CRICKET AT SUVA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 December 1935, Page 13

CRICKET AT SUVA

MAORILAND TEAM ENTERTAINED

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 19th December. 11.50 a.m.) SUVA, This Day. The Maoriland cricket team arrived on Sunday and despite a drenching downpour were in the best of spirits. They were met by the president, a former New Zealand, Air S. H. Ellis. Members of the local association held a reception in their honour in the afternoon at the president’s residence at Tamavua, where they met the cricketing public of Suva. On Monday they were tendered a reception by the Mayor, Mr Alport Barker, who emphasised the splendid relations between Fiji and New Zealand and the value of such tours as the present one. Massey’s reply was most apt. In the evening they attended an, official dinner at the Hotel Pacific. There were eighty present. The president’s welcome was supported by Prince Ratu Pope, the reigning chief of Fiji, also Sir Henry Scott, a member of the Fiji cricket team which, toured New Zealand in 1895. Sutherland and Massey received an ovation when they replied. On Tuesday the team’were entertained at an afternoon by the Governor. On Wednesday they took part in an expedition to Bau, the-ancient Fijian capital. They were the guests of Ratu Pope, witnessed Fijian entertainments, played picnic crick'et and returned to Suva in the evening laden with presents and native fruits. The team has held keen practices for the first trial to-day against a Suva second eleven.

welcome to visitors AT PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS [By Telegraph—Press Association] WELLINGTON, Thi s Day. The M.C.C. team was accorded an official welcome at Parliament Buildings by the Hon. P. Fraser on behalf of the Government in the absence of the Prime Minister, the Hon. M. J. Savage. He expressed great pleasure at the visit of the team which came imbued with all the sporting spirit of the country to which it belonged. He referred to the success which the team met • with in Australia and assured the members of a cordial welcome everywhere in New Zealand. He anticipated that cricketers in New Zealand would learn much from the team.

Mr Donnelly, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, joined in the welcome. He said that there had always been the finest feelings of friendship between the Old Country and New Zealand, and the M.C.C. had always shown great appreciation of the position New Zealand held in the cricket world. New ■Zealand cricket was not up to test standards as in Australia, but the players had made a reputation for themselves for character, conduct and the manner in which they played the game. E. R-. T. Holmes, captain of the touring team, said he and his fellow members were appreciative of the gesture made to them by the New Zealand Government. He and his colleagues believed cricket was probably the finest means the Empire possessed of strengthening the friendly relationships between the component ’ countries. He hoped that when they left they would have done something to stregn'then the bonds.