THE CHRIST'S COLLEGE TRIP TO WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9520, 12 September 1896, Page 2

THE CHRIST'S COLLEGE TRIP TO WELLINGTON.

[By o.n*k of the Tram.) A hearty cheer from several well-wishers reminded us that the 9.16 train to Lyttelton had started, and we all began to discuss the weather. The majority of us were of the opinion that we would hay. a smooth passage, but our prediction was proved to be wrong, as we had no sooner stepped on board the "Penguin" than she started, and once outside the heads began to pitch and roll in a most uncomfortable way. Most of us retired to our bunks, if such they can be called, and well—we draw a curtain over the passage up—suffice to say only four or five did not suffer from violent attacks of mal de mer. One of the three-quarters declared he would slay in Wellington for tho rest of his life sooner than face the return voyage. However, "Its a long lane that has no turniug" and at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday August 26th we arrived alongside the Wellington wharf and were met by the Wanganui and Wellington College teams. We were speedily assigned to our respective quarters, and were soon all of us busily engaged in demolishing dinner. In the evening some of us were seen at the House, wlwre a very dry debate on the Loan Bill was going on.

On Thursday morning there wa3 a praotico at Newtown Park, which did us a lot of good, and in the afternoon we picked up a few of the Wellington College wrinkles during the progress of the Wellington— Wanganui game. The (Vellington followers are a most enthusiastic lot, especially the ladies, for although the game was played in pouring rain there were a large crowd of spectators present. In the first five minutes Wellington scored five and Wanganui three points ; this however was the only score the latter team was enabled to get, as Wellington finally won by 23 to 3. There was a euchre party given in our honour, by Mrs Hales in the evening, but euchre is not our forte. Friday being wet we had our practice in the Athletic Club's Gymnasium at Taranaki .tree.. We were honoured by a dance at Government House in the evening, and had the pleasure of seeing Dudley Wyatt, the Calculating Boy, and the Georgia Magnet perform. The young lady defied the efforts of three largest" men " of the teams to lift her from the ground, and the "Infant Phenomenon"quite startled us by his feats in arithmetic.

On Saturday we were beaten at Petone by the Wellington College team. The score at the end of the first spell was 5—3 against us but the Wellingtonians, who averaged list 41b, proved too heavy for our team, averaging only lOsfc, and 13 points were added in the second spell. The papers up there admired our defensive play very much and the morning paper's report reads :—" It was a perfect treat to see the running and passing of the Wellington boys, and their opponents were not far behind them, while the defensive play of visitors was splendid." The evening paper's account is also very glowing:—" The Wellington forwards were too clever in obtaining possession, and time after time the ball was started rolling by them only to result in the destruction of magnificent passing rushes by the never-failing collaring of Deuniston, Wright and others."

Mrs Firth entertained us with a delightful dance in the evening at Wellington College, which we all of v. enjoyed immensely. We had left the dance on Friday evening at half-past nine owing to our training, but we had to refuse one altogether on Monday evening, as we expected a very hard, game against Wanganui on Tuesday. And certainly our expectations were fulfilled, as we played a drawn game, 5 points each. The game was lost by our wing three-quarter, Cotterill, who crossed the line after a brilliant run from our twentyfive, and although he saw two Wanganui boys right in his way, tried to get behind the goal, and was, of course, collared. Our try was gained in a most peculiar way. Louisson was taking a free-kick and placed the ball so as to allow for tho strong wind blowing. Just as he kicked the wind dropped and his kick went nearly across the ground. Grant, who was following up fast, took the ball beautifully and scored after a dodgy run, Louisson kicking the goal this time.

Our training was over now, and how the supper did disappear at a splendid dance given by Misa Elsie Joseph in the evening. Our tickets were taken for the return journey by the Talune, which was advertised to sail at 10 p.m. and thus we were unable to go to another dance given in our honour by the Misses Nathan. The Talune ultimately did not sail till 12 and of course there was a great deal of growling, as had we known we could have, after all, gone to the dance.

Although the return voyage was made in a larger and better boat, and on a much calmer sea, we were many of us again ill, and we were all glad to arrive in Christchurch by the 3.15 train from Port, after having had a most delightful trip. Mr J. U. Collins, our coach, accompanied us, and Mr R. Blunden an enthusiastic follower of ours, also went with us.