FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD.

Another we Saturday— the fifth in succession — and unfortunately the opening day of out two leading clubs. In anticipation of seeing «t good game 1 wrapped myself up in my great coat, noistfd my umbrella, and steered straight; for the Union ground. Having frequently heard of the brave deeds of the Union men, how they last season played in all weathere, and on one occasion in two feet — I beg pardon* two inches — of snow, with the beautiful feathery flakes descending thick around them, I expected to see a good muster. Judge of my surprise when on arrival at the Buppoßed scene of action I found the ground deserted, even by the precocious small boy, whose chief delight on a Saturday afternoon is to see two or three dozen French greys mixing up with the mud which usually 'adorns the Union ground at this time of the year. Having taken in the situation at a glance I wended my way to the pavilion. Here the scene was, if not » very taking one, at all events, one for a philosopher. In the centre of the floor was th» redoubtable captain, surrounded by a few of his trusty followers, including Fowler, Weid* ncr, and M'Gregor -the dauntless three as "Pedal-pin" would perhaps call them. Stretched at full length on the benches around were two or three others, who, judging by tha length of their faces and the manner in which they growled at all and sundry, and particularly at their confreres for not putting in an appearance, could not have imagined themselves in Arcadia. The chief source of complaint was the absence of the secretary, with the leather. After a little vexatious delay tha captain was dispatched for' the delinquent officer, and when ultimately he pu*; in an appearance a little drop-kicking, &c, waa indulged in. Several members distinguished themselves — by giOvvling. The ground was in first-class trim, and th» little rain which fell would not have prevented a very enjoyable game had a sufficient numbee of players donned their uniforms. If th* Union Club are to maintain their prestige they must certainly not be afraid of a, little mud, which can be easily washed off after the game is over. One or two of the malcontents tried tha Dunedin ground in the anticipation of having a game, but finding it deserted had to return with even longer faces than they wore on the Union ground. Three Zingarisand a like number of Pirates turned tip at the Asylum ground. A friend suggested that they were fit subjects for the building itself, when they turned oat in «aeh weather.

Tho Homo correspondent of the Australasian sends the following items :— Footballerß not having baon stopped by frost, have had a busy timo of late, although in many parts they have been obliged to play in what waa practically a swamp. Several important matches hava taken place during the last fortnight. Oxford beat Cambridge at Blackheath under the i-tu^by i-ulew, after an exciting game, by ona try to nil. The annual association match ■lavgow versus Sheffield, took place on .Saturday last at Hampden park, the ground of Hie former. Notwithstanding that it rained uncoiißinyly tho whole afternoon, a very fast gnmo waa witnessed by a largo number of spectators, the result beioff in farwjr «f Qfo&-

gow, by four goals to two. Another important annual match under the association, Birmingham v. London, was decided on tho ground of the former on Saturday afternoon last. Here the weather was more propitious, and 10,000 people visited the ground. After a bard and exciting struggle Birmingham were left victorious by three goals to one. The Scotch fifteen* (Rugby Union) visited Ireland, and scored a win by a goal and a try to nil, the game being played at Ormeau, near Belfast. Great excitement in football circles would be caused by a visit of a team from the colonies ; but there is such a great difference between the game as played in Victoria, South Australia, and now generally in New South Wales, and Home games, whether under Rugby or Association rules, that there would be the greatest difficulty in arranging a match upon a fair basis.

I, fancy a very strong team of Rugby footballers could be got together in the colonies, but whether they would go the length of the mother country or not I would not like to say. Perhaps next season, after our men have paid a visit to New South Wales it will be time enough to talk of a trip Home. The Union First Fifteen are going to play the ,Montecillo and Zingari First Fifteens this Beason, at the suggestion o£ the latter clubs. Some players predict that thiß will be a couple of Saturdays wasted. However, the result will be looked forward to with interest, and in one case, at least, the game will perhaps not be such a one-sided one after all. The twenty-fourth annual general meeting of the Melbourne Football Club was held recently. The repart was on the whole of an unsatisfactory nature, the last season having been a most unfortunate one for the club, which had not sustained its ancieut prestige. This was accounted for principally by the fact of want of practice o.i the part of playing members. Through this the majority of last season's matches nad been lost. The report also stated that the Goveinniant had given the necessary permission for improvements on the club's ground, but the City Council still withheld theirs. Financially the club is in a prosperous condition, the I'eceipts during the last year having been £308 15a, and the expenditure £359 19s 2d, the cash balance now in hand "being £184 0s lid.— Mr Hunt, a member of the club, expressed the opinion that the cause of non-success of the First Twenty la&t season was a want of management on the part of the committee and the captain- (laughter)— and the want of practice already alluded to. He was not acquainted with the captain, but it must be admitted that, though a very fine player, as a captain he was a failure. — (Laughter.) He took this opportunity of thus expressing his views because he thought it the proper time. — (Applause.) The secretary had not read the list- of matches won and lost last season — perhaps he was ashamed to do so. The Club should remember that unless they practised they could not play in form. The most successful club now in existence was the Geelong, and they owed their success to steady practice. He also objected to the mode of selection. Players were picked because of their previous reputation, not because of their present form. He trusted that next year the report presented to the annual meeting would be more satisfactory .—(Applause.)— Mr H, C. Harrison defended the action of the committee, which had always consulted the captain and secretary of the Second Twenty as to whether they had any players whom they thought worthy of a place in the First Twenty. Mr Harrison moved that three members of the First Twenty be elected to assist the committee in selecting the playing teams. 7— Mr Bennie seconded the proposition. — Mr Lamrock moved an amendment that five members — three players and two non-players— be appointed as a selection committee. This wasjeCpnded by Mr Rannard, and after some discussion carried, and Messrs C. Power, Lamrock, Thewlis, Sloinan, and Anthony were appointed. — Mr Rannard stated that it was his intention to resign bis position as captain of the First Twenty > a «d a* Bo a ? a P'l&ying member. Whatever little conceit he might have had in regard to his capabilities as a captain bad -now been taken out of him. — The election of officers was then proceeded with, the "following gentlemen being chosen : President : Mr.F. Grey Smith ; vice-presidents : Messrs Forrester, Byrne, Harrison, and Baker ; Mr H. Carr was elected secretary in the place of Mr 1 Longden, who has resigned, as he is leaving the Colony ; Mr Boyd was re-elected treasurer ; and Messrs Rannard and Hunt members of committee. Mr J. C. Allan was appointed secretary of the Second Twenty. The Union and one or two other clubs intend this season to put their foot down on the practice adopted by a number of last season's players in playing for more than one club. This is a very sensible resolution, and ought to be supported by every club in Dunedin. It is right enough for a man to belong to two or three clubs if he likes, but let him play only for one club in interclub matcnes, going in for scratch matches with the other clubs of which he is a member on off days This practice I don't think will be found fault with, but when, as was the case last season, a player like Burrows was met in three or four teams by the Union Club the latter has good reason to demur. Indeed Burrows and one or two other players seemed to play for any club that desired their services last season.

Ihear the Pirates are going to Oamaru this season. Very few. if any, of the other clubs will go, and quite right too. The Oatnaru men have been very selfish in the matter of return matches, and though several Dunedin teams have been up Nor h the representativ- a of the White City have nqt deigned to return the compliment by a visit southwards. Let us hope they will send down a team this season. S. Leith was awarded the prize for the best all-round player in the Monte club. However the members of the club managed to arrive at such a decision I do not know. It seems rather a silly proceeding to submit the matter to the whole club for decision. Were tho Coniuutteo incapable of deciding between the merits of the players ?