THE NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9270, 4 August 1893, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND.

FOOTBALLERS.

LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR. tBV TELEGRAPH. — TlitSH ASSOCIATION.] Wkm.in'oton, Thursday. THR weather is thick in the Straits, and there is no sign of the Wakatipu, with the footballers, but it is expected she will drop in before daylight, in which case the official landing will be at 10 a.m. The weather is wet and promises to be unfavourable for Saturday's match. The local eighteen will be chosen to-morrow night. His Excellency the Governor, who was asked to formally welcome the team, has addressed the following letter to the chairman of the Reception Committee :—" 1 am much gratified by the attention shown me by your Reception Committee in giving me an opportunity of welcoming in person the New Zealand football team on their return to the colony, ami as I do not find myself able to avail myself of their kindness, I shall be obliged if you will be good enough to convey to the team my warmest congratulations at their success, and my personal gratification at the manner in which they successfully upheld the reputation of the colony. New Zealand is well known as a country in which the manly snort of football is held in the highest estimation, and I trust that the team you are met to do honour to may long wear the laurels they have so well earned. Among those who believe that proficiency in such a game goes far to form the character of a people, as well as among all patriotic New Zealanders, the memory of i their achievement will long live as a most pleasant recollection.—Yours, GLASGOW."