DINNER AT THE CLUB TO LORD HAWKE'S TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 53

DINNER AT THE CLUB TO LORD HAWKE'S TEAM.

WELLINGTON, March 6.

The tour of the English cricket team in New Zealand has just been brought to a conclusion with a most enjoyable function at the Wellington Club, where some 60 members and their friends, with the English cricketers, met at dinner. Though the function was of a semi-private nature, the members of the ciub will no doubt forgive me for briefly referring to an occasion that was somewhat unique. Representatives of the great universities, men who had travelled all over the Empire, men renowned in the field of sport, who had shot their nine tigers in India and their five lions before breakfast in Africa (but would themselves bo the last to tell it to you), met in the best of good fellowship with the representatives of the Empire "beyond the seas," and the gathering was such a one as could take place only on British soil. The speeches were of the briefest, but also of the happiest. Dr Collins proposed the health of the English team, and Mr Warner responded in a capital after-dinner speech, remarking that the name of Collins was not unknown in the world of sport, for Dr Collins himself had played haff-back on the football field for England ; while his nephew, Arthur Collins, had made the highest score in cricket on record — some 600 odd. Young Englishmen, said Mi Warner, used to go down to his college simply to see him and to write their names in his Latin grammar; and he must have known that same Latin grammar pretty well, for news had iust come to hand that be had passed fourth at Woolich. Mr Warner emphasised the necessity of obtaining good coaches if we in New Zealand wish our cricket to flourish, and where the coaches would do the best work, as he added, was at the colleges. He particularly referred to Reese as a fine cricketer, and mentioned that that player would shortly be going to England. If he stayed long enough there he hoped he would be found playing for Middlesex. Mr Warner mentioned also that he had that evening received a telegram from Mr Seddon congratulating them on their success, and stating that he felt sure New Zealand cricket would benefit by their visit, and wishing them bon voyage. In reference to the encomiums that had been passed upon himself, Mr Warner mentioned that they should have seen him batting at Wanganui, where he had reached the high-water mark of inefficiency. — (Laughter.) They had a fine public school there, too, and many of the cd liege boys had come to see him bat. — (More laughter, and a jocular remark from

Mr Whatman : " Never mind, Warner, they-, saw me bat.") In conclusion, the English captain thanked the New Zealandens v for; their hospitality, and said he hoped ml three or four years' time another English' team would be found visiting New Zealand. — (Cheers.) He concluded by proposing the health of the members of the Welling^ ton Club, to which Mr H. D. Bell responded in a very happy speech.

At 10 o'clock, just before the Sydney steamer cast off, a large crowd assembled on the wharf and loudly cheered thef English team. Mr Warner, at the requesfe of the crowd, made another brief speechl from the upper deck, thanking the people of New Zealand for their splendid hospitality, the memory of which, he said, would) no doubt help to cheer them through many, a long day's fielding in Australia. _ With! this somewhat happy remark, which wasn received with shouts of laughter, the ship's bugle blew, the Mokoia glided out into the darkness, and amid a renewed outburst of cheering we saw the last of the English team of 1903.