A JOLLY EVENING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 179, 14 July 1927, Page 6

A JOLLY EVENING.

SOCCER TEAMS DINE TOGETHER ATMOSPHERE OF FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD FEELING. The Canadian and Hawke’s Bay Soccer football teams met at a dinner at the Grand Hotel. Hastings, after the match .yesterday, in an atmosphere of cordial friendship and good feeling. The toast of “The Canadians.” was proposed bv Mr F. L. Lancaster, president of the Hawke's Bav Football Association, who said that he felt sure that the tour would have a very beneficial effect on the sport in New Zealand. When he was in Africa 24 years ago. he said. Soccer was in a similar position to that which it now held in New Zealand, but such had been the enthusiasm raised bv a visit of the famous Corinthian team that the game was now as strong in Africa as it was in Canada. He trusted that the Canadians’ visit would bring about a similar result in New Zealand. Mr Adam, the Canadians’ manager, replying, expressed his appreciation of the remarks which had been made. He spoke enthusiastically of the game which thev had played that day. saying that it was one of the cleanest, finest, and snappiest which thev had vet had in New Zealand, and on one of the best pitches. Great credit was due to the Rugby Sub-Union for the condition of the pitch. He expressed the gratitude of the team for the enthusiastic reception which nad been ertended to them, and he desired to thank the Rotary Club for providing cars to drive the an through the district. Every member of the team had enioved the trip to Wellington. Their short visit to Hawke’s Bay would linger long in the memories of them all. Mi Olsen proposed “The New Zealand Council.” coupled with the name of Mr Godber. BAY TEAM CONGRATULATED.

Mr Godber. in repl” congratulated the Hawke’s Bav team upon their line display, and he was confident that if thev only had had an opportunity of playing together more the result might have been different. The display of combination which won the game for the Canadians was an example in every way, and there was no reason why a similar spirit of combination should not be carried into the conduct of their councils and associations. He congratulated the schoolboys on the exhibition which they gave in the curtain-raiser. Finally he expressed his association's gratitude to the suh-union for providing the ground, to Mr Fred Corbin (treasurer of the sub-union), to the Mayor of Hastings, to the New Zealand Council for arranging the game, and to the Hawke’s Bay Association and Mr J. Stickland. “The Rotary Clubs of Canada” was proposed bv Mr F. W. Peters, and responded to bv Mr Adam.

EDUCATIVE VALUE OF MATCH.

Mr G. A. Maddison. Mayor of Hastings. then addressed the gathering, expressing the great personal pleasure he had experienced in witnessing the match, and the educative value which the match had had. Its high quality would undoubtedly stimulate Soccer in this province, and he wished to congratulate the Hawke’s Bav team on its splendid exhibition. He considered it at least sixty or seventy per cent, better than in the last interprovincial match. A prominent feature of the match was the spirit of harmony among the players, and there was a similar spirit between the association am] the sub-union. He agreed that there was plenty of room for Soccer to expand. Clean, manly sport was wanted. and there was no reason why both games should not be cultivated. He particularly wished, he added, to congratulate Hawke’s Bay’s right half-back. Mr A. Gilmour, whom he considered was worthy on the mime he played of a place in the New Zealand team. Some day he hoped, said Mr Maddison in conclusion, that New Zealand would send a team over io Canada and so more strongly cement the bonds already uniting the two fine countries. After the dinner the two teams were the guests of Messrs J. C. WilImmson. Ltd., at the performance of “The Last of Mrs Chenev.” at the Municipal Theatre.