EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16492, 9 November 1927, Page 3

EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS CIVIC RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON (Per Press Association.) , WELLINGTON, last night. A civic reception was accorded to 1 day to the New Zealand cricket team on their/return from London. The Mayor oil Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, presided. Mr. Troup said the team had far ami away exceeded expectations, and on and off the field had faithfully upheld the traditions of New Zealand. "Apart from the game itself," continued the Mayor, "we were very pleased with the modesty of the team throughout. We sent home.a team of gentlemen. I am sure that your visit to the Old Country has enhanced already the good opinion in which New Zealanders are generally held abroad. You have earned your laurels, and we heartily congratulate you, Captain Lowry, on the manner in which you led the team, and we congratulate every individual member on the manner in which they upheld New Zealand."

Sir Francis Bell, who represented the Government, said cricket had two meanings in the English language. Olio was the definition of the game, and the other was expressed in the proverb “not cricket.’’ The latter could not bo applied to the doings of the New Zealand cricketers, who had come up to expectations and more. It, made hint hope that some day “All Whites” would make as great impressions as the All Blacks. - Sir Francis, continuing, mentioned the different conditions existing in New Zealand and England so far as cricket was concerned, and then referred to the remarks made by Mr. Lowry concerning the New Zealanders’ bowling. In his opinion the New' Zealand bowling was quite as good as any amateur bowling in England, but England had her professionals to call Upon. It had been shown, however, that New Zealanders could compete with the Old Country in batting and there was no reason why that proof

should not he continued to be demon s traded.

Mr. M. F. Lucldo, Mr. Ileathcote Williams and Mr. Peter Fraser, M.P. (on behalf of the Labor Party), also spoke, praising the team’s record as cricketers and gentlemen. Mr. Lowry, replying, expressed appreciation of the farewell and the woleomo home. The team had in the early matches in England visions, perhaps, of meeting supermen and dragons, but after the first win they thought they “would take the whole lot on and England as well.” (Laughter.) Usually rthey got their runs quickly, and that, he thought, pleased the English people. 1 Commenting on the financial loss of the tour, Mr. Lowry attributed that to bad weather. Concerning the bowling, Merritt; had been outstanding, and Burnt had' been excellent. Friends in England and cricket critics had told him they were disappointed with the fielding. It certainly was not good, and he believed that something in this direction could be doneiin tho schools.

PARLIAMENT HOUSE LUNCHEON The Government entertained the team to luncheon at Parliament Buildings. Mr. Coates said it looked as though the team had placed cricket in New Zealand oh the map in the Dominion and overseas, adding: “Blit we must not, forget in our expressions of appreciation and admiration of the fine performance, individual and collective, of our team, the work and financial responsibility that was accepted by the M.C.C. in. England.’’ References by the Primo Minister to the record of the team, and to the expressions of opinion given by Lord Harris, the Lord Mayor of London, the Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas, Lord Jellicoe, and the London Times, met with rounds of applause. These comments and utterances, said Mr. Coates, wore such as to make everyone feel proud. DACRE NOT PLAYING FRIDAY WELLINGTON, last night. Daere, acting on medical advice, returns to Auckland to-night. He will not play in Friday’s match.