FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13078, 14 September 1904, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

RETURN OV THE OTAGO REPRESENTATIVES. The members of tho Otago representative team returned from their northern tour last evening. The Railway Station was crowded with spectators anxious to welcome tho men home. A drag in waiting convoyed the team to the Criterion Hotel, wliero they were ollicially welcoinc-d by the Orago Rugby Union.

In proposing the health of the Otago team, 111' M'Larcn (tho president of tho Otago Rugby Union) said it afforded him great pleasure to welcome tho team back to Duuedin. The northern tour had been a great'succcss in every way. To win four matches out of six was something tho representatives of the province might woll be proud of, more especially when the amount of travelling on tho tour was considered. To travel after a hard match against Southland from Clinton to Christehurch in one day was taking too much out of the players, and he thought that tho time had come when tho home-and-home matches with Southland should be discontinued. Referring to tho Canterbury match, Mr M'Larcn said it was a great achievement. The win was due in a great mcasuvo to tho place-kicking of Booth, lie was greatly disappointed over tho result of tho Auckland match, and thought that the Otago players must liavo boon below their true form;, thcro'vas not 15 points of differonco between Auckland and Otago. The Wellington match -was, however, the one they looked to Otago to win. They - wanted Otago to bring hack the shield. lie thought that had tho team met with ordinary luck they ivould liavo done so, but against Otago' Wellington played undc-.- a lucky star, The toast was coupled with- tho names of Messrs 11. Harris (tho manager) and IL Porteous (tho captain) of tho Otago team. - Mr Harris, in. reply, stated that lie was sorry they had not brought hack the. Ranfurly Shield, but he thought that if playing for such a trophy was going to introduce, tho willingness into tho gamo that characterised tho Wellington-Otago match they were much hotter without it, and ho for one would like to see tho New Zealand Union do away with it altogether. Ho felt suro that tho tour was ono of which they might all feel proud. The conduct of' tho members of the Otago team had been exemplary, both on and off tho field. Mr Porteous having clso replied, three cheers for tho minager brought the gathering to a close.