Will English Leaguers Have Civic Welcome?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 417, 27 July 1928, Page 1

Will English Leaguers Have Civic Welcome?

MILD STIR CAUSED MR. SNEDDEN EXPLAINS At th« meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Rugby League held last evening, members, on the spur of the moment, passed some rather fiery remarks when it was learned that the Mayor, Mr. Geo. Baildon, could not see his way clear to accord the visiting English leaguers a civic reception on the team’s arrival at Auckland on Monday. Owing to the coming of the Japanese warships, the arrangements of the City Council had been upset. Concerning the mild stir which took place last evening, Mr. Cyril Sneddon, chairman of the council, interviewed this morning:, said that naturally the first honour the New Zealand League wished to confer upon its visitors was that of a civic reception- This reception had been duly arranged a few weeks ago and it was certainly with no small surprise that the council heard last evening that it had been cancelled. “As will always happen on such occasions, sentiments more foreeful than considered were uttered,’* said Mr. Snedden, “but at the conclusion of the dissension which followed the receiving of the information, a decision was arrived at which conveyed the real feeling of the meeting.” In view* of the fact that the reception had already been arranged it appeared on the face of it as if the members had every right to give vent to feelings of dissatisfaction—even annoyance.

The previous visiting English Leaguo teams had been tendered a civic reception. and on this occasion it appeared as if the present team w’ould arrive in Auckland unwelcomed by the “civic fathers.” Later, however, the council was informed that the Englishmen would bo arriving early on Monday morning, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Mayor this morning to ascertain, if it was now possible for a civic reception to take place on Monday. Mr. Baildon is giving the matter every consideration, and it seems possible that a reception will be arranged. In conclusion. Mr. Snedden said that the council, knowing the support which Mr. Baildon gives to all branches of sport, felt that a civic reception would he tendered if it was at all possible to do so. ___