THE INDIANS’ VISIT

Northern Advocate, 19 June 1926, Page 8

THE INDIANS’ VISIT

RECEPTION TO BE HELD. GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE. A well attended meeting was held in the Mayor’s room yesterday afternoon to discuss matters pertaining to the approaching visit of the Indian Army Hockey team. Mr W. A. Carruth was voted to the chair, but vacated his position later on the arrival of the Mayor. In. the absence of the Association secretary, Mr E. Campbell acted as secretary to the meeting. An apology for absence was received from Mr A. B. Charters. Mr Carruth, in outlining tiro purpose of the meeting, said that if Whangarei could not give the redoubtable Indian team a good game it could at least give them a good reception. The distinguished visitors should be given a good opinion of the Dominion, so that when they returned to India, they would be ablo to speak in high terms of their treatment- during their visit. The chairman of the Whangarei Hockey Association, Mr W. N. Jack, narrated the manner in which a game had been secured for North Auckland against the Indian team. It had been necessary to give a guarantee of £2O to the New Zealand Hockey Association before a visit to the North could be obtained. In the event of the tour being a financial success, this amount would be returned to the local association, 10 per cent, of the profits being retained by the parent body and the remainder distributed among the various centres. The gate takings, afterdeduction of advertising costs, ground fees and incidental expenses, would be forwarded to the New Zealand Association. The visitors had created a good impression wherever they had gone, and as Whangarei would be practically their last place of call before leaving the Dominion,, it was for the mooting to see?that they went away with a- good opinion of New Zealand, especially of North Auckland. A civic reception should bo tendered to them. The team would arrive on Wednesday, July 7, play at Kensington Park on the following day, and depart for Auckland on Friday the Bth. As the Indians insisted on preparing their own food, it was impossible to billet them anywhere but in camps. At first the Drill Hall had been suggested, but this was rather too public, and Mr Jack intimated that the Borough Council was to be approached re a camp site at Kensington Park. The European officers and officials would have to be catered for separately.

Mr R. G. Hosking then moved that the meeting, with power to add to its number, form itself into a committee to receive and entertain the Indian Army hockey team. This was seconded by Mr Hornblow and carried unanimously.

' The Mayor, Mr J. E. Holmes, said he was quite ready to fall into line with any proposals made, but others must assist to make a success of the function. A similar committee had been set up to receive the New South Wales football team, but at the gathering the public of .Whangarei were conspicuous by their absence. It was then resolved that a civic reception be accorded the Indian Army team, and that the committee should do all in its power to make the gathering a success.

Mr. R. E. Hornblow, in expressing his willingness to assist, offered to do free of charge the printing in connection with tho banquet. Mr Hornblow’s offer to print the menu cards for the dinner was accepted..

Major Blair stressed the point; that the team, besides being a very strong one, selected after exhaustive tests, consisted of high-caste Indians. A nice compliment would be offered them if a civic, reception were held. If they were treated well during the tour, the officers on their return to India, would disseminate good fellowship between the two countries. One had already signified his intention of retiring to New Zealand on completion of his military duties.

After some discussion it was decided to hold the reception immediately after the arrival of the train on Wednesday afternoon, the most suitable time being 3.15 o’cloek_

An entertainment committee was then sot up ns follows;—The Mayor, and Messrs. D. A, McLean (convener!, H. W. Crawford, A. ,T. Murdoch, W. N. Jack and Major Blair. It wans afterwards decided that Major Blair should act as host to the team while in Whangarei.

Mr. W. N. .Tack then mentioned the matter of a dinner *o the officers after the match. He thought that, ns the Now Zealand Hockey Association paid all travelling expenses, and that the only charges to the local association would be the feeding and entertainment of the men, the total cost would be about £2O

Several present considered that the matter of the dinner should bo purely one concerning the Hockey Association, but others thought that the financial condition of the association would not allow of that idea being entertained. Mr. 11. W. Crawford moved that the officers be entertained after the match to a- dinner, and that the preparations lie loft in the hands of the reception and entertainment committee. This wos seconded by Mr. J. A. Einlayson and carried unanimously. It was afterwards decided that the dinner should bo made open to the public. On tlie motion of Mr. McLean it was resolved that the committee should raise the finance necessary fb cover the cost of entertaining, and that those present should guarantee up to £2O. The mover had no doubt that others would bo willing to assist. Mr. E. Worner, on behalf of the Rugby Union, signified that the body would be willing to do all in its power to assist. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair