FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6493, 13 April 1908, Page 6

FOOTBALL

SHORTAGE OF GROUNDS. (Special to the “N.Z. Times.'") CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. To-night's “Truth" says: — l Thank* mostly to Mr G. S. Munro and to the dilatoriaess of the Government in getting tho Exhibition site into order, tl ere is. a great outcry for football grounds this season. Most of the clubs have received * such an access of membership this year that they have been compelled to enter more teams in tho field than in any previous season, but there is not enough space available, and so it appears very much as if some clubs will bo left out in tho cold. As it is now,, th© now grounds allotted are absolutely unfit to play football on. Wellington, footballers ought to consider themselves quite fortunate in the matter of grounds as against Christchurch followers of the leather. BEGINNING IN THE WAIRAEARA. PRESS ASSOCIATION. MASTBETQN, Ap. 12. The football season in the Wairarapa has commenced in earnest, in view of the approaching visit of tho English ■ On Saturday Masterton and E<? » Stnri seniors mot, and the game resulted in a draw, the score being three points each, Hobley, late of the Petono Club, secured a try for Red Stars, and Minctt for Masterton. Masterton had a weak forward team in the field. Stars played several juniors. Masterton had a fine set of backs, but their efforts were hu«-. tratftd by the excellent play of the Star forwards, who completely outclassed their opponents in all departments. Hod Star juniors beat Masterton juniors by 20 points to 8. Football practices were in full swmg on Saturday afternoon at Miramar, and some good and interesting work was done by the members of the various clubs, in anticipation of tho Easter hoJh day games in which they are engaged* and also in view of the opening of tLo championship matches in a couple c£ weeks. In some instances th© work off the clubs was witnessed by support dts, Rugby was not the only game which tad) its devotees on Saturday afternoon, asi tho players of the Australian game mustered in full force, the hockoy enthusiasts wielded their sticks to good effect on os‘many grounds os they could) got for their requirements, while everywhere was to be seen fields dotted with tho variegated coloured uniforms of Weln lington's athletically inclined. THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. At Miramar on Saturday Wellington and Newtown met for a practice match. Owing to want of training, the form shown was not first-class. The game was won by Wellington by 41 points to 3i. . .

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Council, to be hold at Auckland on Eafter Saturday, all arrangements will be made for the tour of .the team which ifl to leave New Zealand in August next to compote in the inter-State competitions in Melbourne. This league wifi be represented by Mr C. Reilly,