FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 208, 2 September 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL.

A very interesting match to lovers of football will be played ab Epsom on Saturday next, when a team of retired Auckland footballers will meet the representative team which play againßb Taranakl to-day. Our veterans are showing a groat amount of enthusiasm over their ongagemonb since their enthusiastic meet-' ing on Monday evening last, and have been training energetically for the purpose of getting into form. Ib is very probable that the five Auckland representatives of the New Zealand team of 1384, Messrs Ryan, O'Connor, Lccky, J. Warbrick and G. Carter will take parti in the game, beeidoß all our old cracks whom in days gone by upheld the reputation of Auckland in the football arena. The proceods are to bo given as a bonofit) to ' Barlow' Madigan, who, I am sorry to say, has been too ill to work for some months past. I trust tbafc followers of the game in Auckland, who no doubt remember the many services Madigan ronderod for his province, will show their appreciation by their attendance. Considering the composition of the two teams which will oppose each othor, the c;amo in many respects should be a most interesting one, and will no doubt bring back to memory dear, the faces and recollections ot many a battle our 'ancionts' played in days gone by, Tho forward team that Our veterans will place in the fiold, will, I think, prove superior to the forwards of this aoaaon, and I expect to see H. Poland, Wells, McLean, O'Connor, Lecky, Keofe, Arneil, Clayton, Macky and Co. showing tho up-to-date players some of the old-time rushes which made the n»ma of Auckland so famous in tho football world of Now Zealand.

I greatly doubb whether Aucklanders over derived so much enjoyment from a : football match as they did from the contest between Auckland and Hokianga last Saturday. It was an interesting game in many respect?, find there were numerous incidonts in the play, and especially in the actions of the Holtianga line umpire, thab caueod as much laughter as one would bear at a high-class comedy at the Opera House. The visitors ware sent to town by the Hokianga Rugby Union, which, I believe, is the only Union in New Zealand composod of Maori Clubs. The Maoris astonished the spectators by the I knowledge they possessed of the i finer points of the game, especially when they performed vory quickly their heeling ont and passing tactics. It was, however, their combined rushes that gained thorn so much applause, and put fear into die hearts of tho local backs. Several of tho Maoris showed cleverness in their dribbling, and passed neatly with their foot to their comrades. Their tackling was vory euro and determined, and some of the Auckland men woro thrown in no gentle manner. What surprised and beab tho visitors was fche quick passing of tho local men, somo of which was very good. Everyone admired tho Hokianga team for the plucky manner in which they played, and the ' banacking' was all in their sympathy. The visitors all kept their tempers, and did nob dispute a single decision. Thoy lost several chances by not appealing in tho first spell, and during tho usual breathing allowance, I heard a rjukeha admirer advising one of the team to appeal oftener ; the Maori replied in broken English that ' Our boss told us to play fair and no makob the row 1' The Maoris were delighted with the treatment they received from the Auckland llutrby Union, and all thoroughly enjoyed their visit to town. Of their bucks, Wliarerau, .T. Ripia, Piri and 11. Ripia were the beat, and when thoy gob underway took a lot of stopping. W. Waiti, their captain, set his men a good example by the determined game ho played, and his strong bulloekine runs never failed to 'bring the house.' Tawhai proved a useful wing, and repeatedly smothered Braund'o passing. HanrakijTe Maaunga,and Hoani all grafted hard and made themselves prominent by their following up, On tho whole, the play of the Auckland men was disappointing;, the principal cause beinir tho poor packing of the forwards. Several good passing; rallies were spoilt by the backs mulling the ball, Kissling in the earlier part of tho gome being vory bad in this respecb, while Peace had a tendency to keep in front of the man he was supposed to bo following up, Although Jervis had not donned a jersey since his return from Australia, he played a dashing game, nnd appears to have increased in his- speed. Some piacos of rapid passing between Elliott and Jervis were exceedingly well accomplished. Maseh'eld crave general i satisfaction as full-back. Rhodes, Stono and Otway wore tho pick of tho forwards who woro working, while there was little to choose between Donald and Mills on the wine.

Tho spectators on the grand stand at) Epsom on Saturday last were so enthused with the actions of the Hoki'anga line umpire that many of them went to Mr Twiname, the Auckland line man, in the spell time, and requested him nob to change his side, while tho spectators on theopposibo Bi.'Je of the field politely told Tvrinanio to clear out and give them a show with the Maori.

At the conclusion of tho match lasb Saturday, ono of the Maoris remarked, 'Jorvis too good, he know too many tricks.'

All the members of the Hokianga team were strictly blue-ribbonites, and all but threo were non-smokers.

The first Auckland junior rep. team lefb under the auspices of the Auckland Rugby Union for the Thames on Friday last at midnight. Mana«or Mundy lost no time in petting the boys to bunk, although a nor'-easterly gale with rain and steaming atmosphere was not conducive to sleep. When underweUrh a diversion was caused by the appearance of two stowaways, who requested to be put ashore, declaring that they would 'gettho Rack in the morning and had a constant job.' They were, however, hustled away aft, and next day paid the team a doubtful compliment by wearing the biuo and white. After passing the Sandspit, the full force of the nor'-oaster was felt, and

' The little boat wibblo-wabbled so' thnfc matters became very uncomfortable, and were made worse by ono of the team making eotuo very ' sick' puns, and another explaining that to make a sausage roll, you take a sausage, place it on a steamer, and—hero he was smothered with a pillow. Thames Wharf was reached, after a somewhat protracted passage, at daybreak, and the team, looking rather ' seedy,1 wended its way to Humphries' Hotel, whore they were soon made comfortable. The morning, which was characterised by a cloudy sky and drizzling rain, was spent in

visiting friends and strolling round the town. Shortly before 3 p.m., the rival teams lefb in brakes for the Parawai ground, which was very soft and made a fast game impossible. Ib was, therefore, chiefly confined to the forwards, and the advantage gained by the local vanguard on line play was nullified by their opponents carrying the scrums, in responae to tho call of ' Kaiwaka ' (all together), and tho result; waa no score. In tho evening the Thames nioti, with their well-known hospitality, entertained their visitors aba banquet. Perhaps the most amusing incident in connection with ib was when a Mr Day, in responding on the ladies' behalf, professed to be unpopular with them. Immediately up jumped a ' Son of Erin' who exclaimed, ' I may bo able to explain why Mr Day 18 not loved by tho ladies; they would rather be loved by night than by Day.' Early next morning Mr Mundy, who proved all that a manager should be, had tho team on board of the Rotomahana, bound for Auckland, every member being pleased with the trip, and tho arrangements mado for them by the Thames and Auckland Unions.—(Conmunicated.) The sub-committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union have published a lengthy report giving tho reasons why Canterbury should nob join the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Christchurch papers huve criticised the report in no mild terms, and point out many mis-statements that the Committoo have made. Anyone who takes an interest in the controversy should secure a copy of last week's 'Canterbury Times,' where the full report of the Committee, as well as a severo criticism on it by ' Quidnunc,' is to be found. 1 notice that the Now Zealand Rugby Union have thought fib to reply to the Committeo's manifesto, but I fail bo see thab ib was necessary, for it haR repeatedly been shown thab Otago and Canterbury can pub forward no really sound reason against tho Now Zealand Rugby Union. Their principal bone of contomptmenb in standing aloof appears bo bo chiefly animosity to the secretary, Mr Hoben. In one part of tho report of the Canterbury Union's Committee, },t is stated that one of the members of the Auckland team of 1889 wa3 disqualified by the Canterbury Union for insulting Mr Hoatson, and that Otago supported Canterbury, and rofu»od to play Auckland if they included that man in their team, thereby showing that tho Rugby Unions supported each other in refusing to play against men disqualified by any Union. If my memory serves me correctly, the player in question was disqualified when he was a member ot the New Zealand Native team, and not while he was playing with our team, and Auckland refused to endorse the disqualification. And further, had theaforesaidplayer nob been indisposed when bhe Auckland team was in Dunedin, Otago would have had to play against him, or else abandon the match, for the Auckland Union was very firm in their intention of playing tho man. So Otago did not stand so manfully 'to their guns' as the Canterbury Committee would make us boliove. Had there been a Now Zealand Rugby Union at that time, and tliey bad disqualified any player, such disqualification must have become general throughout its jurisdiction, and a contretemps which ab one time appeared likely to cause a sorious breach between tho two Unions would havo been avoided.

Congratulations to F. Edmonds, T. Clarkin and J. Haua on winning their interprovincial 'spurs.' It is the general opinion that H. Donald should have been included in this year's rep. team. F. Murray has won bho gold medal of the Newton Club for the player who kicked the greatest number of goals this season. * The annual football match between Otago and Canterbury will be played at Christ-church on Saturday next.

An Australian paper say? two of the Now Zealand team—Oiiphant and Herrold — intend to return to Sydney shortly in order to take up their residonce thsro pormanently. Harper, of Nelson, who formed one of the lato New Zealand team of footballers, has boon presented by blie public of that town with a tea and coffco sorvico as a memento of his visit to Australia.

Butland, the West Coast representative with the New Zealand football team, has beon entertained at Hokifciku aba largelyattended 'social,' over which tho Mayor prosidod, The guest of the evening was presented with a valuable watch suitably inscribed, in recognition of the manner in which he had uphold the honour of the West Coast both on and off the football field during tho recent Australian tour. MrS. Kohn, of Wellington, has presented a trophy for tho most serviceable player in the Wellington Province contingent of tho New Zealand t-oam. The players who represented the province in the team were :— Watson, Gray, McKenzio, and D'Arcy, Wairavapa; Uockvoft, Mowlem,' and Shannon, Manawatu; and Ellison, Oiiphant, Wilson, Gage, Wynyard, Pringle, and Stuart, Wollingbon. Tho trophy will be awarded on the votes of tho ofchor members of the team.

i The annual match bobween Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay was played at Napier on i August 19th, and resulted in a victory for Poverty Bay by 15 points to 4. Several well-known footballers (ex-Aucklanders), notably Jack Fisher, Rosr. Caulton, S. Ryburn, Mumby ami Bayly distinguished themselves for Poverty Bay. Fisher was captain, and kicked three goals from tries. CRICKET. There used to be a talo told of an old AH England player, says Richard Daft in his 'Rominiscence& of Cricket,' to whom was made a presentation at a dinner given for this purpose. The testimonial was presented, accompanied by an appropriate speech Irom the chairman, and the old cricketer had to stand up and say a few words in acknowledgement. ' Gentlemen,' iho began, ' Gentlemen, Ladies and gentlemen '—there wore no Indies present—' T'm sure I am very much, very much indeed, I really am—Oh, confound you all, go to tho deuce!' It was through Bi'uce's obstinacy (says the Sydney ' Bulletin ') that Graham was salectad as thirteenth man in the Australian Eleven. Bruce wagered with Georgo Giffen that the South Melbourneite would be one of tho four best batsmen in the team, Ho will win his £5 wagor easily. ATHLETICS. Tho Auckland athletes nominated to tho Selection Committee of the Now Zealand Amateur Abhlotic Association have commenced training. They will no doubt be required to do a test for the Selection Committee before the New Zealand team is finally chosen. It is greatly regretted that A. F. Burton, our champion walker, is unable to obtain necessary leavo of absence for the tour, as it is considered he would bo included among tho chosen ten to represent this colony. I hoar that O'Connor is willing to meet McCormaek at Wellington in a test match at the putting tho weight and throwing tho'hammer event 3it the committee so desire. In ft letter to a gentlomaii in Christchurch, Mr E. S. Marks, tho hon. sec. of the Now South Walos Amateur Athlotic Association, says :—' Tho Association last week appointed a committeo to enquire into tho best means for the propor representation of New South Wales at Melbourne on November 9th and 11th, to take part in the Australasian Championship Sports Meeting, and have another cut at your boys from the land of terns. Our team will, t think, be, whon all is over, mads up something as under: Sprint?, W. T. iMacphorsoti, A. E. Shappere, J. G. Maiden ; middle distances, A. E. Shappere, K. F. iM'Crae, J. F. Dal-

rymple ; long dietorioc?, E. B. Corner, E. H. Fahy, A. Wachemann, J. F. Dalrymple; Hurdles, L. S. Flefcc j High, Jump, R. E,

Rowlands; Walks, A. C. Bullock, E. J. M'Kelvey. This team would, I think, "do us proud," as they represent men capable of doing, or ab least they have done, the following : 100 yds in 9 4-sth sec, 220 yds in 22sec, 440 yds in 50 2-sth sec, 880 yds lmin 59 1-Sbh sec, one mile 4min 25see, three miles 15min 54 1-Sbh sec, one mile walk 6min 59sec, three miles walk 24min 184-sth sec, high jump sft 6in. There is one thing I hope, and that is your Association send over J. 11. Hempton, as it is the wish of all amateurs this side to see those two great 100 yds record smashers meet.'

Sid Thomas, the well-known . English amateur, is twenty-five years of age, stands sft. 7£in high, and weighs 9sb. He is a member of the firm of E. Thomas and Sons, dyers, London.

Amateurism promises to deal a big blow to professional racing in Now South Wales during the coming racing season, says a Melbourne writer. The amateur race meetings for August and September will be attended by the crack amateurs of New Zealand and Brisbane, and the public feeling 6eems to bo strongly in their favour. Professional meetings in Sydney have always proved failures ; and, judging by the number that have asked to be reinstated, it is pretty plain that professional racing, so far as Sydney is concerned, is not the live gamo it is made out to be.

Roferring to ' bookies ' at athletic sports, 'Old Ebor' ('London Athletic New 3') writes :— * We have heard something this season about the decadence of popular interest in local athletic festival?. Does anyone think tho causo of this decadence is far to seek? I certainly don't. It is the prevalence of the bookmakiner and low betting element, and the extent to which athlotcs have been "got at" by the betting ring. Last Saturday week I went over to Otley sport 3, and a stroll past one side of the field enabled one to come across a knot of some of the foulesi-mouthed. blackguards to be met in a day's march, shouting out the odds on the field in a way which regarded not the reputation of the club, or the presence of the police. The same thing was seen in the Bradford Charily Sports last Wednesday, in which the loud-voiced operations of the " bookies " were Eitnply disgraceful, and could be heard from all parts of the field. Only straight-lacod folk object to a modest bet or two when done in a sportsman's spirit, bub we have a right to protest against athletes, having, as they too frequently have, a direct connection with some of the biggest blackguards of the betting world, and against these blackguards plying their calling with brazenfaced openness to the annoyance of people who have come to see sport.'

CYCLING.

A cyclist has been creating some excite' menb in Brisbane) by riding a tandem water evele with his wife in the harbour.

Tho 'Irish Cyclist' says that the ;;nan who races tor puro sport is mentally, morally and physically benefited, it gives him keen calculating judgment and decision of character, watchfulness, precision, and their development assists in his success in life; but to the man who races for what ho can make and cares nothing for sport she proves bub a very sorry ebepmother. The individual grows careless, lives on the beat ab other people's expense, and when racing season is over he spends his winter in low excess, until at last his physical powers decay and he contracts idle habits. All the benefits which his racing might have done him are nullified by the demoralising life ho has led, and in the majority of cases he either goes to the bad or sinks into a menial position. There is racing and racing. Real amateur racing is elevating, bub tho bogus article is demoralising to the last degree.

AQUATICS,

Mr Lind has given an order to Mr C. Bailey for a 2i-rnter. It is expected that the now yachb will be a faster boab than the Rogue.

Mr James Slator has purchased tho wellknown fishing yachb Laurina and is giving her a thorough overhaul preparatory to the coming season.

Numbers of yachtsmen vigib Mr Bailey's yard every day, watching the construction of tho 20-rater for the Messrs Bloomtield, The framework was completed this week.

As the football season is fabb drawing to a close arid the summer months are approaching, many of our yachtsmen are already showing signs of activity in preparing their various crafts for the coming season. • A largo number intend starting work this afternoon, and for several weeks tho numerous bays and boatsheds will no doubb look like building yards, wibh spars being scraped, sandpapered and varnishod, boats being cleaned and painted, etc. etc. Tho yachting season of 1893-4 promises to be a most interesting one to Aucklanders, and after the wretched weather we have experienced since January last our yachtsmen are living in hopes of being favoured with Auckland's best weather during the summer months.

Amonfi; the business to be brought before the next meeting of bhe New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association in Wellington (says a Wellington exchange) will bo a proposal that a Council of three or five ex-oars-men residing in this city should be set up ns an executive. At present the responsibility of deciding many matters is thrown upon tho secretary. Every club in the colony has to be notified of a meeting of tho Association, and as that cannot bo done in a few days, Mr A. S. Bias frequently finds himself called upon to deal with urgent business without being able to consult the delegates. If a Council of Welington renidents were appointed he could confer with ib in a few hours, and tho various nfh'liabed clubs could roly on getting matters attendud to oxpeditiously by an independent and experienced body. Tho Association will also bo asked to consider the desirableness of appointing a consul in each of the large centres in the colony. Tho duties of such an officer would bo to make inquiries on bohalf of the secretary, and ascertain if the rules were being complied with. Ib is probnbie that the Association will not meet boforo October.

The annual report of the Wellington Star Boating Club shows its numerical strength to be 343 members. Tho receipts for the year wero £1,800, and the expenditure JEI.G9O. The osaote amount to £2,663, and the liabilities to £919.