INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM

Southland Times, Issue 25309, 12 June 1935, Page 4

INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM

ARRIVAL AT GORE. CIVIC RECEPTION. The All-India hockey team arrived at Gore last evening by motor bus from Dunedin, having travelled south through snow-covered country which proved to be a novel and thoroughly interesting experience for the tourists from warm India. Owing to the severe winter conditions progress was slow in parts of the journey, and the players had to leave the bus and actually help it up a hill at one stage of the journey. The arrival was therefore delayed and a fairly large crowd of enthusiasts waited at the Town Hall where a civic reception was planned immediately on arrival. The team arrived at seven o’clock, approximately an hour and a half after schedule, and as the tourists were wet and cold the reception was held at the portals of the Southland Hotel.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) said that the citizens of the town esteemed it a great honour that such a notable sporting combination should include Gore in their itinerary. In some respects Gore was one of the leading hockey centres in New Zealand as the Eastern Southland ladies’ team were the holders of the Dominion premiership and had on many occasions returned home from the New Zealand tournament victorious. It was hoped that it would be possible to see the team in action and that the local team would give the visitors a good game. Mr Berham Doctor, manager of the team, replied briefly, saying that he appreciated the fact that the people had waited so long in the cold to extend such a warm welcome. Mr P. Gupta, official with the team, also spoke, expressing his pleasure at the welcome. He said he hoped to meet “your ladies’ champion team” to-day. He was sure that all the “boys” were extremely sorry to have kept the people waiting so long. He then called for three cheers for the citizens of Gore. Cheers were exchanged between the local people and the team. Heavy snow fell last evening and covered the playing area, and it will depend on conditions during the night whether the match can be played or not. -