“BIG BILL”

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1929, Page 6

“BIG BILL”

WELCOMES AUSSIE S'. (United Press Aesociation —By Eleetrn Telegraph—Copyright). NEW 'YORK, May 2. “Goil Save the King” and “The tar Spangled Banner” were sung at an Aklerninnif reception to the young Australians and New Zealanders at Chicago. Mayor Thompson was present. The Mayor said: “This is indeed a rare opportunity 'to, welcome these splendid young men to Chicago. 1 most assuredly am glad that you came to Chicago, and I sure Chicago has impressed you with its greatness.” Mr Simons, head of the visitors’ party, in a witty speech, said: “We feel very close to Mayor Thompson. He has such a good British name, I thought, at first, that he was Scotch. When we were making our plans to come to Chicago, we wired him from Australia,- and- we got a long cablegram in reply, telling us of the sights here. A few days later we received an account for £b, as the message was sent ‘collect.’ Then wc were sure that he was Scotch.” Mr Simons, -later, was asked whether Mayor Thompson had refunded the “fiver,” when he chuckled, and said. “No! Let’s call it square!”