THE NATIVE FOOTBALL TEAM.

(Fbom Odb London Cobhespondent.)

London, October 19.

Like the Australian cricketing team the Maori football players suffered their first defeat when they went north. Their victories over Suirey and Kent were really no great achievements, because football, especially the Rugby game, is going out of fashion in the southerncounties, though in the north the devotion to it amounts to a passion. I know of one club in a northern town where the proceeds a year or so ago, from gate money, amounted to several hundred pounds, and where the members, though engaged in business, trained themselves with all the zeal and energy of professionals. Amongst other things they did, and no doubt are doing at the present time, was to lunch every day at the expense of the club off oysters, beef steaks, and a pint of port wine—very good fare for a cold winter's day in the north of England. But in the south there exists no such enthusiasm, and it is difficult to get a really good team together. The defeat by the Moseley team is rather a bad augury for the success of the Maoris in the | north, because Warwickshire is by no means a crack football county. They will find their opponents increase in prowess the further they get north, until they reach the acme of English football in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Nevertheless the opinion of fairly competent ctitics is that in strength and pace they look equal to any team which Eugland can put into the field. But their " passing " is unanimously held to be very bad. Mr Warbrick explains this by saying that " passing " is not looked upon as footbai! ic New Zealand, while here special attention is devoted to it. The Maoris seem to have been astonished at the "passing" of the Kent players, but they are setting to work to pick up the knack of it, and hope soon to be able to " pass " as well as the English players. Another matter that seems to puzzle them is the long kick-ofi of the English Dlayers. One little danger to be avoided by the Maoris is that of being too much entertained. They have visited rather too many music halls and other places of amusement lately, and dissipation, even of a mild sort, does not accord with the regularity of life required by those in training for real hard work at football.

At the time of last writing the Maoris had gained their first victory on English soil by defeating the Surrey team at Richmond. Their next match was at Northampton, where they gained an easy victory by two goals and four tries to nothing. The game did not present any features of interest. They then returned to London for their contest with Kent on Wednesday of last week. This county, I may mention, occupies in regard to Rugby football in the south a position analogous to that of Surrey in the cricket field—that is, it is the crack county.A very strong team had been got together to meet the Maoris, consisting of picked men of the leading Kent clubs, and five of them belonged to the famous Blackheath Club, and the interest taken in the match was evidenced by the fact that it was witnessed by upwards of 10,000 people—an almost unheard of number at a football match in the south, though in the north it would be thought nothing of. The Maori side was composed of—W. Warbrick (back), D Gage, E. M«Causlarid, and C. Madigan (three-quarter backs), Keogh, C. Goldsmith, and W. Elliot (half-backs), R. Taiaroa, W. Karauria, T. Ellison, G. Wynyard, A. Webster, W. Anderson, H. Lee, and A. Warbrick (forwards). The Kent team was made up of—N. Spurling (Blackheath, E. H. Wynne (Cambridge University), R. D. Budworth (Oxford University), H M.Randall (Guy's Hospital), H. G. Thompson (Kent Rovers), E. G. North (Oxford University), M. Hewett (Queen's), forwards; E. F. Rowsell (Kensington), and A. Longinotto (Kent Rovers), half backs; G W Mitchell (Richmond), G. C. flubbard (Blackheath), and P Chnstopherson (Blackheath), three-quarter backs; W.Rashleigh (Oxford University), back. Averyexcitinggamewasplayed,theMaorisshow-. mg great improvement on their form at Richmond, and in the end they won by one goal, which was kicked by M'Oausland, and one try to a try.

Their defeat at Birmingham by the Moseley team came as a surprise to everyone, for although the Moseley Football Club has Jong been the foremost Rugby Union organisation in the Midlands, they were not able to put their best men in the field; indeed, the Maoris had the [ advantage both in weight and play, but yet they failed to win the game, being defeated after a hotly contested match by two goals and a minor point to to one goal, one try, and four minor points. In partial explanation of their reverse it ought to be stated that for the greater part of the time they played with two men short, Wynyard having sprained his knee after little more than 20 minutes' play, while W. Warbrick was badly hurt just before half time, though ■ after half an hour's absence he pluckily returned to the field. There was, indeed, a great deal of roughness in the play, some of the Moseley men being very violent and almost losing their tempers—a piece of bad manners for which their local press severely blames them. But roughness, even to the point of actual savagery, is the rule in the north, and the Maoris must be prepared for a good deal of ii in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Maoris, as I have said, played well, but they committed two faults. They were, almost to t. man, clumsy and inexpert m picking up the ball, andscores of good catches weie missed either by failure to take the ball at all or to take it at the first attempt. Secondly, they seemed unable to imitate the combined rushes of their opponents. Time after time the Moseley men regained in a moment the ground of which the long and laborious efforts of the Maoris had deprived them. Yesterday the Maoris played their fifth match and suffered their Eecond defeat, again in the Midlands. They met a local team at Burton-ou-Irent, the great brewing town, and were defeated by one goal and one try to one goal. Next week they are to be entertained by Lord bheffield, at Sheffield Park, where a contest has been arranged for them. ANOTHEB ACCOPNT.

Fresh from their well earned victory over Surrey, the Maoris—as the public still call them despite their captain's announcement in the sporting press that their proper designation is the New Zealand Native Representative Football Team—journeyed down to Northampton on Saturday, 6th inst., to meet the county fifteen; Northamptonshire ig not a particularly strong' football county at any time, and the selection committee had some difficulty in getting a representative fifteen together. The team chosen, however, was a fairly strong one for the county, though one or two of the leading players were unable to spare the time to play. The Maoris played almost the same team as that which had vanquished Surrey, and hadno difficulty in scoring an easy win. The match was played iv Franklyn's Gardens, and about 3000 spectators paid 3d for the privilege of watching the game. The New Zealanders won the toss, and Rutherfordkicked off for the county. The game was so one-sided that anything like a full descripof it would be tedious both to writer and reader. Let it suffice to say that within five ruiuutes of the start Keogh ran in, and soon after Madigan also scored a try from which M'Causland placed a goal, the score at half-time beingMaoris, 1 goal 1 try; Northants, nil. Directly after crossing over Elliot secured a try close to the touch line, from which M'Oausland kicked a splendid goal. Only a few minutes later Elliot again got in, and Madigan and Karauria also obtained a try each. M'Causland failed to convert any of these into goals, and time was called with the score: New Zealanders, 2 goals 4 tries and 3 minor points to nil. Tho Maoris had a very easy time of it during this match, and after the first few minutes had no need to extend themselves, so that their play can hardly be seriously criticised. One thing, however, was apparent; their three-quarters showed up far more prominently than they had done against Surrey, and the combined play of the team was much better than in the first fixture. The following were the teams :— Nokthamptonshibb.—Back, A Robinson; threequarter backs—B1 Mead, J S Mason, and Stanley; half backs— W Burgess and P Cockle; forwards—A Williams, L Bellchambera, 3 Wilkins, Lilley, Joyce, iiev B. P Richards, Evans, Rhodes, and Dr Butherford.

New Zkalandebs.—Back, D Gage; three-quarter backs-TV Wynyard, E M'Causlaud. and C Madigan ; half backs— S Keogh, Ihaimaira, and W Elliot; forwards—o? Ellison, G Wynvard R Mavnard, A Warbrick, H Lee, A Webster," Taiaroa, and Karauria.

The next fixture on the card was against the county of Kent, at Blackheath, on October 10, and as this match was looked upon in the football world as the first real test of the Maoris' capability, there was a very large attendance at the Eectory Field when play commeuced. The spectators could not have been fewer than 10,000, and there was an even greater attendance of iadies than at Richmond the week before. The lookers-ou were treated to a grand exhibition of the game, and the play excited the keenest interest throughout. The county was represented by almost the strongest Fifteen it was possible to raise, and their supporters were full of confidence. The Maoris too were by no means deficient of this feeling, their two victories of the previous week i having given them plenty of pluck. The Maoris having lost the toss Ellison kicked off, and the play was for the first few minutes confined to the centre. Then the Maoria rushed the ball mto the Kent twenty-five, but Hubbard relieved his side-with a good run and Christopherson nearly dropped a goal, the ball hitting the crossbar and rebounding into play. After this narrow escape the New Zealauders played up j%,n. some s Plendid passing between Keogh and Elliot resulted in the former getting in From this try M'Causlaud kicked a ueat goal Ihis reverse roused the Kentishmen and they played up vigorously, quickly rushing the ball into the visitors' territory. Hubbard now secured the ball and after a smart run succeeded m getting a try close to the touch line. The place kick was a very difficult oue and Christopuersou's attempt, though a good one, failed. Very evea play followed, the ball travelling trotn end to end with great rapidity, until Rashleigh muffed a long kick of Gage's and the Maori forwards rushed the ball over the line, Arthur Warbrick gaining a try. M'Causland's place kick failed and half-time was immediately called. Score: Maoris, 1 goal 1 try; Kent, 1 try. Throughout the whole of the seoond half the play was very fast and exciting, though neither side succeeded iv adding to the score. Kent certainly had very hard luck, as Ohristopherson missed the ball once when he could hardly have failed to score, and the same player

shortly afterwards was within an ace of dropping a goal. Spurling, too, succeeded in dribbling the ball over the line, but failed to secure a try. Kent pressed the Maoris for the last 15 minutes or so, but the visitors fought gamely just at the end, and when time was called the ball was very near the Kent goal line. Victory thus rested with the Maoris by a goal and a try to a tryexactly the same score as against Surrey the previous week. The Maoris played a splendid game throughout, and though Kent were decidedly unlucky, I think the better team won. As in the match against Surrey, the victory was leagely due to the fine forward play. The backs, however, showed to more advantage than in the fixture at Richmond, W. Warbrick at full back being very conspicuous. Keogh at half also played well, and Elliot was, as usual, in splendid form. He was, however, guilty of a' piece of " bad form" which is quite inexcusable. He ran nght down the field after the referee's whistle had blown, and planted the ball behind the goal posts. When he heard the referee's decision he refused to bring the ball back, and one of the Kentish men had to fetch it. This was, to say the least of it, a very unsportmanlike action, and it is hoped that nothing of the kind will occur in the future. The following were the teams :— -

KuOT.-Back, W Bashlelgh (Oxford University; three-quarter backs-WG Mitchell (Richmond and Guy a Hospital), G & Hubbard (Blackheath), and P Christopherson (Oxford University) (captain); half b?ok?r*L F Bowsell (Kensington) and A DfLonginotto(KentEovers); forwards-Norman Spurling (Blackheath), HM Baudell, (Guy's Hospital), E G nnivt»?^° rv S^ ersity>- B D Budworth (Oxford p v w-ftM H Wynne (Cambridge University), A LLsT iv^i? 6 ? oVet#' H G (Kent ?QueenV 7 (Queen' s>- and M Hewitt

New ZEALANDEKS.-Back, W Warbrick; threequarter backs-D Gage, E M'Causland (captain),and vrm- f "/ half Keogh, C Goldfmithand IS; rr^ s ~- Ellison, & Wynyard, Arthur ss?ifStaSsr Lee>A-ebiferiH Taia-

Umpires: Messrs L Stokej (Blackheath, past preIS'm'W?' Kew Zea^nd). Beferee: Mr baUllnion) ' presldent of Bugby Foot-

The fourth fixture of the tour was against Moseley, a suburb "of Birmingham, which possesses a very fair club. Though the hardware town is a stronghold of association football, the Moseley men have a good following of their own, and over 5000 people assembled to see the locals play the New Zealanders, and as it turned out—give them their first beating. The home side kicked off, and after a few minutes play in the Maoris half, the ball was gradually worked back, and the game waxed fast and furious in the home twenty-five. The Moseley men played a very rough game, and the Maoris soon lost the valuable services of Wynyard. who had to retire with a sprained ankle when the game was only aye minutes old. In spite of this loss the New Zealanders had the best of the game, and Ellison SCOri ™try'from which M'Causland placed a goal. Moseley now played extremely hard, and their roughness increased as the game went on. lney soon scored two tries, both of which were turned into goals, and at half time Hie score stood 2 goals to lin favour of Moseley. Just before half time W. Warbrick was badly injured, and had to be assisted off the ground. Warbrick very pluckily came out again to play, but he was boo toe to be of much use. During the whole of the second half the New Zealanders played onlyl4 men against their opponents' full side, and they not only held their own but had considerably the best of the play. The Maoris at once began to press their opponents, and Elliot gained a try, which M'Causland conld not improve upon. The New Zealanders were now playing magnificently, and Gage made a brilliant run which nearly scored, it only resulted m a tonch down, however, and the play continued in the home twenty-five ihe Maoris were several times very near Bcoring, but all their efforts were unavailing, and when time was called Moseley still held the advantage. The full score was—Moseley, 2 goals and 1 minor; New Zealand, 1 goal, 1 try, and 4 minors. The New Zealanders played a fine game forward, but their three-quarter backs were hardly so good as their opponents. There was great exultation among tha spectators over the victory of the Moseley men, but they can scarcely be congratulated on it. They played a very rough game all through, and wrangled in a very unsportsmanlike manner. The followine were the teams:— • ™ MAOBIS.-Back, W Warbrick; three-quarter bieks BUto ?£' M.'Cansla?d- a»a Gage; .haU^adf ß - Blbot, Ihamaira, and Taare; forwards-Bllison, Wynyard Webster, Karawia, A Warbrick, Williams! .use, ana Taiaroa. ■ ► - • A ISffifYr^ 80 a1 £ : thr^narter backsM 41m" Myh?s'A Eodgers, and Byrne ; halfbacks, M Smafcli and JBobins; forwards-Lean, tycett, 3 H Eodgeri, Dawes, Boutcher, Nicol, G Jack Son* and Umpires: Messrs J Warbrick (Maoris) and W Breedon (Moseley). Heferee: Mr G Gi'UJLeaming-

After this unexpected reverse the New Zealanders journeyed to Burton-on-Trent, where they met the local team yesterday. The weather was magnificent, and abont 500 C people were present. The Burton team is a very good one, and the committee had got together a firstrate fifteen. Burton kicked off with the wind and at once assumed the aggressive, causing the Maoris to touch down several times. Asmarfc run by Taiaroa relieved his side, but Burton once more returned to the attack, and F Eversted obtained a< try, which Sulley success^ fully placed. Half-time arrived with the score unaltered, but soon after restarting Ellison gamed a try, from which M'Causland equalised the score. Xhe play was now very even, and the Maoris had rather bad uck in not scoring, two free kicks by M'Causland just falling short of the goal. Marsden now secured the ball from a throw out, which the umpire wrongly gave to the Burtomans, and making the most of his chance got a try right in the corner. Sulley failed at the place kick, and from the drop out the Maoris played up very hard, but failed to gam a further point. Time was soon called, leaving the home team victorious by a goal and a try to a try. Teams:—

BTOTOUj-Back, W S Badie ; three-quarter backiSHEvershek, A Sulley, and Marsden; halfbacSB A Surtees and P O Duckworth; forwards-J L Mayger, F Kvershod, F B Bell, J B Deykin T H T> Irs*^~™% k> V elman; th«*-quarter bacltspGage,B M'Causland (captain), and C Madiganhalf baeks-J Keogh, F Warbrick, and W Eliot-' forwards-E Maynard, Alf Warbrick, Arthur War! brick. W Anderson, H Lea, A Webster^ E Taiaroa, T

EDINBURGH AUSTRALASIAN FOOTBALL CLUB. This club, inaugurated in ISB6, opened its third season m a most auspicious manner by defeating Portobello on their own ground by a goal and a try to nil. The colonists winning the toss, decided to kick with the wind, and by ex" cellent combined play soon had their opponents' goal m danger; nothing, however, was scored np to half time. Shortly after resuming, Beegline, with a dodgy run, scored first for the Australasians, but the kick at goal was unsuccessful. Portobello then pressed severely, but relief was g.ven by splendid forward play, and Macknight, rushing the ball over the line, scored a second try, which Dunlop cleverly converted into a goal. The antipodeans were within an ace of scoring several times after this, but tha whistle blew with the game as aboyementioned. The team was made up as follows, and will ba seen to have been entirely re-arranged, three only of last year's fifteen remaining :— w Baok,"^^^ auch °P tKZ>- Halfbacks—P W STw^T^' H n Dn»lo P (Q,->. A.W Campbell (?f ;^l)« J «ui°t (N-Z-). Forwaras-C 0 Macknight (Via). S Gibbs (K.Z.), A G Talbot (If.Z.), L J Lamrock (N.S.W.), W C Hamiltoa (N.Z.). 0 H