THE SPRINGBOKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18321, 11 August 1921, Page 2

THE SPRINGBOKS

MATCH AGAINST OTAGO. THE VISITORS WIN--11 Points to 3 Points. OTAGO FORWARDS’ FINE WORK. The day of the Springboks’ match with Otago broke fine, and the sun was shining brightly when people began to wend their way to Carisbrook. The gates were opened shortly before the advertised hour of 11, by which time there waa a crowd waiting outside the barriers. By 11.30 the double seats round the field were filled, and from 12 o’clock the people began to pour in through the various entrances. Though the ground filled steadily there was very litlte waiting at the gates, and • the behaviour of the crowd both in coming and going was exemplary. Policemen wore stationed at various points on the ground and at the several approaches to it, but so orderly was the crowd in its passage that there was no need for a restraining or directing hand. Shortly before the schools’ match began the Kaikorai Band arrived in force, and their pleasant music helped both to beguile the waiting time and to wile away the intervals between play. When the schools’ match opened the crowd was lining deep on the newly-raised ground behind the field, and in a very short time it was ringed by the closely packed ranks. Some folk with an eye to a cheap vantage point crowded along the hill on the ’ Caversham route, and others could be seen even right to the top of the hill behind the ground. A few determined people climbed the trees in the grounds and seemed to forget their discomfort in the excitement of the match, but the raised bank enabled everyone to see the game, and there was very little, if any, attempt to steal a march on others by a selfish use of boxes or portable seats. The grandstand was not completely filled, and might e seated another 100 or two. • 'v in the day the boys from several of i r.o c , schools marched into the ring, equipped v. tn u, variety of stools, boxes, and home-made seats, and were allotted a position in front of the seats round the ring. The schools’ match aroused enthusiasm, not only among the boys, but among the expectant crowd of about 14,000 people, who cheered lustily as tn£ Otago team marched into the field exactly on the stroke of 2.30, followed by the big, hefty Springboks, in their green jerseys. The barracking was naturally in favour of the defenders, but the smart of the visitors was also heartily applauded. Several little indications of a certain degree of feeling between the two teams did not escape the crowd, and if the Springboks were not overwhelmed with cheering over their victory it was because the crowd had by that time begun to leave, the issue of the match being practically decided before time was called. Carisbrook emptied in five to 10 minutes, the crowds melting away bv car and tram, and on foot. The arrangements made by the Rugby Union officials for the handling of the crowd proved quite adequate for the occasion, and there is no reason why the success of yesterday should not be repeated on Saturday. THE TEAMS. The teams took the field as follows: South Africa. Full back: G. P. Morkel. Three-quarters—A. van Heerden, J. Weepener, W. Sendin, and W. C. ZellSr. Half back: W. Townsend. Stand-off half: J. Tindall. Forwards: W. H. (Boy) Morkel (captain), M. Ellis, J. W. van Hooyen. N. Du Plessis, A. R. Walker, Royle Morkel, P. J. Mostert, J. Olivier. Otago. Full back: E. -Watson. Three-quarters: J) t. Stewart, R. Bell, F. G. Ward. Five-eighths: A. Perry. G. Owles. Half back: F. M’Naughton. Forwards: W. Duncan (captain), W. Bain, A. Patterson, J. Richardson, C. Sonntag, Harty, D. Boreham, and S. Cabot. THE PLAY. The teams took the ground punctually at 2.30 and lined up for a photograph. Otago elected to take the advantage of a good fresh breeze blowing. down the field. The Springboks’ kick-off'Was followed- up hard and fast in a style that gave an immediate indication of how keen the play was go:ng to be. Owks returned the kick a little short of half-way. The Green forwards were hustling the Otago backs, and Zeller kicked out near the corner. The line-out waa followed by a free kick to Otago for |ying on the ball, but Patterson did not gain much by the kick. Play was intensely keen on both The Springbok backs got going, and Owles brought down Townsend with a very hard tackle. Van Heerden knocked on and Otago forwards , carried play post the half-way. Bell stopped a rush in good style. Townsend got the ball away smartly from a scrum to Sendin, who kicked out. Harty took a free kick, and sent the ball far down the field with the wind to G- P. Morkel. Morkel beat one man, but the second got him. Sendin. however, came round to the rescue and found the line. Ward broke through a swift passing movement among the Green backs, and following up hard brought down G. P. Morkel. Royle Morkel got possession and found safety. G. P. Morkel was next seen saving his side well in face of a solid Otago rush. Ward failed to hold the hall and the Springboks struggled right through to the Otago twenty-five. Another free kick was credited to ©tago, and their forwards followed through with a fine rush. Patterson kicked out at the Green twentyfive. In front of his own goal Sendin marked a kick of Ward’s from behind, the scrum, and the ball went out again just beyond the twenty-five flag. From a mark Bell had a place kick from about five yards inside half-way, but he did not get properly under it and G. P. Morkel found safety. Bell secured the ball, from a loose rush, but his kick was charged down and play swung across to the grandstand side. The home team continued to attack strongly, and there was a flash of passing along the three-quarter lino, which, however, came to nothing. The Springboks were awarded their first free kick, and play was carried to the half-way line- The Otago forwards were playing with plenty of dash and giving the Springboks’ backs scarcely a chance to open out. Tindall fumbled a high kick of Bell’s and only just succeeded in getting the line at the corner. About this time two opposing players could be distinctly seen in an aggressive attitude not strictly connected with the playing of the game. South Africa was forced, and the game was stopped for a brief space owing to an injury to u. 1. -t Perry kicked well down the wind, and Ben and Wardmollowing up hard were able to prevent G. P. Morkel getting the line. A scrum resulted in Otago getting a free kick in promising position. Bell took it, and allowing nicely for the wind swerved the ball neatly between the posts amid the tremendous enthusiasm of the crowd. Otago 3 points. South Africa Nil. From the kick-off the visitors attacked strongly. Ward tailed to take the ball, but dribbled through and Owles somewhat luckily Kicked out at the Green twenty-hve. Utugo forwards made desperate efforts • to break through the defence, and van Koayen was compelled to force. Tindall secured the ball from a line-out, and got in a useful Kick, and a powerful free kick, which Boy Morkel took, waa marked by Perry. Otago earned a subsequent arum and Townsend tound the line in a hurry. Prom the throw-iu Boy Morkel got off-side, and Harty kicked out past half-way. Another free kick went against South Africa for placing the bull in the scrum unfairly. Otago lollowcd up hard and well, but again G. P. Morkel snowed his soundness and ingenuity by eluding a couple of men and kicking out at the twenty-five flag. Owles was temporarily laid out, and won a round of applause on resuming. Bell had another place kick from inside halfway, but it was charged down. Play bc--■Htne exceedingly, and, indeed, unnecessarily vigorous, especially in the scrum. Off-side play by Patterson gave South Africa a free kicic, which 801 l returned in good stylo. Otago continued to press, and Kllis was temporarily laid out. The game was tight, and Irom a spectator’s point of view ft was not particularly interesting. Townsend's pass from behind the scrum to Weepener wont astray, but once more O. P. Morkel was equal to the occasion, and extricated himself cleverly, Townsend, Sendin, and Weepener organised a nice bit of passing, which Ward ended by grassin" Van Heerden before he got his pass, and South Africa got a free kick. Bell put his side in position with a powerful punt, which, however, G. P. Morkel returned to near half-wav. Cabot, as wing-forward, was playing a fine spoiling game, coming round on to Townsend and blocking him repeatedly. Boy Morkel and then Tindall vere smothered in attempts to get away. Krom a scrum Otago forwards came invough with a great rush, led hy Marty and Sonntag, but Zeller saved the situation.

Hero the referee called the two captains together and hud a few words with them about illegal play. Tindall next joined the temporarily injured list, but a drink of something set him going again. M’Napgbt.on tried to work the blind side, but was settled by Mostert. Patterson marked from a line-out, and made a very good attempt at goal, G. P. Morkel, instead of forcing, returning to tho twenty-five flag. Otago had now been attacking consistently for at least 20 minutes, but their efforts were mainly confined to the forwards, and no concerted movement was initialed among the backs. The closing incident of the first spell was a passing bout, in which the ball travelled from Townsend to Tindall, to Weopener, and to Zeller, but no ground was gained. SECOND SPELL. Hie Springoous liogan tne second spell witn a score of omy ttirce to nil against them, and a good fresh breeze in tneir favour, Townsend returned the kick-otti to half-way. A speculator went to Watson in mid field, and tie sent it buck well towards the visitors’ twenty-five. Stewart failed to field a very hign punt, and tho Greens carried piay down to Otago territory. Sendin got a pass, and had a long pot without result. Aher the loree down the ball went to Van lleeiden, wno shook off three ladders and transferred to Townsend. Townsend sent it on through Sendin to Zeller, who was collared and carried over just at tho corner. Sonntag relieved the pressure with a useful kick, but G. P. Merkel's return sent play back to Otago territory. Otago gained considerably by a free kick, and then Van Heerden, when tackled sent the ball in to Tindall, who found the line at the Otago twenty-live. Then Townsend shot out the ball to Sendin, who flashed it on to Zeller, enabling him to outpace the Otago men and run right round on the left wing. Bell brought him down well behind tuo lino as he was malting for the centre behind the goalposts, but no made ino mistake about touching down. G. P. Morkel kicked a goal. South Africa 5 points, Otago 3 points. Scrummaging in mid-field and an exchange of long kicks followed tho resumption of play. A kick of Sendin’s was charged down. Duncan broke away and with Bain headed a great rush. Bain, when blocked, gave tho leather to Cabot, but the 'movement was hold up a few yards off the visitors’ line. Hopes of Otago supporters ran high tor several moments, but as usual the Springboks got tho ball from tho next scrum and lownsend kicked out at the twenty-five. Otago came again, and in a loose rush Bell “gave tho dummy” in front of the Springboks 1 goal, but again tho attackers were successfully held up. Townsend got the boll once more and sent it back to naif-way this time. This turned out to be really Otago ! s last chance of re-gaining the lead. The South Africans played to the line and steadily worked the scene of action back to the other end of the field, where G. P. Merkel had a fruitless pot. Perry was caught with the ball in a dangerous position, but he got it away to Owies. who tound the line. A hard kick by Weepener caused Otago to force. Front' naif-way, right in front of the grand stand, Boy Morkel hiado a magnificent attempt at potting a goal, and Otago again forced, inrs. l.u : and then Stewart were hard after G. P. Morkel, but each time he succeeded in getting in his kick. Again Stewart came curough and passed to Bam, who headed a forward rush that penetrated as far as tho Springboks 1 twenty-five. “Sandy” Patterson retired hurt for five minutes or so, and was very warmly applauded on his return. With Green forwards charging down on him, Watson missed his kick, but Bell carried it through till lownsend stopped the, rush. Cabot did seme good dribbling, and Van Hoerdon was conspicuous for brilliantly extracting himself from two or throe tackles. A passing rush by Townsend, Sendin, Weepener, and Van Heerden ended in Watson collaring Van Heerden in beautiful style. A free kick helped Otago to return play to halfway, and then a South African passing rush was spoilt by a forward pass. Several exchanges of long kicks took place, and then G. P. Morkel taking a return from Watson, coolly attempted a pot, which was charged down by Bain, playing offside. Then tho Springboks gave another tasto of their swift and sudden passing movements. Townsend shot the ball out to Tindall, from whom it wont to Weepener, Sendin, and finally Zeller, who for the second time, showing n fine turn of speed, ran right round on the left wing. This time he was able to get squarely behind the posts, but G. P. Morkel missed an easy goal. South Africa 8 points. > Otago 3 points. There was only about 10 minutes left now, and Otago’s chances had practically gone. After play had ranged up and down p. bit the bail was kicked over Otago’s line, but Stewart bent Van Heerden in an exciting race for it. Then for d third time the Syringboks 1 scoring machine flashed into action. The hall went from Weopener to Sendin and Zeller, who again ran clean round and scored near the outline. G. P. Morkel’a kick went just outside. South Africa 11 points. Otago 3 points. In the last few minutes the visiting forwards were very aggressive, and once had nearly overcome all obstacles when the whistle called them back. Play was hovering between the Otago twenty-five arid halfway when the final whistle was sounded, with the scores: South Africa 11 points. Otago 3 points. Mr D. Stalker (Invercargill) was referee. The Otago forwards put up a desperate fight against the solid Springbok pack, and it was only in the last quarter ot an hour that the green forwards got the upper hand and were thus able to make effective use of their backs. There is no intention to try to make excuses for Otago's defeat, but tho fact should be recorded that halfway through the first hadf, Cabot —who was playing a great game at wing forward — teccived a knock on the leg which severely handicapped him for the rest of the game, and that Patterson, the Otago lock, had to go off - temporarily towards the end of the second spell consequent on an injury to his back. The Otago forwards were assisted by a cross wind, and they jumped into their game in a manner which surprised even their most enthusiastic supporters. Every man had his full weight in the scrums, on the line outs they went for the ball in a most determined fashion, and held the advantage in this department of the game, and their collaring was, to use a _ colloquialism, deadly. The heavy Springbok forwards at once took play to the Blues 1 line, but it was there but for a short time, and thereafter, to the end of the first half, the Blues hammered hard at the Greens 1 defence, and sorely tested it. Cabot was round on Townsend like a flash, and when ho became disabled the other Otago forwards rushed through the loose in dashing style and smothered ail attempts to get the ball away from tho scrums. The attack of tho Blue forwards was so vigorous, in fact, that Weopener, and to a less extent Tindall, were not sure in handling the ball in the taco of it, and Weepener repeatedly dropped Jus passes. 'ilto Otago forwards came again strongly in the second half, and were almost over tho line on two occasions, but, half-way through, the solid wail of the heavy Springbok forwards began to make itself lelt. The Otago forwards nad played themselves to a standstill—they had thrown their weight against a heavier combination with determined effort in a desperate attempt to dominate the play, till they became weakened under the stress, and they then began to loce touch with the ball. Zeller then scored two of his three tries. Tho Otago backs, with the exception of Stewart, stuck to their work iu the gamest fashion. Their collaring left nothing to be desired, and one tackle of Townsend by Owlcs in the first half, and another by Watson in the second half, when he brought down van Heerden, who was streaking for the line, were brilliant efforts. Certainly, there was nothing very effective in their attempts at passing, but they could not get the ball cleanly. As a matter of fact, tho South African pack got the ball mostly from the scrums, unci the Blue forwards and backs alike were kepi busy preventing them passing tho ball out to their centre line Under thqse circumstances the Otago backs did not get a show to indulge an any clcau-cut passing, 'they wore successful, however, in doing their part of tho spoiling work behind the Springboks’ L ft was rather remarkable, as showing how Ihe game was confined to the forwards, that Watson was only called on a few times during Iho game to return a kick. His kicking, however, lacked strength. Ward played a sound game on tho wing, but his" impotuoiisness sometimes causes him to tumble the ball. Ho did not, however; got an opportunity to show his undoubted ability as an attacking three-quarter, as he did not. receive one clean pass all day. Bell was safe at, centre three-quarter. He handled the ball well, kicked with judgment, and thoroughly justified Ids inclusion at centre three-quarter. Perry did a lot of stopping and all-round work at second live-eighth, and his kicking to the line was generally accurate. Owlcs, first five-eighth, and M’Naiighton. half-back, were in the thick of the play from start, to finish. They both took their man well, were safe in their lino kicking, and altogether played very serviceable game*.

Of the forwards, l!ain was the most versatile player, ilo led some dashing dribbling rushes, and made no mistake when tackling an opponent. Dnnoun, Richardson, unrty, Sonntag, Patterson, and Boroham were in the thick of the heavy work throughout, and iought hard for victory till they could go no longer. Duncan, Richardson, and Jiarty were a particularly hard-working trio, and Patterson and .Sonntag put in some great work on the lineouts and in the loose.

And what of the play of the South Africans? It can be asserted at once that their exhibition was not up to international form. Their system is for the forwards to “mass,” and push the opposing pack out of the way —to wear down the opposition, in fact, by sheer weight, get the ball out to their half-back, who at once trios to get it out to the wipg. ' They played the same style yesterday as they played at Timaru and Invercargill. The system was not success! ul yesterday till they bad worn down the opposing pack, when it worked out, and enabled Zeller, on the left wing, to score three tries. As has been already stated, there is nothing spectacular in their play. There were no dashing dribbling forward rushes such as the spectators of interprovincial matches in New Zealand expect to see, no “corkscrew” runs by the backs, no cutting-in—not one South African back tried the “cut-in' 1 yesterday. The game, indeed, as an exhibition of high-class football was very poor indeed. It resolved itself into a forward tussle—massed play, scrums, and line-outs. It may be asserted that the Springboks tried to “bottle up” the game in the first half, as they had to play against the wind, but that claim will hard.lv stand, as they played the same game in Timaru and Southland. They pushed their forwards into the tight work, broke down the opposition, and then got the ball out to their wings.

Townsend (scrum half) was the king pin of the Green backs, and played a very lino game. He took plenty of knocks, but stuck to his game right through, and at last got his backs moving to success. He is a very versatile player is Townsend, and knows all the points of half-back play. He was in the picture from start to finish. Zeller, on the wing, takefc the ball well, and goes straight for tho line. He is very fast, and had no difficulty in running round tho backs that came across the field to head him off. Sendin (centre) proved a clever attacking player, and got the ball out quickly whcnqver he received it from Tindall or Weepener, neither of whom, however, did anything out of the ordinary. Van Heerden, on the right wing, made two or three dashes, but was closely watched, and could not get clear of tho vigorous tackles which he had to face. Of the forwards, Ellis, Mostert, and van Rooyen stuck well into the solid work, but the other forwards also shaped well in the heavy style of forward play which the visitors adopt.

The game in tho first half-hour was more vigorous than scientific. It lacked interest as a result. A lot of bad feeling between the opposing packs was apparent, and the referee at last blew his whistle and told tho cap.tains of both sides tc exercise control over their teams. The warning had its effect. Both sides assert that it was the other fellow who started the rough work. Whoever started it, the Otago players seemingly got the worst of it. Morkel, the captain of the Springboks, stated on the ground that if tho rough play was not stopped, he would take his men off. As slated before, however, the men on both sides claim that it was not they who started the dirty play. It is unpleasant to have to record the facts, and it is to be hoped that the spectators of football matches in Dunedin will not witness any such unsportsmanlike play as took place at times yesterday. Football is a game, not a gladiatorial contest. THE ATTENDANCE. Competent authorities consider that there were 1.4,000 or ih.uXJ people present at Cansbrook and tnat tfiere "ere over 7000 people on the hills overlooking tne ground. TEAMS ENTERTAINED AT DINNER. SOME INTERESTING SPEECHES. The teams were entertained in tne City Hotel in tne evening.' The dining room was nicely decorated, and a very pieasaut couple ot hours were spent. Mr H. Garriy (president of the Otago Rugby Union) occupied the choir. He welcomed tne visitors, and said tnat tfie footballers and tne public generally, haa been loaning forward to this visit of the opnngboks.- ''Unfortunately, they had managed to , beat Otago, but no doubt most ot them had expected the visitors to win. After tho match thfet day it was naturally to be expected that they would see a hard and exciting match on Saturday. He only hoped that the weather would keep fine, so tnat they could see their visitors at their best. Mr J. M. Gallaway (a past president of the Otago Union) proposed the toast of the “South African Team.” He said that he was a great believer in sport. The man who played the game was tho real man ia the long run. “May the day never dawn when the sons of the Empire cease to love the grand old Rugby game,” continued the speaker amidst applause, which was changed to laughter when he said “and may they never allow their sisters to play it.” They were all very glad to see the young men from South Africa. It seemed to him that Rugby was greater than a local game —it was an Imperial game.— (Applause.) Ho believed that Rugby was going to play its jpart in binding the Empire.—(Applause.) In replying to the toast, Mr Bennett said that they had hoped at one time that a New Zealand official team would first visit South Africa. Many things, however, had interfered with this visit. The visit of the Army Service team to South Africa had, however, caused them to consider that it was their duty to repay that visit. The game had been dead in South Africa during the war, and nothing could have revived it like the visit of the Army Service team. In that respect they owed a great debt to New Zealand, and he only hoped that their visit would do as much for New Zealand football as the Army Service team had done for South Africa.—(“ Hoar, hear. 11 ) The Otago team had certainly made them go all out, and at one time he had had. very serious doubts whether the promise he had made to Southland that they would beat Otago was going to be fulfilled.—(Laughter.) As was the case in New Zealand, thousands and thousands in South Africa were anxiously awaiting the results of these matches, and one could realise from the enthusiasm which had already been shown the tremendous excitement which would be evinced in the match next Saturday. They would, perhaps, bo able to realise the great excitement which would bo in South Africa, on tho morning following the playing of tho test match, the result of which would be published in the papers on the Saturday morning, strange as it might seem. He doubted whether any people from Zambesi through to the west of the sub-continent would sleep in South Africa on tho Friday night. Tho people would not be dreaming of football, they would be lying awake all the night. The people out here could therefore understand to a certain extent the anxiety with which they themselves were looking forward to next Saturday. Not only had they to disappoint tho people of New Zealand—(laughter and applause),—but they had to fulfil tho task given to them by the South African people. Anyway, ho could assure them whatever the result of the tests, this visit was going to do a tremendous lot of good in bringing their two young nations together.—(Loud applause.) Hitherto they had known very little of New Zealand. They knew that they had sent some men to the Boer war, and also to the great war which had just ended, and that they grew sheep and wool here, but they had now gained a greater knowledge of New Zealand and its people. They would carry that knowledge back to .South Africa, and he hoped that in future there would always be a groat bond of friendship between their two countries. —(Ix>ud applause.) Tho people of South Africa would look forward to a return visit by the New Zealanders, and if they could not beat them on the New Zealand grounds they would beat them on their own.—(Applause.) Boy Morkel, the deputy captain of tho Springboks, being unable to bo present through indisposition, Mr Pienaar proposed the toast of tho Otago team. Ho said that the Otago forward play was certainly good that day, but if he might be permitted to criticise the play, lie would say that they had developed their forward play at the expense of their back play. They had hoard of the play of the All Blacks, but they had been, disappointed in tho standard ot back play they had so far met with. Ho considered that the wing forward had greatly helped to spoil back pl a y_(“ Hear, hear”) —because more often than not he was offside. If the Otago team could raise its back play up to the standard of its forward play it would prove a very difficult team to beat. A province that produced material of the type they had mot that day ought to bo able.to play football of a very splendid style indeed—not that he would say they did not play hard enough, their fellows could bear testimony to that. --(Laughter,) Tho game, however, was not ao open as they would nave liked to have

seen it. He thought the visit would prove very beneficial. They would both learn tips from each other. He knew it was a battle of styles in their football, and the question was what, style of play a country preferred.—(Applause.) Mr W. Duncan briefly replied on behalf of the Otago team. He said it was a very hard game that day, and the best team had won.

Mr E. Wylie proposed the toast of the referee. He said lie could state with confidence that Mr Stalker had fulfilled a very difficult and onerous task, and had done it in a manner very much to his credit.— (Applause.) Of course tho referee had not been born yet who could please the 30 footballers in a game, but Mr Stalker had carried out his duties fairly, efficiently, and very creditably to himself. Mr Wylie said that he desired to thank tho Otago Union, on behalf of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, for the manner in which it had controlled and handled the arrangements for the game that day. Mr Stalker, in reply,’ said he was pleased to know that his work as a referee had given satisfaction. What had pleased him most was that he had been congratulated by tho members of the losing team, tie did not want to flatter the players in the game that day, but he could honestly say that it was tho very hardest game he had ever refereed in. He had, never refereed in a game of football as hard. He had told thorn that they had to cut it out. It was no good to the game. It was on both sides. He had gone to Duncan and Morkel and taken them on one side and had a little heart to heart talk with them. It had had a good effect, as the game had become far more spectacular in the second half. Tho dinner was opened and closed by the singing of the National Anthem. NEW ZEALAND UNION RESTRICTIONS. REPRESENTATIONS BY AUCKLAND. (Peb United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, August 10. As the outcome of joint representations by the Auckland daily newspapers and tho Auckland Rugby Union, the committee passed a resolution protesting against the New Zealand Union’s action in placing restrictions on photographs ot tho South African tour, also against withholding the names of the South African teams. If tho publication of the exact team is incompatible with the contract, it is- suggested that the position might be met by publishing 18 names. Tho South African visitors are taking no chances in regard to the fitness of their men. Those who are likely to take part in the match against New Zealand on Saturday have been handed over to tho care_ of Mr Edwin Booth, the well -known medical electrician and masseur, who is overhauling them thoroughly. Ind"ed, Mr Booth has had all the Springboks in band since their arrival here, and the injured ones are making good progress. POPLAR “GROVE "SETTLEMENT QUESTION OF RENTALS. At the meeting oi tne Land Board yesterday, Mr dames vVnue pieseiued a petition, on Penult oi tne soiuier settlers' at repair Grove, Strath raiun, in wuioh Uie PoutU was asked to 'consider tuo question ot maxing a reduction m Uie reuuus ueiiig enaiged tne soldier settlers on tins property. Mr Wm rtooertson, a losiaent of the Middlemarch district tor the past iO years, also presented a petition on tne same lines, inis petition was signed ny tne wfime ol tne farming residents in the locality, with the exception ot those directly interested. In his address to the board Mr Kobertaon stated tnat the board had said that, according to the Act it could not dc anything in tne way, ot revaluations lor the next three years. If the soldiers had to hang on lor. the next three years they would be deep in financial difficulties, and it ho was to ue placed in the same position as them he would prefer to thrown m ms lease at once and make his first loss his last loss. JUie adjacent Giadbrook settlement had been purchased at pre-war prices, but Poplar Grove hud been bought by tne Government when values were at their peak. Notwithstanding that the Giadbrook land was of better quality than the Poplar Grove land, they had this position—that tne highest rental in the Giadbrook soldiers’ settlement was 20s per acre, whereas tho Highest rental on the Poplar Grove settlement was 335. The Grown Commissioner replied that the board would consider tne representations made to it. _ . . The petition presented by Mr Robertson read as follows“To the Chairman Otago Land Board, Dunedin. Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned residents of the Middlemarch and Btrath Taieri districts, desire to present to you for your favourable consideration the following conclusions. We, as practical working settlers, engaged in all branches of farming and business in the district, and being thoroughly acquainted with the quality ot the land, and tne value thcreot, respectfully suggest that the ‘Poplar Grove settlement’ was purchased when tho ’land boom 1 was at its highest point. We are convinced that it is absolutely impossible for our soldier settlers on tne Poplar Grove settlement to pay the existing rents, and accompanying rates, and do justice to themselves, their wives, and families. Wo recognise that the price paid tor tho land was the lowest price that it could then be purchased at, but we claim that to-day, and even with the resumption of normal prices for our products, such prices cannot be paid. We then, as members ot tue community who are fully cognizant of the rental values and possibilities oi farming in the district, respectfully petition the board, and through the board the Minister of Lands, to take such steps as may commend themselves to so reduce the rents of the Poplar Grove settlors as to bring them into line with similarly situated lapd on the Giadbrook soldier' settlement. Our soldier settlers have special claims on our consideration, and we sincerely fool that tho conditions on Poplar Grove settlement are not conclusive to that prosperity that we desire our soldier settlers to atnievo. Thanking you in grateful anticipation that you will grant our petition.”