FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13364, 17 August 1905, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

Bi Paw. BicK.

OTAGO REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. August ,19— Against Canterbury, August 2£—Against South Canterbury. September 9—Against Wellington. September 16—Against Southland (return),' at Dunedin. AUSTRALIAN TEAM IN NEW ZEALAND. August 39—Against Combined Wellington, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua, at Wellington. August 23—Against Combined Nelson; West Coast, Buller, and Marlborough, at Kelson. August 26—Against Canterbury Province, at Christcliurch. ■ September 2—Against Combined New Zealand, at Dunedw. September 6—Against' Hanawalu, Bush, and Hawke's Bay, at Palmerston North. September 9—Against Combined Taranaki and Wsnganui, at Hawera. September 16—Against Auckland Province, at Auckland. NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN ENGLAND/ ' — Fixtures,— September 16.—Devon County. September 20.—Cornwall, ' September 23.—Bristol. September 23.—Northampton. September 30.VLeicest«r. October 3.—Middlesex. October 7.—Durham. October 11.—Hartlepool. October 14.—Northumberland. October 19.-Gloncester. October 21.—Somerset. October 25.—Devonport Albion. October 28.—Midlands. November I.—Surrey. November 4.—Blackheath. November 6 or 7.—Oxford. November 9.—Cambridge. November 11.—Richmond. November 18.—Scotland. November 25.—Ireland. . December 2.—England. December G.-Cheltenhaai. December 9.—Cheshire. December 13.—Yorkshire. December 16.—Wales. Undated.—Glamorgan. December 23.—Newport. December 26.—CardiS. December 30.—Swansea. The following tables will show the posi-' tions occupied by the Second, Third, and Fourth' Grade teams at ■ tho closo of the competitions:— SECOND GRADE, .'Points,

If ho who grows two blades oi nasj • Wore, only one had place ■?. Deserves. the thanks of evety clas» And : benefit's the race.'' ' . . ■ *• Then worthier- still of honoured-, natile ■'•■■"•'.'■ While;.coughs and colds, endure, . '■ ■ Emblazoned on the scroll of Jama , ' ls' WVQB3' CtEfiAT tffIMBOBI Cilßti'.' '' '

In &■■ quiet corner:' in the little Native cemetery of Otakou lies all that is mortal of Tamo Rangiwahia Jiiilmna (Thomas Rangiwahia Ellison), oho of the most famous of all the famous footballers New Zealand ever produced. Some time ago there was a movement on foot, originated by the Poneke Football Club', Wellington, to perpetuate;' the memory of. the late Mr T. R, EllisonV by raising- funds for the erection of a headstone over his grave at Otakou. The idea was to raiso the necessary sum by shilling 'subscription—a scheme which one would have thought would have received the whole-souled support of not only the personal 'friends,of the aeeoased, but of the legion who admired- his prowess on the football field. The movement, regrettably, met with little sunnort, and was a week or two ago finally abandoned. The dead are soon forgotten. When on a visit to Otakou on Saturday last, I made inquiries about the- grave of the late T. R. Ellison, mid was shown his last resting place. The scene was an impressive one. /The blue vault of heaven above, the dancing waters of the bay below, and the -little Native cemetery- nestling on the hillside. ..The grave of the late lamented Rangiwahia Ellison 16 surrounded by those of his illustrious ancestors, Gazing upon the "tarrying place" of the famous footballer, I thought ,of the promises made pjid -ol the' promises unfulfilled. No headstone marks the place of rest, and tho rude mound, is as it was left when the mourners departed. Of a truth the dead arc soon forgotten. Still, if a proper appeal is " niado to .the many friends and admirers of the dead footballer, not. alone in'■.■ Wellington, but all over New Zealand, I feel suro it would meet with heartfelt, support and sufficient money be raised to perpetuate the memory of one who was foremost in tho Rugby game in this colony by crectin? a headstone on his grave at Otakou, The writer would be pleased to receive, contributions towards that desirable end, and to acknowledge ■ the samo in these columns. The packs of the leading teams in Great Britain may be sufficiently powerful to make, the work of the New Zealand wing forward of little use (says "Cynic") onco the. ball is put into the scrummage. At all 'events, if the New Zealamlcrs shape no better as scrummage-re than they did in Sydnt-y a few weeks ago,- tho international fonvard loams will give them a bad time. In tho Sydney match, of course, they met a powerful forward division right at tho top of their form, and if they'were beaten, it must not be forgotten that Gallahor, Tyler, and Cunningham were not there. Tho inter-State match last week has not enhanced tho opinion held in Sydney of the Australian team to visit New Zealand (says a Sydney critic). From .tho standpoint of tho Now Zealand tour, the form of the Queonslandcrs was not reassuring. M. Dore, tho half back, was an exception amongst the visiting backs. He played solidly, smartly, with good judgment, and was reliable. The Canterbury representative touring team to meet Otago on' Saturday, next arrives in Duncdin by the first express on Friday evening. It is hoped as many officials of the local union as can possibly make it convenient to be present will meet at the station to welcome the visitors. Tho Otago leprcseutath'o team to meet Canterbury on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday iicxt will not be chosen until after tho return of the Otago tcain from Invercarjrill. The members of the Now Zealand team to meet Australia iu Duncdin on Saturday, September 2, are to be instructed to bo in town on tho evening of the 29th inst. Tho local union having decided to relinquish the use of Bishopscourt for tlic present season, the Kaikorai Uround Company has decided to have the ground top-dressed and to have tho historic mound which cost tho club a try in the Zingari match removed into the Nimbus or thereabouts. It is anticipated that tho Australian .team of Rugby footballers to meet combined Now Zealand at Dnnedin on September 2 will arrivo in town on the evening of the 28th inst, so that their visit will 1 extend over the week. Tho energy displayed by the enthusiasts of a country school, who have been working all the winter preparing a ground, appealed forcibly to tho members of tho 0.1t.F.U. last Monday evening when an application came from the captain of the school for a football, which the O.R.F.U. has been distributing with a lavish hand to schools this ser.son. When it was moved that the application for a bail be granted, fully half a dozen members of the-union roso to second the motion. One member jocularly sug-ge-.tcd that the ball (save the mark!) used in the Manawafu-Otago match be given to the school. There is only one thing to he done with tlut. ball—that is to give it a Christian burial.

In tcvvn last wcoki on sick leave was Percy Ilislop, .the Pirates and Otago serum half back, who has been playing' with honours in tho matches ''down' south." He informs me that a transfer, bade to town is a likely happening at no distant date, as the climate of the prohibition country does not agree with him. Consequent on injuries received in the match against .Mauawatu, followed by an attack of influenza, J. King, the Otago representative half back, was unable to take part in Saturday's trial match or in the match against Southland at Invercargill. 'Tis devoutly to bo hoped that Eing will bo,well enough to play for Otago against Canterbury. ... Fred Given, the Alhambra and Otago representative forward, who has played'many fino games for'the province in years gone by, has definitely announced his retirement from the game. Each member of the Australian Rugby team which left Sydney on Saturday for a tour of New Zealand has 1 been presented with a. silver badgp in the shape of a kangaroo, which they will wear'"in their hats as do the New Zealanders the fernleaf. Seems as if this particular kangaroo which 1 is about to .invade Nfw Zealand is a mom wily and more aggressive llugby animal than, previous kangaroos bavo been. The meal victory over the New, Zeaiandera in Sydney a few weeks ago has put some stiffening into the kangaroo's caudal appendage. _ _ _' _ - ( Despite _ the opinion of its detractors, Dunedin has ever been a good "winter" city. Particularly has this been the case during tho present. football Reason, when the matches'have, almost without exception, been played under ideal conditions. Other centres have not been So fortunate, Wellington and Auckland apparently getting their shareof "weather." Should the present conditions maintain in Dunedin for a few weeks longer our iodtballers will, in spito of themselves, develop speed and dash. The fact of quite a number of players having been left behind who should, according to their several admirers, have bien ineluded in the New Zealand team, for England suggests that a strong combination can be get together to represent New Zealand against Combined Australia in the match to bo played at Dunedin on Saturday, September 2. The following, team would, if it could be got tog-ether, raako rare sport for the Rugby opposition from' Australia:— Fullback: • , -■ . Turtill (Canterbury). ' , Three-quarters: Mackenzie (Auckland), Bennet (Olago),Wrigley (Wairarapa), Five-eights: ; , King, Adams. Half back:' Burgess (Southland). Forwards: . Watkius, Dodd, Cross, Spencer, E. Euidue, Trevarthen, C.. Purdue, Porteous. Tho "professional" in the New Zealand team is worrying the Otago Rugby Union. A Wellington writer agrees with the southern body that : it is a New Zealand Union matter, and that something, should be heard, from that body on the subject. Mr R._ G. Pardy, of New.Blymo'uth,;>who was chairman of the.committee that made a presentation to H. Mynott- prior, to that player \joining'- the New . Zealand '. -Rugby team for Eoglandi writes:--"A'paragraph has been oirculatod iii tho-press stating.that' Mynott, among others,.-was presented .with a purse of sovereigns at New. Plymouth. I notice that the Otago .Rugby Union' has been\discussing the question of players in tho New Zealand team'.receiving purses ol '■ sovereigns/and 'in.an .informal manner',has drawn' the attention, ,pf the New Zealand Union to-, tho matter,.- .It; may allay:flip , Otago, Union's';', feelings if. ; l-'state-: •that ; Mynott was' tibt pi-c-sentedJwilh'a purse of ioveroigns. -The only,ptesentßtionmade to Wm'was of- a'travelling'bag; anirufc,!' [

Apropos of tho presentation. -of ■, purses of sovereigns to members of the N«w Zealand team, it is reported, that the same have been handed over to the secretary, of the N.Z.R.U., with; instructions to hand them hack to tlie donors!' ' : Stated: that the '. allowance to .Mr George .'Dixon, as manager of the New Zealand, team while on its British travels, is equivalent to, about'£loo. It is very, probable Ih'at if the selectors of tho New Zealand teacn had known as mucli', a few weeks ago as they do to-day, (says the Wellington correspondent, of-Can-' tcrbury. Times), 1 Wriglo.v tho v Wairarapa three-quarter, would: now. be.:on'his :way to England with the colonial crowd. Tho Country Randow,/as Wriijley is nicknamed by Wellingtonians,' is 100 per cent, better man than one or two of the backs that-had tho rarer luck to get this enviable trip. He is just'.the stamp : of player, to stand the wear awl'tear of an arduous football campaign; IOO'-per cent, better!-' E. Gwyn Niehollsi, tho famous. Welsh three-quarter back, was married. in Juno at Cardiff Presbyterian Church to Emmeline Helen, tho youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Philip Thomas, of Cardiff. An English contemporary says:—"'Gwyn' will always'bo renienibßrsd as not only" ono of. the' greatest centre three'quarters, but as the captain of tho invincible' Welsh team of 1900. .His .Lest man was Mr H. B. Winfield, tho ex-Welsh full back, Dr. A. B. Timms, the Scottish captain, and Mr A. M. ■ Rickctts,- the old Cardiff.-player, acted as sidesmen at the ceremony. Over 200 footballers assembled at the Park Hall, Cardiff, after tho ceremony, where a reception was held. ' A/general improvement in the fine points of play, is' noticeable ■ tins year in tho best club teams (says "Cynic" of Sydney Referee). The younger players who havo within tho j.Rst two years come into senior football have been far quicker to.pick up theso points from tho play of the New Zealanders and. Britishers than tlie older players, who in many eases.appear to continue to go along in the old' groove. The Nowtovn-Univoi'sity match afforded many illustrations of this improvement. The 'Varsity wore attacking at. the twenty-five,' with the ball in the ruck.. Ono of the young' 'Varsity forwards very cleverly guided with his foot the ball in from near touoh, and kept it in play, whero in. a similar position an old player might have picked it up and sent the ball into touch at any price. At ;last the New Zealand football team has taken its, departure for England, carrying with it the, best wishes of the whole of the colony for its success. In the matches played throughout.Australia and New Zealand the form shown has been anything but satisfactory, but the team has not been , represented by its full strength, and it is | confidently expected' that'when they arc called upon to defend the honour of their country against the players of the Mother Country that they will not be fouud wanting. That this will turn out the correct view is the ardent wish of every, true-born New Zealander. In selecting the ; team (says an Auckland writer), the selectors have given the'question'such an enormous amount of time and trouble that ono hardly likes to pen anything derogatory to their efforts, but still one cannot lot the trcatmen of Mackenzie pass without raising • a voice in protest. Mackenzie Was originally chosen in the first 20 picked, and was asked to become a member of tho team conditionally on his passing the doctor and retaining his form. The first of these conditions he fulfilled. Regarding the second,, no ono who saw him play in club matches in Auckland would hesitate to say that ho retained his form. At anyrate, he was asked' to plav in the North v. South Island match at Wellington, and, notwithstanding that he piayed out of his position, he is reported to have fnllv kept up his reputation. The question that arises is, Has not Mackenzie inst as much claim on the New Zealand Union as Duncan would havo had if his selection as coach had been cancelled, seeing that Duncan was chosen on exactly similar terms as any other member of tho team? Personally, I think ho has, and if tho Auckland Rugby Union wishes to see justice done to Mackenzie it will ask for an inquiry into his non-inclusion, and also ask that the whole of the correspondence in connection with Duncan as ooach be handed to the press for publication. Edinburgh University has been well off for three-quarter baeks, of late years, and if gossip oould bo believed the club will havo a perfect embarrassment of riches in that lino next season, (savs Athletic News). It is even said that W. H. Welsh mav find himself ab'p to turn out again, and that Dr A. N. Pell, who is neain in Edinburgh, ha.s some thoinrhts of doincf so. Moreover, R. •S. Steuart. tho fine centre, who was injured two seasons ago, and has' not sjneo lieen able to resume., is reported fit attain— he certainly. looks it when he is hurdle racine—and likely to phy. «iit year the team"had the pick of half a dozen quite capable threo-nuarters—their international representative J. S. M'Donald...Jnm« Sim.son fcousin of E. D. Sitnson, the famo"» Scottish half back of the same club). J. E. Murray. V. D. 'Johnston (a New'Zeo'-"nd«r), W. Gordon (a Cape man),' and H. W. Strathairn—and'all are believed to be available again, Now there has come from Glasgow to Edinburgh W. W. jU'Cowat, Another South African, who' i* almost as good a win? three-quarter as his international . brother R. H. WCowat: and it is said that two more thw-nuarters from South Africa are due in Edinburgh in time for rext season. So if all tales are true, i'te University may havo-no fewer than a dozen three-quarter.backs to choose from.

"SUCCESS UNTO THE FERNLEAF." Sung at the send-oft" tn the N.Z. team at Wellington, on July 29. 1005. In davs ot old the Maori put up a sturdy fiphtThis land has grand traditions, let's strive to keep them bright. We're rot much good at cricket, but at the Rugby game We've won a bunch of laurels, and mean to keep the same. So that is why we here have met upon this festive evening, To bid farewell unto the boys who to-morrow will be leaving * To cross the briny ocean, and on many a hardfoiiKht field Prove they are worthy Britain's sons, and ever scorn to yield. Chorus. Here's success unto the fernleaf, The emblem of our band; May we welcome them as victors , From the good old Motherland. A tower of strength is GILLETT, their' last lino of defence,' For Wales they have a HARPER and DEANS, who is immen*; For Scotland WILLIAM WALLACE, a name of great renown;, Weo MACGREGOR lived in GLASGOW, but will play against his town, And when the MACKBELL'HUNTER returns unto his GLENN. And thinks his own dear'MONA (Thomson) loves with the strength of ten, InSTEAD of loving welcome the village ' SMITH he'll see, And shout, "Let her go, GALLAGHER!" to tho couple 'neath the tree. . . ' . The array's represented, for they have got % BOOTH, And Genera! EREDDY ROBERTS, an Oriental (captain of that team) youth; And when tho Mi's nut in the scrum, and he shouts, " Oil, MYNOTT, fair," If CASEY''cannot'got it, GEORGE TYLER will be there. And when the word is "Forward!" they've got a Trojan pack, With CORBETT, O'SULLIVAN, NICHOLSON, and likewise Kaikorai MAC, With these are Baby NEWTON and JOHNneat; Last, but not least, coines the SEELING, and the building is complete. But as, no building's perfect until it has a "lock," We've added Burly CUNNINGHAM, who's sturdy as a rock; Since FREI'IDY (Roberts) is a, bachelor lib better half ib there, But there's an ABBOTT in the team if he should want a pair, ■' Every big family needs a "coach," so there's old warhoise JIM, He doesn't get his hair cut now, and there's not much to trim! If a. player plays it up or trios his'funny tricks on, " He'll be.brought up with' a, round turn by genial Manager DIXON. -G. S. N.

0 , r "S ; >, c *! j - 5 5£ 3 £■ t3 P r o •s S;£ Port. Chalmers 10 10 _ _ 127 21 20 Baveisbourne 10 8 ,1 1 73 17. 17 AUiambra .10 7 3 wG6 51 14 Zingari ..' , .10 C 2 0 CO 39 14 Weit'TaUti . . w 4 ' 2 4 23 0 12 Southern .. : . 10 4 1 15" 19 11 Kaikorai... . . 10 5 4 1 54 48 11 Taieri Rovers. . 10 5 G 49 51 111 University . . 9 4 4 1 41 26 9 Green Island. . 10 3 7 21 65 G' Pirate3 .. . . 10 2 6 a: 24 95 6 " Snnedin ... .10 a 7 i • 59 57 5 3 Union.-. .. . . 9 1 7 i 9 73

THIRD GRADE. Albambta ..9 9 ■■■ 161 6 18 Ravenabourne 9 8 - i :- 98' ; . 21 ' IS Port Chalmers 9 7' > 2 — 95 23 14 Union .. ..10 6 4 -i 93' 37. 12 Southern .. 9 5 .4.70 38 10 Taieri Rovers.. 9'" 4 ' 5 — 59 ICS 8 lligh School .. 10, .4; 6'—. 67 103 1 8 Green Island.. 10 4 6'31 74 1 8 Zingari ., ,, 9 4 - 5''-: 29 53 8 Kaikojai .„ « 8 3 i '- h 17 ■67 7 Pirates ,s ,. 9 8. ,&:- 50 71 6 Duiiedin .. 9 1 7 1 32 114 3 University ..» 7 ,~ 7. - 15 76 , FOUE1H GRADE. Alhambra. ..9 9 _■ ■_' 180 7 18 Port"A. .. „ 9 8 1 — 201 20 16 PortB ., »,. 9 7 2 — 74 39 14 Southern.,, .. 9 5 2 2 i« 38 12 Dunedin. .... 9 4 5.'-.'. 57 112 8 Pirates - .. • .. 9 3 ' 5 .'1 43 86 7 Union ...■„ 9 8 6 — •37 96 6 Kaikorai .',... 9 2' '6 1 31 84 5 Zingari ,. ■ .. 9 2 1 7 - 15 .43 4 High School ..9 1 8 - 9 142 2