FOOTBALL.

rs ■' SEASON . OPENS TO-DAY. The football season in Auckland opens today. Tlio district Clip competitions will bo commenced at Alexandra Park (Epsom), North Shore, and the Kingsland cricket ground. The union's present lease of - 'Alexandra Park expires at the end of the present, season, but a further lease of three years has been secured, and Potter's will still continue to be the scene, 110 doubt, of some stirring contests. Tho ground at North Shore is still available. The Union has also secured tho use of tho Kingslatid' cricket ground for tlio season, and it is intended at present to play the junior matches there, and so relieve the congestion at Alexandra Park. There havo been many alterations to some of the teams this season, and these tend in the direction of making the play more even, so that tho contests should bo a- good deal closer than hitherto. The season, so far as Auckland is concerned, will not Iks so productive of " big" games played locally as last year, •he Auckland representatives having to go on tour as far South as Inveroargill, while i New Zealand team will journey to Ausl.ilia. With the prospects of these tripsahead, players may bo depended upon to put forth their best efforts." All the '■ grounds are reported to bo in good order, j and all the necessary arrangements have I been made for the opening. The following are the fixtures for today : — FIRST FIFTEENS. No. 1 Ground (Alexandra Park): [Ponsonby v. Parncll. Referee, Mr. 0. W. Oram. ' ' No. 2 Ground: Newton v. City. Referee., .Mr. W. Pitts. ■-At North Shore: Grafton v. North Shore. Referee, Mr. H. Frost. SECOND FIFTEENS. No. 3 Ground: Ponsonby v. Parncll. Referee, Mr. Austin. , No. 4 Ground: Newton v. City. Referee,, Mr. Sutherland. ' ■ iAt North Shore: Grafton v. North Shore. Referee, Mr. R. McGregor. THIRD FIFTEENS. ; No. 5 Ground : IParnell v. Ponsonby. Referee, Mr. J. Laing. At, Kingsland' Cricket Ground: Grafton v. North Shore A. Referee, Mr. Freeman. Newton v. North Shore B. Referee, Mr. Greenhotigh. FOURTH FIFTEENS. No. 6 Ground (Alexandra Park): Grafton ,T. North Shore. Referee, Mr. C. Martin. No. 7 Ground: Newton v. Parnell B. Referee, Mr.. H. Williams. • No. 8 Ground: Parnell Av. Ponsonby. Referee,-Mr. N. McLean. The following teams have been selected for to-day. , PONSONBY. Seniors (v. Parncll): Wakey, Riley, Barclay, Murray, Wilson, Flynn, Batt-r, Kenyan, Cox, ! Carlavv, Gillett, Dunning, JlcKee, Sella rs, Frant cis. Bigelow, Nicholson, Hall. McDonald. 4 Third fifteen (v. Parnell): .Matthews, Pifkethlev, Lhwboii, Robinson, Beresford, Shultze, Bedford, Kelly, Phillips, Hooker, Campbell. ' Cochrane, Lendrum, Burns, Pearce, Campbell, McLean, Wallett. Gilmour. Fourth fifteen (v. Parnell A): De Audney, Wilson, Thompson, Crane, Crafts, Cross, Sweats, Anderson, Sarney, Craig, Nottori (21, Soar, Gault, Drinkwater, Doran, Murphy, Boyd. NEWTON. , Seniors (v. City): Carr, Rowe, Pvudie. Wolfgram, Gray, Freeman, Farrant (2), if ay ward (2)., Hooper (2), Trevarthen. Winters, Rassmussen. Second fifteen (v. Citv): Weston, Cox, Jackson, 0. Reid, Wickstead, Ronton, Gardner, Clarke, Gray, Raasmussen (2), Linliorn, Johnson, Collins, Steele, McLeod, Lang. Piper. Third fifteen (v. North Shore B): Rowe (2), Crawford, Hill. Muggins, Garland. Oakley, Lauder, Lupton, Tartar, Knapman, Ria.ing. Golley, . Hobson, Claridge", Hewitt. Brett. Fourth fifteen (v. I'arnell B): Copas. J. Kerr, WilletU, Sindlen (2), Lewis, Grigg (2), Quelch, Haswell (2), Gray, Hill, Fan-ant, Stewart, Wade, Brown, Agnew. GRAFTON. -■■ Seniors ("v. North Shore): Sutherland, Blake, . ftenwick, Poananga, Burroughs, Kiernan. Dean, Clarke, Conquer, Corner, MacCormick, Bell, Jlaguire, Davis, Eaton. v^..Second fifteen (v. North Shore): Whyte, Nolan, ""Blackburn, Dignan, Mcintosh, Newton. Yates, I '~,,=Pefei»ou l Hunter, Grierson, Wilson, Coleman, ■■i Gibb. Adita. Eastgafe. Gallagher. Cornets. Rowan, ' Brewin. Heigh Taylor, Rameka, Quintan. ; . Fourth fifteen IV. North Shore): Wat-burton, Cornaga, . Keifftll, Casey,. Cooper, IfeFarquhar, : "' Fernandez, Edwards, Kneebone, Dorrington, Philpott, Brewin, Coldicntt, Robinson. Burns, Lawrence. Hendry, Thompson, Phillpot, Dennes, 5 - Lvnskey, Strong, Smith, Williams. -CITY. Seniors-(v. Newton): S. Magee. Little, Smith, 3ladding, R. Magee, Ladner, Mctlhone, W. Tyler, Mackrell, G. Tyler, Herring, McGuire, Williams, .Seeling, Plant. ■;-■ Second fifteen (v. Newton): Cullen, Hedlund, Donovan, Mvles, Potoier, Cross, Stewart, Harris, Sandal. Mo'ir, Spencer. Weaver, Fitzsimmons, ' ' Bennallack. Moss! McNeil. Estall, Vickerman. The third and fourth teams will hold a practice match at Epsom. NORTH SHORE. Seniors (v. Grafton): D. Miller, F. Woodward, W. Wvnvard, 0. Miller, R. Wvnyard, Jackson. P. R. Smith, S. Marshall, Todd, Griffiths.^ A. Phillips, Clarke, Mcßeynolds, A. Mays, .<. Willis, W. J °£econd fifteen (v. Grafton) C. Ballantyne, E. - Eyre, W. ' Coleman, F. Uoudie, H. Wynyard, 11. Jackson, F. Harrison, B. Graham. J. G. Jackson, Baker, I'. Warbrick, E. McDonald, llullipa, E. Woodward, M- Goodall. ' ■ . * Third fifteen A (v. . Grafton) rB. Coleman, B. . Enaor, F. Taylor, F. Seagar, Hylton, Rogers, \V. Buchanan, Woodward, Bain, R. Spinier, S. Withy, M. Grace, G. Buchanan, J. Lowe, F. Shaw, Morrison, MePeake. ' -, - „ r Third fifteen B (v. Newton): R. Smith, U. Bailcv, P. Robinson, R. Hood, Bishop, H. G'' ul ?fc> G. Lavcock, ■!. Smith, F. Parker. Lacty (2), H. Strude", R. Allen, 11. Turner, D. Gerrard, R. COgl,r ' V PARNELL. Seniors (v Ponsonbv): Cleave, F. T. Smith, Twiname. Mowbray, Stuckev, Fox Todd Annstrong, White, Muir, Walsh, Kinder, McPhee, fifteen (v. Ponsonby): llanne, Hogan, - Forgie, Duval, Peach, Nicholson. Clark, George, Rhodes, Hardwick, ' Page, Baflnfcrd, Holtham, (v. Ponsonby): Chitty, Speakman, Nutter, Bailey. Ninkey. Totnhnson. Cameron Fiber \very, Kendall. Cowley. Hamilton. White, j Mihier, Walker, De' Lucca. Drew.. Fourth fifteen A (v. l'onsonby):, N cave 1 ' Murray. Cameron. Thomas. lorgie, Hill. Handcock. O'Grady. Cliitty. Brown, Neville, Stevens, Strong. Kr-oii. Killip, Lonergan, Hunter Fourth fifteen 15 (v. Newton): Campbell. Cartel (2). Webster, Percy. Killip. O Haia. < hfltfieh . Warner, Campbell. Price. Sharratt, Hunter. Aide on. Gjiflln, Price, Holland, Broun, Mclnl.u'C, ' - Rws, Kendall. • • .... . . THE ASSOCIATION. GAME. ' Y.M.I. Av. W.Y.M.I. B (at Winttone's farm): Brake leaves Ponsonby"Reservoir at two p.m. The teams will be picked from the following :-Gi eenwood, Gallawav. Campbell, Gribble (2) W hitehead. Halstead (2), Brett, Barter, Booth, tyre- > (3), Stewart. Wears, Husking, 1-uruess. GUdaing, Harvey. Clarke (2). Milford, Hunter, Mukloon. The "following will represent the Arawa A ami B teams to-day in the Outer Domain :-A team : Lenihan. Mavall, Mifcbie. Marshal, Langdale, Budd, We lister. Winks. Iloteon, Gardiner, I.>hjster. B lean,: Speed, , McKay Booth. Brown, Swanson. Opine, Hume, Neave, Dawson, I'eigu- ' son, llaliiweil.

AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY UNION. j The valuable cup presented to the Wednesday Union (described in yesterday a Herald) is on exhibition in Queen-street. The our. is known as the president a cup, and has aroused the greatest of interest in Wednesday football circles. . ■ Club matches start' on the 15th inst,, Wednesday week next. . . _ . Ml the clubs are now in active training, except the Drapers, who are backward in .beginning operations. The Post, I olograph, and Railway were first in the hold, and play a practice .match with the tramway.-* Company's team on Wednesday next at the Metropolitan Ground. The Civil Servants are verv strong this year, and are 'looking forward" with confidence to secure the president's cup. All their old players, with the exception of Champion, are available. , .... The Tramways Company have practically decided to enter the competition, and should place a strong team in the field. If they are successful in securing the fifteen sftlcctcd each week, they should hold their own, and under the coaching of the ' All Black" winger, George Gillett, should go close to the coveted cup. " As usual the Bakers are making an early, start, and with their old players, Pierre and Savoury, in tho van, arc training assiduously. "They should be a strong combination", and if they secure one or two good backs will bo hard to beat. With Purdy and Cox absentees, the Butchers have a weakened rearguard, but. the •forwards are as good as ever. However, they had a really good junior team, with several promising backs, and on the whole must be considered comparatively strong. They will have to show form ahead of anything hitherto displayed to 'keep their unbeaten certificate. _ - -Eaton is the arm conspicuous absentee -from the Grocers and Milkmen Olub, and, iiidiring from tho improved nature of their rilav towards the completion of last years engagements, this club should make a pre-seiita-hle showing- •' 11. n With such a poor record last year the Drapers have little .encouragement to keep Sing; and it will be no surprise if they ail to muster a fifteen., This would be

unfortunate, as such good players as Todd and Batkin would not be available for the representative, team, and it is to bo hoped that the club will make every effort to place a team in the' field. , ; •■ It is possible that Stubbing may be induced to come out for the Bakers. He would greatly strengthen their backs. " HERE AND THERE. Liverpool City has had 1066 points scored against, them so far for 65! Pluggc is suffering from a bad knee, and will not be available for I'arnell to-day. Seven of the Newton senior team playing to-day have just been raised from the junior ranks. The Metropolitan Union (Sydney) will send first-grade teams to the country dis--1 tricts this season. F. R. Marriott, the fast Parnell back, has gone to Whangarei to a situation, .and will nob bo available for the season. Mr. J. F McManamey.has been elected ! permanent chairman of the council of the New South Wales Rugby Union for 1907. It is quite on the cards that P. Harvey, the well-known representative halfback, may once more don the jersey for Christchurch. Mellhone has been transferred back to Auckland from Cambridge, arid will he available for the City team. He will play wing-forward. All secretaries of clubs are requested to send in the names of their teams and other items on Thursday evening for publication in Friday's paper. Smith, who hailed from Otago and was to have played fullback for City, has left for the country. S. Magee, a City junior, will be given a trial at fullback. Wales defeated Ireland at Cardiff by 29 points to nil on March 9, in the presence of 25,000 people. The victors played seven* forwards, with Harding as a winger or "extra back." The annual football match, Art and Science v. Law, will be played at St. John's College this afternoon. Last year the classics triumphed over law, Jytt a good game should bo seen to-day. . * The Man-awat-u, Union is likely to Have twelve teams in the field this season, six of which will be senior, five junior, and one third-class. In addition, four are expected to affiliate from Foxton. At. Wheatersfieid, recently, Barlow, a fullback, scored two tries in one afternoon, against Liverpool City, who on three successive Saturdays had no fewer than 180' points scored "against them without even scoring a single point themselves! Swan-sea's unbeaten record has at length been broken, Leicester being the conquerors of the famous Welshmen, who have played 20 games in succession without being defeated. Jackett, Jackson, and Hobbs. had a good hand in it for Leicester, and Bancroft was the pick of Swansea. . The N.S..W. Rugby Union has decided to bring six country teams- to Sydney for the usual country carnival on. June 1, 3, and 5. Two,will com© from the northern line, two from the western, and one each from the southern and tho far northern rivers. Having recently purchased tho lease of the Carisbrook ground, the Otago Rugby Union is having that historic piece of turf so constructed that two matches instead of one match, as formerly, may be played thereon.' In order to secure two playing areas, it has been found necessary to pick up and turf a portion of the running track at each corner of the ground. Fred Newton, the Linwood and " All Black" forward, has gone to West-port. When in form Newton could play a splendid game, but he was not ambitious enough to train and so reduce his bulk, and therefore we seldom saw him at his best, says a Christchurch writer. The finest game he played for the province was against the English team in the snow at Lancaster Park. . The age limit of the public school boy in New South Wales has been fixed at 17 years. , Tho weights have been thus regulated:—Second junior, average weight, rjst 3lb, maximum individual weight, 7sfc 31b; first juniors, average 7st, maximum individual weight, ,/sst 2lb. Seniors are notlimited by weight; ' age is their only restriction. -' ... The Southland Rugby Union decided to reclassify clubs, so as .to raise the. standard of senior football in Invereargill. To that, end thc-y reduced the Britannia and Athletic Clubs (lowest- in the previous season's contests) to junior rank. The clubs concerned resented this, and as. a result of their special agitation the union decided at a special meeting to rescind their former decision. There is every likelihood of the New South Wales Rugby Union sending a team to West Australia to nlav four matches (on July 24, 27, 30, and August 3), including at least one at the goldfiolds. The N.S.W. Rugby Union- has notified the West .Australian governing body that it will send the team, which will probably 'bo composed principally of country players, says the Referee. Rugby footballers in Dimedin are' said to be increasing abundantly, and to meet requirements the Otago Rugby Union is establishing a fifth" grade competition. There are now ten teams in the first grade, twelve in the second, ten in the third, and nine in the fourth. In addition to tho foregoing, there are twelve school teams. When all the teams are in full swing over 1000 footballers will bo taking part in tho Rugby game in Dunedin. The statement that a New Zealand team is to visit England to play, the Northern Union clubs has been freely made in. the English press. But" it)"seems premature. Letters have -been received by all the leading clubs and the respective county committees, suggesting such a visit, but it emanates from a speculative syndicate hailing from Wellington, and in no way.has the sanction of ..the New Zealand Rugby Union. Though naturally the Northern Union game would benefit from a visit of New Zealand footballers, it is questionable (says the London. Sportsman), under present circumstances, if a monetary guarantee could bo made to ensure a visit from a professional side, even if such exists. In the course of an article in the Athletic News,, in which lie discusses the four three-quarter game, Hamish Stuart writes:—Though not addicted to the statistical habit-, I venture he.re to submit some figures which are eminently instructive, have the merit of being facts, and present perhaps the most striking and singular contrast of all sporting statistic*. The figures show how each of the four nations have fared in the contest for the championship since tin; adoption by ail of the '" four-three-'' game in 1894:—England: Before 1894, played 47. won 30, lost 8, drawn 9; since 1894, played 40, won 11. lost 26, drawn 3. Scotland: Before 1894, played' 47, won 27, lost 11, drawn 9; since 1894, player! 37, won 19. lost 14, drawn 4. Ireland: "Before ,1894, played 42, won 5, lost 34, drawn 3: since 1894, played 38, won 18, lost 18, drawn 2. Wales: Before 1894, played 30, won' 9, lost, 18, drawn -3"; since 1894, played 37, ■: won 23, lost 13, drawn 1. The<se figures very clearly show that the triple success of Wales in 1893 meant more for Wales than the international championship. Indeed, the plain lesson of" the figures is that the other three nations, by their hasty, panic-promoted' adoption of the " four-three'' game, presented Wales with pride of place. This may be over-stating the facts, yet it. is precisely the inference which, the historian would draw from the figure,?. Ireland, it is true, has made a most decided advance, which is due to three causes, two positive and one negative. Irish back play has improved, anil; j Irish forward play has suffered compara- ] tively little loss of character. As to the I negative cause, it is to be found in tho ! decadence of England l internationally, and, j to some extent, in the loss of character ! which Scottish forward play - occasionally ; shows. . | NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNTON. [tir •11-.l.KCltAl'll.-— I'HKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wklmnotox, Friday. The New Zealand Rugby Union meeting lasted until, half-past oiie this morning. A motion, "Tint the match committee ot the union shall be elected by delegates," was lost. Tho location of the Appeal Committee was fixed at Christchurch. The sunt of £200 was set aside for fostering football in primary schools. The amount will bo distributed among various unions, to expend in any way they think fit, but each union must render'an account to the New Zealand Union. Messrs. O. Campbell, (1. Fache, and A. Campbell were appointed members of trie new Appeal Council. It-was resolved that in ail matches under the jurisdiction of the union the Management Committee shall make special provision for representatives of the press. The sum., of £25 was voted to the New Zealand Referees' Association. Mr. A. Bayly, of Wanganui, was elected president, and Mr. N. Galbraith treasurer. The Management Committee is as follows: — Messrs. Dixon, Isaacs, Lyams, Wylio. Wallburton, Laughton, and Laurenson. The appointment of secretary was left to ' the Management Committee, to whom was also referred the appointment of a representative i in San Francisco.

THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. Last. Saturday's •opening senior match between Eden, arid- Imperial resulted' in a win for the' former'' 60 "points to 36, a fairly easy victory. It is very ''evident from the- result of the match that the Eden tern are going to prove themselves a hard team to beat, though it is only fair to say that the Imperials did not by any means have their strongest 18 in the field. The form shows* on the whole was very good, but particular mention must be made of Marshall,. George, Fletcher, and Clayton for Eden, and Lawson, Black, Spenee, and Park for Imperial.' To-day Eden meet Auxtrals, last year's premiers, and a good game may be expected. '

•The juniors played scratch matches last week. .Some very promising boys were to bo seen playing the game for the first time. In connection with the boy.-, the committee have a great difficulty in obtaining suitable grounds, having loft matters rather late in making arrangements. One cannot, blame the Management Committee, as it, was never expected there would be anything like the number of junior teams formed that there have been. I am informed that if the necessary grounds can be obtained other teams are prepared to form. It is very pleasing to the pioneers of the game in Auckland to see such enthusiasm displayed by the lads, and it augurs well for the permanency .of the Australian code iu New Zealand. In dealing with the. spread of the game throughout the world, Mr. H. C. A. Harrison, vice-president, of the Victorian Football League, read, an interesting item from the London Daily Mail in a recent issue, and, referring to the suggestion that a team of Australian Rugby players should bo sent to tour Great- Britain, the article said; "If Australia wishes to do some real good for English sport, die should rather send two teams of men who play the- Australian game, which, in the opinion of many English a.nd American writers and players, as well as by far the greater majority of Australians, is the fastest, prettiest, most scientific, and least brutal of all varieties of football. It would be no exaggeration," the article. continued, "'to say that after such a visit there would be more teams playing the Australian game in a very short time than those playing under the Rugby code at present." London has now two teams playing the game.