FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 139, 13 June 1888, Page 8

FOOTBALL

THE AUCKLAND TRIP SOUTH,

An* impression has got abroad among the public generally that the Southern Unions are averse to Auckland send-

ing a team round the colony this year. Such is not the case, as Otago is the only province that has expressed such an opinion. Last week one of the Canterbury leading sporting journals expressed regret that our tour was not coming oft. Ihe \\ eilington Rugby Union were considerably surprised when they heard Auckland was not to travel, and hopes were expressed that the report was not true. Mr YVickerson, the Secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Union, has telegraphed to Mr Dixon, the local Secretary, asking the Auckland team to arrange a match, and the Secretary of the Nelson Union wires in a similar strain. The Hawke's Bay footballers desire a match with Auckland very much, while we have pledged ourselves to pay Taranaki a visit. Madigan will be quite' recovered in a couple of weeks, and Whiteside informs us that he will be able to resume playing within three weeks. Such being the case, provided our full-back can get away, there can be no reason why an Auckland team should not tour the colony. Almost, if not quite, our best forward team can get away. It is to be hoped that definite arrangements will be made very soon, and steps taken to secure our best team.