Allege Hospitality Lack in Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1948, Page 6

Allege Hospitality Lack in Whangarei

Lack of hospitality on the part of the Whangarei Cricket Association was alleged at a meeting of the Northern Wairoa Association this week.

The complaints arose from the visit of the Nbrthern Wairoa colts last week-end to play for the Golden Bloom Shield. Speakers claimed that officials of the Whangarei association had stated that it was impossible to obtain accommodation for the Wairoa players with the result that most of them had to travel between Dargaville and Whangarei on both days of the match. Private cars and benzine were secured after much trouble but it was found that one of the vehicles did not have enough petrol to return to Dargaville on Saturday evening and go back again on Sunday morning. accommodation

The four passengers sought accomodation at an hotel and secured it without any difficulty. This proved that little or no effort had been made by Whangarei officials to arrange accommodation. It was pointed out that the fault was purely administrative as the Whangafej 'players had expressed disappointment that the Wairoa boys had been unable to have Saturday night with them. INVESTIGATION PROMISED The president of. the Whangarei association (Mr H. B. Massey) said yesterday when the matter was referred to him that he knew nothing 61 the failure to get accommodation for the visitors until he went to Kensington on Saturday to watch the match. The secretary (Mr E. Coleman), from earlier inquiries, had reported that no accommodation was available. That beds were obtained~by four of the visitors was due probably to personal efforts and last-minute cancellations.

All representative Xl.s visiting Whangarei this season had been treated alike, and the Whangarei association had received letters and messages of appreciation from the other teams. The matter would be brought up at the next meeting of the association, he added.