DINNER AT THE CENTRAL.

At the Central Hotel last night the Chinese University Students' team were entertained at dinner by the Taranaki Football Association. A short toast list was honoured, the first. "The King," and "The Republic of China" being proposed by Mr Y Y. Adams. The toast of "The Chinese University .Students' Team" was proposed by the Deputy-Mayor, Mr K." Morrissey, who said that the morning previously when he had welcomed the team to the town he had come to the conclusion that they were gentlemen in every sense of the word. He had also "been gratified to hear the perfect English which they spoke. Mi- A. K. Dome, in replying, referred to the words pi a, member of the team when they were being welcomed at the Borough Council Chambers on the previous morning. That member had pointed out that it was said in China that events occurred in a sequence of threes. Accordingly, as the team had experienced a draw, a loss, and a win in that order during the last three games, they were due for a draw at Hawera. In this case it had proved to be correct, but he did not want to see that order continue—he wanted a greater percentage of wins. He did not think that the team "had played quite up to "scratch" that day. and he assured the company that they were saving up for Auckland. In conclusion, he thanked the Taranaki Football Association for the fine way

in which they had entertained the team here. Mr Alf. K. Ting, who also responded, said the game that day had been a fast and clean game. He also thanked the Football Association for the manner in which the team had been treated. Mr C. J. Cummings proposed the toast of the N.Z. Football Association, which body they had to thank for the visit of the team to Taranaki. It was thought that an English professional team would be in the Dominion for at least six weeks next year, and he hoped that Taranaki would be included in the tour. He referred to the shortage of soccer grounds, and pointed out that if they gave their wholehearted support to the N.Z. Football Association the day would come all the sooner when that lwdy would be able to assist them financially in obtaining grounds. Mr Colin Reid responded. He said that if the English team did come out next year there was no doubt but that: they would visit Taranaki—if he had anything to do with it they would. Mr Reid also paid a tribute to the Taranaki Rugby Union, which had treated the soccer people in a most sportsman like manner. The toast of "Kindled Sports" was proposed by Mr H. A: Morgan, who said that no matter what sport it was. so long as it tended to promote good sportsmanship, it was worth support. They were indeed indebted to the Taranaki Rugby Union Mr J. J. Goodwin responded, and in speaking on behalf of "the Taranaki I Rugby Union said that that body was j out to do its best for all sport, and they would not do it half-heartedly, but wholeheartedly. The toast of "The Taranaki Football Association" was proposed by Mr T. K. Wong. He assured those "present that the members of the team had had a most enjoyable time, although the weather had been against them. They had not seen Mount Egmont, but the weather had held out for their game. He noticed that in Taranaki there were a number of young players, and be felt sure that with proper training Taranaki would in time produce the foremost soccer team in the Dominion. Mr V. Adams, in reply, said that soccer in Taranaki really owed its existence to the support which was given it in its early .stages by the Rugby code. In those days the Rugby players had played them, and had beaten them, but they had to remember that the soccer players then were only beginners. Continuing, Mr Adams pointed out that We in Taranaki were apt to forget how much we owed to the Chinese. It was a Chinese gentleman who had started the first dairy company in Taranaki, and had shown us the way to our prosperity. In conclusion, Mr Adams referred to the splendid game played that day by Taranaki's goalie, Mr E. A. Hart, who was a young player of considerable promise. The function then terminated, and a number of those present adjourned to the entertainment at the Golden Minim.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 August 1924, Page 10