AMERICAN PLAYERS. BEATEN BY WELLINGTON.

RUGBY MATCH AT THE ATHLETIC PARK.

After the reports of the doings of American Universities' team over in Australia, it was not expected that they would be quite a match for the thoroughly representative fifteen Wellington put in the field against them on Saturday. Still, about the Americans there w;i.« a very great charm of novelty, and the public found out in solid numbers to see the game. Among those present was the Primo Minister. Tho members of iho/ visiting combination not in the fray barracked vigorously from the line. The whole of the match was played in the very best spirit, and the pluck of the visitors in going down to nishes and tackling against odds met with expressive approval from the impartial crowd. The Americans are not good Rugby footballers — yet. But they soon will be. For men who have only played the game tor two or three seasons — several, indeed, only for one (and the American season is short) — they shaped well, and are undoubtedly material for a fine side. So far only material — for it cannot be pretended by anybody who saw Saturday's game that the University men play finished football. They seem to know few of the finer points of the game. But they play with such cheerful pertinacity and absolute abandon — going down, to rushes in a way they must have learnt from the old American game — that it is safe to prophesy a great future for Rugby in California. The score was. substantial enough, 22 to 0, but it might have been greater, if Wellington had really been "all out.' 1 As it was, they gave the visitors a splendid exhibition of how the game should be played. The forwards were great when they exerted themselves, and the backs carried out passing evolutions like a book. With many humorous situations arising out of the naivety of the visitors, and the general air of good fellowship pervading the play, it was a very pleasant game. 1 THE PLAY. ' America won the toss, and for the first spell had the advantage of a light southerly, just about counterbalanced by the sun in their eyes. It was quickly seen that they were no match for the local men. Wellington held the visitors impenned in their twenty-five pretty well the whole of the spell, America only about half "a dozen times crossing the halfway line. Wellington were not j long in crossing, lloberts, who was in fine form, opened up the attack. When he was collared A very took up the running, and slid over after a clever dash. Kinvig failed with the kick. Wellington 3, America 0. The American 3—3 — 2—32 — 3 scrum was not very successful, as the two Wellington hookers got the ball repeatedly. Mitchinson, from a scrum, in good, position for an attack, executed one of a series of tricky runs, which completely baffled the Americans again and again. He was stopped before he reached the line, but Irvine had gained possession and cut in diagonally, eluding his men^ ani scoring between the posts. Ryan had no difficulty in converting. Wellington S, America 0. The rest of the spell was slightly more even, and one© or twice the Americans broke away, mostly in forward rushes, led by Bennett. Among the backs Dwiggins, Brown, and Elliott were the pick, Brown particularly kicking well. The whistle went for halftime, with the score unchanged. The opening of the second half saw quite a rally on the part of the visitors, who for a while carried all before them, and penetrated nearly to the Wellington goal-line. Here Corf was effectively collared. Tho crowd cheered at this revival. The blacks soon restored the balance, and a' pretty piece of work between Roberts and Pyle' ended in the All Black registering the third try. He took tho kick, but found the ball too heavy fov the distance. Wellington 11, America 0. From the kick-out Wellington were within an ace of scoring on two occasions, Pyle and "Ranji" Wilson being the last to lose possession. America again broke away, Elliott leading quite a pretty piece of back play. Back came the black forwards with a rush, and Perry got over in a scramble in which several took part. Kinvig jnade a fair attempt with the kick. Wellington 14, America 0. Again the blacks came down, and Pyle added another try. Roberts's kick again fell short. Wellington 17, America 0. The remainder of the game showed America tired and hard pressed. Their defence was plucky, and once or twice they broke up the beleaguerment, but never for long. Just on time Mitchinson started a fine rush, and practically all the Wellington backs took part in the evolution. Kinvig completed it by running round and scoring between the posts. Ryan easily converted. Tho final score was, therefore, Wellington 22. America 0. Mr. J. Prancis was referee. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. In the evening, the visitors and the Wellington representatives were entertained at dinner at the Grand Hotel, by the New Zealand Union. Mr. Gr. F: (J. Campbell, vice-president of New Zealand and Wellington Unions, presided, and the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, j was also present. REMARKS BY THE PREMIER. After "The King" and "The President" had been honoured, the toast of "Our Visitors" was proposed by Sir Joseph Ward, who expressed his pleasure at meeting the representatives of the great American Universities. He personally had witnessed the day's game, ana thought they had made a very excellent showing, considering that the game had only been introduced into America during the last four or five years. Their quickness in grasping the points of the game was characteristic ot Americans. The visit would undoubtedly do good, as it would tend to bring New Zealand in closer touch with the people of tho United States, whom New Zealanders looked upon as their cousins. He could assure them that in New Zealand their country had a sincere admirer. The late Mr. Seddon had taken a great deal of interest in America, and it was mainly through has exertions that the original "All Blacks" had been able to return from their tour of Great Britain via the States. It was a pleasant thing to think that that visit had practically inaugurated Rugby football in America, and the present tour of the University team was undoubtedly the outcome of it. He was quite sure that when they again visited New Zealand it would take our very best team all its time to beat them. "OUT TO LEARX." Mr. Burbank, mauager ol the team, responding, congratulated tbe Wellington men on their fine form and also on the splendid sporting spirit in which they had played the game. "To-day," he 6aid, "vqu m*v it lade oi flnith in our pUy,

been able to gain knowledge of the game from books; and one or two coaches who had spent a season in Australia. The experience gained on fchis tour will be invaluable. Our chaps are out to learn, and right here our lessons begin. Our great aim •is to be to America what New Zealand is to Australia at Rugby football. The welcome accorded the team has been splendid. I never thought the Old Ea^le and Kiwi conjd become such firm friends, and, though separated by many miles , of ocean, may their wings ever keep in touch !"' Hie men were delighted with Wellington. Only that morning one of the team ha>l approached hu-i and said, "Say, Burbank, these people are white light throu-h, and if the old United States were to sink intc :he sea. wasl, 1 guess I'd rather live here than anywhere else."' Away back home in America the people would appreciate the welcome tendered them quite as much as they themselves did. In conclusion he hoped soon to have the pleasure of welcoming :i New Zealand tnam to the "States." "THE UNIONS." The toast of the New Zealand' and! Wellington Rugby Unions was proposed' by Mr. Roth, a member of the team, who said he had journeyed 10,000 miles to have the privilege of proposing it. On the voyage out they were afraid that they would not see New Zealand 1 , but on arrival at Sydney their fears were, set at rest. The main object of iherr tour was to study the game of Rugby, but they also wished to study the country, and gain a knowledge of the people, their lives, and ways, as New Zealand! wa-s regarded; with great interest in. America. Though they had only been, in, Wellington two days they were very favourably impressed with wiat they had seen. The sporting spirit of the Wellington players and the generous ooncruct of tbe spectators had made a great impression on them, and the attitude of tho small boys surprised- them. In America the youths of a city in which, a, match was to be played would badger the visiting team, and generally try to make them uncomfortable, but here, on stepping off the drag, they were greeted by the .small 1 fry with "Good luck Yanks!" "Hope you win," "Hope you do something," and other similar remarks. In that day's game an outsider would; almost have thought the "Yanks" were the Home team so heartily did the spectaj tors applaud their efforts. They hoped to learn a great deal in this country, as New ZealandeTs were recognised as tbe best footballers in the world. On behalf of the whole team, he wished to -return thanks for the privilege of visiting the Dominion, and meeting- the cousins, who were more like brothers, they had heard so much about. After a weird war cry and "rocket." given by the whole team, Mr. G. 3?. C. Campbell replied on behalf of the unions. He expressed the wish that this would only be the first of many American teams to visit the Dominion, and no doubt the New Zealand Union would, in the near future, send a team to America, as it was tho union'? desire to foster Rugby football in all part* of the globe. New Zealand appreciated this visit, and prided iteelf on the fact that its nationaJ game had received so much notice in such a great country as America. Auld Lang Syne and cheers terminated the function shortly after 8 p.m. OTAGO TEAM TO MEET AMERICA. [by telegbaph— pbess association.] DUNEDIN, 17th July. The following team has been selected to represent Otago against the American University team on Wednesday :—: — Full-back, Duthie ; three-quarters, Gomar, Graham, and Norrie ; fiveeighths. Williams and Curran ; half, Eckhold; forwards, Scott, Patterson, Paton, Johnston, Salter, Morrison, Watt, a*id Williams. ENGLISH TEAM IN AUCKLAND. [BS TELEGRAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION. J AUCKLAND, 17th July. The English team of Northern Union footballers arrived to-day, and were met by the officials of the New Zealand Rugby League. They are being accorded a mayoral reception at 10 o'clock to-morrow. MAORIS DEFEAT OTAGO. EASY VICTORY FOR NATIVES. Tbt tslbgbafh — raiiss association^ DUNEDIN, 16th July. Fully 5000 spectators witnessed the match between the Maori team which has just returned from Australia and tbe Otago representatives. They played spectacularly in the first ten minutes, and from a beautiful opening by Stead the backs passed splendidly and Rogers: fan in. The kick failed. Continuing the Maoris played with great vigour, and Piki scored — 6—o.6 — 0. It was fast, 1 hot work, and Otago from a penalty earned a goal. Otago 6, Maoris 6. Otago pressed hotly, but the Maoris' ingenuity evaded the onslaught. Later Otago forwards made a recovery and from a scramble' Patterson tcored. Eckhold converted. Otago 8, Maoris 6. In the second spell, after some dashing play Rogers scored a try — Maoris 9, Otago 8. Soon after Cunningham kicked a penalty goal — Maoris 12, Otago 8. Ot-ago went to pieces under the repeated onslaugbts. Takarangi scored and Cunningham, lauded' a goal — Maoris 17, Otago 8. It was a fine and exciting exhibition of football by the Maoris, and Otago was not in it. DISTRICT GAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.J CARTERTON, 16th July. In senior football Carterton (15) beat Red Star (8). It was a very even game, and the best played here this season. Carterton have won the senior competition this year. Junior games — Liberals (25) beat Lower Valley (nil) ; Masterton (8) beat Carterton (3). , GREYTOWN, 16th July. Gladstone was beaten by Greytown by 3 points to nil. The ground was very heavy. FEILDING, 16th July. Feilding seniors (20) beat an Oroua Sub-union team' (0). MANAWATU v. WANGANUI. [BY TEtiEGBAPH — PEBSS ASSOCIATION.) WANGANUI, l€«h July. The representative match Manawatu v. Wanganui was played on the Recreation Ground this afternoon. The visitors were much too heavy and strong in the Fcrums, and in the first spell had all the best of the game, the local players being handicapped by a strong' son in their ejes. Towards the end of the first half Mullins secured a try for Manawatu, which Briscoe converted. The spell ended without further scoring. On resuming Wanganui infused more life into their play, but it was some Lime before they scored, they eventually obtaining a try, INleuli racing over, Southcombe converting, and making the scores even. Later, from a scrum, Signal scored, Seeling converting. For the remaining time play was fairly even, but the locals more than held their own. The whittle voundad le»ving Wanganui

IN OTHER CENTRES. £■1 TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHBISTCHURCH, 16th Juiy. OvEHig to the wet weather, only two •senior matches and one third-class were played to-day, the others being postponed. Albion beat Christchurch by 9 points to 5. Merivale beat Canterbury College by 41 points to nil. AGCKLAND, 16th July. In senior fooi<ball Ponsonby (16) beat 'Viarsity (6) ; Parnell (9) beat Marist Brothers (nil) ; and Graflon (9) l>eat City (6). [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL TO THE POST.] HASTINGS, 16th July. i The return representative match Napier v. Hastings was won by Ihe former by 16 to 5. NEW SOUTH WALES v. QUEENSLAND. TORMER AGAIN VICTORIOUS.By Tetetr*ph.— Frets Association.— Copyright. BRISBANE, 16th July. The return Rugby football match New South Wales v. Queensland was played here to-day. The visitors, who won the previous match by 11 to \ were victorious this time by 21 to 8.