DINERS INDIGNANT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18467, 4 August 1934, Page 5

DINERS INDIGNANT

ABSENT AUSTRALIANS MANAGER’S EXPLANATION LONDON, July 19. The Australian cricketers, having officially accepted a written invitation to the Steel Trades dinner at Sheffield, there was great indignation from 450 diners, including the Lord Mayor and the master cutler, etc., when none appeared. The caterers spent the day creating a great fruit ice. block in the form of a kangaroo to honor the visitors. Herbert Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire batsman, nicely apologised for the absence of the Australians’, 'suggesting that they were resting for the next test, although actually they were attending a dance in a'Derbyshire village. Explaining the Australians’ non-attend-ance, the team manager, Mr. Bushby, said to-day,that no guarantee was given that any of the players would be present.

Mr. Bushby said that the promoters sent each player an invitation card on which was printed, “Dinner in honor of the Australian cricketers’ visit.’’ Mr, Bushby immediately wrote pointing out that the team had not accepted the invitation and that it was impossible to make the function an official team dinner, which lyould compel all to attend. Individuals, however, ‘were 'at liberty to attend. > '.' , The manager continued that an official visited him at Grindleford, on Sunday and tried to persuade him to change his mind. Mr. Bushby repeated that neither he nor W T oodfull could attend, and he cduld. not guarantee any ..member being present, although. Browd and- Barnett bad stated that they might go to the dinner. J