CIVIC RECEPTION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13421, 19 March 1914, Page 5

CIVIC RECEPTION.

Yesterday morning Mr. A. Sims*' team of Australian cricketers was tendered "a" civitif reception by the Mayor (Mr. W, Lock) at the. City Council Chamber's/ There was a large attendance of citizens and cricket efcthusiasts. t The Mayor read apologies for absence from Councillor Webley and Mr.. Harry Atmore, M.P., who left for Wellington the previous evening to fulfil engagements .previously entered into. The Mayor .extended to the visitons a cordial and hearty welcome, and was sorry that the rain had come afte*"such* a long spell of fine weather. The visitors; he said, v/ere cricketers vita world-wide reputations, and he wag sure they would give a magnificent ex-, a triumphant tour through the Domina triumphant tour hrough the Dominion, "and the scores they had made read more like rifle scores than cricket scores. Mr. Lock recalled that the first Australian XI. visited Nelson in TBBO, and contained some of the finest cricketers of the day, including Murdoch, Spofforth, Boyle, and Palmer. Nelson made 72 runs in their first innings, &nd the Australians replied with •57; while Nelson scored 82 in their second effort. Their visitors had no chance of being treated that way that day. Nelson in tire early days had .some of the best cricketers in New Zealand, their record vms one to bo proudl.of. In 28 matches against Wellington, Nelson had won fourteen, andl in the only match played against Christchurch had scored a win. Of late years the game had languished, but last year'intcrpsl had revived, ana he hoped that as a result of the visit of the Australians the game would gain new life and vigour. The grounds were not as good as might be expected, but the weather had prevented the local association from providing as good a wicket as they hoped for. However, he hoped the game would be interesting, and that it would attract a large attendance of the public. Mr, Lock concluded by expressing the hope that the visitors would carry away with them pleasant recollections of their stay in Nelson. (Applause.) • Mr. Henry Baigent, a vice-president of the Association, in the absence of the president, who had left for- England, added words of welcome on behalf of. the local association. Local cricketers, he said, liked to see outside teams play, and he added amidst laughter, if the Australians were defeated he t was sure they would take their beating in good sporting spirit, while if Nelson was defeated (reriewea laughter) they would take their defeat in the same spirit. Mr. Baigent said his association with cricket extended over half a century, and he gave some interesting reminiscences of cricket in Nelson in the early days. He hopeel the stay of the visitors in Nelson would be a pleasant one. Or. Hampson, on behalf of the Coun-j cil, also extended the vieitors a hearty welcome. He said that the cricket of the world owed its life to the Australians. Although cricket was regarded as the national game of England. Association and Rugby football had como to the front, but it was the interchange of visits between Australian and English teams that kept the gamo alive.

Mr. F.'Laver, manager of the team, who was received with hearty applause,, thanked tho jViayor and the other, speakers for their kind words of we!team to travel via the West Coast, ami tion to apologise for the absence of several members of the team. Ho was sure the citizens would not havo blamed them considering the amount of entertainment and travelling they ha<J done on the small amount of sleep they had had. But there was no necessity for him to do this as the whole of tho party "was present. /(Applause.) Ever since they had been in New Zealand! it had been one continuous round of entertainment ' and enjoyment. Tho tour had been altered to enable tha time to travel via the West Coast, and although it had entailed extra travelling, they felt they had been more thaxa repaid by the magnificence of the scenery of the Otira and Buller Gorges. Mr. Larer said he was proud to be associated with the present team, not only on account of their capabilities as cricketers, but because they were very desirable fellows in every way. (Applause.) He thanked the local association for, "the arrangements made to ensure their, visit being a pleasant one. (Applauee.)' Mr. M. A. Noble, captain, was tho next speaker, and he was received with prolonged applause. He said the team appreciated very much the welcome extended to them. The civic authorities throughout the Dominion had extended the glad hand of welcome to them, ana the public had extended such hearty welcomes that they felt they ought to. be New Zcalauders. The team, ho said, came primarily to play cricket, and if possible, to-show the New Zealand cricketers a little about the game. The Nelson cricketers might not need any'teaching.- (Laughter.) If not, so much the better. Their oj)-----iect was a. good one, and they would try to make'the game a huge success, and he hoped the public would turn orst in large numbers". |p see the play, it was a mistake to think that cricketers only played the game for what they crot out of it, for they were all imbuoJ with tho desire to make the game a good one. In conclusion Mr. Nobl© san* that the team had been treated well throughout the tour, and they vrouJ'J all be pleased to come bac^c. (Applause.) The reception then concluded.^ # The visitors were taken to the X jam factory, and very much appreciated what is to be seen there.