THE GAME IN ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12828, 12 June 1907, Page 7

THE GAME IN ENGLAND.

A CHAT WITH DR. LOUISSON. After ten year's study of his profession in England, varied by dcoasiona.l visits to Pairis, Geneva, Venice, and other popular resorts of the Continent, Dr. Louieaon, som of th* Hon. Charles Louisson, M.L.C., has roturnied to Christchurch. Chatting with him yesterday, a rer_r_.entative of this paper learned some interesting facts concerning football in the Old Country, and other matters that have com. uaider tlie doctors observation. Dr. Louisson played Rugby iootball far some seasons after ho wont to London, and has since watched the gam© with interest. Professional football, he states, it practically oonfinea to the Northern counties. The Northern Union has one rule of its own which seems to him am esxeilfcnt one. The balf-baok is not allowed to come round the scrums until th© bail is out from tho opposing side. This makes tho game a much more open one, and play mate interesting to watch. It also makes wing forwards impossible. _._io English Rugby Union, he thinks, mignt have been disposed to adopt thjs rule, but for the fact that it never copies anything from the Northern, Union. If n. profostiional team goea to England from New Zoaiand, Dr. Louisson believes it will meet with a very gooa rooeptioni in the North, but unless tno best, team possible is sent, it will bo beaten. The English, professional teams never play against the amateur tennis, and so it ia not easy to compare their r«lative strengths, but wuiejt, aa sometime happens, a prominent amateur player joins a club of the professionals, he does- not usually distinguish himself much. There was a v«ry strong feeling that the Northern Union would have liked to play the "All Blacks/ and many people thought a closo gam© would have resulted. Dr. Louisson saw the South Africans playin England-, where there was a general feeling that they were just as goou «« tbe New Zealanders. He was inclined to think tliat tlie New Zealand team was much stronger forward, but the South African three-quarters were remarkably good. The .South Africans, of oou.mj, played the same game as their opponents. Ono or two t;a_i_s at Home havo tried tlie New Zealand game with wing forwards, notably Wales, and Blaekheath, but not with any success. Dr Louis-yon states that there aro not many New Ztalanders playing football in London now. L. "Stringer, son of Mr T. W. Stringer, of Christchureli, is one of them, and McEvody, formerly of St. Patricks College, who came out here wiui the English team, is ale© still a player. Dr. Louisson thinks he is likely to com© her® again with the English team which is lacing got together now for the purpose oi visiting New Zealand. _\. O'Brien has scarcely played 6ince ho was last in tho colony. He will probably airive in Christchurch in July, to practise his profession. Tho following are the ground* and referees for Saturday's matches:— Canterbury College v Sydenham. Lancaster Park, Mr E. Dennis; Christchurch v Albion, Lancaster Park, Mr F. T. Evans; Merivale v Linwood, Lancaster Park, Mr J. F. Weston; Linwood v Sydenham, Linwood Ground, Mr H. F. Garrard; Christchurch v Canterbury College, Canterbury College Ground, Mr J. Austin; Old Boys v Merivale, Old Boys (;round, .Mr T. E. Saxton; Christchurch A v Christchurch B, Albion Ground, Mr W. Woods; Merivale A .•Kaiapoi, Kaiapoi Ground, Mr D. Woods; Albion A v Linwood, Linwood Ground ; Merivale B v Richmond, Richmond Ground, Mr H. Booth; Lyttelton v Sydenham, Lyttelton Ground, dr J. F. Peaks; Canterbury Collego v Boys' High School, Boys' High School -Ground, Mr T. Coffey; Old Boys' v Christ's College. Christ's Collego Ground,.Mr H. Seward,