(Abridged from Press Association.)

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 152, 15 August 1904, Page 3

(Abridged from Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Yesterday. The turnstiles show there were over 21,000 persons present yesterday. The takings are not made up yet, but should be £2000. Probably quite one-third of those present were visitors. It is reported that there was some heavy wagering on the game. One supporter of New Zealand Jaih £600 to £400 on his side io an Kng lishroan. A good deal of money came from Australia to back .Sew Zealand. Lord Plunket and the Premier were at the dinner g>iven to the British team last night. Mr Bedel 1Sivwright, the captain, who was unable to play yesterday, saia they were told they would be beaten by New Zealand, and his men had been j badly beaten. He thought the New j Zealand team would make a good I showing at Home. Mr O'Brien, the I manager of the team, considered * that the team representing New Zealand yesterday, or one as good, would win most of its games art. Home. Taranaki people in town consider their forwards as good or better than those in the New Zealand team, and make no secret of the belief that the Britishers will be taeat-i en again at New Plymouth. Hunter's absence, however, will make a jc^flerence to the team. tnt.eryi.ewed after the game, Mr Bedoll-Sivwrjght attributed the success of New Zealand to its magnificent forwards. He thought his men might have done better than they did, but they iwere a bit off from so much travelling. Thei backs jficfended well, but had no chance tp show their real quality in the attack, Jt appeared to him there was a tendency on the part of the I New Zealand team tp trust too I muoh to the forwards, tp the retnnjent of good back players. The New Zealand backs were very fair. This Day. Interviewed, Stead, captain of the New , Zealand team, said he was surprised at the combination shown by the team considering that the members had not played together. He thought the British team were a little stale on Saturday. With reference to tlie bad place-kicking of tho New Zealandere, Stead considered that the grsept excitement which swept flyer the colony affected the men. Every man who had a shot at goal was nervous, gkd tiie yhoje team started npryonsly, for (they jyor,e playing "Hie game of their lives.