INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22172, 27 July 1935, Page 18

INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM

DEPARTURE FOR SYDNEY TRIBUTES TO HOSPITALITY[TOUR THOROUGHLY ENJOYED " This tour will be very difficult to forget," said Mr. Behram Doctor, manager of the All-India, hockey team which sailed for Sydney by the Marama yesterday after playing matches throughout New Zealand. ''We have formed friendships thsi.t will be lifelong and we will take awny nothing hut good feelings, good tho.ights and good impressions of this country." 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 diffi- ; culties," ho continued, "but; with all that, wo were treated royally." Arrangement of Tour Special emphasis was made by Mr. ' Doctor of the capable manner in which | the team's tour had been arranged I and conducted by the New Zealand ! Hockey Association. He sail ho was sure that if in tho future another invitation was extended to India to send out a touring hockey team it would receive very favourable consideration. Regarding the question of umpires Mr. Doctor stated that iaero were occasions when he and his team did not entirely agree with tho officials' point of view but as far as the enthusiasm and honesty of purpose of the Dominion umpires was concerned ho was sure they were equal with"those in any other part of the world. " The team that I brought," con-, tinned the manager, "would undoubtedly extend any hockey combination outside India so that New Zesdand may be proud of the performances of the Dominion side in tho lirst two tflst matches. India was fully expended to uphold the prestige of the Fatherland and with perfect confidence Jf can say the New Zealand boys were well worthy of playing the powerful team against which they were pitted." Players' Unanimous Praise 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. He expressed the hope that his statement following the third test match that the Indian team was by no means the . strongest side available had not been misinterpreted He made the statement merely to illustrate the high standard of hockey in India and not to belittle * the play of the New Zealanders. J Individually, the Indians were unanimous in their praise of-the country ' and many wished they had >a n oppor- v tunity to reside permanently in the s Dominion. "I think Rotorua is one of ' the most unique and attractive scenic 1 resorts 1 have ever seen," sa'ld one of * the party,' who has travelled exten- | sively throughout Europe. "The geysers and blowholes defy all description and our ' only complaint concerns the wet ■ weather we experienced while we were : there." .-■■■•' , Telegram to Governor-General j The following telegram waii sent by ■ Mr. Behram Doctor to the iSovernorGeneral, Viscount Gal way:— 1 "On the eve:of our departure I most ' coniialfy 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 he the forerunner of the msiny 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 hos- y pitable and" most interesting people of E New Zealand with very marked feel- n ings of regret, .tempered with memories which shall always be irith us." A reply from Major A. B. Purvis. ~ military secretary and' comptroller to : the Governor-General, read as fol- 81 lews: — P

" The Governor-General dissires me to thank youfor your telegram of today and to congratulate, yon 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 you* visit to. this Dominiqnk and wishes yon, and. all members of the. contingent, pleasantvoyage and safe return to ; your country."