FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 156, 2 July 1892, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

What a contrast the weather has been this season, as compared with the delightful weather we were favoured with this time lasb year. We have only had one really respectable Saturday so far, but for fear of displeasing Jupiter Pluvius, or the fore, teller, Captain Edwin, I have refrained from growling; bub it is getting really too bad, a.nd I cannot keep silent any longer. Whac have we done to incur such treatment ? Don't all footballers go to church i twice each Sunday ? If they dbn't, I would advise the Eugby Union to inquire into it, for we must do something to get back our Queen's weather, and they say the best thing to do when you are in need of anything is to pray for ib. Perhaps a deputation from the Rugby Union to the Ministers' Association would lead that body to order special Bervicas to ask thab rain may fall on Wednesday instead of Saturday. Or how would ib do to ask our City Fathers to change the weekly halfholiday from Saturday to Wednesday 2 a8 of late the latter day has become noted for the splendid weather which comes with ib.

I wended my way to the Domain lasb Saturday, and had a look at some of our fourth juniors playing. There were several games in progress, bub most interest was centred in the contest between the Melrose and Albany teams, two of the clubs who are competing for the Third Junior Association medals. The game was a very interesting one throughout, and some really good play was shown. The Melrose forwards are a clever set, and the quick manner in which they heeled oub would surprise many of our senior teams. The heavy state of the ground was all in favour of the Melrose forwards, they being much heavier than their opponents, bub the play of the opposing backs was very even. The Melrose were well versed in the rules, and seldom lost a chance, but their opponents were very timid in appealing, and. lost many opportunities through not doing so. One rule, I ' noticed, that neither beam seemed to be aware of, was with regard to obstruction, for several times there were very glaring cases of wilful obstruction, but they were' all allowed to pass without an appeal. One thing the executive of the Third Junior . Association should put their foot on, is the language that several of these players indulged in, for to hear French, and very bad French at that, on any football field, is very disgusting. There were a number of our senior players looking on at thie match, and two of them, T. Whiteside and F. Taylor, acted as line umpires, while one of the members of the Rugby Union officiated as referee. Theee gentlemen all had really pleasant duties as compared to the manner in which officers who undertake these very thankless duties ab Epsom are treated by our senior and junior players.

Several playera journeyed oub to Epsom last Saturday, not knowing that the matches had been postponed, and when they found thai) their journey had been a waste ot time, and shoe leather or tram money, there was of course great growling (for nowadays it's the proper thing for a footballer to be a growler), and they had to give vent to their feelings on some one, so they decided to let their tongues loose on the Rugby Union, for not (as they 6aid) giving more publicity to the announcement, I^erbainly think the Union did all in their power to post the news as quickly and publicly as anyone could wiah. Perhaps these growlers could like a few of the Committee to parade the principal streets sandwiched between two large boards with postei'3 announcing thenews attached. How would Messrs Henderson, Dixon, or Cotter look, "gob up" in this style ? I fancy I see them, especially the last named.

I must apologise to the City and.Newbon players for my notes on their game being inadvertently leftrput last Saturday.

"Who aregoing-to be our reps.this year?" is the one question in football circles this week. The (Selection Committee have no easy task set them—in fact, it is more difficult than ever before, and I am sure no one envie3 the Selectionists their position. The greatest trouble will be in picking eight forwards,-for I consider that two sots could be selected, and there would be very little difference between them. The halves are easily chosen, for I doubt whether anyone will oust Herrold, Braund and Elliott from that position. But who is going to be the full-back ? Sbjbchbury and Taylor are the best of those who have been playing in that position in the Cup matches, and there is very little to choose between them. Taylor is young yet, but improves .with wear, and will in time make a lull - back equal to anyone we have seen in Auckland. I consider, however, that ab present, both Peace and Kiasling (the former for preference) would fill the post with more credib than either Taylor or Sbich'bury. The three-quarters will also take some picking. If Jervia is ablo to piny*, of course ha will be one, and Roberts, by bis play this season, musb also take a place, but who is going to be the third? for there are no less than eight or nine others who must be considered, viz., Peace, Kissling, Masefield, Paul, Gaudin, Tanfield, Harvey, Branson and Murphy. It is doubtful whether Hugh Poland will be able bo gab away from his work to assist Auckland against Taranaki.

I would remind the Selection Committee tbab there is a footballer in Auckland named H. Donald, and he plays forward for the Nowton district I do this because hitherto the Selectionists have evidently nob been aware of the existence of Donald, for they have never even given him a show among the. Possibles. Had Donald been given a trial last season, I am pretty confident thab he would have won his cap. I remember the Match Committee never gave Bruce a show till I in these columns urged them to do bo, with the flattering result to myself that he was chosen in the final fifteon. If Donald is given a chance this year, it may prove a curioua coincidence, for Donald is a sterling forward, or, as the comedy man in Carl Hertz's Company would say, " There's no flies about him." In a letter from a friend at Stratford, he cays:—' Taranaki will put the strongest team in,the field that ib has ever done, and I am no judge of football if it does not take the Auckland, boys all their time to hold their own. Besides Rab McKenzie and Bob Lusk, we have also gob Thomas, the Otago full-back, whom the English team thought such a lob of, and Frank

Smith, who used to play for Gordon, and represented-Wellington last year. Frank is playing for Hawera this season, and is their best back.

A. Otway, the popular captain of the Suburbs team, received very sudden marching orders on Monday last ordering him to Christchurch, and he left on Thursday lasb for thab city. Ofcway's departure is a great loss to Suburbs, as he was one of their most useful men. On Wednesday evening, the Suburbs team entertained Otway at the Juncbion Hotel, whero a very enjoyable evening was spent, and all the team expressed regreb at the loss which Obway's departure will cause in the district.

The ' New Zealand Graphic'is again to the front with another' novel competition, and one of our ' know-alls' should pick up a cheap two guineas. This week the proprietor is offering that sum to the person who first Belects the fifteen players who will represent Auckland in the match against Taranaki, to be played at the end of the present month. In the case of one or more picking the correct fifteen, the coupon bearing the earliest date will carry off the prize, or if no one selects the beam, the individual who goes the nearest to the mark will secure the two guineas. There is a probability of the annual match againsb Thames being played on the Saturday prior to the contest) againsb Taranaki.

1 hear that the Zealandia Rink will probably be secured as a training hall for our representatives, and that Jack Lecky has again offered to act' as trainer.

The Auckland Rugby Union have written to the Taranaki and Canterbury Unions, asking their consent to let the New Zealand Rugby Union appoint a referee, outside of these provinces, to officiate in the forthcoming contests in Auckland. The local Union have agreed to pay the expenses of any gentleman so appointed. This is a very fair and liberal offer.

Many of our footballers are inquiring for what crophies they are playing this season. Mr Dixon, the Secretary of the A.R.U., informs me that Bilver medals with gold centres will be presented to the team winning the senior competition, and caps with gold mountings to the second fifteens, and caps with silver mountings to the third fifteens. l Who's goin' to woar 'em?' .

Last Friday I was accosted by a football enthusiasb who asked if 1 could tell him who had been elected as bhe Selection Committee. When I enlightened him, he said, ' Ob*! two Ponsonby men, eh ! Thab means Tommy Roberts being the firsb s man picked ?' ' Yes,' was my reply, ' and if I was asked to name the three-quarters who would represent Auokland in her forthcoming contest, Tommy Roberts would nob be the last name thab I would mention.' Some people are so biassed that they can't see beyond the colour of their own district's jersey.

Brown, who was given permission by the Rugby Union lasb week to play for Parnell, is only recently from Scotland. He is reported to be an Aasociabion player of some repute.

Taka Panapa, one of the most popular naoive players in Napier, died of consumption lasb \reek. Ho played three-quarter for the Te Au be College.

T. Downes, younger brother of the Dunedih crack three-quarter, promises to follow in his big brother's footsteps, for in a recent second fifteen match in Dunedin he potted a goal and secured five tries.

The Zealandia Football Club (Sydney) defeated Sbrathfield on June 11th, by 9 pointa to 8. George Lusk kicked a goal in the last few minutes of the game, which gained the Maorilanders the victory. Zealandia is now leadine in the senior competition.

R. Lockvvood, the popular little international (says the ' Athletic 'News'), has a splendid record as captain for the Heckmondwike Club. During the past season he crossed his opponents' lines no less than twenty times, dropped three- goals, and placed above a score of goals.

During the season in England, which closed in April last, A. J. Gould dropped seven goals and ran in 32 tries for Newport. Six other members of the team have reached double figures, viz., Percy Phillips 17, B. Gould 14, B. Dauncey 13, W. Watts 13, 0. Thomas 11, and L. Heard 11. A correspondent points out that A. J. Gould and Phillips between them scored as many tries as the Cardiff team scored during the whole of the season.

' Comparisons are odorous,' bub (says an English paper), perhaps, are admissible when used to show the performances of two crack football clubs such aa Leed3 and Hunsleb. During the past season Hunelet (the Yorkshire Cup-holders) have played 40 matches, won 27 of them, losb eight, and drawn five, scoring 441 points against 113 made by their opponents. Leads played 39 matches, won 31, lost six, and drew two, and scored 498 points asaineb 163. Taking all in all, there is nob much to choose in the figures, and both clubs may justly feel proud of them.

ATHLETICS.

There is sbill a lob of talk among our amateur athletes aboub a road race, and I hope to see ib definitely arranged before long. The runners are waiting for the Amateur Athletic Club to take the race in hand, and if they do so, many of our peds. will give the Clab their support, and a big field would probably start for the event. \V. Winks told me this vroek that he is quite willing to meet Clarke, Musker, Farquhar, Beere, or Davis, in a five-mile road race, on condition that they subscribe for a trophy worth braining for. Alf Clarke also pays lie is prepared to meet any amateur in Auckland over bhe same distance, ab any bime, and suggests that a meeting should be called to arrange details.

P. Wurman, an ex-Chvistchurch footbailor, won the Botany Handicap on June 14th. The first prize was £100. Our old friend (?) N. J. Clarke started, bub was last in his heat.

At a committee meeting of thp Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club last week, the treasurer stated that the autumn meeting would result in a losa of £12 Bs.

Notice of motion has been given for the annual meeting of bhe Canterbury Amabeur Athletic Club to increase the subscription from 10s to 20s for members over twenty years of ape. under that ago bhe amount to remain ab 10s. -

■ The English Championship Meeting takes place in London this afternoon, and Monday's Stak will be awaited with inboresb by all Aucklandcrs, as the JS'ew Zealand abhletes will toe the mark wibh the crack English runners ab that gathering.

Last year, when the American amateur team of athletes visited England, they were treated very leniently by the handicappers, and won nearly all the best prizes. This, of course, raised the bile of the English athletes, and the gentlemen who allotted the starts were severely taken to task for being so good-natured. These handicappera evidently remember the censure, and are making ' our boys' suffer for it, for at the Huddersfield meebing Babger, after establishing a world's record in the 440 yds hurdles, had- to be content with a second place. If ever a man deserved to win a race it was Batger, after that; performance, bub the handicappers are evidently determined not to let the New Zealanders get all the 'fab.' They were apparently again pub on a safe mark at 'Crewe last Saturday, for beyond Peter Wood none of the others gained a place.

One of the New Zealand athletes in London, writing to the ' Eefereo' about the Essex Beagles sporbs, say 3 : —'The race thab excited the most asbonishment in our minds was the mile handicap. No le9s bhan 179 men started, and bhpy looked jusC like a flock of' shsep coming round the track, about six deep, and extending the full length of one side of the crround. It> was simply .impossible for the back markers to get up, and the race itself was nob exciting. At one time a competitor fell,

and six others promptly fell od top of him. The' meeting was noteworthy from the fact that the number of entries received constituted a record—lso ia the 120yda handicap, 86 in the mile bicycle, 88 in the 300 yds members', 214 in the mile handicap. The ' Athletic News,' in announcing the arrival of the New Zealand team of athletes, says that from- their appearance and deportmant, no doubb can exist_ as to the amateur or social status of the yiaitora..

* Old Athlete, 1 in the same paper, cays : 'The New Zealauders are remarkably wellbuilt athletio-looking young fellows, and, judging from their dress and general conversation, are considerably superior ac regards social position to any other of the athletic parties who have honoured us with a visit. Unless I have made a big mistake, they are gentlemen.' The live miles race between J. P. Conneff, of America, and W.. H. Morton, of England, was to have been run at Dublin oh May 7th, but Conneff at the lash moment scratched on the score of ill-health. v As the ground had been engaged * and Morton was in, Dublin, he made up his mind to try and beat the Irish record for five miles, which stood at 25min 24sec. Morton had no fewer than four pace-makers, viz., Parryi Morris, and Farrell, his Club mates, and McCabe, of Dublin. Morton ran in really splendid style, and accomplished a grand performance, for he not only succeeded in knocking lumps off Conneff's Irish record, beating it by 21sec, but he also cub the best amateur world's record for the distance (25min 7 4-sth sec by W. G. George) by 4 4-6bh sec. The last quarter was done in 69sec.», The times for the miles were as follows :—One mile, 4min 47sec ; two, 9min 55sec ; ■ ..three, Ismin ; four, 20min 4sec ; five, 25min 336 C. The path was in good condition.

The following records were passed at the general meeting of the Amateur Athletic Association (England) on May 7th:—Broad Jump, C. B. Fry, 23ft sin; Fifteen Miles Running, Sid. Thomas, lhr 22min 15 2-sth sec ; 150 Yards Running, C. J. B. Monypenny, 14 4-sth sec ; Two Mile 3 Walking, H. Curtis, 14min 2 2-sth sec ; Eight Miles Walking, H. Curtis, lhr lmin 6 l-sth sec : Nine Miles Walking, H. Curtis, lhr llmin 14 2-sth sec; Ten Miles Walking, H. Curtis, lhr 19min 27 3-sth sec ; One Hour Walking, fl. Curtis, 7 miles 1,487yd5.2fb; Pole Jump, N. D. Dickens, lift 9in. CBICKKT.. A. E. Stoddarfc returned Home from his Australian tour with Lord Sheffield's team on May 16tb, and on the following day scored 133 for Eampstead against Kensington Park. W. L. Murdock scored 67 not oub for A. J. Webbe's eleven against Cambridge University on May 12bh. Ferris was the most successful bowler, securing 5 wickets for 25, and 3 for 77. CYCLING. The geared ordinary bicycle has wrought another radical change in bicycles. All the crack cyclists ab Home are now riding: these machines, and they are said to be superior in every way to the safety. The front wheel is larger than the safety wheel, but is smaller than the original bicycle. Service tells me that ho is expecting one shortly, so local cycli3ts will have an opportunity of inspecting1 the latest machine. 'The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.' So apparently thinks the Dean of Bristol, for having been asked by cyclists for permission to stable their machines ab the rear of the Cathedral during any of the Sunday services, he has returned a favourable answer; and, moreover, offered a; special address to any cyclists' club on any Sunday afternoon after Trinity. A cyclist will travel on Sunday ; is it not much better that their goal be a church rather than a public house ?—' Trade and Finance/ sfji " Mr Roland O. Bishop, who' operates the limelight views for Mr Snazelle at the City Hall, is a crack bicycle rider. He won many championships in Taspania. Zimmerman, the American champion, must have greatly improved since his first appearance on an English; track, for the cable this week informs ue|thab he won the one mile championship |f England last Saturday. Zimmerman yas easily beaten by second-class Britishers^ast May, and', it was considered that he was a greatly overrated man. I SW2MMWG. ; ~ : ;• - By laeb mail Mr R. Su Clair, the secretary ot the New Zealaiiji Amateur Swimming Association, received a communication from Mr Archibald/Sinclair, secretary of the Swimmers' Life Saving Society, London. From it. majr be gleaned some items of interest) to Ne\T Zealand swimmers. Tho work of the Life' Saving Society has go enlarged that it ha3|b3come necessary to issue special circulars pn drills and formation of classes. / • At a conference of Home swimmers held at Liverpool, in; March last, to consider the assimilation of Scottish and English rule 3 regulating competitions of * water polo, many alterations were made bringing the rules more in cowormity with those of Scotland. It is hopkV that rough play-wiil thereby become diminished, as it had gob too prevalent. , I Mr Sinclair is tagaged with Mr ,W. Henry (or Nawro^ki), a noted champion, upon a 400-page york: for the Badminton series, and inquires for, photographs of interesting swimming events and a list of New Zealand work onftho art. It is the intention of the Secretary of the N.Z.A.S.A. to forward illustrations of the ' celebrated Jubilee Gala hi the Calliope Dock and a likeness of Mr W. J. Gormley, the Au^ralian arch champion, who has demonstrated that swimmers on the Paeife shores can not only equal, but surpUs those at our Antipodes. A sketch wasj enclosed, illustrating tho erection.of po/table goal posts in open water, enabling visiting teams to take all the materials nth them when en tour, and thus always /c sure ot a game of water poo. 7 ' Life-savin^lch'ill circulars and report of the Water Pc(o League will be received by next mail, j Complimeitary reference was made to the 'New Zeiland Association Annual.'from which infoiination not elsewhere obtainable was extracted, and ib ia eugeested that it slpuld be filed in the British Museum Lbrary. for the benefit of future generation/of swimmers.

| THE KING. There s a coloured boxer in Sydney named Jackson, a cousin of the redoubtable Peter, wlp is looked on as the coming man in the" fisic world. He is called Peter, and is go likehis cousin that he is easily taken for the cfenipion. Another name had better be adopfed, as that will only lead to confusion (ays a Sydney scribe). He has been a sailor'in his time like Jackson, and is wonder^lly strong and wiry. He lifts the huge d/mb-bells at the club over his head single-fanded with one swoop of his body, and cumbers up the rope dangling from the celing like a cat, and arrived there, perfoins wonderful feats of strength and darinff He is just about ' gone' on boxing, and f<r a long time past has nob missed a day. jAb the same hour diurnally he is to be g|n belting away at. the ball, and he show! great promise as. a fighter. He stands 6ft 2in high, and weighs 14sb. He Dutegreat power into his blows, and is yearjing to appear in public.