FOOTBALL.

BRITISH FOOTBALL TEAM'S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE VISITORS.

COMPOSITION OF THE TEAM. Football of late years has beco-ne a very attractive game amongst young men. Twenty years ago it was looked upon ns merely a fjarne for the playground — the schoolboys at Rugby bringing it more prominently to the public notice by their stoutly contested matches at " Bigßide." Of late years adults have taken ap the game ; and now we have a team of " professional " players — at leust the " Rugby Union " call them such— 2joing round the colony trying conclusions with the local clubs in the different districts. Previous to 1871 the rules of the game were suoh that it led to considerable brutality being used by the stronger players in tho excitement of the play, and many a broken limb, not to say a broken neok, has resulted during a scrummage. However, in the year we have named, the " Rugby Football Union" revised their rules, and at tho present day these are very generally adopted by players. There is of course still the risk of sin acoident to the playerp, but we suppose this spice of danger is the reason the game is so popular. Tho team which will shortly visit ua arrived at Dunedin on Monday, April 23, coming direct from England in the s.s. Kaikoura. It is not composed exclusively of Englishmen. The promoters of the team are Messrs. Shaw, Shrewsbury, and Lillywhite, the professional cricketers, the arrangements in England being in the hands of Mr. Hy. Turner, of Nottingham, while the last named of the above trio will look after the business of the trip in the oouthern hemisphere. In addition to the players mentioned below, Messrs. Brann, Smith, and Stoddart joined the team in Dunudin. It is estimated that the tour will cost upwards of £12,000, and to make up that sum every effort is required to get large numbers of persons to visit the grounds when matches are played. Each member ot the team before leaving England was presented with two jersoys — the colors being red, white, and blue — and a cap to match with a suitable inscription on it. boms of the English sporting papers call them a "scratch team," and tha " Rugby Football Union" have placed them under the ban of professionalism. Considerable difficulty was experienced in forming the team in consequence of doubt as to the attitude of the Ru<?by Uni n, who announced their intention of regarding with a jealous eye anything approaching an infringement o£ the laws prohibiting professionalism, in addition to the general drawback o£ business en^a*einentp which have prevented several southerners from joining the undertaking. The twenty-one football players sailed from England for New Zealand in the steamer Kuikoura on Bth March, but before their " send off " they were entertained at the Manchester Hotel, Aldersgate street, London. The Lancastrian contingent had been most enthusiastically mot at Manchester, and the Scotch players at Hawick, previous to leaving for the rendezvous in London. At the farewell dinner in London tho chair was occupied by Lord Newaik, M.P.; Messrs H. Broadhurst, M.P., H. S. Wright, M.P., H. V. L. Stanton, E. Russell, H. Turner, and Alf. Shaw being also present. Tho proceedings were of a pavticu'arly sociable nature, and after Lord Newark had proposed the healths of Mesore Shaw, Shrewsbury, and Lillywhite ; Success to the Team was given by Mr H. Turner, and replied to by Dr. J. Smith, tho celebrated Edinburgh player, who is a member ot the combination.

The subjoined particulars respecting the individual members of the team, which will no doubt be read with interest, we have condensed from the London Sportsman :—: — J. T. Haslam (Batley F. 3.), 25 years of rise, height sft 9in, weight list 101 b. He first attracted the notice of tho County Committee in 1883 84, playing full back in the trial game at Dewsbury, where he acquitted himself fairly well. His great reputation was undoubtedly gained by tho brilliant form he showed all through the competition for the Yorkshire Challenge Cup, when Batley became the holders. By h<s skill in the field, and his genial and courteous manner, he has ■von a great many friends, and, we believe, not a single enemy.

A. Paul (Swinton), age 23, height 6tt., weight 14st 71b, born ia Belfast. Is very strong nnd muscular, aad a powerful kicker; is also a first class cricketer, and is certain of prominent county honors, both in cricket and football.

Hbnby Collings Speakman was born in Leinster Gardens, Runcorn, Cheshire, on 19th January, 1864. He is slightly over the average height, being sft. B£in. His weight is list 12lb. He commenced his football career about nine years ago with a club in the small village of Weston, near Runcorn, where he played half-back. Mr Speakmnn, nil round, is a ver/ fair athlete. He has also pluye 1 for his county this season in every match, and nearly in every instance the Press proclaimed him the best threo-quarter back on the fiald, his kicking, running, passing, collaring, and judgment being of the finesfbrder. Dr. H. Brooks (Edinburgh University nnd Durham County) first played (aged about 16) for Darlington Club in 1874 as full back, was chosen for Durham County team against Northumberland in 187 J, and the following y«ar represented his county against Yorkshire as three-quarter baok. Ratired for some time, but while at Edinburgh University (1878-83) resumed play, and waß elected captain of that distinguished team. Has taken several prizes.

J. Anderton (Lancashire and Swinton) is a very useful three-quarter, nnd will be sure to provo that he is deserving of his place in the team.

W. Bomby (Swinton) was born 29th October, 1861, in tbo village of Pendlebury, stands sft. 9in. in height, weighs list 131 b, has a fair turn of speed, ani splendid dodging powers. Commenced playing football in 1879 with his own village club as three quarter back. Has taken several piizES.

J. Nolan (Rochdale), aged 2i yearp, stands sft. 7in., and weighs list 81b; born at Rochdale. Ho is very fast and possessed o£ groat strength, but his great point has been always " ou tho ball," which accounts for tho large number of tries ho has »ot in hiß brilliant career, tho esaot number being 114.

William Bdbnett (Fluwick F.C., Scotland), age 23, height sft. 9in , weight Hat 7ib. Ho is one of the best centre throoquarters going, and also brilliant half-back; in fact, ho can play anywhere behind the maul. lie is a sure tackier uud good dodger, a very useful passer, powerful kicker, and is very fast. Charles Mathkbs (Bratnloy F.°.), aije 27 years, height sft. d|in., weight 12st 81b, ranks among the most prominent forwards in Yorkshire, tlas played in 14 county mulches, nnd twice this season for the Noith against the South of England, in both of which ho highly distinguished himself.

S. Williams (Swinton), ago 26, height sft 9in, weight list 9lb. Under his captaincy tlio Salford Olub has hud tho most bucoessful chapter in its history, as, although battling against all the leading uuialgauiationtj oC tho north, it hue only been beaten twice, and then after a hard struggle, by tho powerful combinations of Leodß, St. John's and. Bradford,

Thomas Banks (Swinton). — "Tom" BaDks, as he is most familiarly known, was born at Pendlebury, n village 4 miles north-west of Mcnchester, on 17th August, 1858. He was educated at the Elinbureh School of Medicine. His amiable disposition and even temper made him a great favorite amongst tha Btudents of these popular schools. Ho is smart at half back, is quick at three-quarters, and there are few more consistent forwards in the county. As an athlete he has won many prizes in sprint races, and while at college he won the Long-distance Swimming Championship. R. L. Seddon (Swinton F.C), age 26, height sft ll^in, weieht 12st. A grand forward •, uuquesticm&bly one o£ thft very finest in north of England. Has earned his reputation as an international player, having played with England against • Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. H. Eagles (Salford F.C), age 26, weight list 121 b, height sft. 6£in. This player exhibited brilliant form in the North y. South match, and has einoe received his International Cap. W. H. Thomas (Cambridge University and Wales), was born at Fißhguard, Pembrokeshire, and educated at St. David's Cathedral School, Langhore Grammar School, and Llandovery School. He entered Cambridge at the age of 19 in 1886, and captained his school in the season of 1881-85, and played with invariable success as centre three-quarter. He is a fair allround athlete, holding numerous prizes for running, rowing, crickot, swinvning, fives and tennis. Ho'also obtained the all-round athlete medal at Llandovery School two years in succession. He is 21 years of age, sft. ll^in. in height, and scales 13st 71b.

J. P. Clow res (Halifax F.C), age 21, height sft. B£in., weight list 71b. Is a very fast forward, good tackier, and expert dribbler. Was the highest scorer for his club last season. He is looked upon as one of the best rising young players of the north of England.

Thomas Kent (Salford), born at Nottingham, June 22, 1861; height sft 9in, weight 12at. He is proficient in stopping rushes and as a place kick, and many matches he has won for his team owing to this latter accomplishment. For many seasons ho very ably officiated aa captain of the first team of tho Radcliffe F.C, but being anxious to achieve more distinction he threw in his lot with the Salford F.C. at the beginning of the present season. A. Stuart (Dewsbury P. 0.). Learned football with a little club called Rusholme, near Manchester. Migrated to the now famous Salford Club in the days it waß captained by Hugh Williamson. Plays three-quarter back. Many good judges considered him to be about the beßt forward on the field in the Yorkshire v. Cheshire match.

A. P. Penbeth (Douglas F.C.)^ is 25 years of a-re, stands a Httie over 6t't, and weighs about 12st 121 b. Played threequarter back for the Douglaa F.C. for six years, of which he was captain for 3 years; can play a good lorward game also, Alex.J. Laing ( Hawick F.C, Sootland). Age 23 years, weight Hat lllb., height sft 10£ in. Captain this season of the Hawick Fifteen; his played five seasons for the club, also for Roxburgh County and the South of Scotland against Elinburgb, and is an "F.P." of the Royal High School, Edinburgh. He is one of •the fastest forwards on the Borders, a good dribbler, and a splendid tackier, and is a very dangerous man nsar the goal line.

Robt. Burnett (Hawiok F. 0., Scotland) was captain lust season of the Hawick Fifteen; has played for the Club six stasons, also played for his Count}', Roxburgh. He is a good sterling forward, ana a very hard worker in the mauls, and can always be relied upon turning out in good condition. Asre 26 years, height s£t lOin, weight 12st 81b. Dr. J. Smith (Edinburgh University), height 6 feet 3 inches, weight 15st., formerly played for his University and in most of the first class Scotch matches, was reserved for Scotland v. Ireland in 1877 as full back, losing his place only'by the casting vote of the chairman. Ha was one of the most prominent members of the celebrated Queen's Park Club, Glasgow, playing ia the position of centre forward, where he showed wonderful cleverness and ablity. Six times has he been selected to play for Scotland against England, and four times against Wales. Residing now in London he plays with the Corinthians and London Casuals. He will be the recognised umpire of the team during their tour in the colonies, but will on many occasions don tha jersey and take his place in tho team as a forward, where his weight and strength will mnke themselves felt in the scrummages. Backs. J. T. Haslam (Yorkshire County and Batley). A. Paul (Lancashire and Swinton). Three-quarter Backs. H. C. Speakman (Cheshire and Runcorn). Dr. 11. Brooks (Durham and Edinburgh Universitj). J. Anderson (Lancashire and Silford). Half Backs. W. Buroby (Lancashire and Swinton). J. Nolan (Rochdale Hornots). W. Burnett (Roxburgh County Hawick). Forwards. C. Mathors (Yorkshire and Bramlcy). S. Williams (Lancashire and Salford). T. Banks (Lancashire and Swinton). °R. L. Seddon (Lancashire and Swinton). °H. Eagles (Lancashire and Swinton). A. J. Stuart (Yorkshire and Dewsbury), °W. H. Thomas (Cambridge University and Wales). JJ. P. Olowes (Yorkshire nnd Halifax). T. Kent (Lancashire and Salford). A. P. Pinboth (captain Douglas, Isle of Man, F.C.) R. Burnett (Roxburgh County and Hawick). A. J. Liing (Roxburgh County and captain Hawick). Dr. J. Smith (Edinburgh University and Corinthians, and Scottish International, Association Rules). Tho lust named gentleman will officiate as umpire. °A Rugby International player. JDjubtful player. j