LORD HAWKED TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12147, 18 December 1902, Page 6

LORD HAWKED TEAM.

MAYORAL RECEPTION. The members of Lord Hawke's team of English cricketers were officially welcomed by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd, M.H.R.), at the Mayor's room, Municipal Buildings, yesterday afternoon. In addition to the team there were present :— Messrs. White and Raphael (representing the New Zealand Cricket Council), F. Earl (president of the Auckland Cricket 'Association), and other officials and members of the. committee ofthat body, in addition to several local cricketers and supporters of the* game. Mr. Raphael introduced the visitors to the Mayor. In the course of a short speech Mr. Kidd extended to them, on behalf of the citizens of Auckland and the people of the colony, a very cordial welcome to New Zealand. (Applause.) We had, he said, a little reputation for hospitality in this country and he was sure his guests would not find us wanting in that respect. It was especially pleasing to him to be the medium of conveying to them the people's welcome, because , he felt quite sure that much good would result to cricket in- this colony through their visit. It was, he thought, nearly 20 years since a team of cricketers, under the captaincy of Mr. Shaw, came out here from England; since then cricket had been.languishing a little. However, there were many enthusiasts here who would welcome the "arrival of such a team as that now landed. (Applause.) He regretted tHe absence of Lord Hawke and its cause, but thought that nevertheless the enthusiasm of the people would not be lacking because of it. but that on the contrary we would be proxid to • see him when he could come. (Hear, hear.) Again welcoming them most heartily he was sure that they would have' a good time in the colony, because wo were always ready in New gealand to welcome and entertain our visitors, especially those who were exponents of athletics or of games. He hoped that when they left the colony they would be able to give it a good name on arrival Home. (Applause.) Mr. White (president of the New Zealand Cricket Council) in welcoming the team, remarked that similar visits had shown us what first-class cricket really was. So far, New Zealanders had been more successful at football than at cricket, but there were lovers of both gambs amongst us. He trusted that we might beat the ' visitors —(laughter and applause)—but this much was assured, that victory or defeat would be accepted in a true spirit of sportsmanship. (Applause.) In welcoming them he was confident he expressed the feelings of the people throughout the colony,.and after their visit he hoped that one arid all of them would leave us with feelings of the warmest friendship and pleasure at having been amongst us. He expressed regret at Lord Hawke's absence, and concluded bywishing them, a pleasant tour of the colony. (Applause.) , Mr. Fred. Earl, speaking on behalf of the, Auckland Cricket Association, offered the team hearty, congratulations and a cordial welcome tc New Zealand. He trusted that if we could not succeed in making the Auckland match exciting we should at least make it interesting. (Applause.) _ In any case we should show them a very interesting country, and he hoped they would be able to report at Home that New Zealand was a hospitable and a kindly colony. He entertained the highest hopes as ,to the visitors' influence upon the game of cricket, and felt sure that the standard they would set would be of immense benefit to us. We had suffered for many years by not seeing any better cricket than our own, and therefore the game had not progressed as it should have done. This seemed to him to be very lamentable, because cricket was the national game of Old England. (Applause.) Therefore* he was highly interested in this tour and had the greatest confidence that it would give a filip to the game in this colony. The toast of Captain Warner and the members of Lord Hawke's team in conjunction with a wish for a successful and enjoyable tour through New Zealand, was then drunk in champagne, and with musical honours, on the proposition of the Mayor. In responding to the toast, Mr. P. F. Warner,, captain of the visiting team, thanked the Mayor and Messrs. White and Earl for their kind welcome. He apologised for the absence of Lord Hawke, and assured them that only the sternest necessity had prevented him from coming. Lord Hawke had asked him .to express to the New Zealand Cricket Council his great disappointment at not being able to come.' Those of the team who l had had the good fortune to travel abroad on cricket tours with Lord Hawke had reason to admire his tact, energy, and good conduct of such tours, and they all keenly regretted his absence on, this occasion,, which they looked upon as an irreparable loss. But he (Mr. Warner) would do his best to fill his place, and he was sure he had the absolute loyalty of the team. (Hear, hear.) They had,all been anxious to see New Zealand, because the colony had sent no less than ten contingents, consisting of some 6000 men. to aid the Mother Country in the South African war. This was a great number, but further than that the New Zealanders, according, to those who had been to the war, had been unsurpassed in bravery and endurance. (Applause.) It was, therefore not only a pleasure to himsolt and the team to visit New Zealand, but it was also an honour. Thev had, he believed, a fairly good side—(laughter)—and they would do their best to win, and might be relied upon to play the game in a truly sportsmanlike manner. On the previous day they had had the pleasure of playing on Auckland's beautiful ground and , magnificent wicket. He understood that Aucklanders did not look upon the wicket as a magnificent one, but all he could say was. that they had nothing better at classical .Lord's, or the Surrey Oval and if they found such wickets elsewhere in the colonv, ho thought he might safely say thev would make a lot of runs. (Laughter and applause.) He desired to thank Mr. Raphe for his kindness' to them since their jivrival, and if the hospitality thev had been shown in Auckland was a sample of what they were goin? to have throughout, ho felt, sure thev would have an extraordinarily good time. In conclusion, he s->id that all the team were looking forward • immensely to their New Zr-aland tour. He then proposed the health of the Mayor for his kindly welcome. The toast was drunk .with musical honours, and the Mayor having briefly responded, the gathering dispersed.