FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11505, 18 August 1899, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

The SoiiLii'nnu and Canterbury representative football teams arrived from Invercargill by the south express last night! The officials of the O.E.F.U. mot them at the station, and the teams were driven to the Criterion Hotel, where the formal welcome took place. Mr F. H. Campbell proposed the health of the visitors, which was cordially responded to by Mr Musson, the manager of the Southland team. During the evening the visitors, accompanied by the Otago team, attended the combined gymnastic display at the Agricultural Hall. The Southland team has undergone a slight alteration from !hat published, and Anderson and E. Purdue replace Robertson and Chisliolm. The Canterbury men go home by this morning's train.

Footballers will be interested in knowing (says a Tauranga correspondent) that at a recent contest between two Maori teams, the defeated team attributed their defeat to the influence of witchcraft. The Rangiivaea and Tamunga Maori footballers recently played against the Te Puke Maori team, and were defeated. The play took place on the Te Puke ground, and the visitors allege that as they went on to the ground a wise man, or itphunga, cast upon each_ of their party an evil eye, or, in other words, bewitched, or mn.kutuod them. They now say that they will never play on that ground again, to be- so inhospitably treated, but will play only on Crown land, or on fome land under the pakeiia control.

■ A most enjoyable function was held on Wednesday evening at the Coffee Palace, when the Otago Football Association entertained at dinner the :team from H.M.S Kingdove, which tried conclusions with a picked local eleven. After" ample justice bad been done to the good things provided by Host Meyer, the Chairman (Mr .f. 'Wilson) opened the toast list by proposing "The Queen." Oilier toasts drunk during the evening were " The Officers of H.M.S. Ringdove," proposed by Mr Wilson; "The Ringdove Football Team." proposed by Mr Sligo. and responded to by C.1.0. Lammerton ; "The Otago Football Association," proposed by Mr Sharkey, and responded to by Mr J. Wilson (vicepresident). Betwoec the toasts a programme o[ songs and recitations was gone through, in the various items of whieli the bluejackets displayed marked ability—especially so the nuggety centre forward, Blundell, who was enthusiastically encored. The jolly Jack tar songsters were Messrs Blundril, "Bray. Maning, Thomas, "Mason, May, and Webster; while the musical, reputation of the Otago Football Association was upheld by Messrs Sligo, Dodci, XV. Tl.ohson, D. M'Miilan. and A. Dobson," recitations being given by Messrs \V. Dobson, Youop;, and Stables. The executive of the O.K.A. are certainly to be complimented i;pon the-success of their ventiire: but they would have fell a great deal more gratified had there been just a few more Association players present.

The annual match Stock and Station Agents v. Combined Banks will be played on the Asylum ground this (Friday) afternoon, play commencing at 3.30 sharp. The following are the teams:—Agents (colours): Grow, 0. E. Morris, Walker, Maeartlmr, Stalker, 0. Morris (captain), Mafione, Latham, Palmer, Hoclrkins, Arliclgo, North. Wilson, M'Quoen, Pram. Banks (blue or black): Clowes, Hull, Duthie, Fisher. Harkness, Israel, Martin, M'Leotl, Mooro, Nieol, Oklman, Rattrnv, Sutton, Thomson, Wbyte.