TRIUMPHANT FAREWELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 152, 17 September 1927, Page 1

TRIUMPHANT FAREWELL

NEW ZEALAND TEAM’S FAME GREAT cricketers pay tribute t' PLAY WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST RANK A NOTABLE tribute, almost flattering- in its praise, was paid to the New Zealand cricket team by famous English cricketers at a triumphant farewell from a crowded assembly at a London dinner. In the opinion of Mr. “Plum” Warner the New Zealanders had not only left a sterling name both as men and cricketers, but had set a rich example for the coming genera- / tions. By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright.

Reed- 9-30 a.m. LONDON, Friday. Mr. Peltam F. (“Plum”) Warner is among those who appreciate the cricket of the New Zealanders, who hare just concluded their tour of Britain. J speaking at a crowded farewell gathering at New Zealand House, organised by Mr. Cecil Wray (representative in England of the New Zealand Rugliy Union), Mr. Warner mentioned that he had received a letter from a German professor from Berlin, saying that he realised the part that cricket played ip building up the British Empire. Indeed, cricket should be a department ot the League of Nations. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. Warner added that the New Icelanders left a sterling name, both as men and as cricketers—a rich example to coming generations. Mr. S. G. Raymond, K.C., who presided, read a glowing tribute from Earl

Jellicoe: ‘Sportsmanship, free batting, and other merits won the hearts of England. If there are any more Merritts in the New Zealand schools she will soon capture the ashes.” Lord Harris, in a message, said: “It is a first-class team. It needs a bowler or two; but it would not be presumption in the future to ask for two or three tests.” Merritt’s Famous Googlies Lord Hawke wrote: “I hope they will return to play tests. They have shown they are worthy of it.” Mr. Raymond said he was told that the six scorers’ 1,000 runs each had never been done in any previous team’s first tour of England. Some batsmen always came off when the others failed. Merritt was definitely among the Empire’s googly bowlers. He could not say how much success was due to T. C. Lowry's captainship, or Mr. D. Hay’s tireless honorary management of the tour.

Sir James Parr, who came specially from Geneva, presented each player, on behalf of New Zealanders In England, with a massive engraved silver cigarette-box. He said; “Perhaps the team’s greatest exploit was that it came through an English summer

that was the worst in twenty years.” If the game flourished in such conditions in England, should not they be ashamed that more was not done for the game in New Zealand, he continued. They were all grateful to the guarantors, who, perhaps would have to put their hands in their pockets; but why should they not do so for such a good cause?

Mr. Warner, paying tribute to Lowry’s and Dacre’s centuries at Lords on May 12, expressed the

opinion that Dacre combined the charms of Trumper and Hobbs. He was confident that New Zealand

would soon throw down the gauntlet to England. Lowry, replying, said he was not far wrong in prophesying that the team would prove equal to seventh or eighth position in the county championship list. He hoped the Dominion would soon achieve international status and be entitled to test matches.

Members of the team were the guests of the British Empire Club in the evening at a private dinner.—A and N.Z.