CIVIC RECEPTION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 19 December 1912, Page 6

CIVIC RECEPTION

TO SOUTH MELBOURNE CRICKETERS. \ AX INTERESTING FUNCTION, I The South Melbourne cricket team .vas accorded a civic welcome in the 3orough Council Chambers at Master;on at 11.30 o'clock on Wednesday norning. His Worship the Mayor Mr J. M. Coradinc) presided, and ihere were present a number of councillors, representatives of the Wai•arapa Cricket Association, and leadno; citizens. The Mayor said he was pleased to extend to the team n hearty wel■>oino to Masterton—and he might say. \"ew Zealand, for they opened their tour liere. -"We all hope that your tour will be a pleasant and a hippy [>ne," -said the Mayor. "I also hope that you will learn something from inr Masterton cricketers—(laughter) Joking aside, T am sure our cricketers will learn something ' from you." Some of our local cricketers did not think that the Council did as mil eh [is it- should for cricket in Mattel-ton, but he coukl assure the cricketers that they did all in their power to Foster the game. "I am not surprised gentlemen, to see you have the worthy Mayor of South Melbourne with you," said the Mayor. 'lt seems to be one of tlie dutie:? attaching to the office of a Mayor that he should bo president of cricket clubs. For instance. T am president of ■several cricket clubs, but I have not yet been able to persuade them to make a tour and take their Mayor with them. (Laughter). The example set by the South Melbourne cricketers might now be followed by Mas-ter-ton cricketers." (Laughter.) He was also pleased to see a.n old friend present in Mr Trott. "I resided for five years in Melbourne." said the Mayor, "and I know a little about i tlie' game in that city. T remember Mr Trott plaving in Melbourne 25 rears a2O. T distinctly remember what a fine cricketer he was, and how v,e used to go out to the Melbourne cricket ground's, Richmond. Fit-zrov, {-ollingwood, and South Melbourne to see him play. From what I have heard of the present team T can say that there is a cricket treat in store for the local public to-day and to-mor-row." The Mayor congratulated tlie J Wa.irarapa Cricket Association on having obtained a visit from the South J Melbourne, playerg and on the _ honour : it was to have the 'earn open, its New | Zealand tour a.t M 'sterton. The visit would do a lot of good from every point of view—for the town and for : I the cricketers. From a reciprocity 1 point of view the visit was also a splendid thing—they would got to understand each other 'better. He hoped the visitors would liave a pleasant and successful tour, and that their visit would be the means of raising the standard of New Zealand cricket. (Applause.) Mr D. K. Logan, on behalf of the cricketers of Masterton, also extended a welcome to the team. The local \ Association were indebted to -the Wellington Wednesday Cricket Association for being able to secure the opening match of the tour at Masterton. Mr Logan read an apology from Mr G. R. Svkes, M.P., who regretted that, through engagements in the country, lie would be unable to be present to welcome the cricketers. Mr Sykes hoped that, the public ,of Masterton would extend a right royal welcome to the visitors, an<] that the local players would entertain' the South Melbournites. Mr Logan said he wa.s sure of the former being carried out, but lie was doubtful about the latter. He hoped that the visitors would do no more to them than was absolutely necessary for the success of the tour. (Applause.) Mr Logan said that he had also received an apology for absence from Mr L. MoKenzie, of Wellington, who was unavoidably unable to be present,-but who wished them an enjoyable game. (Applause.) Mr John Baragwanath, Mayor of South Melbourne, and' president of the South Melbourne Club, thanked the Mayor and citizens for their hearty welcome. The hospitality which had been extended to them everywhere had been a revelation. In Masterton the welcome had been particularly warm. He paid a high tribute to the ■splendid cricket ground possessed by the citizens of Masterton. The Mayor of Masterton had referred to reciprocity, and the speaker considered that such gatheingg broke down many barriers and made them understand each other better. "I have got a fine lot of fellows with me in the team," teaid Mr Baragwanath. "They are a 1 steady lot, well behaved, and practlc- ) -yall teetotallers. They are good vickoters but a rotten lot of sailors. {Laughter.) With the exception of { about four they were nil seasick. | However, perhaps it is a case of the I better the cricketers the worse the

'sailors. Wo are. indeed indebted to • you, Mr Mayor, and the citizens of Master ton ; for this splendid welcome you have given us. It appears to be characteristic of New Zealand." Mr Baragwanath said lie way particularly impressed with Masterton ; it was a clean town with splendid streets. Ho couldi see by the streets which the town, possessed that they had an engineer who understood bis business. In conclusion he said that if ever they oamo across to Melbourne they could r<vst assured that tho South Melbourne people would do' their best to return' tho hospitality extended to them in Masterton. (Applause.) Mr "\V. H. McCormack, manager of the team, said that the hospitality which had been extended to the team had been a great surprise. He also paid a tribute to the Park. They had a strong touring team. He thanked the Mayor and citizens for the hearty welcome extended to tlu-m. They had found brothers here to welcome them, not strangers with a formal handshake. He could assure them that it' they ever visited South Melbourne the people of that city would endeavour to repay the cordiality and courtesy extended to the. team which, ho had tiro honour to bo tho manager of. (Applause.) Mi! Harry Trott, captain of the visiting team, said he was not an orator. He wa« the third speaker, and the orators had come before him, leaving him nothing- to «av. (Laughter.) He thanked the people of Masterton for the splendid welcome accorded them. Thev had received nothing hut kindness since they arrived in the Dominion, and they wero not likely to forget it. They iiad hrought a very good team with them, but there was nothing for the local players to be afraid of. He advised the local team "not to he out before they were in." (Laughter.) Mr J. C. Cussack, Scrota ry of Wellington Wednofxlay Association, also thanked the Mayor and members of the Wairarnpa Association for the courtesy extended to the-South Melbourne team. The function then terminated. The team was afterwards entc ca i'ed at luncheon at the Club Hotel, where a splendid repast was provided by Host Crass. The Mayor presided, and was supported on his left by the Mayor of South Melbourne, and on his right, by ( the manager of the team. All speech- J «s were reserved for the smoke con- j cert this evening. i