"WE ARE ALL FRIENDS"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19701, 5 August 1938, Page 14

"WE ARE ALL FRIENDS"

INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM TRIBUTE BY MANAGER FUTURE TOUR LIKELY A tribute to the sportsmanship of the Manavadar Indian State hockey team was paid at a farewell dinner given in their honour in the Masonic Hotel last night. When proposing the toast to the visitors, Mr. H. Leßas, chairman of the Poverty Bay Hockey Associa- ' tion's executive, spoke of the many friendships cemented during the brief visit to Gisborne and of a number of thoughtful acts by members of the Indian team. One example was at the High School, where two members, Messrs. Peter Fernandez and Ben Abrahams, offered to s'tay behind while the others went on to Poho-o-Rawiri, in order to practice with the schoolboys. Mr. Leßas also said that he had heard the manager of the team, Pro- ' fessor Jagan 'Nath, refer to his team by saying: "We are all friends." In conclusion, Mr. Leßas said he had never before heard such a wonderful address as that given by the professor to the High School pupils in the morning. "Greatest Reluctance" In reply, Professor Jagan Nath, said that the visitors were thankful to Mr. Leßas and members of the local Hockey Association for the very sincere welcome. He felt a little guilty at not being able to play the game in Gisborne and it was with the greatest reluctance that the postponement was decided upon. Even up to the last moment he was in favour of the match going on, but the elements were so bad that there was no possibility of play. However, he hoped that what had been done during the visit might have recompensed Gisborne for having to forego the match. There were things more important than hockey. The visitors came as sportsmen and ambassadors from an overseas country. The team was deeply touched with the sincerity of the welcome and the great hospitality met with, the professor added. On the tour he had tried to further the game of hockey, particularly in the colleges, and if they had helped the boys in any way he felt that the visit had been worth while. He could say that he had never come across a better and happier team than that with which he was associated on the present tour. He did not wish to single out individuals, but he said that 'the calm temper and the jovial spirit of the captain, Mr. S. M. Hussain, had done much to keep the players together. In conclusion, he thanked fee Poverty Bay Hockey Association for the kindness extended to them. Mr. R. Watchman, a member of the New Zealand test team, proposing the toast of the New Zealand Hockey Association, referred to the great deal of efficient work carried out by the controlling body in organising the tour. Memories of 1935 Mr. S. Burnell Browne, representative of the New Zealand Hockey Association on the tour, replied by saying that the public of Poverty Bay had happy memories of the 1935 All-India team. Had the game been played today, it would not have been hockey. The public would have gone away with a feeling of disappointment, and the memories of" the 1935 exhibition would have been forgotten. It would not be long before a further invitation would go to India for the purpose of securing another team to visit New Zealand. He knew that Professor Jagan Nath would do his best to make a further tour possible, and hoped that the professor would be manager again. He complimented the visitors on their endeavours to help hockey her?. He also thanked the" Poverty Bay association for its efforts in arranging the match, and had the day been fine there would have been a large attendance. Mr. H. A. Armstrong, president of the Poverty Bay Hockey Association, who presided at the dinner, said that the weather was so atrocious that Gisborne people did not expect the game to be played. The local people did not regret that the visit had been made, however, for old friendships had been renewed and new friendships formed. Just before the gathering dispersed, Mr. Browne said that the visitors greatly appreciated the welcome by the Maoris, and he asked the Poverty Bay Hockey Association to extend to the Maoris the appreciation of the New Zealand Hockey Association for the wonderful reception at Poho-o-Rawiri.

The visitors were entertained later in the evening at a dance in the City Hall.