RETURN OF "OUR B0YS."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4495, 7 August 1893, Page 2

RETURN OF "OUR BOYS."

k Enthusiastie.l/l/eleome.

It was not known ontil five o'clock on .'Saturday evening that Messrs D'Arcy, Watson and Gray, who have been on tour with tho New Zealand footballers in, Australia, would return to,Alastertaa.before, 10-day, but on receipt of intelligence that "they were coming up that night, His Worship the Mayor and ons or two others at once set to work to arrange a suitable welcome. The news spread like wild-fire, and at seven o'clock, crowds of people were wending their, way to the local railway station, and 'every available drag and 'bus was engaged to oarry residents to the scene. Pearson's Private Band mustered in strong force, and. with the reception committee in a gay and festive drag made' the town exceedingly lively with their excellent music. The platform at the station was packed, and when : the train, conveying the honored ones, came up a scene of the wildest enthusiasm was displayed. . The Band played " The Conquering Hero," and the assemblage cheered lo the eoho. The three men were deluged with " hand shakers,'; and were oarried shoulder high to their conveyance. On the way to town the musicians., played "Home, Sweet Home," and' when the Post Office was reaohed, several hundred people were mustered and "Our Boys" were heartily greeted. The drag pulled up in the centre of Queen-street, and His Worship the Mayor mounted tho platform' and gavo- on behalf of the burgesses —a few words of welcome. The drag was then driven through the town, the streets beiug lined with spectators, and everyone cheered the men as the procession pnssed along,- the Band playing the footballers' favorite strain "Ob the Ball." .

After the parade, an adjournment was mnde io the Club Hotel, where Mr Pownall proposed the health of Messrs D'Arcy, Gray, and .Watson. He eulogised their valuable services to the New Zealand team, snd said that Mnsterton was proud to honour their return, The toast was drunk in bumpers with musical honours.

Mr D'Aroy, responding on behalf of his friends, said the reception had oome quite unexpectedly, and tbey were considerably and agreeably surprised on reaching the station to see such a pleasant and nnanimouß. welcome, Heoould not find words to express their gratitude, but sincerely hoped they would always deserve the appreciation of their fellow townsmen, Mr Pownall thanked the Hand for mustering at' Booh abort notice, and said the successful reception was mainly to their efforts. Everything in connection with the affair passed off pleasantly, and Messrs Pownall and Gray, who inia< tiated the proceedings at such short notice, deserve considerable praise. The footballers were afterwards beseiged with enthußiastio orowds on the street, and had to play the games over time alter time, before tbeir hearers wore satisfied. The silver fern leaf bedeoked their coats, and they were certainly the heroes of the hour,

Large photographs of t the. N.Z. team appear in Beveral of the windows in town, and are excellent likenesses, The uniforms of the tour have been presented to the men, and the Masterton contingent will appear in theirs in the match against Wanganui,