THE NATIVE FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9451, 23 August 1889, Page 5

THE NATIVE FOOTBALLERS.

RETURN TO AUCKLAND. After an absence of fourteen months from New Zealand the native team of footballers, organised last year by Messrs. J. R. Scott and J. A. Warbrick to tour the United Kingdom, returned yesterday to Auckland to play their final match. They arrived at the Manukau about nine o'clock in the morning per the s.s. Wanaka from Wellington, and all landed in good health, though one or two are suffering from hard knocks received in the last fixture against Wellington. They were met at the Onehunga Wharf by a number of the Rugby Union officials and leading players and heartily welcomed, being at the same time congratulated upon the great measure of success which had attended them in their matches against the English teams. The Maoris' record is indeed one to be proud of, when the calibre of the antagonists with whom they measured strength is taken into consideration. Since they last visited Auckland, previous to starting on the tour, they have played no fewer than 105 Rugby matches, of which they had won 73, lost '22, and drawn 6. They have also played a number of fixtures under the Victorian Association rules, but in these were of ourse not so often successful.

The members of the team who arrived on Thursday were Messrs. Joe, Alfred, Win. Fred, and Arthur Warbrick, W. Wvnyard, H. Wynyard, C. Madigan, W. Elliott, G. Williams, R. Maynard, W. Nehua, Taare Goldsmith, R. Tairoa, J. R. Scott, and T. Eyton. P. Keogh (of Dunedin), IT. Leo (of Riverton), and G. Rene were left in the South ; D. Giwe and T. Ellison could not come further North than Wellington; W. Anderson, R. Stewart, and E. McCausland reached Auckland some time ago; while Ihimaira and W. Karauria returned to Napier about six weeks ago. In the match on Saturday against the local representatives J. A. Warbrick will stand out, and of course Messrs. Scott and Eyton do not play, but Stewart and Anderson will come up from the Thames to assist their old comrades in this their concluding fight. The "boys" are mostly in comfortable quarters in Gallagher's Hotel, and have been there visited oy a large throng of the local players and other old friends, when many of the principal matches were fought over again. The natives do not make any rash assertions regarding the issue of Saturday's match, but appear to be quietly confident that though they may have a tough fight they will still win. This opinion is that held by the public generally, though there are many who aver that the good defensive qualities of tho local team will enable them to avert defeat.

WAIPU V. WHANGAREI. The return football match between Waipu and Whangarei eventuated in Whangarei on Wednesday, the 14th. The game was a very fast one throughout, and resulted in a draw —Buthand potting a goal from a very difficult angle for Waipu, and Crouiu doing the same for Whangarei. The principal features of the game were the splendid passing of the Whangarei halves and three-quarters, and the yeomen service which the Waipu forwards did. Litsk, E. Dent, Cronin, Stewart, Tothill, Pearson, Simpson, and Williams played splendid games for Whangarei, while McAuly, Simson, Buthand (especially), McKay, J. McLean, M. McGregor, and Quintal all played grand games for Waipu. J. Simson umpired for Waipu, Mr. Notion for Whangarei, and Mr. Cook acted as referee. After the match the visitors were entertained at dinner under the supervision of Mr. Morrison, which was all that could bo desired. After the usual toasts had been drunk, everyone adjourned to the rink, where a most enjoyable evening was spent.— A Correspondent.]

WAIPU V. WAIKIKKIE. The return match between Waipu and Waikiekie came off at Waipu on Saturday, the 17th. The game was a very fast one for the Maoris, but resulted in an easy win for Waipu by 19 to nil. In the first halt Buthand scored a try and potted two goals, and McAuly one try, bringing the score up to 10. In the second spell, McAuly scored 4 tries, McKay 3, and J. McKay 3, one of which Buthand converted into a goal, making the score 19 to nil. J. Manning, Taylor, Campbell, Hacky, and Neville played well for Waikiekie, and the Waipu team all played well without exception. The visitors were entertained at a dinner at McLeod's, to which everyone did full justice. J. Simson acted as referee for both teams, and gave general satisfaction.— Correspondent.] [by telegraph.— press ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. The Citv Council this evening by seven to five comfirmed the resolution granting to play the Wellington-Auckland football mateh on the Basin Reserve. ,