Football News.

In the course, of a speech at the reception tendered to the English foot. ball team on their arrival at Melbourne, the lev. M. Muliineux, captain, said th-»t one of his objects in promoting thn tour was to show the world that men could be footballers and at the same time gentlemen

The Committee of the M B.XJ Palmerston X., have decided to hold their football sports on Arbor Day, 19th July, instead of the 12th, as advertised. The various items are exciting keen interest amongst the footballers of the district, and a very enjoyable afternoon's sport should be witnessed.

. The English Rugby,' Union meets every November to amend its rulings, etc. Therefore it is curious that the following ruling passed by tbem is not ia force in this colouy : " That the kicker cannot place the ball upon the ground m instructing the placer nor touch it after the placer has put it down. If the kicker does so the kick is forfeited." The above ruling relates to tries, marks, and free kicks, and is a reading on the words " may touch and arrange." The ruling was sent to New South Wales, where it wan not followed, and this roused the ire of tbe Rev. M. Mullineux, who has probably bad it observed by this time.

A movement is on foot to send a New Zealand team to the Old Country at tbe end of next season. The team, having gained the sanction of the N.Z. Rugby Union, will play a match in Wellington, then goes on oo Sydney, where a couple of contests are to be decided. It will tour Great Britain aud also play iv Paris. On the journey back to Maori land matches will be played at the Cape. Sydney, Auckland and Wellington

The Alhambras forfeited to Sandon on Saturday.

The following team will represent the Uniou F,C. against the Albion (Awahuri) at Feilding to-morrow: — W ->llen, G Smith, J Robinson, D Foster, H Smith, A Haybittle, E Humphries, D Morris, W Bramwell, W McMillan, T. Bramwell, K A Foster, J Mingins, B Potier, C Woolven. Play to commence at 3p m.

The following are the positions of the senior clubs for the Hankins' Shield at the present time : —

Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright

Wellington, July 2

Mr Garrard, hon. secretary of the Canterbury Ruyby Union, who refereed iv tbe Australia v. England football test match, returned to-day by tbe Mokoia. He expresses the opinion that tbe Englishmen bave little to teach New Zealand, and describes them as a compact and solid, but slow, team, more than a brilliant one, and especially eulogises their defensive play. Tbe Englishmen are very anxious to come to New Zealand, and Mr Garrard has little doubt cbey will at least tour the North Island, bnt if tbe men can obtain extra leave tbe tour will include tbe whole colony.

played won lost dr'n points Palmerston ... 6 5 0 1 11 Feilding ... 7 4 2 1 9 Albambra ... 7 3 4 0 6 Sandon ... 7 2 4 1 5 Awahuri ... 6 0 5 1 1 A win counts two points, and a draw one.