lowry concerning the New Zealanders’ bowling. In liis opinion the New Zealand bowling was quite as good as amateur bowling in England, but England bail her professionals to call upon. It had been seen, however, that the New Zealanders could compete with the Old Country in batting, and there was mo reason why that proof should not he continued to be demonstrated.

Councillor M. F. Luckie, Mr. Heathcote Williams, and Mr. Peter Fraser, M.P. (on behalf of the Labour Party), also spoke, praising the team’s record as cricketers and gentlemen. Mr. Lowry, replying, expressed appreciation of the farewell and welcome home. The team had, in the early matches in England, visions, perhaps, of meeting supermen and dragons, but after the first win they thought they would take tlio whole lot on and England as well. (Laughter.) Usually they got their runs quickly, and that, lie thought, pleased the English people. Commenting on the financial -loss of the tour, Mr. Lowry attributed that to the bad weather.

Concerning bowling, Merritt had been outstanding and Blunt was excellent. Friends in England and cricket critics had told him they were disappointed with the fielding. It certainly was not good, and he believed that something in tin’s direction could lie done in the schools. Speaking at the Government luncheon to the team, Mr. J. G. Coates said it looked as though the team had placed cricket in New Zealand oil the map in the Dominion and overseas, adding:

“But we must not forget in our expressions of appreciation and admiration of the fine performance individually and collectively of our team, the work and financial responsibility ’ that was accepted by the M.C.C. in England.”

References by the Prime Minister to the record of the team and the expressions of opinion given by Lord Harris, the Lord* Mayor of London, J. H. Thomas, M.P., Ix>rd Jellicoe, and the London “Times,” met with rounds of applause. Those comments and utterances, said Mr. Coates, were such as to make everyone feel proud. Daere, acting on medical advice, returns to Auckland to-night, and will not play in Friday’s match. At the Government luncheon Mr. Coates stated that the Government, had gone carefully into the financial side of the tour, and had decided that in view of the action of the sportsmen who had made the tour possible, and also because the team bad done so well on and off the field, the country should make a contribution of £IOOO towards the cost. His remarks were greeted with applause.