HAWERA I. v. OPUNAKE I.

Haw«ra team journeyed to Opunake on Saturday, and after a olose but uninteresting game were defeated by five points to nil. The ground was in good order, but play was confined almost solely to the forwards. A keen westerly wind blew right across the ground. It was in the second spell that the score was made. Hawera were penned up near their line for sometime, and the ball waß rushed over the line. There was a scramble for it, the referee's decision being in favor of Opunake. The try was oonverted. Livingston and McCarthy wer» absentees, Pratt and Esaon taking their places. Mr J. Lamble was referee.

The first round of the Senior Cup matches for the Southern division is now ended, and the following are the points secured by the different teams : — Opunake, 8 ; Hawera, 7 ; Waimate, 6 ; Patea, 6 ; Eltham, 8 ; Rivals, 0.

Juniors to date — Hawera, 9; Waimate, 7; Rivals, 4; Eltham, 0.

The football writer in the N.Z. Times says the English Rugby Union meets every November to amend its rulings, etc Therefore it is ourious that the following ruling passed by them is not in foroa in this colony :— " That the kicker oanDOt plaoe the ball upon the ground in instructing the plaoer, - nor touch it after the placer has put down. If the kioker does so the kick is forfeited." The above ruling relates, to tries, marks, and free kicks, and is a reading on the words " may touch and arrange." The ruling was sent to New South Wales* where it was not followed, and this roused the ire of the Rev. Mullineux, who has probably had it observed by this time.

Wainaate junior team to play against Hawera junior at Manaia on July 7th — Tamu, Taplin, Riddle, Puke, Phillips,, R. Johnson, Whaki, Nicholas, Christie, Young, Balfe, Cunningham, Mabin, Foreman, Hamilton.

A correspondent of the Taranaki Herald writes complaining of the bad management of the Union in respect of match arrangements in the northern division, and says that if things do not improve the headquarters should be again placed at Hawea.