THE ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS.

JT k v wokerb °°>«*8 1 and maroon caps wth a kangaroo marked in front Tha ItwUlbe observed that they have not much fame onshore fortraining, and with, tlus fact m mind MrMnlliaonx has ar- . ranged for them to keep in condition on board the Oceana. c» T il e i niti(^ mo «"»ent in connection with the tour," writes "Fall Back " in tha :' Sydney Mail," was commenced on 1897. and though the work of organisation was poshed on as much as possible, it was found too late to make the necessary arrangements for the visit in 1898. Tha N.S.TV. Rugby Union reneivod the inutax for 1899. Difficulties, however arose o ring to the South African Union for* warding the English Union an invitation to send a team there this year. The English Union then required Mr Mullineux to shon- it tbat he could get a team up it'tbe south African itivifcuion were not ao.< eepted. There" were se-eral interviews beciveen the Union and Mr Mullineux, bnt it was not till February last that tha South African tour was abandoned. Proa bably this accounts for the cable message received from England which was construed to meau that ihe Australian tour had been abandoned. Evidently it should hare referred to the abandonment of tha South African tonr, By the mail of the - 9thinefc,MxTV.A. Rand, the .Hon. See. ofthe New South Wales Kugby Union ' received a letter from Mr MuUmenx in reply to one asking for an explanation of the cable. la that letter it was stated that there wa3 never any suggestion of abandoning the Australian tour." Tha man who supplies the cables for the"Au3« tralian papers very evidently' hasn't got any interest in football ! " Cjnic."' in the Sydney '• .Referee," says :— The Unions in New Zealand, the footballers, and the publio, were all greatly disappointed to learn tliat the Englishmen would not be able to visit them. There is, however, still a possibility of the visit taking place, as until 3Fr Mullineux'arrives it will not be, definitely known how much time he and his party can spare, £liould time permit, which of course is very doubtful, the visit to New Zealand may take place. It is argued in Sydney, and with solid reason, too, that it would not pay to despatch the English team to New Zealand, and receive merely the expenses of the team, from time of departure to return to Sydney. In organising such a tonr as it has before it tha New South TVales Unioa has undertaken a venture carrying no small risk. A few - wet Saturdays, whioh are frequent in winter, would be aggravating^ moon- • venient. and there is no doubt that the " older heads of the ITnioaare right in tak- ; rag every possible precaution against loss i- : Were Rugby universal in Australia, the? risk would be greatly reduced, for at Mefc ■ : bource and Adelaide vast crowds wonld - < gather to see the games, but unfortn- '-i, ■:••■■. natelyin those capitaUN Bngby football ' is inarely a name. Mr Marter recognises •;•"■ all this, yet thinks that Bentimen't pnghtV to carry some weight in; the matter o£,:^.i the English visit-ifit be found tiiaewili v^ < I permit-to New Zealand." ; There 'wm>r;^<! doubt the public would dearly like-togee^ ' ' England meet the full strength of New ??-'?* Zealand, \. ■- -. • ?--. " -■. ■-^•■c-J-".':j.=;^£^

when Mr W, Johnston presided. There were also present Messrs Redgrave, Finney, Glo»er, Dea, Sigley, Forayth, and the Secretary (U Stiles). It was resolved to hold a representative practice on Saturday and to defer tho Senior Cup match Prince Albert v. College. It was also decided both clubs being agieeabln, to play the Junior Cup match Albion v. Rivals postponed from May 13th, next Saturday at the Park. Referees were appointed as follows :— Trial match. Mr Sigley j Junior Cup, Albion v Bival, Mr Levien ; Thirdclaza, College v. bival, Mr OlderahaK-. In addition to sum of -£> 13' Cd already acknowledged as subscriptions towards tire Canterbury tour, the following sums have tUc been received : — Messrs John Tinline 10s, F. G. Gibbs, A. E. CresswolL and Bond Finney and Co , 10s 6d each, A. G Walker 5«, E.E.8., H.M.N , D.1.8., and W. N. Poole 2s 6d each.— The Rep, Selection Committee will make another selection to-night for tbe trial mutch at the Park on Saturday. Those who do not attend the practice will not have thoir claim recognised for the final selection, unless a very satisfactory excuse is tendered.