FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. AUSTRALIAN'S AMERICAN TOUR. The Australian footballers concluded their American tour with a defeat, British I Columbia winning a keen match by 13 points ;to 11. The completed record of jfche team is as follows:— „ A . For. Against. Barbarians .... — 29 8 Santa Clara A « Stanford University 6 0 Stanford University ... 12 1j Olympic 20 0 Californa. University 18 0 California University ... ••• 5 6 California University 23 3 South California University ... 41 0 St. Mary's College 27 8 American Representative Team 12 8 Vancouver 3 6 British Columbia — ... 0 15 "Victoria ... ... ... ••• J£_ 13 Totals ... ... 227 88 NOTES AND COMMENTS Mr. A. D. Thomson, one of tho newlyappointed Public Service Commissioners, had a distinguished football career, both as a club and representative player. He first camo into prominence in Wellington in 1833, the year' in which Wellington defeated Otago and Canterbury, and the Auckland .representatives como down to decide who should be the holders of the championship of Now Zealand. The Wellington team was found to be short of a threequ.arter-bnok. Mr. Armour Thomson, who at that time was j one of the best threequartcr-backs in the j colony, had unfortunately injured a foot, j and could not take tho field. Mr. A. D. , Thomson, who was then a resident of Feild- i ing, had a vory high reputation as a three- J quarter-back, and ' the Wellington Rugby Union decided that he should take Mr. Ar- ; mour Thomson's place. Ho was successful in scoring in the match, which resulted in a disputed draw with Auckland, Wellington claiming a win by a goal and a try to a goal. When Stoddart's team came Out from tho old country in 1883 Mr, Thomson was selected as one of the threequarter-backs to represent Wellington. In that match he scored a potted goal from the field. Representative games in which Mr. Thomson played for Wellington were against Auckland in 1883 and 1869, England 18S8, Wairarapa 1889, and Hawke's Bay 1888, 1889, and 1890. ■ UNDER LEAGUE RULES. SEELING'S FINE FORM. Charley Seeling, the erstwhile City forward, is, pleasing the critics' immensely in England. In tho match, Leigh v. Wigan, played in October, Seeling scored a remarkably fine try, and in all the sporting papers his form has been highly spoken of. Commooting on the Leigh-Wigan match the: Wigan Observer says:—Soehng's try was quite a spectaoular one. For some time boforo he scored it ho had shown form of the utmost brilliancy, positively electrifyng in fact, and now he got away and steered the ball cleverly through the Leigh bacKs, beat thorn for speed, and fiaishod up with a smart gather and a characteristic divo for his trj;. Tho crowd absolutely roared with appreciation. Wigan spectators are beginning to appreciate the fact that forwards like Seeling are ecarce; Nature does not often produce ono. Another critic says: — As far as Seeling is concerned, he was in magnificent form, and it is questionable if 1 ho has ever played better. Ho got through } an enormous amount of work, and seemed J to bo always in that part of the field where | the leather was. Is there a greater forward | in the Northern Union to-day? I doubt it.! Seeling's next. try. I might add, will bo his fortieth for Wigan. *

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Commenting on tho Northern Union game a writer in the Athletio_ News says:— No matter how little interested some of the Northern Union committee are, in what may be called their foreign responsibilities, they cannot escape from the fact that again, at their next monthly meeting, oversea# matters will need their consideration. This week Mr. Piatt has received a. cablegram from Auckland stating that the New Zealand League are anxious to entertain a British team next season. And the New Zealand League are so determined to suooeed that they are sending ever a representative to lay their case before the Northern Union.

This emissary is Mr. S. Houghton, a past treasurer of the league, and second son of Mr. J. H. Houghton, the Northern Leaguo and Lancashire County secretary. Sir. Houghton his just recovered from a rather serious illness, and is partly making the journey to England in the expectation of a complete recovery. When in England ho ■will represent the New Zealand League. I am afraid Mr. Houghton's task will prove extremely difficult. To tac.k on a tour of any dimension in New Zealand to the talked-of Australian tour means that the British team cannot very well be back in England until the second month of the season.

On the last occasion, even with a very brief visit to Now Zealand, the players wero not available until the third Saturday in September. Another fortnight will take the trip well into October, and 1 am afraid-this will be detrimental to New Zealand's hopes. I could fill my space with colonial news, but I must be brief, and only make passing reference to the high-handed methods of the New South Wales League in regard to S. Dean, Oldham's one-timo threequarter-back! Dean, who was a late selection for the side to tour Now Zealand, was sent off the field in one of the early games and suspended by the Now Zealand authorities for the rest of the tour.

I understand that the New South Wales League took exception to the constitution of the committee which suspended Dean. However, a cable was s<»nt from Sydney to the effect that if Dean's suspension was not removed at once the league team would be withdrawn, and there would be no test matches. Eventuallv New Zealand gave way, and Dean played. • The sending ? off of offending British players during the tour was deemed miffi. went punishment by the New South Wales League, for Mr. Houghton informs me that they never heard anvthiner .further of the matter. But the .Northern Union last season suspended colonials, and the New South Wales Leaguo made no protest. Why they should adopt such methods in Dean's case I am at a loss to understand. The Now Zealand Council is still waiting to hear from .the New South Wales League in connection with the Dean csaso. All comsjunicatisa? have so far fccon ignored.