ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13483, 6 July 1907, Page 8

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS., .-'.. • ...The Now Zealand team selected to tour ' 'Australia, will play a match against Wel-

lington province- this afternoon, and leave ,• - immediately afterwards for Sydney. '" 'The following is the programme arranged: July 13, v. New South Wales, at Sydney; ?> July 17, v. Now South Wales, at Sydney; . July 20, v. Australia, at Sydney; July 24, ;'. > v. Queensland, at Brisbane; July 27, v. ■ Queensland, at Brisbane: August 3, v. Australia, at. Brisbane; August 10, v. Australia; ■ s,fc Sydney." A benefit match will be played at Alexandra. Park this afternoon between the City '•team and a combined team selected from *.; ' tho other clubs, it was intended that City and Ponsonby should play, but owing to ,: s ;'■;' three of tho lattor's men leaving for Wel- , lington, during tho week it was deemed, ad- :"' visable, in order to ensure a good contest, that a combined team should be selected. ,:. One of City's best forwards will be absent, but his place will be adequately filled. As „• tho teams are evenly matched, and in view ■ • of tho form likely to be shown for tho re- ' presentative- matches, the game should be '}■ worth witnessing. The. proceeds will bo do-. »' voted to tho benefits of a player who was' '$}':'■ injured two years ago. All privileges of f- season tickets have been suspended for the day-

LAST SATURDAY'S GAME

"'•>'> The contest between the A and B teams 'last. Saturday was rather of the mediocre, :■ -order, but on a number of occasions nice flashes of football were given and relieved "'the monotony of tho play. The match i* ■. held annually to enable the selector for the Auckland team. (Mr. D. Ganaber) to make . -Ms -selection for the representatives,-- but. the chosen fifteen, will not be announced •until Mr. Gailaher ''has witnessed . the Thames v. Goldfielck match at Waihi this - Afternoon. The form of the- country players •V . will be critically watched, and if the Mice- : ior thinks ,it desirable, he will; include some • a the players in 'life team.' Some good . men are usually unearthed in these country . inter-union matches, and this afternoons game will probably prove no exception to the ride. The. action of tho union in send* ing the selector to view the match is a coin- .*• mendable one. ... A. noticeable feature in-connection •with last Saturday's. A and.B match was the ab- . ■ sence of several players who had been ■ chosen, and though some of them are cerV £istnttM . for ■ the representative team, stilt they should have turned out. If they were -' : not -required to play they would not have •'been-chosen.' • • ■■~', The combination shown was not of a high ; order, for several of the players on both sides had not played together before. I air .. combination was displayed at times, how- ' ever, especially by the B's 'in the second half, and following the usual precedent the .-B team won bv eleven points to three. _ • " Some good individual play was shown. Of ':-..' tho backs, Kieruan proved himself'to be as clever and tricky as of yore behind tho scram, and it was unfortunate for his club that ho has not been seen oftener out this reason. ..The Wynyard brothers played sound " football, but K. Wynyard was the •more'.prominent., showing a good deal of cleverness. Sutherland was safe at fullback, though he apoeared a little slow at times. Miller, the ether . fullback, was clover, but 'it*'is'iinfortunte that he has not mora weight.' !■■•;: , .'• «»sd . , \ The Waikato players showed a great tendency to crowd their comrades on the line, Hughes especially so, though otherwise ho showed promise. Coote tackled and fielded! "the ball-well; " >.•••< . - •--..- '•--•. Sound games were played' by Dillamore and Redwood on the wiugs. Hogan, Rowo, and Wilson displayed plenty of .dash and pace and put in good work. Hogan has \■ : played consistently throughout the season, I and Rowe has been very prominent in all ■V tries, scored for the maroon and whites. .V .Wilson showed good form. _■ *"* v The forward division showed out well in «j»me dribbling rushes, but combination was ■lacking. Mackrell : and MacCormack hooked '.:•!;well, generally getting the ball.V Tho more prominent of the others wore Hooper, Ma- ; :gui re, Dunning, Trcvarthen, and Eaton. >

WHAT IS A SPECIAL MATCH? i The action of the New Zealand Rugby '..Union in declaring tho Builer v. Auckland game a social challenge match has been „. very severely criticised in local football '■:• circles. There is. much solid ground for ..^tjie.,' advow- .comment,, The effect; of; mak- ■' ing the match a special one will menu that, the Auckland Union will practically be deprived of all profit, should any be made, from the match. In the letter to the Auckland Union the -Builer Union stated (so I am informed) that they were going on tour - and would play Nelson and Marlborough "before cpming on to Auckland. The Auckland Union then, with some inconvenience, ,"; agreed>.to the 13th inst. as the date for the "'" '. match. Tho question to be considered is if .■:■; this is to bo called a special match, where ■ is the lino to-be drawn by the New Zealand Union? If-"Wellington' challenges for tho shield next season and chooses to play one or.more matches on the way, will the New /'Zealand Union also.call it a special match? It is cases like this'that will have to be met, and once the precedent has been established where is it going to stop? I hope*the V Auckland Union will ask the New Zealand '■ ' Unior. to state ; tho reasons that led them to Iho conclusion that the Auckland v. Builer game should bo deemed a special challenge ..match. • In the letter to the local union I -understand it was simply .stated .that the match would bo a special one, no reasons . • '"being s given.. I hear the matter was warmly - "discussed, at the; meeting.- of the. Management Committee on Wednesday, but as the '■ Press is not admitted, what actually trans- .,'■"' pired Is not known beyond the fact that unanimous disapproval was expressed. It is -.to be hoped the A.R.U, will back up its 'disapproval with a strong protest. .... ■;,■'.' ; v- SHOULD UNIVERSITY .ENTER A ; „•;.'.•'- ■■.:■■ TEAM? — ■• \ ' ' --" :';'*Tlio', quest ion of admitting a team from the, Auckland University to compete in the district club competition:? was brought be- """ fore the, A-P-U. Management;_ Committee at a meeting oil Wednesday. by, a deputation ;■■ "'representing: the ' University, headed by Professor Seag'ii r. The deputation strongly ".;..•■ •urged the advisableness of the-'-University -being allowed to enter-a team and so keep ■ a number of very desirable players attached '. ■ -to the game of fobtballwho were now di- .,' averting their energies into other-channels. ,A'strong point made was 'the fact that the -.University students, past and presont, with a view to keeping together, Svore forming themselves into teams and taking part in '.other.. branches ' of,. smirk, notably...hockey, '.whereas if the students could form a foot'Jball'team there would be no doubt'that a .-.good, combination .could be got together. "The desire of all students to band together / is well known, and has,much to commend ..it. ..There, are "no doubt a number of objections to bo urged against the admission of such a team, but I -think the advantages to football would greatly outweigh all disadvantages. It is not a case in which tho other clubs would be deprived of .-onto of their best men to any extent, for there are not many of;'the University graduate.? - , „playing. senior football in Auckland at pre- ...■: sent. What the exact reason for this may bo is hardly worth going into at present, hut; what tins A.R.U. should think of is the , desirableness of inducing as. many as possible to indulge in the game. If. a Univer'JMx team was admitted, it is more than'pra..•:babJo j that ..'some -of the club "teams would -benefit, for a nurnbet-of "old boys" would . ; "bo again attracted into the playing arena .:-•': when'the prospect of having a friendly . game with some of their rivals at school .Tfwasr before '-them.■ " ( In -Sydney the- district scheme is in 'Force! 'atid is working with' tho ■-".. 'greatest success, yet no objection is mado '"to; file Sydney University entering a senior team. On the other hand, the competitions . pro improved. Another r factor, , .is that a number of men will;.play .to aiphold tho lionotr of-their university, who would other- '.- wise drop out of the game. The objection is got over by the addition after "that the ■'■ union should consist of. such and such district /clubs " by the words "and Sydney University." Looking, at. the matter from '.: all points of view I think the proposal is a, good one and .should receive sympathetic consideration. The question was thoroughly discussed .by. the deputation. ...with -the r A.R.U. committee, 'and the deputation will also interview the committees of the vari-' ■. ,ous district clubs. From what I hear it is* ■ ; . .';than!..probablo..that sonio scheme will - ~ be-brought forward at tho. nextJ..annual; , . "meeting of tho union to admit the-Uniyerr.. : ;"•','; - : eity.'as ri tea.m. in. tjje cocQpoJitiojjis, NiJ.ji'Ss'~:vi '". '■'.■:'■:'■r-.w'■'■:■. . -. .'•• ■-:■'■'' ".•'-- '-. -- • /■■■ ■ \ HC «!f Vj J' t i ," l l,

■>-.'., r AUCKLAND V. BULLE/R. ' . Tho first representative match of the. season will be played next Saturday in Auckland, when Auckland will defend the Ranfurly Shield from the Buller team, a combination from the west coast of the South Island. Tho Bullet- men played against the Wellington team in a curtain-raiser match for the New Zealand y. British match in Wellington three years" ago and put" up a very good fight. From all accounts this year's team is a good average. A team from St. Stephen's and Three Kings' Colleges will play a combined College team just previous to Saturday's match. "■■*■■• - ' '' '* ..■■. '' ' . ' TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS. The following arrangements have been made for the contests this afternoon: — FIRST FIFTEEN'S. Xo. 1 ground, Alexandra Park: Citv t. Combilled fifteen; referee, Mr. J. Lain.?. SECOND FIFTEENS. . No. 2 ground, Alexandra Parle: Citv v. North Shore; referee, Mr. A. Campbell. No. 4 ground, Alexandra Park: Grafton v. Ponsonby.; referee, Mr. Sutherland. No. 5 ground, Alexandra Park: Newton v. Parnell; icieree. .Mr. Martin. s TIJIHD FIFTEENS. At North Shore: North Shore v. Citv; referee. Mi. 11. Frost. . No. 3 ground, Alexandra Park: I'ainHl v. Newron; referee, Mr. U. Katterim. FOURTH FIFTEENS. No. 7 ground, Alexandra Park: Grafton v. Parnell A; referee, Mr. McLean. • No. 8 ground, Alexandra Park: North Shore v. Newton; referee, Mr. Mel'hail _ No., 6 ground, Alexandra Park: Citv v. Paruell £ ; retiree, Mr. rami. HER]-; AND THERE. Wellington will play Canterbury at Lancaster i'ark on September 14. Four Cambridge undergraduates were lined at. Eastbourne recently lor plavin" football in the. streets. v •■" ° The Wairarapa Rugby Union is anxious to send a team to play Canterbury m Lhristchui'eli early in August. The Buller team will arrive in Auckland next Wednesday. They will leave for the South.-on the following Monday. . It is expected that the balancing of accounts in connection with the late interlsland match at Christchurch will show a surplus of something over £100. -"~W.-Lcf«is7-tlrc record intermit ionalisl. had a benefit match recently. Lewis, in all, took part in 32 Welsh international matches, commencing in lcßs and concluding in 1893. The Auckland Rugby Union committee have been taking a strong stand in dealing with a number of players this season for infringements of the rules and the conduct of the game generally. The public school 'matches will be ■ continued to-day. , The principal match will be between the Onchimga and Ponsonby schools, and will decide which team shall hold the cup for the season. ,; U. Nicholson, the "All Black" Ponsonby forward, will leave on Moridav for Sydney on. a holiday, trip. He expects to.be back in. time : lor some of Auckland's 1 engagements. - -v.*-; '■ .-'-•■ ■•■ ~? !■

At the last, meeting of the committee a City second-grade player was disqualified for a week tor disputing the referee's decision, while a North Shore second and Ponsonsonby fourth-grade player were disqualified for two weeks for rough play. _ The secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union (Mr. Langsford) despatched a telegram during the week to Mr. Alt'. Baylv, president _of the ' New Zealand Union, sympathising with him in his severo illness. Mr. Bayly was at. one time a prominent New Zoaland footballer, and captained the colonial team. ' •'■■•>'•••■.

Messrs. Gillett, Francis, and Cunningham were iarewelled at a; smcike concert given by the Ponsonbj Club on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance," and the gathering passed off pleasantly. Those responsible for the excellent arrangements were Messrs. J. -Conway, A. Watson, D. Gallaher, G. Bater (secretary of the club), G. Nicholson, C. P. ! Stiehbiiry, J. Doran, J. King, and S. Cammick. The committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union have made the following allocations among the unions to' State school football: —Poverty '.Bay, £10; Hawke's Bay, £18; Bush District, £10; Taranaki, £18; Wanganui, £14 Manawatu, £1* Horowhenua, £8; Wairarana, £14; Nelson, £12; Marlborough, £10";. Buller, £13; West Coast, £13; Canterbury, £18; South Canterbury, £13..; Southland, £15, The New South Wales team to tour Queensland will be kept together when they return until after the second match against New Zealand. They will probably be located at some seaside resort. The' team is as follows— Bedesinith, Messenger, Russell, Oxenham, Waddell, Stuntz, McKivat, Woods, - Griffin, Barnett, Graves, Rosewell, McCue, P. Burge, Groundwater, Bow, jfurnin, John, James, and Hughes. Probably two others will be added. . The all-absorbing topic here just now (says my Tuakau correspondent) is football, and we are looking forward to the deciding match with Pukekohe to-day. So far, Tuakau senior- team has not been beaten, and is/. \ 'therefor© leading for the Franklin Union championship. Last, Saturday Messrs. Lapwood's employees played a game with Tuakau * juniors. 1 -Last Saturday evening a smoke concert was tendered to Mr. and Mrs.Quin, and Mr. Quin was presented with a pipe for his generous support to local football. '. ■'.- ;"■-

In conversation with "Wallace the other day, a Wellington -writer was assured that the power behind the New Zealand scrum was sufficient- to develop all the attacking merits of the three-quarter line of the New Zealand team when once it makes for action. The Poneke skipper admitted tho loss of fleet-footed three-quarters like Smith and McGregor, but he is satisfied that there is.any, amount of aggressiveness in the rearguard chosen. The forward division might, in -his opinion, be stronger, but all the same ho thinks it will give a fine account of itself. * .'-..'.-.

At a gathering during the week Mr. C. Stichbury mentioned the fact that the Auckland Rugby Union intended sending a junior earn to Taranaki this season. Ho thought this would greatly encourage the junior players. This brought forth some remarks from Mr. G. Gillett. captain of the Ponsonby Club'. fie said the union were only doing what was right, and what they should have done long ago. He strongly supported the action. The union could not give the juniors too much encouragement, and anything done to advance them would be repaid in a few seasons. Next season he intended devoting more time to the management ■. of the juniors. I am glad to find that my, remarks on the subject of juniors are so strongly supported. THE ASSOCIATION GAM K. The cup competitions will be continued as usual at the various grounds this afternoon. Should fine, weather prevail some good games may lie* expected. The principal fixtures will bo the first-grade matches —Corinthians v. Ponsonby (on the Domain) and Eyerton v. North "Shore (at Devonport). In the first-named match Corinthians should have little difficulty in emerging victorious, while in the other match an even game

may be expected. There will probably be very little difference in the scores, whichever side wins.

The first-grade match, North Shore v. Ponsonby, ordered to be replayed, took place at Devonport last Saturday, before a good attendance. •: The home team brought off a mild sensation by defeating Ponsonby by three goals to one. From start to finish tho game was very fast,. and some good individual play was witnessed. Dacre; as centre-half, "showed out prominently, and his headwork was a treat to witness. He would do -well, however, to keep in' It is place, and not roam so'much.' The NorthShore, forwards worked hard, and gave, glimpses of their true . form. The backs also gave a good account. of themselves, especially Bennett and Bullock, who repeatedly proved - stumbling-blocks to the opposing vanguard. Bayly, in goal, did not have a great deal to do, but he stopped one particularly hard shot. The inclusion of Henderson in the half-back line is a distinct, success. ,•■•■■•■.■; :...,■

The Ponsonby eleven lacked combination, and this, I think, is due to the team continually undergoing changes. W. .Ritchie did not play his*usual sale game, and was below his true form. P. Meldrum was responsible for a lot. of hard work, and was,' perhaps, the pick of the forward division. lit the second-grade competition Olympic brought--..off .a- surprise -at -Point Chevalier, when they defeated W.Y.M.I. A., by one goal to nil, after a splendid contest: ' Co to this match.the W.Y.M.I. A. eleyen.'Jiad'not suffered .defeat, and everything augured well for them to attain *, championship honours. The performance -of -''Olvinpic gives Ivanhoe a clcaP'leatl, tliS'i'tihuers-up being W.Y.M.I. A. As these ;two-,teams have yet to meet, the result- of.the match between them will be looked forward to with interest. -'.•'-:*,',- The fact of the Auckland-Hockey'-Associa-tion- playing their representative matin against Otago on the Domain next Saturday will-not cause a postponement in the "soccer" game. The competitions will be, continued as usual, one match taking place on the Domain. All players will, however, have to pay the entrance fee at the gate, as tho Hockey Association have the sole right to the ground .for that day. 11. 'Smith, who has been an absentee for some weeks, will make his reappearance in the Evcrjpja ranis tlii* afternoon-' :

The Ever ton Ulub have.-. appointed Mr. R. Takle as their' representative on the committee to/be set up to,select the Auckland representative team. The first-grade competition '■•'. will bo brought to a conclusion next Saturday, with the Corinthians v. Everton match. Corinthians have now such a commanding lead that they cannot be deprived of championship honours. , : The - '•knock out" round, to be played at the conclusion of the first-grade competition, is to be known as the "Cup Competition." ' Owing to lack of players, the North Shore third B team will have to disband. / Wallace is playing well this season for North Shore Thirds. His kicking is very -sound. F. Kent is another promising colt, and Burgess, in goal, is improving wonderfully. THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. ' Owing to the Domain being engaged last Saturday, no premiership matches were played, "but a useful day's practice was indulged in by members of the various teams .on- the Outer Domain. To-day opens tho third round of the senior, competition, Edon meeting Imperial, and a good game should result. Up to date, the Eden Club are leading, with three wins and one loss, and the Austral have had two wins and two loses, while Imperial have won one game and lost three. Eden may win to-day, but only by a narrow margin. Tin? Imperial team are the unlucky combination among the seniors, having lost several of their best, players. No matter how weak they may be, they can always be relied upon" to put up a stiff light, and even at. this stage of the competition are by no means out of the running. Forster, who has skippered the Imperials for the past two seasons, will leave for Tasmania to-day. At the meeting of the Management Committee on Monday reference was made to the splendid support accorded to the game by the Eorster family. It. was decided to'forward a letter to Mr. Forster, sen., conveying the thanks of the league for the valuable assistance rendered during the past three seasons. It is more than likely that Iveenan (late .Richmond Club, Victoria) will strip for the Imperials to-day. LeS Brcese, another fine player, will again don the jersey for the red-and-blacks in to-day's match.

The Wellington League are sending a representative team to Christ-church to-day. Judging by reports, a. highly-interesting match should eventuate.

I noticod that the match between St. Kilda and South Melbourne for the Victorian League premiership drew a crowd of 27,000. The game resulted in the St. Kilda team being defeated for the first time this .season.

' Combined Sydney • defeated the Port Adelaide (S.A.) team a couple of weeks ago in Sydney. As the Port Adelaide team are a tip-top" lot, it goes to prove the great strides the Australian national winter game is making in New South Wales. The series of competitions to be held on the Domain on July 27 have been arranged by the committee. • The chief item is a goal and long-distance competition for the championship of Auckland, which is open to players of the Rugby and soccer games, as well as those playing the Australian code. A gold medal, generously donated by Mr. Arthur M. Myers and Mr. P. Virtue, will be given for the winner of each competition. Other items on the programme consist of goal-kicking, running with the ball (75yds), and a quarter-mile handicap. There will be several events for the second-grade juniors, every one to have a trophy attached. It only requires fine weather for the success of the competitions. Visitors to the Domain on that day will bo given a treat, and seine good kicking may be looked forward to. The goal-kicking will be from a distance of 45yds, three kicks (any description) at. three angles, over a crossbar 10ft high. This should suit Rugby players. There will not be any charge for admission, the committee being desirous of arousing public interest in the- game.

ATHLETICS.

In addition to the usual novice handicap at the Auckland Athletic Club's sports meeting' on Wednesday evening ' last, a 100 yds championship of New Zealand was contested, in which B. R. Day and L. C. McLachlan figured. It was popularly thought that one of these men would supply the winner. However, the result of the race was a great surprise, F. Coles, a'local pedestrian, winning by • inches from Day, with MeLachlan third, in 10 2-ss. Coles, who is 21 years of age, and an Aucklander, made his first appearance at Masterton on last New Year's Day, but competed without success. At the next meeting in the same town he won the lOOyds and 220 yds handicaps. He then journeyed to Gladstone (Wairarapa) where in one day he won the 220 yds hurdles and lOOyds," 220 yds, and 440 yds flat handicaps. 'Soon after these successes he came to Auckland, and has lately been competing in the ' novice handicaps held at the Khyber Pass Ground.

BOXING.

The featherweight professional championship of New Zealand, promoted by (he Auckland Boxing Club, for-a £40 purse, to take place in tho Royal Albert Hall on the 15th inst., brought forward two entries, viz., Albert Grey and A. Gault. Grey's reputation is well known, as ho has met and defeated some well-known featherweights in Australia. The final in the lOst amateur competition, which was to take place at tho club's last carnival between Metcalf and Hunter, will be decided on the 15th inst.

Tho amateur championships, to be la-Id by the Auckland Boxing Club at the end of this month, give every promise of being successful, coining in from all parts of the colony. The annual meeting of tho Northern Boxing Association, was held at the Amateur .Sports Club rooms on Thursday evening, when the balance-sheet and committee's report for the past year were read and discussed. Mr. Murdoch McLean presided. The chairman of the committee, Mr. M. Foley, in moving the adoption ut' the lance-sheet and report, said that the objects of the association were to encourage scientific boxing and to promote and carry our Competitions under the . rules of the New Zealand Boxing Association, so far as they were in conformity with the Uncla>sitied Societies Registration Act rules, and to see. that the income and property of the association, from whatever source derived, wore solely applied towards the promotion of the objects as set forth in its rules. With this end in view, the committee had decided to have its accounts audited by an expert, unconnected in any way with* Hie association. The efforts of the committee hail 'met -with a very fair measure of success during the past year, though if. must be remembered that the association hail had some very heavy expenses to meet; since its inception, independent of those incurred in connection with its local competitions. In addition to these expenses, the Northern Association disbursed a considerable sum in connection with sending Blowden to England to compete in the English Amateur Championships, from which outlays, of course, there could be no financial return. The association, shortly after its formation, suffered a serious loss of £70, through the Police Department very properly declining, at the last moment, to grant a permit to the .association to hold • the initial carnival, owing to an irregularity in its registration papers. _ The New Zealand Boxing Council have this year decided that the New Zealand Amateur Championship Meeting shall lie held in Auckland, under the supervision or" the Northern Boxing Association, so that the public will, in the course of a few weeks, have an opportunity of seeing the best talent the colony can produce, and it was only fair that the Northern Association should have the privilege allotted to it this year. : A vote of .thanks to the chairman closed the meeting. A first-class contest was out. tip bv Prank Thorn (9.4 4211>J and "Charlie" Griffin (9st 21b), at Wren's Athletic Pavilion recently. Griffin appeared to l>e a trifle over-trained, but it did not interfere with the vigour of his fighting. .the nineteenth and twentieth rounds Griffin's rushes -were repeatedly stopped by straight lefts from Thorn, but the referee (J. Cosson) was unable to decide, and ordered two more rounds. Griffin continued his attacks, but Thorn, boxing with equal spirit, proved too clever for him, and gained a well-earned victory.

GOLF.

The men's foursomes handicap will take place to-day. Post entries will lie received. Any pairs* who have not arranged with opponents can bo fixed up at the club. 11 is expected that a team of Hamilton players will visit Auckland next Saturday, and play a friendly match with a team of Auckland players on the Cornwall' links. Further particulars will lie announced later. The third round for Mrs. S. Nathan's prize for competition by tho members of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club was postponed from Thursday last until Thursday next. The -monthly medal will be' played for on Monday next, for which post entries will be received, '

HOCKEY. The team which I should like to see. represent Auckland is: Goal, Tynslev*; -fullbacks, M'cClune and Sherriffs; halfbacks, Brooke-Smith, Porter, and Brown; - for--wards, Jessup, Mather, Mason, Barry, Doyle; or Rands. The lady hockey players are taking -a great interest, in the hockey ball, which will take place in the Royal - Albert Hall on Friday evening. Mr. A.. 11. Myers (patron of the association) will attend, and extend a welcome to the Otago hockey representatives, who will lie-the guests ot the association at the function. The association will give afternoon tea in the pavilion next .Saturday. Ladies will bo admitted free' to the pavilion only, while gentlemen will be charged 6d, the admission to the ground being fixed at Is. The association have arranged for the presence of a band on the ground. The Ladies' Association matches -were continued last Saturday on the Remttera grounds, and a large number of spectators witnessed the contests. Moana bear. Kopana II.; Kopana defeated Waiha-a-Mua; and Ladies' College proved too good for Bawhiti.

As an extra attraction next Saturday, a ladies' match (Moana v. Waiha-a-Moa) will be played before the big contest. On account of the A and B trial match taking place to-day no senior cup inatohe* will be played. The junior ami ladies' matches, however, will bo continued at Reinuera, Ellerslie, and Epsom. The trial match will be played on the Domain, and at the conclusion of the first spell the back and forward divisions of both teams will be altered.

The only match to tako place under the' allspices of the Auckland Hockey Association next Saturday will be the representative fixture, all other matches having been postponed until the 20th hist. .Next • Saturday the first, representative match will be, played against the Otago representatives." Tin; match will be played in front of the grandstand on the. Domain Cricket Ground, and given fine, weather and a dry turf a splendid contest should result. 'i'iie Outgo Association are sending North a particularly strong combination, and a number of the players hail from the crack University team. , . .Mr. W. H. Maclean, of Dunedin, is on a visit, to Auckland. Mr. Maclean is .an enthusiastic hockeyite, and is on the Management Committee of the Otago hockey centre, and is also secretary to the Otago club, as well as one of the selectors of the Otago rep. team." He says that.the Otago hoys are looking forward to their trip, and hope to reverse the verdict with Auckland this time. A great, deal of enthusiasm will bo lent, to the trip by the presence of Mr. .7. A. Park (president of the Urn go Hockey Club). Mr. Park is an ex-Dunedin mayor and a fine sport. There arc no less than 27 teams competing in the ladies' championships in •'Wellington. The Auckland A v. University match was a particularly even game, and only ended in victory for the red-and-blacks after a keen struggle. The 'Varsity had a good few opportunities to score, but. only took advantage- of one, when Banks notched a nice goal. • ■/'■ The ground was very soft mid slippery, and not conducive to a first-class exhibition of hockey. The winners' forward line combined very well, despite the absence of Mason. Mather showed . improved form, and Jesstip again played well on the left wing. Elliot was a success as inside right, and will probably retain that position. Brook-Smith did some dashing play, and rilled Mason's place with credit. .1. Lepine played a solid game on the wing. . The half line showed stubborn, defence, Ivavanagh at centre being the pick. Allen saved his side time and again in goal, and his display was the best given this season. Hill also shaped well. ; For the light blues Rands and..Tacobsen were the pick of a hard-working vanguard. Tynsley was the pick of the half luie. MeClure and Speight, both played very solidly at full, and saved their side on "occasions. Mr. E. Madden refereed in a" capable manner. ) The' Otago representative team's programme is now arranged. The team will leave Dunedin on Tuesday, and play the first match, of their tour against Taranaki on Thursday. They will reach Auckland 911 Friday morning, and meet the Aucklaocf reps, on the Domain on Saturday.- They will play Manawatu at Palmerston North on the 17th inst.. Wellington on the* -24H hist., and Canterbury on the 25th inst. ; The Taranaki representatives, who w;il visit Auckland on August, 10, are arranging a match with the Thames, and Manawafti who are due here on August 3, will i pro bably meet a ; representative team from tin goldnolds at Paeroa. '_:■.'_ __ ■'■•■:(

At the last meeting of the New Zealand Hockey Association several letters' were revived in connection' with the proposed inerproyinciul shield, which it was suggested should bo purchased by contributions , from he affiliated bodies. Some of the'm contained offers of contributions, hut several regretted the centre's inability to contribute. Two hitters enclosed cheques amounting to £2 10s. "It was clear, the chairman said, that the association must provide a shield itself. It, could not accept contributions front some cent re's '■ while others gave nothing. - It. was decided that the association should provide a shield at a cost of £25, and refund the subscriptions already forwarded. Messrs. Man son, ■ Garrard, and Barley were appointed a subcommittee to draw tin conditions for the competitions for the shield. The questions of designs for the shield and the calling of tenders were referred to the same ( committee. ■' i The N.Z'» Association . also received! a letter asking for a ruling as to the adoption of the " roll forward," as now played by many clubs in contravention of the official rules, but following the method at Homo. It was decided to write to the Wellington, Auckland, Otago, and Hawike's Bay Associations to see whence they got, their authority, and then, if the change :S' warranted, to adopt the new rule. The Auckland Association have decided to present caps .to the players who will represent Auckland against Otago.

AQUATICS.

The now oil yacht Maiareka. built by Messrs. Logan Bios, to the order of Mr. \V. 8. Whitley, will Ik? launched about the cud <;!' this month: Keen interest is being taken in the new yacht by local yachtsmen", and : her official trial: trip is being' : looked forward to with much pleasure. . De\ import. Yacht Club hold the annual smoke concert in the Masonic Hull, Devonport, on .Inly 19, when the trophies.'ami prizes, won during' the last season will be presented. - . '■', The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has decided to retain its' present-: club rooms for a further term of 12 months. .; . The Ktiiperor of (lermuriy; has'once nipfe'got his "back up,'' this time over a yacht race at Kiel, and feels sadly aggrieved be- t cause bis yacht — the Meteor—should have been blanketed during a. race. The yachtsman who was guilty of litis sad error has. however, been made oyt.as in .the right, but His Imperial Majesty took, such umbrage that lie refused, to present, the prizes won at-.the regatta. - r.rxx.