OUR AUSTRALIAN VISITORS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14597, 22 February 1921, Page 5

OUR AUSTRALIAN VISITORS

THE OFFICIAL WELCOME. VISIT'S VALUE TO THE GAME. There was a representative gathering at the Town Hall this morning, when the'Australian crioEeters were extended an official welcome. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. R. Few) said that it gave him great pleasure to welcome the visitors on behalf of the town and the Waikato. All recognised the position of the Australians i". the cricket, world and of cricket in our national life. The doings of Australia and England in the series of games now in progress were being followed with great interest by the people in New Zealand. Mr Fow instanced the performances by past Australian knights of the willow, which, were indelibly impressed on his memory, and whose names were househol 1 words in New Zealand homes. The game stood for sportsmanship and fair play, and it afforded him great pleasure to welcome the representatives of an offshoot of the British race, winch excelled in that particular sport. lie hoped thai tliey would have a pleasant trip throughout the Dominion, and thai they would carry away pleasurcable impressions of it. Mr E. B. Wilson president of the Waikato Cricket Association) also extended a welcome In the visitors. As the result of their visit here, the standard of play would be raised among the various clubs of Ihe town and district. Ilf was sure that the visit of such noted performers would arouse a great deal of interest, throughout the Dominion. Mr 0. Lafferly, who played against the last, Australian learn to visit Hamilton, also added tribute to the words <> r welcome, and expressed his conclusions as to the value of the visit to the game in New Zealand. Mr T. Howard 'manager of the team) thanked, on behalf of the Board of Control and the players, the various speakers for their kind expressions of goodwill. The team was out to perform to its best. It was a good side, .it.d truly representative of the average standard of Australian cricket, containing players who were destined to make their name in !he ; highest grade of the game. They were out to play the game, and he trusted that when they left the country the people would all say they were good sports. If tb i New Zcalanders did defeat the visiting side, the latter would be the first to extend their congratulations to the victors. Mr Ransford said that he had pleasant, memories of his previous visits to New Zealand, and he was sore thai Ihe present occasion would he as happy. The team included a number of young players, who were destined In make their nr > in representative cricket of the future for Australia. The speaker rofe'rred appreciatively to Ihe New Zealand players and Ihe public-. Messrs E. L. Waddy, A. Ratcliffe and Dr. Bogle, of the visitors, also spoke. Mr It. Johnston replied on behalf or Ihe home team, and spoke of the good that would accrue liom Ihe visit of such a noted combination of cricketers. The ceremony closed with three hearty cheers for Ihe Australians.