AN EXCITING FOOTBALL MATCH ON THE TAPIS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IX, Issue 909, 10 July 1880, Page 3

AN EXCITING FOOTBALL MATCH ON THE TAPIS.

A correspondent sends the following :—" I understand the acriminous dispute respecting the question of who is liable for the state of the Strand North is in a fair way to be settled satisfactorily to every one. The manner of settling the dispute is unique to say the least. The respective chiefs of the County Council and Town Board have, with the consent of Mr Bromfield, agreed to rearshal the members of each body under their respective leaderships, and decide matters on the disputed territory by the ordeal of football. Tli3 game will be played the first thoroughly wet day, and Mr Bromfield has consented to stand at his door and act as umpire. The game will last one hour, sides changing ends every quarter. The si le that loses is to be decided the responsible party, aud the winners to assess the amount of compensation to be awarded Mr Bromfield. Both .sides must play in uniform, and as the match will take place in the afternoon a large attendance of spectator's is certain. All publicity will be given as to the time win n the match is to take place, and Peter will parade the Strand with a bell to hurry the spectators up. No charge will be made to onlookers. A bathe in thr tide will wind up the match, aud a dinner complete the proceedings, when the hatchet will be permanently buried, and harmony aT d accord once more reign between ; our erdraft laden public bodies. 1 understand il r Bromfield has received instructions to piepare the wills of the combatants, which reflects great credit on their prudence and forethought, but leads one to infer tho fray will be one of the fio'reost, On application to Mr Sheath the combatants were 'appalled to find they could not insure their lives except under exorbitantly heavy risks, as the probability is that some of them will get swamped and smothered in the mire. The Coroner for the district, accompanied by an undertaker, will be on the ground. A team of bullocks will also be provided to pull out of the mud those who cannot bo extricated otherwise.