FAREWELL, NEW ZEALAND

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1935, Page 10

FAREWELL, NEW ZEALAND

INDIAN HOCKEY-ITES DEPART “TOUR DIFFICULT TO FORGET.” LORD GALWAY’S PRAISE. [Special to “ Northern Advocate.”! AUCKLAND, This Day. Before sailing for Sydney by the Marama yesterday, the manager of the All India hockey team Mr Behram Doctor, said that the tour had been one that would be very difficult to forget. ' “We have formed friendships that will be lifelong, and we will take away nothing but good feelings, good thoughts, and good impressions of this Country,” he said. Mr Doctor said the treatment the team had received could not have been better, and that both those interested in hockey and those outside the game had made every effort to ensure that the visitors were always comfortable.

“There might have been certain difficulties,” he continued, “but with all that, we were treated royally.

“The team that I brought,” continued the manager,” would undoubtedly extend any hockey combination outside India, so that New Zealand may be proud of the performances of the Dominion side in the first two test matches. India was fully extended to uphold the prestige of the Fatherland, and with perfect confidence? I can sayiK the New Zealand boys were well worthy of playing the powerful team against which they were pitted.”

Mr P. Gupta, the assistant manager of the team, said he was sure the players had all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and deeply appreciated the hospitality everywhere shown to them. The following telegram was sent by Mr Behram Doctor to the GovernorGeneral, Lord Galway: “On the eve of our departure I most cordially thank Your Excellency, on behalf of the Indian hockey contingent, for the reception that was accorded to us by Your Excellency on the day of our arrival. That reception proved to be the forerunner of many kindnesses and considerations which have been extended to us throughout the wonderful and romantic country over which Your Excellency, as His Majesty’s representative, governs. Each and every one of us leaves the most hospitable and most interesting people of Zealand with very marked feelings of regret, tempered with memories which shah always be with us.” A reply from Major A. F. Purvis, Military Secretary and Controller to the Governor-General, read as follows: — , , . “The Governor-General desires me to thank you for your telegram of today and to congratulate you and the members of the Indian hockey contingent on the conclusion of a most successful tour throughout New. Zealand. His Excellency is delighted to hear that you have enjoyed your visit to this Dominion, and wishes you and all members of the contingent a splendid voyage and safe return to your country.” “WE ENJOYED OURSELVES.” REMARKS MISUNDERSTOOD. ISpecial to "Northern Advocate.’' l AUCKLAND, This Day. Assertions that statements he had made in an interview last Friday had been misunderstood were made yesterday by Mr P. Gupta, co-manager of the visiting Indian hockey team. “The team thoroughly enjoyed the tour through New Zealand,” said Mr Gupta. “People were extremely kind to us and the scenic beauties of the country thrilled us through and through Despite strange foods and uncertain weather we enjoyed ouiselves. , , “I find that considerable misunderstanding exists concerning my statement last week that we found the tour too strenuous and that we had too many patches to play. I- would like to remove this misconception. I did not mean that we had tqo many matches, but that we had to undergo unnecessary travelling. It was not my intention to criticise the actions of the New Zealand Hockey Association.” , _ Another impression that Mr Gupta said he wished to correct was that he had belittled New Zealand hockey players by saying that the visiting team was not the best that India could produce, and contained only two Olympic Games players. He did not m6ke the statement with the intention of reflecting on the standard, of New Zealand players. The selectors in. India had learned that hockey in New Zealand was not of such a standard that would warrant India’s best team being sent. However, hockey in New Zealand was better than he had expected, and he considered it would stand high in world hockey. The team had expected to be beaten at any time during the New Zealand tour, especially against the Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington, teams.

Mr Gupta also contradicted a statement made by Mr A. G. Yardley, president of the Morrinsville Hockey Association, to the effect that ;the itinerary of he New Zealand tour had been submitted to the Indians before they left India. “Mr Yardley is not aware of the facts,” declared Mr Gupta. “The Indian Hockey Federation did not examine the itinerary before we left, because there was not time to send It over to us, and most of the negotiations were made briefly by cable.”

Mr Gupta also objected to Mr Yardley’s allegations that he (Mr Gupta) was unapproachable while in Morrinsville. “I went to all the official functions and saw Mr Yardley at least twice,” said Mr Gupta. “It was not my wish to offend anybody,” he concluded. In reference to Mr Gupta’s statement that the Indian Hockey Federation did not examine the itinerary before the team left India, because there- was not time to send it over, Mr A. F. Preston, the representative of the New Zealand Hockey Association, appointed to travel with the team, said Mr Gupta was only partly correct. The fact of the matter was that an itinerary extending over a period of ten weeks, with 26 matches, was submitted to the Indian Federation and accepted. Certainly two extra matches were played, one of which was arranged aL the Indians’ own request, the proceeds to be sent to the Quetta earthquake fund. “As regards Mr Gupta’s other statements, the public may be well left to use its own judgment,” added Mr Preston.