FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 7480, 26 March 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The Port Chalmers Club opened their season with the match President v. Vicepresident on Saturday. Mr E. G. Allen (president) kicked off at 3.15, and the play was very fast considering the want of training. About the middle of the first apell Henderson got the ball from the toueli and secured a try for the vice-president, which Bauchop failed to convert into a goal. Subsequently Bauchop, having the ball passed well out to him, potted a good goal. This brought the first spell to a close. In the second spell the president's side played up much better, and endangered their opponents' goal several times, although they were unable to score. Osborne obtained a second try for the Blues, but it was not improved on. Time was soon after called, the match thus ending in favor of the vicepresident's side by five points to nil. The opening match (President v. Vicepresident) of the Alhambra Club took place on Saturday afternoon, and notwithstanding the counter attractions, such as the trial match and sprts, there was a muster of about forty players. In the first spell_ the President's side scored two tries (obtained by M'Farlane and Gordon), from one of which Downes placed a neat goal. In the second spell the President's side further increased their score by three tries (obtained by Davies, J. Ross, and M'Farlane), from one of which Foster placed a goal. For the Vice-president's sido tries were obtained by Johnston, M'Donald, and M'Laren, from one of which Restieaux placed a neat goal. Amongst the new members who took part in the match, Davies and M'Master played very well. Of the older players, besides those mentioned, Downes, Crawford, Restieaux, M'Farlane, and_ Wilde acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner. A NEW ZEALAND TEAM. Dr Posnett, of the Auckland University College, returned from a trip to the Old Country by the s.s. Coptic. While at Home he made inquiries respecting the possibility of a New Zealand team visiting the Old Country, and, in an interview with a representative of the 'New Zealand Herald,' says:— , " Whilst in Ireland I mooted two subjects. One of these was the possibility of getting a New Zealand football team to go oyer aiid play in England, Ireland, and

Scotland; and several members of the Rugby Unions in Ireland and in England expressed favorable opinions as to the prospect of our getting sufficient gate money to defray expenses." " Whom did vou consult on the subject? —" I spoke with Mr M'Allister, the secretary of the Lish Rugby Union, and with several leading players in Ireland. The sending Home of such a team would prove of immense service in advertising the colony, just as the visit of the Australian cricketers to the Old Country caused people to talk about Australia who knew little or nothing of the colonies."

" How do you think a New Zealand team will shap3 ? "—" I think we would hold our own, though we cannot do so in cricket. I calculate that about fifteen matches could be played. About two and a-half months would be sufficient time for this, and we could play England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Blackheath, Yorkshire, Edinburgh, and other clubs."

" Have you any idea of the sum required to send the team Home?"—" Well, about L 1.500 would probably be notted in gatemoney ; but then we should wiut L 1,500 more, and that might be raised by public subscription throughout the colony. It's a costly matter sending Home _ twenty-two men and bringing them out again." " Do you intend to take any further steps in tho matter ?"'—" Well, perhaps some of our more wealthy gentlemen would interest themselves in the subject, and the leading football players might take it up. Of course I consider that it would result in great benefit to the colony, because of the advertisement it would give,"