WARM WELCOME

Southland Times, Issue 25311, 14 June 1935, Page 8

WARM WELCOME

INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM VISITORS ARRIVE IN INVERCARGILL CIVIC RECEPTION A civic reception was accorded the visiting AU India hockey team by hrs Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller), at the Post Office Rotunda shortly after the. arrival of the players in Invercareill yesterday afternoon. The team reached here about 4.15 pm. and proceeded to the Hotel Cecil, which will be their headquarters during their stay. At five o’clock, the team, in charge ot Mr Bertram Doctor (manager), and Mr P Gupta (co-official), marched from the hotel, headed by three members of the Caledonian Pipe Band, to the Rotunda where they were greeted by the Mayor and Messrs Jj S. Brass and J. D. Gregg (patron and president respectively of the Southland Men s Hockey Association), with whom were the executive members of that body. Also present was Mr C. C. Holland (representing the New Zealand Association) and Councillors G. J. Reed and A. W. Jones, while in the large gathering of the public were many hockey enthusme to welcome you to Invercargill,” began the Mayor. “You are now in the most southerly city of the British Empire. We are sorry you have come to us in winter time, but no doubt your experience here at this season will invigorate you and enable you to go back to India in better condition than when you left it," his Worship proceeded amidst laughter. He referred to the wonderful record of the tourists and mentioned the exceptional interest that was being taken bj’ the public in to-morrow’s match. He was sure the local players would learn much from the visitors’ style of play, and Mr Miller assured them that the focal public was always appreciative of prowess on whatever field of sport it might be. “I generally say the people here give visitors a warm welcome; I cannot use the word ‘warm’ this time, but certainly it will be a ‘sincere’ one,” he added.

At the Mayor’s call three hearty cheers were then given by the public for the Indians.

Mr Gregg, on behalf of the association, expressed much pleasure at the presence among them of the visitors, and he thanked the public for the very cordial reception it had given the team. He hoped everyone would be at Rugby Park for the match as it was going to be played whatever the weather was like. Mr Gregg referred to the fine record put up by the team at the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 1932 when the Indians defeated America by 10 goals to nil. “Or was it 15 or 20 to nil?” he asked. “Someone has just informed me the score was 24 to 1, but if I now remember rightly it was the huge tally of 25 to nil.” (Laughter.) “Tlie local players are going to do their best to extend our visitors,” he added. “I also wish to thank kindred sporting organizations for postponing their fixtures for tomorrow.”

“Your welcome to-day is certainly very warm, though your weather is very cold,” said Mr Doctor, in returning thanks. “We shall certainly try to put our best foot forward on Saturday and give the public a 'bright exhibition of the game. If we can do anything to foster’ hockey I shall be glad,” he continued. “I think, too, I can say with confidence that we will be able to beat you.” (Laughter.) Mr Gupta, in also acknowledging the welcome, assured those present that the match would be played on Saturday if at all possible. He apologized publicly to the people of Gore for the disappointment they had had, but it was really not humanly possible to have had the game there on Wednesday. The visitors had come to the Dominion to teach the New Zealanders a game at which they (the Indians) excelled, and the team was composed of 16 young men of excellent culture and of excellent character. (Applause.) The Mayor said that the Red Cross Society of Wellington desired the executive of the local Hockey Association to co-operate in the matter of taking up a collection at Saturday’s match on behalf of the sufferers through the recent earthquake in India. “I hope Invercargill will generously respond so that a good subscription can go forward from here,” he added. Mr Doctor explained that if people handed in their autograph books at the Hotel Cecil with sixpence, the books would be signed by all the team and the proceeds would be devoted to the earthquake fund. Cheers were then given by the Indians for the Invercargill public and the pipers, who then led them back to their headquarters., TWOFOLD OBJECT PURPOSE OF THE TOUR. The view that the standard of men’s hockey in New Zealand was “pretty fair” in comparison with that in other countries Indian teams had visited at different times was expressed to a Times reporter last night by Mr Behram Doctor (manager). His team, he said, had had some interesting games so far but, naturally they hoped to find the tests much more enjoyable, for the opposition would be considerably stronger. “The cold is not affecting my players to any material point,” he remarked in answer to a query. “Indeed, in some parts of Indian it is very much colder, and while some of the players were quite thrilled to indulge in snowballing at Gore, others again found it no novelty at all, for the drifts are frequently two feet in depth in the hill country at home.” Mr Doctor emphasized that the object of the Dominion tour was twofold: (1) to play hockey, and (2) to cement the friendship between the two countries. India bad been called the “Star of the East”—he could only call New Zealand the “Jewel of the Crown.” His team had been greatly impressed by the cordial reception they had been accorded everywhere and he considered that, without in any boastful spirit whatever, he could declare that hockey in New Zealand would derive incalculable benefits from the visit of the Indians. Mr Doctor stressed the desirability of introducing the game into the Dominion schools, for the young boys were to be the representative players of the future.

Referring to the peerless Dhyan Chand (the captain), who was the centre forward with the famous Indian Army combination which toured New Zealand in 1926, Mr Doctor said it had to be conceded that the world had never seen a better player, his stickwork being amazing. “Dljyan Chand has very pleasant memories of his previous visit here,” he added. “He is very quiet by temperament and very unassuming. He comes from the Army, has the highest sense of discipline and is a perfect model of what the British Army can produce.” The deep loyalty of the players to the Empire was stressed by Mr Doctor. Several, he said, were all-round sportsmen and university men besides. One player had represented India at Association football and another was a member of the cricket team which

played the M.C.C. eleven two years ago. Dhyan Chand was very keen on billiards, while another player was a ping-pong champion. “Is the team coached at all?” asked the reporter. “No, said Mr Doctor. “Each man possesses ‘hockey brains’; if he didn’t he would not be in the team. Sometimes the players get together and discuss tactics, but there is no coaching.” THE SOCIAL SIDE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME. Though the visitors indulge in strict training, the social programme has been so arranged that their entertainment while in Invercargill should prove most enjoyable. Last night was free. To-day the Invercargill Badminton Club has offered the use of its courts throughout the day and in the evening, and as the visitors are very keen on badminton and ping-pong it is probable that several will accept the invitation. After the match to-morrow, the stricter conditions will be relaxed. The Southland Association will give an informal dinner to its guests in the Rosewood at 6 p.m. and it is intended at this function to dispense with the usual lengthy toast list. Several players are looking, forward to attending the Southland Women’s Hockey Association’s dance in Smiths’ Hall to-morrow evening when, with the Eastern women players, they will be guests of honour. Other entertainments, such as pictures and badminton, will probably be found for those not attending the dance. Several of the players are keen swimmers and the team have been granted the privileges of the Municipal Baths.