FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4115, 15 September 1883, Page 5 (Supplement)

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTJEON.)

Aquatics. Krug Champasjne Cup November 2nd Opening of Rowiriß Season October Auckland Intercolonial Regatta .. January 2!>th Whau Regatta November 9th Athletics. Athletic Sports November 9th Robertson v. Strong (wrestling) Sept. 29th

The dispute on the result of the Wellington and Auckland Football Match is the more to be regretted seeing the amount of bad feeling it has caused between the two districts, which have hitherto been so friendly disposed in matters of sports. The bad taste displayed by the Wellington papers in the blustering attitude of selfappointed champions of the Wellington team is certainly amusing, and the absence of any delicacy or gentlemanly feeling in the articles already telegraphed is remarkable only in pointing to a conclusion the reverse of complimentary to the writers. It ia passing strange that at the banquet in Wellington on Saturday fevening the match should have been repeatedly alluded to as a drawn one, and that immediately after the departure of the Auckland men it should have been claimed by their opponents as a victory. The position is a painful one, and for the credit of all concerned, it is to be hoped that the local Association will write to the Wellington Union with the view of having the point settled by arbitration. So far as bets are concerned, there is but one honourable course open. If the referee adheres to his decision, no matter how unfair it may be, and no appeal is made, backers of Auckland must pay over their money, and make the best of a very bad bargain. The whole squabble is discreditable and dishonourable to Wellington, so much so that I shall not be at all surprised if the Rugby Union of that place passes a resolution disavowing any connection with the scurrilous and cowardly attacks made upon its visitors by the papers of the Empire City. Unless something of this kind is done, the Wellington footballers may well be ashamed of the miserable, childish, and wretched spirit which has been displayed towards those who, being guests and strangers, were entitled to at least some display of that courtesy and generous feeling which is supposed to animate the bosom of every competitor in the arena of manly sport.

It is a matter of sincere regret to all footballers that the recent series of interprovincial matches yet leave it a moot point as to who is the best all-round exponent of the game in the colony. This is entirely due to the fact that Taiaroa, the celebrated Otago player, has not had an opportunity of exhibiting his form against the Northern cracks. lam distinctly of opinion that—all departments of the game counted —Warbrick is better than any man he met in the South, while in his particular line Whiteside has not yet met his match. But is Taiaroa the extraordinary man that some Southerners wish us to believe he is? I admit that all Dunedin players swear by him, while in Canterbuiy his name is always mentioned with praise. For the purpose of deciding this point, the opinion of Dunedin players, like the great aunt in " Patience," don't count, and is, comparatively speaking, worthless. In Canterbury, the Otago players have "established a funk," and their opinions as to the merits of individual players naturally follow in the same groove as their Southern compatriots. lam therefore quite willing to accept the dictum of the Invercargill players, and let one fact speak for itself. These Southland men— notably Galbraith and Braddon—think but little of Taiaroa as an all-round player. He is said to be a " bullocker." When he has the ball he goes straight for his man, and trusts to hardness of bone and strength of thew. Of science he has none, and though mediocrity goes down before his rushes, he is not dangerous with good men behind the scrimmage. And now for the fact:—This season the Dunedin Club played the Invercargill ditto. The former musters something like 100 playing members, and in the team sent to Foveaux Strait there were six interprovincial representatives, including Taiaroa. There are forty players in Invercargill altogether, and yet the Southern village was able to place a team in the field that virtually defeated the flower of Dunedin's chivalry. The game ended in a draw, Dunedin just saving a defeat by securing a try as time was called. Taiaroa, though very fit, did not score, although his side afforded him every chance. This, to my mind, is sufficient proof that he is over-rated.