THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8833, 21 January 1907, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

[Pjiß Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 21. The Australian bowlers arrived last night by the Manuka after a. rough trip. This morning they were officially welcomed by the Mayor. They will play the first of the test matches this afternoon on. the Devonport green, commencing at two o'clock. They will play on Tuesday on the Auckland green, and on Wednesday on the Ponsonby green. Beyond this the programme is liable to alteration, owing to the flooded state of the country south of Auckland. The overland trip to Wanganui will probably be abandoned, but matches may be played at Rotorua and Te Aroha,- the bowlers returning to Auckland to proceed south via New Plymouth. 7 The Mayor of Auckland, who # is also president of the Auckland Bowling Association, gave the visitors a 1 most hearty welcome. He referred to the interchange of such visits as a valuable agent for obviating misunderstandings, and promoting friendship and goodwill between the different communities, especially when the effect was enhanced by that comradeship which springs from participation in any form of sport, which is nowhere stronger than among devotees of bowls. When the All Whites" returned from their Australian trip they could not speak too highly of the hospitality accorded them. Aucklanders were delighted at the opportunity of repaying it in kind. Mr F. Gr. Crouch, one of the vice-pre-sidents of the New South Bowling Association, acknowledged the cordial welcome. In the Commonwealth there were many who regretted that JNew Zealand was not one of them. He believed that sooner or later New Zealand must become part and parcel or a great Commonwealth, which was bound, to make itself felt in the British Empire. ( , The gathering was concluded by Aucklanders singing the bowlers eong.