SPORTS & PASTIMES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7451, 27 May 1911, Page 7

SPORTS & PASTIMES.

JiUGKBY FOOTBALL

No. Y. HISTORY OF THE ATHLETIC CLUB by d. McKenzie. , (All Rights Reserved.) ITS FORMATION. Tho Athletic Football Club was started in 1877. At that timo there was an Amateur Athletic Chib in Wellington, of which Mr G. F. C. Campbell, the present head of the band Tax Department, was see rotary. There was only one football club—tho Wellington—and it occurred to Mr Campbell that it would bo a good thing to start a second club as a branch of tho Amateur Athletic Club. It is said that history has a habit of repeating itself. That may bo, but as far as tho Athletic Club is concerned it is worth drawing attention to tho fact that of recent years an amateur athletic club has been formed from amongst tho members of the Athletic Club—in tho beginning of things this club came into existence by tho efforts of tho officers of the first Amateur Athletic Club in Wellington. However, to proceed with my tale. Mr Campbell communicated his idea to his brother (A. B. Campbell), C. E. Welsh, Harry Hickson, Frank Harrison, and others, with tho result that tho Athletic Football Club was started as a branch of tho Amateur Athletic Club, from which tho club took its name.

XHE EARLY GAMES BETWEEN ATHLETIC AND WELLINGTON.

The battles between tluo Wellington and Athletic clubs were very keenly contested when thero wore no other clubs to contend against. There were only one, or, at the most, two matches between these clubs each season. All the rest of tho season was devoted to practising for these club matches, unless 1L stray travelling team called in. It was wonderful what an impetus the game received when thero wero two clubs. It was clearly proved that it requires competition, to send football along. WcL lin •’ton was tho despised of all other football centres, when, much to everyone's astonishment, she boat both Otago and Canterbury in 1879. Soon after the start of the Athletic Football Club accessions were received in tho brothers Berry and A. Thomson, from. Homo. Arthur Cooper, George Wright, the Decides, Johnny Dnmbell. and others, whoso names figured largely in the football annals of Wellington in the early days of tho game in the Dominion. It was men such as these, combined with such enthusiasts as Cowie, Peter Webb, James, Johnson Ihomson, Lynch, and others of the Wellington Club who brought football into promincnco in WoUiupfcon and placed it on a level with other towns—a position which it has never since relinquished, although ■it has had its ups and downs like the rest of tho other provincial representative unions.

THE FIRST HATCH. The first match ever played hy an Athletic Club team took place on the Basin Reserve on Saturday, May 19th, 1877, and it was against tho Wellington Club. Tho team consisted of tho followlowing:—Messrs Bridge, Beck, Churton, Gully, Campbell, Hickson, Isherwood, Keith, Major, Roy, Smith, Wyatt, Welsh C. Webb and Speed; emergencies, Baker, riannaean, Gibbs and U’aylor. The game was won by the Wellingtons by a try* secured by Thomson, to ml. Xho game lasted two hours, and was divided into half hour spells. The second match took place on the Bth September, tho Wellingtons again being their opponents There wore only twelve men a side, and the game ended in a draw, each side scoring two points. the first winners op the SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

The senior championship contests started in 1882, and the Athletic Clnb had tho honour of supplying tho first team to carry off the cup that went with the winning of the premiership. In those days tho Mas ter ton and Greytown clubs competed for the cup, and they, with Wellington and Athletic, wore tho on Iv clubs in the competition. The Athletic first fifteen, played four matches and won them all, scoring 3 goals and C tries, while they did not have a single point recorded against them. The Athletic were well to the fore in supplying men for the Wellington representative team in 1883, who wore declared tho champions of tho year, defeating both Otago and Canterbury. Mr G. F. C. Campbell was the representative captain this year. CHAMPIONS AGAIN. In 1881 tho Athletics were again the champions of the year, but they got out of the running after that, and it was not until seven years later that they won the senior enp for tho third, and, so far, tho last time. During all those years, however, the clnb was supplying some very fine players for the representative teams. George Campbell played his last game in 1883, but Arthur Cooper played as a representative until 1886. J. M. King, a brilliant wing player in his day, J. A. Thomson, J. Dumbell, and E. Davy were amongst tho members who core the bine and black jersey with credit to themselves, the Athletic Club and Wellington. In tho team that visited Auckland in 1886 and played in that memorable match on Dilworth’s Paddock, there were five Athletic players, viz.. Cooper (who captained the team). J. M. King, Connall, McCausland, and J. A. Thomson. SOME BAD TEARS. During tho period between ISS6 and 1891 tho clnb did. very badly, and it appeared to bo at a very low c.bb in 1890, when it could only win three matches out of the 17 played. During this time Jack King (who retired after _ captaining the representative team against the Englishmen in 1S88). F. Moore, Dick Taiaroa (a younger brother of the famous Maori half-back; Jack Taiaroa), Bob Malcolm, Billy Fraser and J. Wales were amongst the most prominent _of tho club's members in representative teams. "It’s a long lano that has no turning,’’ and tho Athletics appeared to have reached the turn with their poor record In 1390, for in the following year (1S91) they astonished every follower of the fortunes of the game in those days _ by winning the championship. They fairly deserved their -victory, too. With two defeats on their score-sheet at the end of the first round, their chances looked anything but rosy. Notwithstanding Hus, they stuck manfully to their training, and ultimately turned the tables on the two clubs (IVellington and Poneke) vho had in tho first round proved their conquerors. Their record was: —Matches played S. won 6, lost 2, points for 31. D gainst 10. Tho champion Athletic team on this occasion was composed of the fallowing; ti, J, Trip--’, \V. Fraser, E. J, Baker, F.

Galloway, F. Smith, J. Ik Murphy, W. H. Simons, J. Campbell, F. L. Soveruo, M. Hyland, .). Atkinson, J. J. Johnston, W. Hickson, AV. B. Howard, L. \\ ■ Bourko, S. Mcdlo.v, O. K. Goldie, J. McKee and AY. Kidlch. Of Ihe latter a comment in 1831 reads;—“ The veteran of tho team; good man in the open, last, and passes well/* As the FninoPill Xlidlci was re-elected club captain at tho annual meeting of tho Athletic Club this year it will bo conceded that he has boon a, long and faithful officer. And ho has been a conscientious .worker right through tho piece. Mr H. D. Bell, tho then president ot tho Athletic Club, presented each member of the champion team with a gold modal to commemorate tho victory.

A MEMORABLE INTERCLTJB MATCH Tho same year a match was played between tho Athletics and Alhambra, tho Otago champions that year. The latter had beatan tho premiers of Southland (Stars, Invercargill! and Canterbury (Merivale), and it -was expected that they would have little difficulty in beating tho Wellington, champions. The Alhambras won, but it was only after a stubbornly contested game that they got the victory by 1 points to 3. In the early part of the match tho Athletics had all the best of it, completely smothering tho Alhambra backs, but they tired before tho second spell was half over, and lot in the Dunedin men, who lasted longest. GOING DOWN THE HILL. ' In 1892 tho Athletic players as a team did not display any remarkable brilliancy, and fell a long way below the standard set by them tho previous year. Of tho 8 matches played 3 only were won, 3 being lost and 2 drawn, points for 93, against 31. And tho remarkable tiling, too. is that the players themselves were practically identical with tho champion team of 1891. Tho Athletics wore a disappointing team in tho champioushiji matches of 1893. AVith a splendid lot of players, both back and forward, they never seemed to bo able to work together—each man for himselt and tho devil tako tho hindmost soomod to be their motto. Tho best game they played during tho season was Uiat against the i’onekes —tho champions that year —and then a lot of the best of their play was done by substitute men from tho second fifteen. Matches played 8. won 3, lost 4, drawn 1. points tor 31, against 50.

THE ERECTION OF THE FIRST FOOTBALL GYMNASIUM. The erection of a gymnasium by the Athletic Club was a bold stroke, and one that has proved remunerative to it in more ways than one. From tho training standpoint its own club members and those of other clubs, os well as the representative teams year. after year, have been largely assisted in getting into tho form to play hard and fast games of football. To tho forethought of tho officers of tho Club in 1893 are the thanks of tho present day officials and members ,due, and the gymnasium has also helped, tho Athletic Club to build up a fine credit balance, which nowadays runs into three figures. This is so unusual with a football club that it deserves special mention. The first decided step in tho matter of a gymnasium was taken at a general meeting of members held on the Ith March, 1893, when it was resolved to ! lease a piece of land and build a gymnasium, tho money to be raised by issuing debentures paying 7 per' cent interest. The idea was so enthusiastically taken up that tho sum of All 5 was promised in the room in which tho meeting was held. A section of land in Taranaki street was leased for twelve years, and a gymnasium 50ft by 30ft, with bathroom, dressing .rooms and other conveniences was put in. The gymnasium is now fitted with electric light and in good order and condition. TWO FINE OFFICERS AND A GREAT SECRETARY, , • Jack Campbell, brother of Alex, and Colin, was responsible for the idea of constructing a gymnasium,, and to him and Eon. Hood and Jack Pagni, tho secretary and treasurer of the club when tho gymnasium project was started, are the best thanks of the Athletic players duo. In my opinion the former gentleman proved himself one of tho finest club secretaries ;a football club could possibly be blessed with, for ho was an enthusiast of the first water and always eager to put his finest efforts into whatever ho put his' hand to. That hia health of recent years has not been of tho very best ia much regretted by his many friends in the football world of Wellington, although the open-air life ho is now pursuing seems to be giving back to him much of his old-time vigour.' With tho success of the Athletic Club must always be associated tho name of E. P. Hood.

THE DEBENTURE-HOLDERS. A list of the debenture-holders and tho amount of debentures taken up by each will not bo out of place at this sbageThey are as follows; —11. D. Bell, 25; J. H. Pagni, 10; J. Campbell, 10; G. G. Bullock, 1; J. P. Murphy. 17; G. F. C. Campbell, 10; E. Davy, 5; W. Bourke, 10; C. B. Andreevs, 1; J. W. Nicholson, 4; W. Fraser, 6; J. E. Hartmann, 2; G. N. Goldie, 1; J. McKee, 3; C. J. Hickson, 2; G. G. Haldane, 1; E. J. Baker, 5; W. Ridler, 3; J. Swindlcy, 2; H. C. Wilson, 2; T. R. Hickson, 1: W. H. Simons. 3; W. R. Howard, 3; B. Y. Redward, 3; J. A. Atkinson, 1; T. Quinn, 1; R. Port, 1; C. B. Horton, 1; P. L. Sevarne, 5; F. Seager, 1; A. H. Rothenberg, 1; B. P. Hood, 2; W. H. Woon, 1: and B. T- McKay, 1. At the present time only ono out of the original 146 debentures issued is outstanding, and it would have been, redeemed only it cannot be found. THE ATHLETICS RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST. In 189-4 the Athletics were a very ordinary team, judging by the few matches they won. On one occasion, however, , they left tho field victors over the champions of that year—Ponete—but they afterwards lost the match on appeal, as they had played a man in their team who was not a member of the club. Of tho 'seven matches decided that season they did not win a solitary game, six of them being lost and one drawn, paints for 17, against 76. A BIG JUMP—TO RUNNERS-UP. The next year G 895), however, they improved their position considerably, as they finished second to Petone in the, contest for the senior championship, with 4 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws in 8 matches, with 46 points in their favour as against 21 bv their opponents. Swindler, Pauling, Kelly, Cranford, and Hales were the more prominent members of the Athletic team this vear, the first four gaining places in the Wellington representative team.

In 1896 tho Athletics ■wore again run-nors-up for tho championship, this time to Melrose. They played 9 matches, •winning 5, losing 3, and drawing 1, and scoring Cl points ns against 46. The strength of the Athletics this year can be gauged from the fact that six men gained places in the representative team, viz., Pauling. Rhodes. Kelly, Cranford, Laws, and JTales. Ken Tucker made history for himself by placing and pottingtwolvo goals during the season for the junior team, who that year won the junior championship foi; tho second time

in succession. Pauling played in tho New Zealand team against Queensland. IN THIRD PLACE THREE YEARS IN SUCCESSION. Through a variety of circumstances the first fifteen wero never in a solid condition in 1897, and wero consequently not so successful as in tho previous season. They, however, attained to third place in the championship, being only two points behind the winners. Matches played 8, won 4, lost 3. drew 1, points for 53, against 53. The second fifteen won the junior championship for the third year in succession. Kelly, Prichard, Hales, Laws, and Tucker got into the AVellingt/m representatives, and Pauling was a member of tho New Zealand team that toured Australia that year. Pauling and Laws wore members of tho 1897 North Island team. . Honours were oasy with the Athletic team in 1898, five of tho ten matches jilnyed being lost and five won, points

for 100, against 58. The juniors again won their championship—the fourth time in succession. In 1899 nine matches were played for the senior championship—s wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, points for 85. against 41. A note this year reads:—“The senior team again occupies third place in its contest. The majority of tho players, however, are available again this season, and better results are hoped for from them.’ Accidents to Kelly (captain) and De Vero in the annual match against Greytown kept these players out of championship games, the former for one match, and tho latter for four weeks, and this helped to militate against the kucoces of tho side. RUNNERS-UP ONCE AGAINTho Athletic team lost their first two matches in tho 1900 season, and these wore the only losses recorded against them that year. Id tho nine matches played they were only scored against three times, twice by Potone, who scored eight in tho first match and three in the second, and bv the Old Boys (13) in the first match; while they scored in every match excepting tho second "one with Melrose, which ended in a draw. Tf the team had been in training for tho first two matches they might have attained the highest honour in 1900. Matches played 9, iron 5. lost 3, drawn 2, points for 54, against 24. Eight Athletics won representative honours this year—Hales, Prichard. Kelly, O’Brien, De Vere, Heffernan, C'oady, and Glasgow. M> H. D. Bell, who had occupied the position of president since the inception of the club, resigned the office during 1900, and at the annual meeting in 1910 Mr G. P. C. Campbell was appointed to succeed him, a position he still holds. The Athletic team fell away in the 1901 season, only five out of the eleven matches played being won, and the otheg six lost. The record of .points wore:— For, 83; against 103.

ON- THE WRONG SIDE OP THE LEDGER CONSIDERABLY. Tho 1902'season was a poor one from the playing with success standpoint of the Athletic Club, two only out of the nine matches played being won (and one of those hy default), the other seven being lost, the record of points being 35 for, and 86 against- During that year, however, that good player and fine captain, H. W- Kelly, had been transferred to Auckland, and his, absence from the playing ranks made a wonderful difference to tho Athletics. At the annual meeting in 1903, however, Mr G. F. C. Campbell (tho president) stated that, "although the club had not been successful during recent years, ho was glad to say it was doing good work for Rugby football. That was shown by the fact that thev were able to put five teams in the field 'every Saturday.” Those remarks are still applicable to tho Athletic Club —although the senior championship is apparently beyond their- senior team the number of young fellows who pass

through the club year after year is a good thing for the game they are banded together to foster. The 1903 season was even worse than tho preceding one, only one senior game out of eleven played being won, the other ten being lost. The team, however, won tho championship in its class. Not a solitary win. came the way or the Athletic team in 1904, eight of the nine matches played being lost, and one drawr. The club, however, was numerically the strongest in Wellington, and all round occupied a better position m tho Rugby Union's championships than in the previous year. Tho fourth-class players were again successful in winning their championship. Luring the ou season tho lease of the gymnasium expired, but the committee were successful in securing a renewal for a further term. T. Johnson, a former- member of the club, played during 1901 for the Now Zealand Club, tho winners of the championship at Johannesburg, South Africa. A GREAT IMPROVEMENT. The Athletic senior team, by systematic training, .showed a great improvement in their play in 1905, &ud occupied a muchj

higher position in the championship than for several years previously. Older members of the club came to the aid of the younger players, and five"out of the nine matches played were won, three lost and one drawn, the points scored being on tho right side—so to 55. Xu all soventynine mutches wero played by tho several Athletic teams during 1905— easily a record at that time for the club. The fourth-class team for the third year in succession again won thb championship, and seven teams altogether front, tho club took part in tho Rugby Lniou s

championships. , In 19ufi. though comprised mostly of young players, the Athletics' more than flattered the club’s supporters by their displays against tho leading teams. Seven of tho fourteen matches played were, won, and on no occasion was the team defeated by more than six points. As an indication of the progress made by tho Athletic seniors, it is only necessary to mention that in 1904 only 20 points were scored against their opponents, while in 190 G tho tally reached IG7. A note this year reads :—“ It is very gratifying to note that the standard of play has shown a remarkable improvement during the last few years, and, considering the number of promising players in the junior teams there should be no difficulty in this high standard being still farther improved upon.” The club took part in ninety-twp matches during 1906, beating tho previous record,, of games played by thirteen. "Ranii” Wilson this year first gained his place in tho Wellington, representative team. A SATISFACTORY SEASON.

The senior team started the season well in 1907, and steadily improved in their play till in the match against Potone (a draw, 5 points each) the game was one of the finest expositions of football witnessed on the Athletic Park during the year. After playing 13 matches, 7 qt which were won, 4* drawn and 2 lost, tuo team finished up a most satisfactory season by gettiug third, place in the championship. lu representative matches the following secured places F. bakery VV. Bell, A. Evensen, K. Gordon, E. Orsboru. M. O'Sullivau and A. Wilson. A b'ALLING AWAY. In 1907 tho Athletic Club experimented with a coach for tho senior team, but they did not persist with tho mentor tho succeeding year. This fact is given as one of the reasons for the poor showing in 1908, when they did not perform as satisfactorily as was expected in view of tho improvement in their play dhring tho previous year. Only 4 out of 11 matches were won, 5 lost and i2 drawn. A. Wilson, Shadbolt, Bell, Pool, Osborn, Gordon and Evensen gained places in tho representative team, and A. Wilson look part in the inter-island.-match and represented' New Zealand in tho test games against the Anglo-Welsh team, A Sports Club was formed amongst the members , and sUpjiorters of tho club, with tho intention of catering for tho furtherance of the interests of its members in all branches. A MEASURE OP SUCCESS ONE YEAR —NOT SO GOOD THE NEXT.

In 1909 tho Athletic senior 'team had a very successful season, and had. they the benefit of regular coaching would undoubtedly have attained a higher position. As in former years, tho forwards were a fine body of men, but the hacks, although good individually, did not have

the combination that assures success. Matches played 14, won 10, lost .3, and drew 1. Wilson, Evensen, Cunningham, Ready, Irvine, Rapson, Kivell, and Murray gained places in the Wellington representatives. The success was not so .marked in 1910 as in the previous year. The forwards were all good men; in fact, they were the best pack in tho competition, but the backs did not have sufficient combination. The senior team played 13 matches, won 7, lost 5, and 1 drawn, points for 170, against 81. A. Wilson was a member of the New Zealand • team which visited Australia, and. A. Wilson, W. Wilson, Irvine, Murphy, Rapson, Bell, Osborne, McKenzie, Evensen and Cunningham gained places in tho Wellington team. The Sports Club justified its existence by holding during the year an evening eporta meeting and' a swimming race. Tho support given by junior footballers to the clnb was very encouraging, but tho older members havo held off the Sports Club.

RECORD OP FIRST FIFTEEN. Matches . Points.

CHAMPIONSHIPS WON. Tlio following are the years in which the Athletic Club have been declared the winners of the various championships -Senior : ISS2, 1884, and l89t; junior: 1895, 1896,'1897 and 1898; fourthclass: 1599, 1303, 1904, and 1905; fifthclass : 1910. * REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS. The following ninety-two players from the Athletic Club have played in the Wellington representative teams; —E. J, Rater. F. .T. Bishop, J. Berry, W. Berry, M. Blazell. C. Bolton, J. Brown. 1L Berry t W. Bell, F. Baker, J, Blacklock,

G. F. C. Campbell, A. B. Campbell, J. Campbell, E. P. Coady, S. Cockroit, J. Churton, D. G. A. Cooper, G. Cooper, O. Cranford, T. Cornier, E. Genual, A. Cunningham, E. Davy, L. Do Acre, J. T. Dum bell, A. Evensen, AA T , Fraser, 1. Gallo wav, F. Glasgow, N. Gordon, L. O. Hales, \V. H. Hales, I’. Hunter. H. Hickson, M. Hyland, 1 R. Irvine, J. J. Johnstem, W. Joyce, R. C. Kirk, 11. Y* Kelly, J. M. King, P. J. Kivell, F. A. Laws, A. AV. Leckie, F. Leckie, J- Lockett, RLet l Ido, F. Moore, R. Malcolm, C. Major, J. Murphv,' J. Moore, F. A. Hidlaup, A. Murray, if. McCardell, E. McCausland, 11. S. McGowan, AV. McTiguo, E- McDonald, A. McCarthy, J. O’Brien, H. O’Meara, M. O’Sullivan, E- Orsborn, J. Hauling, T. Pauling, J. Pearce, A- A. Prichard, M. Pool, W. Rhodes, W. Reedy, J. G. Rule, T. Rapson, W. I*. Rylance, F. Severn©, F. Smith, W. Speed, TL Sullivan, J. Swi.mlley, A. Shadbolt, R. Taiaroa, S. J. Tripe, J. A. Thomson, K. 11, Tucker, A- Toohill, J. Wales, If. Wilson, G. Wright, C. Welch, A. Wilson ami W. Wilson. 4 New Zealand representatives: E. Davy, and J. T. Dumbell (188-i), H- C.

Wilson (1893), J. Swindley (1894), T. Pauling (189 G), T. Pauling (1897), F. Glasgow (1905), A. Wilson (1908), W. Reedy (1908), A. Wilson (1910). North Island representatives; P. ALaws and T. Pauling (1897), F. Glasgow (1905), A. Wilson (1907), W. Reedy (1908), W. Reedy (1909), T. Raps on (1910). THE ATHLETIC CLUB PLAYERS- , WHERE AI4E THEY? G; F. C. Campbell, the first secretary

and present president of the club, is the head of tho Government Land Tax Department; D, G. A. Cooper is Registrar of the Supremo Court, E. Davy is in tho head office of the Now Zealand railways, J. T. Dumbell is in the Du olio Works Department, W. 11. Hales is in the traffic superintendent's office, of;the railways, E. O. Hales in the Public Trust office, H. W. Kelly is second in command of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company, J. M. King is chief clerk in the Government's Income Tax Department, E. A. Laws is a master saddler in Courtenay place, I’. A. Midlane’ ia with the Ocean Accident Insurance Company, K. H. Tucker is a jeweller's engraver in WilUs street, H. MoCardell is in the Lauds and Survey Department, T. Pauling is a policeman in Sydney, A. A. Prdehar ( d is in the Land Tax room. Government; Buildings, W. Rhodes da bridge or wharf building somewhere up or down the Dominion, and J. A. Thomson ia in tho Old-age Pensions Department. W. Eraser is accountant with Stafford and Treadwell, the solicitors of Panama street; It. P. Hood was for many years in the Government Life Insurance, but is now loading an outdoor. life; J. H. | Pagni is mine host of the British Hotel in Auckland; W. Ridler, the present , club captain, is in the head oifico of tho , New Zealand Railways, where W. J. , Bourko may also bo found; E. P. Coady * is -in the Defence; G. N. Goldie is town traveller for Eerguson and Hicks, printers of Lambton quay; S. Cockcroft is with P. Hutson and Co., E, Glasgow was manager of the Bank of New Zealand ] at Hess at latest advices, N. Gordon is ] a machinist in the Government Printing j Office, IV. Reedy is with the Meat Com- . pany at Ngahauranga, P. J. G-errard ds ( back at thb North Shore, Auckland; C. i ,T. Cooper is manager of Levin and Co.'s .] agency in Christchurch, and I. Hyams l is in the inspector’s office of tho Tele- ■ graph Office. . , . J. P. Mnrpity is in the Stamp Depart- i raont, J. Brodie is with Briscoe and Co., 1 W. R. Howard is in the Telegraph Office, .T. Atkinson is a dentist ia Christoliurcl}, ’ L. Do Vero is.in AVestport, G. Major is 1 in Auckland these days, and lias been nn M. for one of the Taranaki districts, J. O’Brien (from tho Coast), tho last I heard of no ■ was policeman in Timaru." T. Sullivan keeps an hotel on the banks of tho Rivor Thames, and has

made himself famous in more ways than one in the rowing world. A, Shadbolt is playing in Christchurch, J. Weybourno is in tho Defence Department, 6. Spence in the Government Life Insurance, T. Quinn is managing an note! at the Upper Hurt, C. B. ■ Barton is in tho Post Office, J. Berry went to Melbourne, G. Wright is a Crown Lauds cleark in Christchurch, A. B.' Campbell is a partner in tho firm of Sainsbury, Logan, and Williams, of Napier, and A. Leckio resides in Hill street.

F. J. Bishop is the chief detective in Christchurch, C. Bolton is in the Government Life Insurance, B. Buttle takes a big interest in trade union matters Jn Auckland. George Bullcck is on tho Wanganui ‘'Herald,” .Tack Campbell is in Kawcra, Vv. Tripe is the secretary of the Gear Company, B. .1. Tripe is manager of the newly-appointed branch of : tho Bank of Now Zealand at Newtown, P. Hunter 1 ivories on the Wellington wharf, S. JTripo is a dentist in Ekotahuna, J, C. Trine is in tho Wellington offioo of the Union Shipping Company, W. H. Simons is postmaster at Helensville, F. L. Sevccrne is in tho Government's Education Department, and R. Hirschberg is also to be found these- days »in the Government; Buildings.

W. Hickson is a partner in the printing firm of Turnbull, Hickson, and Gooder, S. Medley is farming In Taranaki, J. MoKoo is on the railways at Christchurch. E. Y. Redward is the revising barrister under the Friendly Societies Act, Bert Haldane was in the service of the West Australian ralhvuys when last heard from, F. Seager is with West's Pictures in Sydney, C. Andrews is in tlio Valuation DeEoirtnxent Invercargill, T. Condor is a oofcmaker in Newtown, McClusky is in the Permanent Artillery In Auckland, IV. Joyce is in the same service in Wellington, F. Galloway is in Vancouver, M. Hyland in Fellding, F. Decide in the OldAge Pensions Department, R. Leckie in the Lands Office at Auckland, E. MoCausland last heard of in football circles was as referee in a New Zealand-New South Wales match in Sydney (to verify this ask "off-side Mac”)* J. Swindley is a mine manager at Coromandel, A, Dean is a member of the lawyering firm of Brown and Doan, and Harold Cooper is a barrister and solicitor in Palmerston North. There aro many others, it is true, several of them forgotten by the writer, maybe, but from any of the old-time Athletics who may read tills and are not mentioned a line as to their whereabouts would bo esteemed.

The following Athletic players have passed away:—E. J. Baker. J, Boyce, J. M. Harvey, O. Crauford, Bert Wills, J. Johnston, W, Fountain, T. S. Gray, W. Grainey, F. Olive, Falconer, Johnston,

H, Drummond, and Orlando Wells (an honoured vice-president of tho past, and a well-known old-tuno Auckland representative).

(To the Editor " N.Z. Times.”) Sir.—As' an old member of the 'Wellington Football Olub. I was much interested in tho history ot the club a P®®J n^§. 1 your issue ot last Saturday. One rather interesting occurrence in connection u to the olub ie the largo number pf members of tho Customs Department who have been prominent in its affairs. • either as officebearers or as members. Among the former J. H. Hempton was secretary m 1886. W. Doveilisb treasurer In 1887. In later years V. B. Meredith (now practising as a solicitor in Wellington). 0. H. Maneon, G. P. MacKellar, and F. N. Abercrombie havo all held office. Among those •who wore members are 0. O, R. Gore (one of tho oldest members, and. who was one of those who later started the game m Taranaki), J. P. Hidings, W. Holmes, and E J. Robinson, . tho latter two now deceased. X am. etc. D EYE NISH. Greymoutb, May 23rd, 1911.

Tear. Played, Won. lost. Drawn . For. Ag'st. 1877 ... 2 0 1 1 2 4 - 3879 . 1 1 0 0 14 0 1880 ... 2 .2 0 0 12 0 1831 . ... 2 0 0 2 0 0 1882 . ... 3 5 0 0 25 0 1683 1 0 1 14 5 1884 . .. 3 2 1 0 .11 5 1865 . ... 5 0 4 1 8 42 1886 ... 5 2 0 8 13 1887 . ... 4 1 2 1 7 11 1888 ... 6 4 2 0 19 6 1839 . 11 7 4 0 72 38 1890 , .. 9 2 5 2 22 32 1891 . ... 11 7 Ai iQ 39 20 - 1892 . .. 8 3 2 33 . 33 1893 . .. 9 3 4 2 31 48 1894 , ... 8 1 5 2 22 79 1895 , 10 6 3 2 71 32 1895 , ... 9 5 1 3 61 46 . 1897 . ., 8 4 1 3 53 53 1898 . ... 10 5 5 0 ICO 58 1899 . ... 9 3 • 1 85 44 1900 . 9 5 2 2 54 24 1901 . ... 11 5 6 0 86 103 1902 . .. 9 2 7 0 35 S6 1903 ... 11 1 10 0 30 137 1904 . ... 9 0 8 1 20 167 1905 . ... 9 5 3 1 56 55 19C6 . ... 14 7 7 0 164 77 1907 . ... 13 7 4 159 79 1903 ... U 4 5 2 99 63 1909 . 14 10 3 1 114 67 1910 . ... 15 7 5 1 120 84 Totals 261 117 108 36 1646 1516 •