FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 235, 27 June 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

. (By Aristobulus.) THE BRITISH TEAM. RESULTS OF MATCHES. ><' O tl «" ■ 1 tj tn m , 3 S 43 . -u > , " S-i P-l Wairarapa Bush ... 17 3 1 — Wellington ... ... 13 19 — 1 Otago 6 9 — 1 Southland ... ... 14 8 1 — Test Match ... ... 5 32 — 1 S. Canterbury ... 12 6 ,1" — Canterbury ... .... 8 13 — 1 Wost ; Coast and Buller 22 3 1 — Nelson and Marlbortfugh 12 0 1 — Totals ... .... 109 93 5 4 REMAINING NEW ZEALAND FIXTURES.' To-day.—Second Test Match, at Wellington. Wednesday, July I—Hawko's Bay Union, at Napier. ~ Saturday, July 4—Poverty Bay Union, at Gisborne. Wednesday, July B—Manawatu and Horowhenua Unions, at Palmerston Saturday,- July 11—Wanganui - Union, at Wanganui. - ' Wednesday, July 15—Taranaki Union, at New Plymouth. Saturday, July IS —Auckland Union, at . Auckland. Saturday, July 25—Third Test Match, at Auckland. AUSTRALIAN FIXTURES. Wednesday, August s—New South' Wales.Saturday, August B—Team for. England. Wednesday, August 12—Western' District. Saturday, August 15—Metropolitan Unions Wednesday, August 19—Northern District. Saturday,. August 22—Now South Wales. Wednesday, August 26—Queensland. Saturday, August 29—Queensland. Wednesday, September 2—Queensland. CUP CHAMPIONSHIP. POSITIONS OF, THE TEAMS. \ . 43 - w o tii • . 'p a w ■ w - c.' 'i <' ■ ® a d "g. g . / £ J° o ,2. o os ■ fi 6 O Melrose ... 8 7-' 0 1 119 9 15 Oriental • 8 6 11 '56 33 13 Petone ... 8 5 2 ■ 1 125 35 11 Poneke 8 5 2 1- 66'-53'-11 St. James ... 8 3 <1 1 33 59 7 Athletic .-..8 3 4 1 77 31 7 Old Boys ... 8 3 5 042 123 6 Wellington ;.. 8 1 5 2 32-53 4 Southern ... 8 - 2. 6 0~ 31 96 4 Victoria College 8 1 7 0 25 106 2 • scorns to bo. a difference of opinion in nairarapa football circles as to' whether' a player must shout " mark." ill addition to making the mark witli his heel, 'if he wishes to claim a fair catch. In the MastertonUartortoii match, - Groubo ,011 one occasion caught the ball, and made his mark. Tho appeal was disallowed"bccause he' had not made an oral claim. This decision doe 3 not seem quito fair to the player, arid tho rules certainly do not stato that one - must/ cry ' if he . wishes, .'to claim a fair catch...: ' v

.. Among numerous congratulatory messages ,received by W. J. Stead,. the captain of. the «ew Zealand team, in the. initial "test" match, was a lotter from a little who ls »j. a i' , aII , iimiato of tho Nasoby hospital. The lad nieiit-ionejd_ that ho was ten y? a , rs 0* .'ago, .and ]vas a member of his school team prior to ; his and wound ■up with congratulatory wishes and tho conndent_assertipn that u Now Zealanders can Jeat Britishers at football." It is.needless, to. say that a. special'" "acknowledgment to tHis spontaneous greeting of. an' ontlUisiastio ; but holpless, yotuig Ruggerite :\vas' sent. ■ If ■Wallace plays/ to-day in tho .interna* tional match against ■ Britain, ■ho will have record ias a .New Zealand - international , Wallace has.represeuted.Ncw Zea- £ r ," x five distinct years counting tho tour in «reat Britain as. ono season. Tho next on the list are Cunningham, Seeling,, and W \ Mackenzie ("Offside Mac") who have each represented New Zealand for four years tht STfv / districts on the day that Harding's Anglo-Welsh team knded m Wellington has, been named 1 Cymru -by ' us footballer father in honour of. the occasion. If ho lives the lad- should always bo an ummpcachablo authority as to the data of tho arrival of the British team 'sets mimon ' lrllere the,Rugby'sun never Vlho-gross receipts of the football match, South Canterbury v.'Britain, amountedto rri i. expenses totalled £128. : lhe Soutu Canterbury Union has mapped out a fairly extensive, programme for its representatives. Tho team will meet Wairarapa m Timaru on July 23, and then go on tour,, playing Canterbury on July 25 Manawatu on July 29, Auckland on August 1, laranakr on August G, Wanganui on August 8, and Wellington on August 12. Tho following dates have been fixed for the Otago team's tour Southland, September 2; Canterbury, September 5; Auckland September 12; Tarariaki, September 16: and Wellington,. Septemberl9. •• ■ • positions of the Christchurch clubs at the ond 1 of the first round aro. asfollow:— Albion, 6 points; Sydenham, 5 points; Old Boys, 31' points; Merivalo, 3 points; Canterbury College, 2 points; Linwood, l| pointsChristchurch, 0 points. ' Rugby football for the season of 1907-8 lias now practically run its course (writes Ranger" in the "Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News"). ■ It has been in no sense a : noteworthy year except for the attitude taken up by the Scottish and Irish Unions on the subject of colonial tours. These events — tho visits of New .Zealand, South Africa, and other sides in this country, and return expeditious • by teams representing Britain—promised to tako a great place in tho schome of Rugby football, but-it is not improbable that they have been nipped in the bud by the action of tho Scottish and Irish bodies -in deciding to' boycott all such enterprises. Or, at any rate, their importoace has been considerably lessened, for, in the event ,of another New .Zealand or South African team coming here, it is improbable that either Scotland or Ireland would bo met, so'that the visit would arouse less interest'! than either of those of a year or two a«o. In this matter of the desirability or otherwise of colonial touring, wo are by no means a United Kingdom,'which'is a matter for regret.' Scottish Rugby football does not, of course, feel tho competition of either the Association game or the Northern Union game. Ireland is in much the same fortunate position. In England- and Wales there is'an impression that an occasional tonic is necessary for the well-being of .Rugby football, and that a colbnial tour "provides it. Surely;- in theso circumstances, Scotland, mighty in the independence which- sho can afford to exhibit, might : alter her views (or at least her attitude) so as to help England ' to preserve the game in a healthy state. It has yet to bo proved that colonial tours breed the spirit of professionalism any more ' than do, say, Barbarian tours. When that has been proved, it will be plenty of time to call a halt.

PONEKE-VICTORIA COLLEGE. Tho PonAo team, which included Wallace and Mit-chinson, proved superior to Victoria College in all departments, excepting looso forward play. Collogo were," it is only fair to state, weakened by tho absonce of Do la Mare, Goodbehcrc, and F. Wilson. Wallaco, at fidj back, played cleverly throughout.' Ho initiated soveral passing rtishes, and took a hand in others. His defence was very sound also; Of tho .other backs I'ilyard was easily the best.'.lt is doubtful, indeed, .whether ho has been seen to better advantage previously this season. All the passing rushes which ended successfully were inaugurated by him. Improved form was shown by Flanagan, whoso fielding in particular was ineritori-

ous. Twohill nnrl Magee did well at times, but Mitchinson appeared to bo slightly offcolour. , Tho forwards' worked together in fine style. Most of tho onslaughts wero headed by Rush, who was ably supported by O'Brien and Tresize. For Collego O'Leary was head and shoulders above his colleagues in (he rear division. Without'his services Collego would have been in sorp straits. ( His kicking into touch was a feature of tho game. Of the other backs. Bogle gavo tho best display. His dcfcr.ce was fairly sound, and on several occasions ho was instrumental in gaining a considerable amount of ground. Tudhopo and Prendeville,. on tho wings wero lamentably weak. Hitchings at liveeighths did nothing worthy of rccord. The half M'Morran was too slow in his movements. i Fathers and Short 'wero the most prominent forwards. Once or twice in the second half, Lynch showed,abovo his companions. Of tho others W. Tiidhopo worked hardest. OLD BOYS-ATHLETICS.. There were, few who could- have - foretold that Old Boys would corao out victors in their contest "with Athletic, and' that with a margin of five points in their favour. Both sides played , with fourteen men, Evenson being absent, from the Athletic and Dodd from Old Boys. ' : Attempts wero made by both sides at back work ; but kicking hard, and taking the'ball, either from kicks or passes, with the leather as greasy as mud and water could m'ako it, was no easy task. ! Therefore tho match resolved itself into a contest between two packs of light and fairly scientific forwards. In the scrums neither team had any advantage, and it was not-till tho second spell that Whites got tho better in tho lo'o3o work. The backs had little to do throughout, their work being mostly saving. In this branch of, play Richardson. and Poolo were most prominent for the Blues. The tackling of the latter especially was a treat to watch. ' Hales, at full-back, was safe most of the time, but gave a scoro to Old Boys by fumbling a greasy , ball'on the goal lino. . Old Boys had some new blood in their rearguard, but the newcomers'had little opportunity of . showing their mottle. Natuan proved himself good at defence. _ . Thomson was .somewhat weak in fielding the ball, but in other-respects was quite up to form. ... ' Gilbert did his best to make openings for Old Boys, and put in .somo effective defending. Dawson did not- show up too well jn tho three-quarter line, and though he followed, up well and scored a brilliant'try by that means, his other work was-not so good as usual. The forward pack of tho Blues was hotter suited for a dry ground, but'with the adverse conditions of the day . they were yet able to make a. good showing. 'Osboni was their mainstay in tight 'work, and .Wilson and Cunningham'led the van in loose rushes. A particularly fine exhibition of dribbling work was given by the two last-named. Cunningham cot behind the ball at half-way, and ho' and Wilson kept it at their foot in a manner seldom seen in Rugby games. The Old Boys' forwards wero not an especially brilliant lot, but gavo indications of being a team which training would develop into a fast and' scientific combination. Avery and Alexander were most prominent and -Fre.vberg worked conscientiously in packed play.

SOUTHERN-WELLINGTON. Wet weather prevented anything liko good football being played in tho match between Southern and Wellington. Tho -Wellington backs initiated a fow passing rushes, but tho ground proved too greasy for the players to keep their feet. / ■ Southern's'score, ;the only one of the game, was secured by Campbell following up his kick from a. scramble, ho took the kick himself and was succossful/ Wellington wero very unlucky throughout tho game, .especially in tho latter, stages; where'they looked liko scoring several times. Tho iplay on tho whole was in favour of Wellington,'and it may bo said-that harl the ground been anything liko dry they would havo scored a substantial win. ; . ..jCampboll,. for Southern, played' tho" best game of the match,- his sure handling and •fast following -up: being a 'feature•• -of I tho: play. - Gollan, Pope, , and Armstrong .also played up well in Southern's rear division. . Southern's vanguard was noticeably weak, Houliham, Churnside, and Condliffo \ycre the most prominent. ' \ : Of tho - Wellington rearguard,' Lawrence played a sound game, as also did Sheridan, Murray, and Abercronibie.- : Of a hard-working pack of forwards, Turner, Carey, and Wilson were perhaps'tho best. ' v • - PETONE-ST. JAMES.. • St. James oxpccted to put up a good fight against Petono last Saturday, but they were completely outclassed in all departments of tho pame, and suffered-defeat by 29 points, to ml. The stylo of play adopted by St. James was not suitable for a wet ground, and when they discovered themselves beaten in >tho first spell they did not know enough to alter their tactics. v Petono, thanks to Ready, secured tho ball from tho majority of tho scrums, but on account of the sloppy state of the ground and tho greasy state of tho ball they essayed very .little, passing, and left the business of attack to tho forwards. Tho latter 'used their feet to greatadvantage, and Hardham'and Sullivan,' tho wingers, wero very 'prominent in the loose, and continually har•assod tho St.' James backs. " ' ' . ■ Hardham .was in a scoring mood. In '.tho first spell ho soored three tries, and in the second spell ho potted a goal. Thus thirteen, points of a total twenty-nino stood to his credit.- , . ' - Ready was in excellent form as a hooker, and .was also conspicuous on tho lincrout .and in tho loose rushes. Ho'has fully earned his position in tho Now Zealand team. . Other good forwards on Saturday's play were Lindsay, Knight, and M'Gill.

Of tile backs, A. House, at five-eighths, stood but by himself as tho best back on tho ground. On defenco ho nover made a mistake, and was handy once. or twice to cover up the weakness of other backs. Ho is tho best kick in tho Petone team, .and u6ver misses the line. Very little is seen of him as a scoring man as he generally feeds his three-quarters, but his try last Saturday was an eye-opener, and shows that he is not lacking in pace and resource. ' Groen did well at half, and Instono .played a sound gamo at centre, but the wing tlir&oquarters did not shine. • M. Ryan at full back was nothing more than ordinary.'He placed two splendid goals, s.bnt also, mised some very easy ones. Thomas'at full back for St. James had a heavy day's work, which he got through fairly well/though it was impossible to keep out of .difficulties altogether against such, a set of forwards. Ferguson was tho best of the other backs, but tho Jot'of them played the wrong game for a wet ground. Instead of falling on tho ball to check tho forward rushes, they tried to pick it upland invariably.failed. On tho attaok tliey attempted ;tob much'.passing, and too little kicking. On several occasions when their-passing rushes broke down, Petone forwards swept the ball right down ; ficld before tho St. James backs' oould recover. ' .'

1 Among tho St. James forwards, Manning was easily tho best.' Ho did good work on tho line-out, _ and in-tho rushes, and kicked and tackled in great stylo, but one© or twice ho'showed, an inclination to disregard tho rules. Sutherland showed plenty of pace, and followed •up well, whilo Wighton and Bruce also did useful work.

,' MELROSE—ORIENTALS. More than usual interest was displayed in tho matoh botweon Molrose and Oriental, 'which teams stood on even terms for premiership honours "up to Saturday last. 'Tho game was a. good one, although moro feeling. and roughness was shown than was necessary. Tho ground favoured Melrose, and they had tho best of tho gamo, although it was not until within a few minutes of timo that they secured tho winning points. After tlio.v had scored once the Oriental dcfcnco, which had been 'severely tried, ca\sd in, and within a couplo of minutes Melrose' scored again. .-Tho most unsatisfactory feature of tho gamo was tho playing of tho man i instead of tho ball, both sides offending in this roßpcct,

Varcoe, at full-back, for Oriental, played an oxcellcnt game. Work 1 was piled on him in tho second spell, and ho came through tho ordeal with colours flying. His lino kicking was especially good. Thompson was the best of the threequarter lino, and put in somo effective work at various times. In the last few minutes of tho game, however, the bustling-tactics of tbo Melroso vanguard found his weakness, and ho was noticed getting out of the way. with marked celerity. Of tho other backs, Gibbons was responsible for somo capital work, and M'Leod and Sturrockalso performed creditably. Roberts was the king-pin of tho backs, and gavo and took bumps with equal indifference. Ho was in -tho thick of tho solid work throughout, and played an excellent defensive game. Tho whole of tho Oriental pack worked well. Anderson shaped well, but was not anything like as prominent as ho was, the previous Saturday. Gillespie and Heena'n both put in good work. ..Jack Spencer was tho pick of tho Melrose forwards, and appears to- be coming back to his best form. Do Blois grafted solidly, and • shirked nothing.. J. Murphy played a-rattling game on the wing, and used his head where the winger usuallyuses : his strength or his boot, King, on'the other wing, also did somo good work, but had a leaning towards off-side' play. Greeks and Murphy were about the best of tho Melrose backs., Geo. Spencer,had a lot of ■ work to do, and did the greater part of it. well, but mado ono or two bad mistakes.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH. ■ Ono' of the "strongest points in tho intorIsland match, on Wednesday was the straight running of both Roberts and Hunter. Tho manner' in which theso players opened up the gamo was a great help to the remainder of. the rearguard. It is noticeable, that so far tho British half-backs 'havo been , very weak in this respect., , ~. . ; . Patori lost'a lino chance of a try.in the second spell; when he ; marked'tho ball in tho North Island twenty-five, .instead of running on oyer the line. Otherwise, the Otago man played' a very . good. game. Colmaii is .the most deadly, tackling wing forward in the Dominion. Tho. easy, flippant sort of style with which somo of the' North Islanders,. notably Francis and Roberts, threw the ball at times was tho champagno ■of tho game,' and decidedly fascinating. It is' only the topnotchers, however, who can go. in for, a system of football jugglery. .; Mitchinson seems to be a much-improved player on his form last season. Last year lie showed spots of brilliarico in attack, showing that he possessed tho germ, but lie was not too good on the defenco. On Wednesday ho was, equally good in both departments. _ : . It was' supposed that forty-five minutes' spells, would bo. played, but tho time was short 1 in' each' instance;' In the first half, including stoppages, tho time was -forty-four minutes, while, in tho second spell, when there wore numerous waits through players being injured, tho term was four minutes short. It is evident that' tho timekoeperß require to bo moro careful than Choy are. Judged by their display, it, is evident that Now Zealand has any amount of good forwards of the proper stamp. Big; fast men they aro, who play the game right up to .the hilt, hard, but with no undue roughness.

; UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL. SOUTH ISLAND DEFEATS . NORTH - i,: ISLAND. .. ■; ' - THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR!' • Tho inter-Island University match/ which was played at Miramar yosterday,' was fairly well attended. . Among tho spectators wero the members'of the New Zealand team. The Britishers had one. representative in the person of Vassall, the Oxford crack, who,. unfortunately, was not ablo to sco much of the gamo owing to a counter-attraction. i. The. teams wero as follow:—

South Island.—Full-back, Chrystail (Canterbury Collcgo); .three-quarters,. Rjiodes and. 'Young (Canterbury College), Dansey (Otago University); nve-eights; Lomas and Nuku (Otago , : ,;University)j half-back, Ongley (Otago); forwards,' Fenwick, Laing,. Potter, Tansey (Otago University) ; Wilson,- Collyns, Grace, and Wigley (Canterbury College).' North ' Island. —Full-back, ■ H.' O'Leary (Victoria College/;) three-quarters, Prerideville, Hitchings, Goodbehero (Victoria College) five-eighth, : Bogle '(Victoria College); Gray • (Auckland University); forwards,,. Wilson, Lynch, Short, Brosnan, Curtain, Rovell, Do la Mare, Fathers (all Victoria College), and Bamford (Auckland University. Shortly after tho.kick-off, tho North Island forwards by' moans of tight play gradually, worked down tho field, compelling their op-' ponents to force down. Subsequently, the South Island vanguard, who showed to advantage in tho loose, gained considerable ground. Their backs also initiated several splendid passing movements. From tho loose Ongley -passed out to Dansey, who was deprived of possession of tho ball. .In; the resultant scramble, Wilson secured and got,, over in >a good position. Dansey was unsuccessful , with tho kick. Graco was next prominent, leading a ■ South Island' forward rush in grand style. . A free, kick-enabled Hitchings to.,havo a shot at goal, but tho South Island forwards checked tho progress of tho ball. Later-on in front of tho South Island goal Chrystail mulled. Wilson picked .up-tho ball, but an almost certain try was thrown away owing to Boglo failing .to tako a pass. .Tho pressure was relieved by''the South Island' forwards- who' carried- play to half-way. . Then tho South Island' backs again indulged' in passing which,; however, lacked devil. On one occasion fully forty yards wero gained, the ball being handled by Ongley, Lomas, s.Nuku, Yotrng, Rhodes'; and-back' to Young. From halfway, Nuku, who was given a pass,by Louias, made tho best run of the spell. Ho boat one' North Island back after another, but was prevented by O'Leary from touching down. In the second spell the teams were mixed, and tho play was of a higher standard. Of the North Island players, Gray, Hitchings, and O'Leary wero prominent in the. rear division, and Wilson,-De la Mare, and Lynch' among tho forwards. - For South Island, Gray played best' among the' backs, being ably supported by Young and. Nuku. Graco and Wilson worked hard among tho forwards.

, .TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. After the match, the Selection Committee —Dr. Hunter, of Dunediri; Mr. F. T. Evans, of. Christchurch; and' Professor. Hunter, of Wellington—chose , the following players to represent tho New Zealand Universities in a series of matches in Sydney Robinson, Auckland University Wilson, Victoria Collego Lang,: Otago 'University ■ Tansey, Otago .University ' De la Mare, Victoria Collego : . Lynch, Victoria College • Collyns, Canterbury College Potter, Otago University , ' ■ Grace/ Canterbury College ' . .Wigley, Canterbury College , Fenwick, Otago University Brosnan, Victoria College Gray, Auckland' University Rhodes, : Canterbury College Nuku, Otago University ! Lomas, Otago University ' ■ Dansey,. Otago Univorsity ■■■ ' Young, Canterbury Collego . O'Leary, Victoria-Collego Ongloy, .Otago University Goodbehere, Victoria College

Wilson, of Auckland University, and ■Hi tellings, Victoria College, 'when originally selected wero unablo to mako tho trip, and Brosnan, of Victoria Collego, and Goodbehero, also of Victoria College, wero selected to fill tho' vacancies. All the members of tho team, with the exception of Robinson, of Auckland University, who leaves in tho.course of a few-days, wero passengers by the s.s. Maitai, which sailed for Sydney yesterday afternoon. The team (of which Dr. Hunter, of Dunedin, is manager;) is considered to he strong both in tho forward and back divisions. Before tho vessel cast olf tho members gavo their' \var ; ery, tho spectators in return cheering lustily. It is stated that: Soeling. was indisposed previous to and' after tho inter-Island match on Wednesday, and had to be attended by

Dr. M'Lean. The Aucklander was confined to his room after tho matchj but" will be fit aud well for to-morrow. ■

DISTRICT NOTES#' „ Following are the positions'of the Various "Wairarapa teams in connection with, their re? spective championships:— Senior, V . '' v.'.:'! .. . ' : Pts; Pts. Won. Lost: " For. ': ; Agst. Carterton ... 7 0 110 .14 Masterton ... 3 >4 46 - 43., lied' Star ' ... 2 ~, 5 .26;. 102.,, Greytown "... 2 " 5 27.. 50. Junior.Pts. Pts.Won. Lost. Dr'n. For. Agst. Red Star ... 6 1 0. 68 -32 Dalcfield ... 6 1.0 73, .22 Carterton ... 3 3 1 55" .' 42 Martinborough 3 3 1 40 .49 Te Ore Oro ... 3 4 : '\o' 47. 46 ' Greytown ... 2 4'' ' 0 ' 24- -■ 60 Masterton - ... 0 7 ; 0 11 67 Third-Class^ Pts.. Pts; Won. Lost. -'-For.;. -'Agst. Red.Star ... 2 0 29 ■ 3 , Masterton ... 1 2 9 .17. Dalcfield . ... 1- 2 6 24

It has been noticeable' all '.'through' the championship games that the Carterton backs have cot played the game they should do. They have in tho two Masons very, powerful runners,' backed up by Groube, also a strong' runner, and two very fast' wing-three-quar-ters in tho persons of' N.: Fairbrother and D. Thompson. These sprinters are seldom fed, and it would appear that the fault lies a great deal with the half and ! five-eigbth, who haiig too much on to tho leather. There is a . great difference in .sticking to .tho bql] :when one great dash would probably land a try, and'hanging on to the ball like grim death in certain positions in the .field, when it is manifest to tho most ordinary observer that other members of the rearguard.should havo their chance. It is. really time that they relieved themselves of this reproach of incompetence. ■ v ; N. Fairbrother, the Carterton wing threequarter back, is probably tho most dangerous scoring three-quarter in - the -Wairarapa. Thompson, on the other wing, who has a fair reputation as a hack, does not appear to havo yet struck proper form. N. M'Kenzie, at centro three-quarter, has been generally noticeable in some very good defensive, kicking.-

Groube, skipper of-the Carterton team, js a strong defensive 1 playor; but. otherwise is too impulsive. Oil occasions lie cross-kicked in fine style when surrounded by opponents, and lie follows, up till lib puts his men on sido. Sometimes, howovcr, in somewhat the samo positions but fairly clear, he might havo made fino runs to tho open, and given his three-quarters a chance to come, in; but, instead oradopting this plan, he often indulges in a most ineffective lino kick on the side whoro play was converging. ■ The same player still persists in giving the ball'a'twist before he punts, and consequently many of his. kicks go in quito another direction from what he' intended. In punting generally, "a ball should bo held as stationary and as near to the foot as possible. It is the weight'of the body behind tho, foot. more' than anything elso which makes' for velocity of the ball in kicking. ■ ; ■ • .' < "Tucker" Chapman, the diminutive Masierton wing forward, lias earned fame by the manner in which ho strives to'adapt himself to the vigorous style of Watson, • an ; old Masterton and New Zealand'champion: >•' o ne noticeable weakness about .Wairarapa back, play ,this season'',is : thaf tho men- kick ' too much'when they should Players should show'a certain ainount of individuality, iand force the.game at times, instead of indulging<in' monotonous .kicking... So far the Wairarapa backs have not profited'by the lesson taught them a few weeks ago by the Anj;lo-Welshmen..

Levick, the auburn • haired Carterton forward is spoken of as a likely .'Wairaraiia .representative "for the Southern ' tour. The Carterton plater is probably one of the best forwards in the Valley when, he likes.

■■If Wairar.apa does not soon get to work with .reference' to the I .selection.of its team for tli'o.Southern.tour,ithat journey will by any means be oho of glory. ■'

ASSOCIATION NOTES. ' , (By Centre-Half.) y-• Only two senior matches were played' oil Saturday, one of them resulting'in aii unexpected rcvcrso for Wanderers at the hands of Thistles by two'."'goals to one. Neither i team, was strongly represented, ; and had to fill up, with reserves. . v " The elements were against good. " soccer," but notwithstanding this some .brilliant-pass-ing play was indulged in-by both sets- of ltorwards'., , , ■. , "■ ;, ' , 1 The. two custodians : had plenty to do. Irvino on one or ( two occasions made what ,■ appeared to be impossible saves for his fyde, and what he had to do was dono perfectly. Rowan, Thistle's' goalkeeper, played his usual solid game, and when called upon to savo did it well. f ' , Thistles _ aro improving in all departments, and promise. to yet win some more games before tho season closes.',,: 11 ' Tho Swifts v. Petone fixture sliould have been postponed, for'tho ground, on. which the match was played'was simply a sea. of mud. After a very ordinary game-Swifts were declared winners by two goals to nil. Probably the best on tho.Swifts side were. Elston at full, and Graves at half: Alexander and Oilier (forwards) also played well. The suburbanites all played well; Renai at centre-half'deserves special mention; Ho seldom neglects to feed his forwards, aud on tho defence is. also very sound. , Of tho forwards, Taplin, Bcthell,.'aud lvcyri'olds .were tho pick. ' ; ' , - , • Our correspondent, *"A Late Arrival,", whose letter was published oil Monday, was quite right in commenting on ,th6 x .gruunfls at Miramar allotted for the Senior uxturss, which had been. transferred from town. '• The grounds 111 .jueitiou were, not safe, inasmuch as there were pitfalls, drains, road metal, etc., all ovor them. The adjoining ground on .which a Junior match .was,'played- was infinitely . superior to the Senior : grounds. The general . opinion at Miramar on Saturday was that ill "soccer" games; should-have been postponed. . The position of the Senior First Division teams m the League competition 'to. dato is 'as follows (two points for a win, and ono for a draw)• V - ns © . -to Ct p ; * : t i =•: no ,3.o . «« s "3- ■ -•3 . ' m „ %.< « a >4 ' 2 S: . . Is .. o g, ~g , g ~ g : d M £> O O' ' o • ' ? P P O C 5 O Rovers >..7 5 1 1 19 17 -11 Y.M.C.A. >..7 5 2 0 26 9 ."10 Diamonds 6 4 . 1 1 15 7 9 Swifts ... 8-4 3 .1 12 9. 9 Wanderers - ... ,8 - 4 ' 4 0 15 13 . 8 Ramblers ... 6 2 3 1 12 14 5 Thistle. 7 1 5 1 3 36 , 3 Fofono .... 8. 16 1 8> 18 3

A striking evidence of tho credulous nature "of some peoplo was shown to a reporter at Timaru, in the form of a room' littered with a couple of hundred photographs of all kinds, which had boon collected with'deposits, ranging from 2s. Gd., bv the'mombera of a syndicate styling themselves tho Princess Art Studio. Fivo or six weeks wore spent in a profitable canvass of tho district, peoplo of all" classes and professions handing over photographs, in'many cases valuable from their associations, and deposits in return for a flimsy agreement in which tho Princess Art Studio promised to return a.crayon enlarge-: merit. Complaint was made recently that no' enlargements had been delivered, and inquiries made by the police show that the canvassers have loft the country.' Tho 1 police" have now undertaken the task of restoring tho photographs to the owner*.

For Children's Hacking Cough at night. Wood's Groat Peppermint Cur». Ib. 6d. and 2s. 6& CSI