THE “SOCCER” TOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11222, 30 May 1922, Page 8

THE “SOCCER” TOUR

VISITORS OFF TO NELSON "WE LIKE iS r EW ZEALAND/ The Australian team left Wanganui by motor at 7 o’clock on Monday morning, and thoroughly enjoyed the country run to Marton. T'he beauty of the country greatly impressed them, but the magnificence of the scenery around Otaki, the climb up Paekakariki and down through Ngahauranga, George, as seen by the "Times” special reporter on Sunday, is one that, if the visitors ever make the trip, they will never forgot. The d-e----lighfcful view across the water, the perfect sweep of the bay, the gradual rjso up the hills into the snow-capped mountains. the grandeur of the panoramic view is beyond cold print. The winding road up the hill-sideband the view across the gorges, showing the road just traversed, hundreds of feet below, lookin? like a sheep track in the distance, forms one of the beauties of nature that the brush of few artists could adequately present. What canvas could fittingly portray the double sweep in the coastline, the winding road, the distant view towards Otaki, the forest covered hills, mountains with white caps of snow glistening in the sunlight, with an indescribable charm that the' paint-box cannot imitate. Yet this is only a small oortion of the magnificent scenery of the Dominion. Little wonder that it is called "God’s own country.” The visitors are full of wonder at the lovely part of the country they have ..already seen. What thev will say at the end of the tour will be worth recording. They were readv for dinner when tlu*M again reached their headquarters, Carlton Hotel, and after a quiet afternoon, they left by boat for Nelson at 6.30* p.m. There they stay at the Masonic Hotel, leaving at 7.30 p.m., after the match on Wednesday. It is improbable that Maunder will turn out again for thp present, rud Fisher may stand clown for the Nelson match on account of the knock he received on Saturday. His right knee w»h a bit swollen, though not .painful, ar-d unless it is perfectly well by Wednesday he will not play until the rep. match ai Wellington on Saturday. TEAM FOR) NELSON. The team to play Nelson on Wednesday will probably be as followsßryant, goal; W. Mcßride and D. Cumberford; Alec Gibbs, C. Shenton, and F. Doyle; W. Dane, D. Ward, G. W. Brown, J. Cumbarford, and T. Thompson. The injury to Allan Fisher’* right knet» gives* Mcßrido an opportunity of showing of what he is made, and ho has a fine example to livo up to. The halves remain the same', and oossibly the fact that he was celebrating his 21st birthday as well as playing in his first rep. match mav have accounted for his nervousness on Saturday. Brown comes from outside right to replace Maunder at centre-forward, which is his best position, and Dane takes his proper place at outside right, his injured leg having been amenable to treatment. Ward is being given a trial while Bratten rests. "

AUSTRALIA V. WELLINGTON.

NEtXT SATURDAY’S MATCH. In connection with the representative match, Australia v. Wellington, to be played at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, Mr W. Bryce has been chosen referee. This will be the only match under the auspices of the association, all other fixtures haying been -postponed.