He would also refer to the great pleasure it gave him to notice that one o! the kindred race played a conspicuous part in these matches. He alluded to Mr Taiaroa. He was pleased to see that those present, by their applause, reciprocated the sentiment he had often ex pressed, -that Maoris, in all these matter?, should ran alongside of Europeans.' He would also refer tq the gentleman through whose in strumentality tho team bad been got together. He called upon tßero {o drink the health of the team, coupling the name of Mr Million with the toast.' (Applause.) s T|i« toast having been drunk, with the usual JjQDOM, • ' Mr W. V. Million expressed the thanks of himself and the team generally for the recep tion they had received. He alluded to the reception they had been accorded in Australia, where the people seemed as though they could not do too much tp express their hospitality. The weather, too,* had bean as hospitable as the people. Perhaps ho might, without boast ing, explain a few ef the causes which, in his opinion,, bad been instrumental in securing their success. One great point was their com bination of play. Meeting as nineteen strangers, yet in five minutes after the com mencement of the first match they were play ing together as one man. He wished all representative teams would take a hint from this. The main features of the game In which the New Zealanders excelled wore in dribbling,

nnsnlfifth passing, and the splendid kicking of the backs. They had also advantages in ba-ing had better opportunities of practice ti.m, tho New South Welshmen. He had also to tlmriktho team for conducting themselves out of! ho field they bad, which showed that they re-“.giiis* d that, they had to represent the co'ony. lb: explained that tho team bad not pl.vcd a match in Wellington that day he- ante tomo of them, being not very Ur ',-A sailor-, they might have made an exhibi tion of tl.em-elves. In c. nch.sioo, Mr Million said if ever any team could have done without a captain, it was the 01.0 he had comn.auoed, (Apniaust). The lion, Mr Stevens, M.L.G., m proposing “ Athletic Sports,” coupled with the name of Mr It. S. Sleigh, said ho believed the splendid success of tho New Zealand team was thoroughly sy mpathised with by all athletes. 