SPORTS & PASTIMES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7445, 20 May 1911, Page 7

SPORTS & PASTIMES.

RUGBY FOOTBALL-

No. IV. THE WELLINGTON CLUB i ITS EARLY HISTORY. By d. McKenzie. (All Rights Reserved.) Bearing afj it does the name of the city, the Wellington Football Club is the oldest established in the province. It was formed in 1871, as detailed in the first article of this series.. On May 12th of that year, a well-attended meeting was held nt what is now known os the Britannia Hotel in Willis street, and the names of members were enrolled. Captain J. (J. R. Isherwood was elected the first president, and Mr El Kane, of tho Bank of New Zealand (appropriately so. writes tho scribe reporting tho meeting), treasurer. THAT HISTORIC PAPER CHASE, AS TOLD BY CART. ISHERWOOD.

After the first of these articles appeared. Captain J. C.. E. Isherwood, who is now a resident of Lyttelton, wrote as follows: —■“ I read an account of tho early history of football in Wellington, appearing in tho ‘Time's* of April 23th. with much interest, and will add a few remarks in connection with the paper chase to which you refer. “It was after tho paper chase that it was decided to hold tho meeting at which tho football club was formed. The paper chase, for which I was tho hare, started from York House (a boardinghouse kept by ouo Wrigley), somewhere to tho riglit of Woodward street, where it joins tho Terrace. Tho course was up Aurora terrace, where tho late E. W. Mills had hiS iron foundry, thence over the hills beyond the gaol, across Polhill Gully to Island Bay, then over the hills to Kilbifnie, returning to tho Victoria Hotel .by a course about where the present Wellington College stands. When nearing the end I found myself compelled to crosi some back yards. I obtained permission from the woman of tho house, and tcok good care to leave a large amount of paper at the fence. When the pack came up, they failed to ask leave to cross, with the result that a thick clothes prop was used to prevent their passage. Casualty: One man much bruised.” Captain Isherwood, who recall this incident, served his country in the 60th Regiment, and is the father of Lionel Isherwood, tho well-known Petoi6 footballer and cricketer. Another pod is a clerk in the. Labour Department. : LOST RECORDS. A strange thing is that in looking though, tho newspaper files of those eirly days no mention is made of tho mpoiutment of a secretary until 1877, aid a coincidence in this connection is bat tho records of the Wellington Club jrom the years 1870 to 1877. are missing, snd have been so for many years past. The inference is, of course, that no records were kept, which may account for •the non-appearance of the hon. seorehry’s name. THE FIRST GAME OF RUGBY IN WELLINGTON. The practice ground in those days was Claphaui's paddock, now Fitzherbert terrace. Football was first played in Wellington in 1868, but it was not until July 22nd. 1871, that the first game under Rugby rules was played. Tho opposing teams on the occasion were picked from tho Armed Constabulary and the Wellington Football Club, the club being repiesentod by the following players:— Isnerwood (captain), Arthur, Bishop, Dougherty, Gore, Mood, James, Kane, Kirk, Ludwig, McDonald, McLean, Nancarrow, Otterson, Park and Wilkinson. The only foreign, match played by the club this year was with. Nelson, . who visited Wellington and suffered delcat to the extent of 4 goals and 2 tries to nil^ , It w‘as during this year that the Basin Reserve was first used for football. A GREAT PLAYER OF THE EARLY DAYS.

In the following year (1872) Mr N. W. Werry joined too club* and at once mado a name for himself ns a player. It was felt that a return visit should bo mado to the Nelson team*' and accordingly a fifteen, captained by the late Mr H. Lyon, was sent over, but thoy were unable to retain tho laurels won in the previous year. Little of importance happened dunijg the seasons of 1878 and 18V4, except that a match was played in each year with Nelson, both being drawn games. In 1375 Mr Werry captained the club. The first match of any importance was ■ played this year against a by no means representative Auckland team, which was making a tour of the colony. The Auckianuers suffered defeat by 16 points to 1, but Wanganui, who also travelled to Wellington in 1875, were able to play a draw". The Nelson match, allowed to fall through in 1874, was revived, and at , Nelson another drawn game was played. " Wellington possessed this year a . remarkably heavy and otherwise efficient team,''' remarks a writer of those days. The following are tho more prominent players of this period.—-N. W. Werry, C. A. Knapp, 0. Wray Palliser, P. Shepherd, J. G. Blackett, P. P. Webb, T. Byton, W. P. Janies, H. P. Lynch, R. G. Park, A. and G. Campbell, Johnson Thomson, Stohr, Snodgrass, G. Bishop, and A. G. W. Burnes. THE GAME LANGUISHING. In 1876, however, owing to various causes, the game suffered a relapse, and on the occasion of a visit from a Canterbury team, the local players sustained a severe defeat by 18j points to I. This match was played at tho Lower Hutt, forcedowns counting half a point. The Canterbury backs took full advantage of their kicking powers, the score being mado np of two tries and twenty-five forcedowns. They had two fine kicks amongst them in the person of Potts brothers, members of an Akaroa family. Nelson were beaten tho same year by 16 points to points. ME HUGH POLLEN THE FIRST SECRETARY MENTIONED. Matters were in a similarly unsatisfactory state in 1877, when a visiting team from Otago onco more lowered tho flag of Wellington, the defeat being a! crashing one of 1 goals and 2 tries to nil. j Mr C. Wray Palliser captained the club,! with Mr Hugh Pollen as secretary. This! i year saw the formation of tho Athletic I Club. In 1878 Mr Pollen was elected captain of .the club, with Mr A. T. Bate as secretary. At this time Sir William Pitz. I herbert, K.C.M.G., was holding tho posi- j tion of president. Two matches were 1 played with the Athletic Club during the | season, one being lost, the other drawn. Arrangements for playing touring teams I were mado by a joint committee of the various clubs in existence. A proposal emanating from Mr Bate, the secretary of the club, to form a New Zealand Rugby Association, was not supported in

other provinces- Canterbury was in fav* our of the proposal, but Otago, tho then stronghold of Rugby in the colony, would not come in. .Vuckland were agreeable to join if the association came to fruition. Tho Nelson match was the only foreign one played this year, Wellington again vanquishing the men across Cook Strait by 1 goal and 1 try to mu THB FIRST TEAM SKNT ON THE SOUTHERN TOUR. The lessons taught by their Canterbury and Dunecun brethren in IB7G and ibW had a very beneficial effect on tho Wellington men, who &et to work to remedy tnuir detects, bresn oluod was introduced, and a piopcr system oi piay adopted, ino gumu so impiovui max it, na* re* noivva in lb<9 lo tai:e a ouid step, and, attar considerable clilliculty a team repreocni.ng tuo w eiiin o i.ou, \Varrarapa, and Wanganui embs was rrot tugeuier, lo pay a return vioic to Uiu bun* loi-nuiy ana Otago teams. Xne matcues tool: piuco on me unristchm ch ground, and, to tiio no small turpneo or Welungroiiians, both games resulted in favour of tho Wellington team, tno scores oeingv- Otago, 1 try lo nil, and v. Canterbury, 1 goal to 1 try. On the return ot the team, a match was played at Wellington against Neleou, tho game ondieg in a thiid and very decisive victory lor tho home team by 3 tries to nil. These unexpected successes gave a great inip«T-s to football, and in ittbo a lairly strong fifteen (the first got together under tho auspices of the \v ellingtou Rugby Union, which was lormett in 'Uctoocr, 1879) was sent North, playing matches against Auckland, and scoring wins in each case. These last two paragraphs ate hardly history of the Wellington Club, but the doings of that club in tho days I am writing about aro &o closely interwoven with tho representative team that you can hardly tell where one begins and the other leaves off. However, in 1879 the onlv match of note played by ’the Wellington Club was against the Athletics, who won by a goal and a try to a try. In 1880 there was only one match played, the Wellington team being again defeated.

MEN OP MARK OFFICERS OF THE CLUB.

.To skim over the next few years. In 1881 CoL Pearce was president, in 1883 J. C. Elliot was secretary and R. F. Lynch captain. In 1883 the club was* captained by J. P. Firth, tho present principal of Wellington College, and W. it- Holmes was secretary. Xu 1884 the lato Mr \V. H. Levin was elected president, which position h© oc- j cupied until the date of his death. This year (I8&4) was notable for the inauguration of tho club's annual sports meetings, which wero held for many years without intermission. They have only been conducted spasmodically of recent years, but wero revived at the beginning of this season- Mr J. P. Firth held the position of captain in this and, the two succeeding years, being followed by Mr P. P. Wobb, who was ONE OF THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVES. P. P. Webb, nowadays one of the high officiate in tho Government Audit Department, was one of the five players selected from tho Wellington province in tho 1834 Now Zealand toam that toured Australia, tho other four being J. Dumb©ll (a fine drop-kick and potter pf goals),, H. Roberta (who reached a high plane as a half-back;, E- ,Uavy, and Hart Udy. Subsequent captains of the Wellington Olu’b, is succession to P. P. Wobb, in those early days were J. Elman Smith. Geo. Hume, F. Pownall, O. H. Gillon, K. D- Duncan, J, Murray and R. G. Hallamoro. ■

THE WELLINGTON CLUB NOT CONSISTENT MATCH WINNERS.

From 1880 to 1888, with the possible exception of 1885, the Wellington Club did not win even a fair proportion of its games, the record' in detail being as follows : —1881: one match played and drawn: 1882: 3 played, X won, 2 lost; 1883 : 5 played, 1 won, 3 lost, 1 drawn; 1884 : 3 played, 1 won, 2 lost; 1885: 5 played, 3 won, 1 lost, 1 drawn; 1886: 8 played, 4 won, 4 lost; 1887 : 9 played, 2 won, 6 lost, 1 drawn; 18S8: 7 played, 1 won, 1 lost, 6 drawn. AN IMPROVEMENT.. In 1889 the Wellington Club had a membership of 140, and placed three teams ir. the field, its playing ground, being situated at Island Bay. ■ The first fifteen, captained by G. Hume fW. HMorrah being the secretary of the club), played 11 matches, winning 5, losing 5. and drawing 1. The record of points wore 37 for, and 21 against. CHAMPIONS IN 1890. The first fifteen this year won the senior championship. They were a really strong combination, and turned up to all their matches well trained. and thoroughly deserved their success. One of the features of the team was the play of A. D. Thomson (tho present stipendiary magistrate at Palmerston North) at centre three-quarter. This player, for the first time lor many years, had an opportunity for steady practice, and; fchrougnout tho season played a consistently good game. He was well supported by the other backs, J. U. Collins particularly playing well. The forwards all round wore a fast, heavy lot, and, under Hume, played nearly always a dashing game, both in the pack and tho loose. Matches played 10, won 8, lost 2; points for 48, against 20. The champion team was as follows: A. Young, G. Fisher. J. U. Collins, A. D. Thomson, J. Rosa, G Elliott, H. Tully, F. Bunting, F. Pownali, W. Pownali, G. Hume, W. Fisher, B. Binders, Q. C. I'ache, W. H. Morrah and Booth. ,

Tho folio wins year (1891) Wellington oamo second on the list. They started well b.v defeating a strong I’onefce team, but almost immediately afterwards came to grief, to the great surprise of everyone, in tho match against ft tone on the Fetone ground, where tho line defensive play of the home team proved too much for them. Their play throughout the season was very, in consistent, and their looses were attributed more to failure to do themselves justice than to the special brilliancy of their opponents. Matches played 8. won 5, lost 2, drawn 1, points for 28, against 16. Two outside games were played, viz., v. Mosterton (at Masterton), lost 12 to 3, and v. To Ante (at Newtown Park), lost X to nil. A DISASTROUS TEAR WITH A SILVER LINING. During 1892 the Wellington Club played 8 matches, 1 only being won, 1 drawn and 6 lost; points for 29, against 80. They were weak this year, but a strange thing is that the match they won was one of the best of the.season, a positive moral win for Petono being turned into a defeat by 9 to 3. In 1893 a writer sai's:—"The plav of tho Wellington team does not call for much comment. It loosen often as if the combination of tho team in the second spell failed through lack of condition.” They finished in the championship contest runners-up to Poneko with 4 wins out of 9 matches, 4 being lost and 1 drawn: points for 71, against 44. The Wellington, Potcne and Melrose teams tied for second place in 1894. After their defeat by the Ponekes the Wellingtons went to pieces, and Melrose, whom they had vanquished by 32 points in tho first round, turned the tables to the tuno of IS points la the second

round. Matches played 7, won 4, lost 3; points for 98, against 5, EIGHT AT THE BOTTOM. In 1895 tho Wellington Club wore a very bad last. At times the team played capitally, tho parsing ot the backs being exceptionally good, yet they failed to score a single victory. 11l luck probably more than bad play was the cause of this. Matches played 10, S lost and 2 drawn; points for 4b, against 102. The Wellingtons were again last in IS9G, but they were coming very strongly at the finish, and at the conclusion of the season they astonished tho football world by, actually winning a match, the first in the championship contest for two years. They, however, drew with the champions that year—Melrose—and it was candidly admitted that they should have won, but the match was lost, as others were, through their inability to take the opportunities which they struggled hard to get. In ISD7 they wore no bettor, only one of the series of championship mutches being won, 7 lost and 1 drawn. climbing' up a little bit. Six teams took part in tho senior championship in 1898, Wellington finishing fourth on tho list. They won and lo&t 5 matches, scoring 83 points as against the 87 recorded by their opponents.

In 7839 they again finished fourth, although their performances were not

nearly so good as in tho previous season. Nine matches wore played, 2 being won, 5 lost and 2 drawn; points for 45, against 88. A VAST IMPROVEMENT.

Tho Wellington Chib’s senior team was considered at tho end. of the 1900 season to bo ono of the hardest teams to beat in the competition, and the annual report •. that year contains tho remark; “If wo can place an equally strong team in the field this season (1801) we feel assured that the club will attain that position it has long desired.” Tho back play of tho Wellington team, was by far the most interesting of the clubs showing in the second round, and they deserved a bettor measure of success than they obtained. Record; Matches played 10, won 3, lost 7; points for 54, against 99. CHAMPIONS ONCE MORE.

Tho prophecy in tho annual report referred to in tho last paragraph was’fulfilled during the 1901 season, tho Wellington team heading tho championship table when the matches wero all played. Their record for that season reads replayed 12, won 10, drawn 2; points for 168," against 65. The Wellington toam this year was a very powerful combination, and thoroughly deserved its win, simply because tho season’s work was marked by systematic-training and honest endea-. vour. The fact that a third of the play-

ors in the Wellington representative team was drawn from the club is proof positive of .the strength of tho fifteen. The combination of V. R. Meredith and M. E. Wood as half-back and fiveeighth respectively was one. of the brightest things wo have had in Wellington football. They tell the story that this pair wore room mates, and the last thing at night and the first thing l in the morning they were wont to discuss plans of attack in their forthcoming matches. Rumour in this case may bi once again a lying jade, but there is no denying the fact that this pair wore a ‘power for effectiveness in Wellington club and representative football during the 1901 season. 1 Tho champion team was composed of the following' players:—M. E. Wood, W. Burr, P- L.'Row, V. R. Meredith, B. Gallagher, I. Johnston, W. J. Leveraedge, W. P. McLachlan, O. Q. Komber, C. 11. Manson, A. B. Wilson, the late C. E. Bird, A. C. Mclntyre, J. Walsh, G. Hutchinson, J. Longton, J. E. M. Burnett, C. J. Lovatt, and P. Taylor. Tho late Charles Rees was associated with the success of tho Wellington Club on this occasion, as ho superintended the training operations of tho team. Ho had been a champion amateur athlete iii his day, and tho way .the Wellington players

took tho field was a testimony to his ability as a trainer.

RUNNERS-UP AGAIN. In 1902 Wellington had to admit that the Melrose team were stronger than they, the latter winning the championship. Wellington’s record was 9 wins and 2 losses; points tor 107, against 47, During the year V. R. Meredith was transferred to Auckland, and the members at the succeeding annual meeting elected hirn a life member of the club. Thanks mainly to tho energy of the lato C- E. Bird a chib-room was established for chib members. The men nine years ago prided themselves in tho possession of “one of the finest club-room* in the colony,” but after a year or two they tired of it, and lack of patronage forced the officers to give it up. This same rear C. TT. Manson. whose tnrm «■:»«. distinctly good as a wing-forward and general ’all-round forward, had the misloilunc to break one of his legs in file representative match between Wellington and Auckland, played on tho Alexandra Park. RIGHT DOW r N AGAIN. Thi next year (1903) saw the W ellington team drop right down again, with tho following record : —Matches played 12, won 2, lost 8, drawn 3; points for CO. against 146, The game between them and Old Boys, however, was a remarkable one, both sides scoring 22 points.

This is the highest scoring drawn game yet played in Wellington. ■ 1904 was another bad year for the Wellington Club, seven of the nine matches played being lost, 1 won, and 1 drawn; points for 32, against 90. The 1905 season was the worst experienced by the first fifteen for many years, • and its want of success was almost entirely due to lack of condition and combination. Several matches lost by small margins could have been won had the team been able to “stay” through the second spell. Matches played 11, drawn ■ 2, lost 9; points tor 95, against 134.

WELLINGTON CLUB TRUE ‘ OPTIMISTS. In 1906 a decided improvement was shown by tho clnb in comparison withi tho three previous seasons. The attend-1 onces at the gymnasium were eatisfac- | toiy, and this fact alone contibuted con- j sidorably to the improved position of tho 1 various teams. Tho first fifteen played j 14 matches, of which they won 4, lost 9, and drew 1, scoring 76 points against! 184. | There was still a hopeful spirit in the I Wellington Club ,as the result •of the i showing of the various teams in tho 1907) season. Although tho club had not tho | pleasure of winning any of the chain-1 pionsliips under the Wellington Rugby Union, members wore oongrai-Jated on the improved standard of play. Tho first fifteen's record was:—Matches played 12, won 3, drawn 2, lost 7 j points for 53,' against 134. During 190 S the various teams in tho

. ! olub acquitted themselves better than in j any •season since 1903. This was to a largo extent due_ to the livelier interest i taken in gymnasium practice, and to the good feeling shown -amongst the members. | Although results did not reach tho highest' expectations, the club showed that it was gradually regaining the_ high position; which it had held in previous years, J-hOj first fifteen, however, did not cause this; feeling, for they performed with remarkable inconsistency. , Sometimes their play was brilliant, but they, had several off-days on which their form was very poor. Hatches played 11, won 2, drawn 3. lost 6; points for 49, -against S 3. 0. L. j Bird, who had been a prominent member, of the Wellington Club for many yeyrs, was a victim of tho wreck of the Penguin, which happened on February Hth, 1209. Hr Bird had done good work as solo selector of junior representative team. the only time the sole selector was tried, / i Tho same old hopeful spirit pervaded 1 the Wellington Club in 1909, although the measure of success met with by tho first fifteen did not warrant it. t Of four- 1 teen matches played but one solitary win: fell to their credit, 12 being lost, and X drawn. For the team 61 points were-i-'cored, as against ln3 by their opponents. Hr W. P. James, Stipendiary Magistrate. Masterton, who was ft life member of ( thc

club,_ died during this season.’ Tho competition for the Levin Shield was revived, L. Bridge winning tho trophy. RECORDS OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN. 1371 to 1377 —Records missing, but the games played appear under the heading of representative ones. .Matches Points

PROMISE OF BETTER THINGS IN FUTURE, NOT YET REALISED. The last five senior matches played in tho 1910 season were all won, and the members of tho Wellington Club's first fifteen stowed away their, paraphenalia last year in a spirit of rejoicing. Wins by thorn in any quantity had been so few and far between for many years that a series of successes was something to enthuse about. The record for 1910 was as follows ;—Matches played 11, won 6, lost 5; points for 74, against 56. SUCCESSES OF THE WELLINGTON CLUB. : ", The Wellington Club have been successful in the competitions for the •Rugby Union championships as follows-. —Senior: 1883 (bracketed with Grey town). 1385, 1890, and 1901; j unior: 1883, 1884, and 1894. REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS. The following 147 Wellington players have played in inter-provincial matches: —E. S. Allan, Arthur, 11. Baker, M. Barnett, Beale, J. Black, J. Beetham, D. Buttle, C. B. Bird, Allan Bishop, G. Bishop, J. Bishop, J. Black, J. G. Blackett, M. Bonar, T-- Brodie, A. Budge, A. G. W. Burues, W. Burr, M. Burnett, A. D. Bay-oild, S. Cockroft, Chapman. J. Chufton, J. U. Collins. T. S. M. Coivie, E. Castelli, Grampton, D. Cameron, W. Carey. H. Dacro, H. Daniels, A. Duncan, G. C. Fache, F. Fairbrother, J. P.

. birth. W. Fisher, K Galbraith. B. Gal- ,! higher, A. O. Gibbes, B. Ginders, Gray, Greaves, T. M. Grant, L. Harley, B. Har- , vey, G. C. Heehan, H. Ifickson. R. . Hirsohberg. T. Ileggard. W. H. Holmes, : I Hood, G. Hume, J. C. R. Ishenvcod, G. i Johnston, A. Jack, Johnston, P. Jacob, . : R. Kane, J. Keith. C, E. Kembor, Kirk, i j C. A. Knapp, C. Kreeft, 11. Lambert.'F. i! Lcokie, R. Leckie. W. J: Leversedge, R. . i Leu-in, R. F. Lynch. H. Lyon, J. Long- ■ ton, J. Maoara, C. H. Manson, R.. Mai thias, H. McCarde)!, V. If. Meredith, A. 1 Morrah, N. Morris, C. B. Morison. J. Morton,'J. Munro, A. C. Mclntvre. \V. j P- MoLachlan. H. J. McLean R. D. P. •.McLean, A. McMinn, L. M"Kenzie, G. , McKollar, C. Nation, P. Ollivier. H, . Ottereon, C. W. PalHser. R. G. Park. C. > Pearce. G. Pearce, J. Perrv, C. Pollen. IJ. Peat, IT. Pollen, j. Ross. Malcolm . Rose. P; W. Pownall, S. Prossn', J. i Reader, J. G. Roadie, J. Roe, T. S. I Ronaldson, F. H. Row, F. Shen- | herd, Shepherd, G. H. Smith, J L Ecaan Smith, P. G, Smith. W, Smith. , J. Snodgrass, J. T. Shaw, H. Speed. W. ■ (A. Steivart, H. Stock, A. Stohr, L. Seli [ lars, A. D. Thomson, J. A. Thomson, J. Thomson, H. Travers, J. C. Tripe, S. , J. Tripe. Vivian, J. Vamhain, J. A. Warbnek. W. F. Ward, P. P. Webb, C. Welch. N. W. Werry. T. M. Wilford, A. i B. Williams, J, Wilkin, G. Wilkinson,

A. H. Williamson. Williamson, A. B. Wilson. J. S. Wilson, M. E. Wood, J. Walsh, A. C. Wilson, and J. Young. NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVES. P. P. Webb and 11. Roberts (ISS4); 11. Wilson (1893), M. E. Wood (1901). and G. MeKellar (1910), M. E Wood played for the 1903 and 190-i New Zealand teams as a Canterbury and Auckland representative respectively, and Ales. McMinn was a Mannwatu player when he got into the 190-t New Zealand team against the Britisher?.

THE WELLINGTON CLUB PLAYERS —WHO AND WHERE ARE THEY ? C. Wray Palliser is in the High Commissioner’s Office in London, R. D. D. McLean is a son of the late Sir Donald McLean and a runholder in Hawke’s Bay, Hugh Pollen is the retired Undersecretary for Internal Affairs, A. T. Bale the well-known sharebroker, J. P. Firth the nrincipal of Wellington College, A. O. Gibbcs in the Treasury, Herbert Stock in the Treasury. J. Email Smith the Resident Commissioner in the Cook-Islands. ,1. Murrav. Deputy Commissioner of Stamps in Dunedin, K, Duncan in Levin and Co., R. G. Hallamore in the N.Z. Shinpirv Comuany’s office in Gisborne, P. P, Webb Deputy-Controller and Au-ditor-General,- .1. Hemp-ton. Collector of Customs at New Plymouth. T. R. Rounldeon, Deuutv-Publie Trustee in Wellington. N. Galbraith accountant in the N.Z. Shinning Co., 11. Burnos local manager of tho same company, C. B. Morison, the wcl'-known lawyer nf Featherston street, T. M. Wi-lfdrd. M.P. and Mayor of the citv of Wellington. G. C. Facho in the Old Age Pensions Department, mid H. J. McLean, whoso sign as -an 31. D. is on the corner of Cambridge tor race and Vivian street. . .

C. W. Tringham is a Wellington barrister and solicitor, and so are V. E. Meredith and W. P. Ward; G. F. Johnston of Johnston and. Co., the big merchants of Featherston street: J. Rnarhe is in the Registrar of Friendly Societies Office: A. B. Williams in George and Doughty’s, A. Duncan in Levin and Co.’s, B. Gal’agh“r in the Mnnev Order Office. J. E. Widdou in the Railways. D. Men-zif-s of the firm of Menzies and Clarke (TTaroourt’s Buildings). 11. Dacre is- in Auckland, F. L, Row in the service of the Rank of New South Warns in Sydney, M. E. Wood is in the Hawke’s Bay branch of the, N.Z. Loan and Mercantile, W. .1. Leversedgc in the Bank of Now South Wales in the South Island, W. Macbeth in the A.M.P.. J. S. Wilson flaxmilling up round 1 about the M.makau Heads, and A. D. Bayfoild, in tho rorvice of tho N.Z. and South African Steamship Company. A. D. Thomson is Stinendarv Magistrate at Palmerston North. _ T., S. M. Oowie is living the retired life on the Keiburne heights. J. C. R. Isherwood is in ,Lyttelton, T. Brndie is a master at the Wellington Co'lego, W. Burr is in the service of the New Zealand Defence Department in Wanganui. _ I think, M. Bonar was in Smith Africa when last I heard about him. but is back .again in New Zealand. X believe. C. Kreeft is in the Land Tax Department. C. A. Knapp is a man of leisure in Wellington. C. H. Mnnson is in the' Customs. W. H. Morrah is a well-known auctioneer and ex-city councillor. L. McKenzie is one of our newest city councillors and a chemist in Manners street. G. 1 McKollar has just been transferred in the service of the Customs Department to Dunedin, and F. W. Pownnll has offices of his own in Temple Chambers, Johnston street. W. P. McLachlah is ci linotoype operator on the "Times.” J. A. Thomson is in the Government Life Insurance. A. H. Williamson is a clerk in the A.M.P., and so is A. B. Wilson, A. C. Wilson had an advertising agency business in Wellington, but returned to Christchurch a couple of years ago, H. Ottersoh is the retired Clerk of Bills in our House of Representatives, W. E. Raw&on is a Native Land Court Judge, W. H. Didsbury is; a dentist in Willis street, F. N. Abercrombie is '.in the - Customs,, XV. Hill a reporter, T. H. N. Beasley is similarly situated, H. J. Hume is agent for the Crawford properties in Lyall Bay, E. Robertson is a wine and spirit merchant and Consular representative for Italy, D. D. Weir is in the head office of the New, Zealand Railways. and A. B. Foiynall is a purveyor of bicycles and like goods on Lambton ciuay. . 0. G. Kember is a professional accountant and auditor, C. A. Innes is in the bookselling and stationery line in Willis street, F. B. Innes is \in the Government Roads Department, 8..-A. Liddle is resident secretary of the Equitable Life Insurance, M. Burnett with Murray, Roberts and Co., C. E. Dowland in the Income Tax Department, G. E. Kilobing with W. M. Bannatyne and Co., J. A. Bruce with W. H. Turnbull and Co., of Panama street. A. K. S. Mackenzie with Bell, Gully, Bell and Myers, 0. H. Gillon is a purser in the service of the Union Shipping Company, A. M. Stuart is clerking in the .sharebroking business, J. Varnham is chief clerk in the Board of Education,' S. Cockroft is with P. Hutson and Co., F. McNeil is in Auckland, F. Keiling is in the. Government Life, G. B. Nicholls is a Prohibition organiser in the South Island, J. U. Collins was a master at the Wellington College for many years., and laler on occupied a similar position in one of the Christchurch colleges, Percy Galbraith was until recently Insnectnr of Police at Townsville . (Queensland), but has now retired; George Bishop is a solicitor in Marton. and was tho fastest 100yds runner of, his day in Wei; lington, Allan Bishop is in the Taiori branch of the Bank of New Zealand, O. Prance was a keen rifleshot as well as footballer and was a son of the late Dr France, John Bishop has an indent agency in Wellington, and F. M. Ollivier when last heard from was in WhangareL This list is by no manner of means complete as regards the many 'men who have passed through the Wellington Club, and I would be pleased to know the whereabouts of any whom I have missed. This information might bo use-, ful for future reference.

Amongst those who have passed away are: —C. E. Bird, G. Fisher, H. Hickson, H'. Lyon, J. A. Warbritk, N. W. Werrj, W. P. .Tames, W. Warbrick, Hone Heke, VV. Cotfoy, K. G. Park, J. E. Blackett, K. Fitzgerald, and J. Peat.

Fiayca, Won. LostDravrn. For. Ag’st. 1878 2 0 1 1 2 y 1879 1 0 1 0 7 IBOj 1 0 1 0 0 1881 1 0 0 1 0 0 1882 1 2 0 12 31 1883 1 1 9 30 1834 1 2 0 5 ' 4 1885 3 1 1 22 12 1885 8 4 4 0 14 17 18^7 9 6 1 8 15 18S8 7 1 1 5 15 8 1B89 ... n 1 57 21 189J ... 10 8 0 43 20 1891 ... ii 5 1 54 53 1872 1 6 29 80 1893 !!! 9 4 4 1 71 44 1894 , 7 4 3 0 98 55 1895 , ... 10 0 8 2 40 102 18'6 ... 10 2 6 34 57 1897 ... 11 2 8 1 72 114 18%' ... 10 . 5 0 83 87 1899 9 2 5 45 88 19J0 . 10 7 0 54 99 1931 ... 12 10 0 1C8 65 1992 , ... 11 9 2 0 107 47 1993 ... 12 2 8 2 60 146 1904 9 1 7 1 32 90 1905 . 11 0 9 2 134 1906 . ... U 4 9 1 76 184 1907 ... 12 3 7 53 134 1900 , ... 11 2 6 3 49 83 1909 ... 14 1 12 1 61 155 1910 ... 11 6 5 0 74 56 Total. ... 273 92 147 59 1447 2007