THE DAVIS CUP

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 63, 8 December 1920, Page 7

THE DAVIS CUP

WELCOME TO AMERICAN TEAM A HAPPY GATHERING By Telegraph-prm .'.ißdclatlon. - Auckland, December 7. « There was an overflow gathering at the Council Chambers at noon to-day, .when the membors of tho American team trincn is to compete for tho Davis Cup, J'cre welcomed to Auckland by the WayoP (Mr. J. .H. Gunson) on behalf of 'Australasia. Not only lawn tennis enthusiasts wore present in numbers, but prominent citizens also attended to show their intercst.in the event. Tho visitors • w ,?F e obviously surprised at the cordi■auty of their reception. The Mayor, in .a very happy speech, said Aucklanders welcomed the American players from tho bottom of their hearts. Mr. Norman E. Brookes, who, together with the other Australians, sat on the Mayor's left hand, the Americans being on "his right, asked to say something, and he mid a very high tribute to tho guests from personal knowledge of them. They were Ii J e ,7 beßt of sportsmen on and of}' the field. Mr. Brookes was loudly cheered when ho got up to speak. There was »o doubt of the cordiality of his reception. He said. half-laughingly that he had not expected it, referring,'of course, to his. remarks about uncertain New Zealand weather when Auckland was first suggested a ? the jousting ground for tho enn contest Prom what ho had heard from New Zealand "his name was mud." .tie then explained that anything he had said or done was solely in the interests oi keeping tho cup in the colonies. EeteiTing to the coming matches he said they were "up against the sfciffest proposition they had ever had in their lives, and added with a smile: "Wo hope the best team will win, and that it will be us."

-Mr. Hardy, captain of the- American team, thanked the people for the "wonderful reception," and said he felt that ie was among friends. As for the cup, they did not know nny more than Mr. Brookes, but like him they "had hopes," •and the best thing about the competition was not the trophy, but the men one met. Even if they did not carry off the cup, said Mr.-Hardy, it would give them the satisfaction of coming back to New Zealand, and have the pleasure of meeting -the people arain. He thanked the people for their splendid reception,, not on.y on Behalf oHhimseTf and his comrades, but on behalf of the American nation. Mr. Tilden spoke of his personal satisfaction in visiting any part of the British Empire, and mentioned .the pleasure " vjas to meet Mr, Brookes again. • After rousing cheers for the Americans and the _Australians, tho gathering sang the National Anthem. Referring to Mr. Ollivier, Mr. Brookes Btat-ed in Auckland that on his form in Australia, he could not be given a place an the team. He was a fine player, but had not had the opportunity of playin" against stronger men. "Wo are full of hope, said Mr. Brookes. "We have not come over depressed. Last time we came over, in 1911, we .had to meet a team described as super-players. We managed to hold our own, and we hope to do tho same this year." The team hopes to pay a visit to Rotorija if there is a suitable opportunity. The members of the Now South Wales team, which is to visit the Dominion, will arrive in Wellington shortly. After Playing at Wanganui thev will visit Auckland. - G. Ollivier will also return shortly from Australia.