FOOTBALL—NORTH V. SOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6149, 2 August 1881, Page 5

FOOTBALL—NORTH V. SOUTH.

Attempts are being made in the South to get up a great football match, in which the competing teams would be chosen from the North and South Islands. So far as we can ascertain, however, there is little chance of arrangements being made for such a match. TUe following letter from Mr. Arthur T. Bate, hon. secretary of the Wellington Football Club, to Mr. Thomas Henderson, shows the present position of affairs: — "I much regret having to inform you that both the Canterbury and Otago Unions have refused to entertain the projected visit to Sydney, and we are therefore compelled to abandon the idea for this season. It is our intention, however, to again bring the matter up next year, and should the Southerners then be averse to the trip, we hope a sufficiently strong ' North Island' team can be got together. With regard to your suggestion of holding a tournament in Wellington, you have, I am informed by the secretary of the Otago R.A. been written to, and asked to support a counter proposal, viz., to play a ' North v. South' match at Christchurch. I should liko to hear your views on this subject. Of course I need hardly say that we should much prefer the original proposal, as it would undoubtedly be fairer for all parties. We have, however, decided to postpone all arrangements until next year, owing to the disappointment we have sustained in our endeavour to procure a suitable ground. Next season, however, we expect to nave two good grounds at our disposal. Football is almost paralysed in Wellington just now. We have had no practice of any kind whatever for very nearly six weeks, and consequently the game is almost at an end so far as tnis season is concerned. I hope you are having a more genial time of it."