ATHLETIC NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 142, 16 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Action.)

FOOTBALIi,

I have nob previously aired my views about the Southern trip. I must now say that, provided one man—Bob Lusk—can get avvay, I am heartily rejoiced that we will this year have a chance of measuring our strength with the other provinces. A deal has been said about Whiteside and Madigan not being able to play, and our consequent weakness, The latter player, for certain, will be recovered from his accident by the beginning of July, and able fco take lu3 place in the team. It is questionable whether Whiteside is considering his best interests by playing so soon as he proposes doing. He tells me that lie Avill be quite fit to play in three weeks, if not before. If this is so, and Lusk can .get away, then Auckland can send South the strongest team she lias ever done. One good result is likely to come of the accidents to our crack three-quarters. They will go in far kicking- now, and place less reliance on their running powers. Wo can be sure of a nearby welcome from all the Southern Unions, and as we are to pay our own way, I should think they will nail our advent with delight. A match between Otago and Auckland on the Caledonian Gtound should draw an even larger attendance than the match Otago v, England did.

Looking over the programme of matches proposed to be played by our representatives, I fcbink ifc is a pity that Nelson should be left out. Surely a couple of days could be devoted to the necessary trip across the Straits to Sleepy Hollow. Considering the tough matches Nelson played last year with Otago and with Wellington, they are foemen worthy of any of the provinces. I understand that fche Secretary of the Nelson Rugby Union has wired to Mr Dixon, the local Secretary, asking him for a match to be arranged. Complaints continue to be made on the vexed question of refereeing. Why does the Union not appoint referees each week ? The clubs playing could recommend some gentleman for the position each week, in time for the management or Cup Committee to make the appointment. Ifc is scandalous to think that in a football centre like Auckland a senior enp match should be played with only a referee, as happened a fortnight back. Complaints are made each week about referees, und very often justly made. I have heard that in several cases the two captains have tossed for the choice of "referee," tho one who won the toss generally choosing a man who could be relied on at a pinch to suborainatehisopinionsto the team's necessities. I trust the Union authorities will take some action in tho matter.

They Bay that the unexpected always happens. It certainly did last Saturday when Gordon failed to beat Ponsonby and North Shore succeeded in playing a draw with Grafton after having all the best of the game. The blue and blacks should have won their match, and during the second spell they were within an \ice of scoring on several occasions. The Ponsonby forwards showed wonderful improvement on their, form of the previous Saturday, and the inclusion of three such forwards as Ned Mills, Edwards, and Donald Stewart was of marked effect. During the previous week the PonMonby team had obtained the use of a gymnasium, and had been practising packing the scrum* etc. Partly to this fact and to the inclusion of tho three players mentioned, I attribute their greatly improved form. 1 was glad^to see Jack Arneil back once more in his old position as threequarter - back. He played a splendid game, punting well, and tackling finely. Ep used his head well throughout the game, and I can characterise his handling of his men and his play as very cunning. The way tho ball was kept to one side of the ground —to the sido whore there was loawt danger and Gordon and Ponsonby had the best show—wart beautifully done. lam only sorry that Jack did not resume his place a little earlier in the season.

Tho Gordons played a very fair game^ but I fancy they have one or two travellers' among their forwards, or else men who only work by fits and starts. McCausland did not show, any particular, brilliancy, but was very useful. Mascfield and George Dixon were the shining lights among the Gordon backs, and they were good indeed. Lusk had little to do, and the Gordon forwards seemed determined to assist the efforts of Ponsonby in keeping the ball away from him.

The match at the North Shore was from start to finish a forward one. The backs had little to do, and it cannot be said that they did that little well. Tom Ryan made hisre-appearanceonthe football field, but his play was not up to the mark. Itwilltake alot of practice before Tom is as good as he was three years ago. One feature of the game was the refereeing. It certainly did not do the gentleman who acted any credit. Barlow Madigan last week received a special invitation to co put to Otahuhu as referee in the match Panmure v. Otahuhu. Needless to say, Barlow appreciated the honour and went.

The Selwyn are now leading by a win and a draw from I'onsonby for the Junior Cup.

Our Junior Club when arranging foreign matches should remember that the Helensville Club lias joined the Auckland Rugby Union. Any team going up may he certain of a hearty welcome and a friendly game. Mr Newman is the Secretary, and will be glad to arrange matches. I would draw the attention of the Union authorities to the squabbling there is each Saturday over the grounds'at Epsom. It would be well for the Management Committee to make some arrangement each week as to the grounds the various clubs should use.

It is proposed to publish an annual in connection with the Wellington Union. Wellington is the only large centre in the colony where an annual is not published. The matter is to be considered by the Management Committee.

It has beon arranged by the Wellington Rugby Union that in every championship and cup match this season the referee will be a gentleman appointed by the Union. It was at one time thought that the English team would visit Queensland ; and if they hud done so they would have niot with a hearty reception in Brisbane. The expense and loss of time in paying the northern colony a visit would be so great that it is donbtfu! if they Will go there.

Writing about professionalism in football a Southern writer says:—" In connection with this whole question, I would strongly Urge our local Unions here, which are affiliated to the Rugby Union, to do all they can to see that sanction is nob given fco any team from New Zealand, Maori or otherwise, which is suspected on good grounds ot professionalism. It should be distinctly ascertained that neither Warbrick nor any of his men will receive brie penny above such expenses as the Laws relating to Professionalism allow. Clowes's case has shown how strict those laws are. We here should support the Rugby Union and keep ourselves clear of any suspicion with respect to the proposed New Zealand team. The BiUgby Union, we are advised by cable, will patronise the team at Home ; but if there is the suspicion of professionalism about it, that patronage will certainly be withdrawn. I throw out the suggestion in time so that the promoters of the team may realise the need of great care being exercised in the ma fcter."

All Aucklanders can enjoy a joke, and so here is a very laughable one for them. It is reprinted from the ■' Canterbury Times." It ie a pity the writer could not rebuke the first jokist without losing his temper and slanging poor inoffensive Auckland. The following appeared in the advertising columns of the Star on Saturday last.