LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1688, 29 March 1884, Page 21

LAND AND WATER.

FOOTIULL. NOTES BY FORWARD. Gloomy, misty morninga; cheerles?, shortening, rainy days — cheerless to the majority of people no doubt, but. halcyon days to the' sturdy, jerseyed footballer, who ushers forth in, the bracing atmosphere of the wiuter'3 lafter noon and, often defying the 1 elcnients, enters' with heart and soul into his favourite pastime Again we are, as a postical friend would remark, " on tho threshold of another football spasou." The old familiar headline appears in the Witness once more. "Slip" must perfoice hide his undiniinished head for a seabon, aud the cry is ''Forward !" " Forward to the, convincing ground," where the old familiar cries of " Go it, ' Reds," " Rush ! it up, Blues," lend renewed energy to the, contending teams, ■ The pat-t season has been a busy one. It has ' also" been an eventful one. On ouv own giounds we had a capital season : the game was never before in the history of , thiprovince so popular, aud the stand made by a number of the junior' clubs led most footballers to the conclusion that the days when any single club would be credited with an unbroken series of triumph's were about over. A good deal might be b»id of our local football, but on that point *t will not, on the eve of a new season, dwell. The inteiesfc was sustained I through a long series of matches to the very last, and footballers gave way to their cricketing friends somewhat regretfully. For my | pait, while not engaged in business cares and troubles, I have done nothing s.nce but growl at the weather, look over the deeda of-last sea son, which are carefully embalmed in my J scrap book, and pray fervently for the speedy return of winter. Tho battles of the past, nea»on havo been during the summer (save the mark) fought over 'and over again, aud the incidents of the trip "up North" have buen related times without number. , These were well pourtrayed at tho time by the reporter of our daily paper who accompanied the t«am, but we who had not the good fortune, to follow our men to tho field have on numberless oucpsions bs'en willing listeners to many an anecdote in connection with the trip. First of all there wa-( the journey^ to the Cathedral City, the monotony of which was relieved by an Qcca sioual kick at some qf tho halting-places en route ; songs a'ud , choruses ad Uty. ; and an occasional solo' from that prince of bnglerfs known to all the football world as "Poster." May his shadow, never grow Jebs, and long may.he be«pared to souud the victory note for his Otago champions. Of the eventful morning in Christchurch, the subsequent victory, the departure of the two teams from Lyttelton, Galbrath's escapade, and other incidents of the trip, a great deal of interest might be written. The surprises of the Wellington ' tournament, the return trip over r tho 'troubled waters, pleasant times in .Christchurch ; delightful > boating excursions on that boatman's paradise the clear willow- fringed Avon, and the eventful match Auckland v. Otago might also . furnish r material for my' willing pen, but I forbear. The prospects of the incoming deason demand some attention. So far they seem all that can be desired. There is, however, the usual difficulty about grounds, and 1" am verysorry to, learn that the Dunedin Club has not yet settled where to plant its flag for this season. The Paledowian Society, a short while back^ set about the formation of giounds,; but unfortu"hately they let the matter remain too .long in abeyance, and their newly-formed ground is not'likely to be in avery playable condition, this winter at all events. The irrepressible Pirates, however, come to the front, and I understand have secured a playable, though somewhat limited space. Thflir meeting a few weeks ago way a mobt enthusiastic ono and augurs a very successful season. The Ziugari Club, which still holds the right to the Asylum ground, will also be strong^ at all events, numerically, if not as a team : time will show. The Club owes much of its success to the indefatigable exertions of Messrs Park and Christian, and under the leadership of it t new and popular captain ought to make rapid strides, The

M'ontecillo Club does not appear, so far, to he much changed ; but, as it* members n!iek together, they will >no doubt bo abln to givo a gnoil account of themselves. ' The Union CJub lias suffered somewhat from the bad management of the late secretary, but under now arrangements it promises ' to very quickly resftin its former piestipo. Most' of tho clubs ] commence active operations this week. We will j m> uoubt, miss a few of the okl hands but t'lioir pladea are sure to bo filled by new men. 'Sicki ness 1 and a few accidents will have, made a few gaps, but nothing of a serious nature has occurred. Fowlor, tho ,well-known, Union captain, has been prostrated by an attack of typhoid fever ; Milb, of the DiF.C.,' has been incapacitatpd by a shofc'from a revolver lodging iv his hand ; and young Farquhar, the erot* vvhile captain of the Pirates, has had a hard time of it in consequence 'of a broken wrist. Footballers generally will be glad to learn that these old companions aro again in a fair w,ay to recovery, and will before 'long be ones* more seen patronising our local football giounds. The presdnt soason, so far, promises to be an exceedingly brisk one. Fiist of all there will bo the selection of the fives Otago representatives who go to make up the team to Liroceed'to New South Wales. Tho arrangements for' getting the team together have been left in the hands of Mr Sleigh, who is just about the best man (o have charge of the management of thu team.' Then there will be the Interprovindal Match," which will be played in Dunedin this year ; and a numbor of our local clubs intend to innke journeys both North and South. The Montecillo team contemplate a descent upon Invercargill and.. River'ton, while the Union, 1 Zingaii, and Pirates talk of going to Christ-, ■ church. Th© Wellington Athletic Uhtbwill also send down 'a team to the CathediabCihy';',so that th'firo will be a fine chance' for holding a' regular football' tournament there about mid-, winter.. It is' just possible, too, that 'we snail! have the Syde'nha'in andtnverear'gill fell'dWa m' Dunedin, ' not', to mention i''overni' country' teams, such'as Oamaru, Taieri/and Balclut'ha.' onr men have "nlreadybcen" at', work 'training and practising, so that 1 they will likely gjv'e ai goodaccountof them'seJVps and uphold th'ename Of.ago has made for herself in the football field." Upnftrth the Reason has alre'ady^co'mmsncp'd,, 'WeJHngtoh' men 'being the' first to'take'th'e 6eld. in Chrif-tchnrdh', tod, there are ; great" goings 'on'— p^spntatibn ; Bf' banners,' 1 &'c.; From files to hahd I glean the following it'eniS:' I—The1 — The haridsome,. but 'somewhat sombre-look-ing banner 'presented to the'East'CHfetchurch lootbail Olub by 'a' "number 'of "'their' lady: ffiendtj, 'has been 'jllac'ed on' 'exliibition'afc'thei eAtablihhincnb of 'Messrs W. r Sfcfanprb arid Co.,' where it was made. -It is; about four feet in length, by threo feet wide, and is composed of black silk, with a border of yellow silk fringe,: and having the monogram of the Club-ein-i broidered in yellow t siik in the centre. Asa specimen of work, the banner' is very creditable to the makers.. Besides th 9 banner, a number of the caps, black velvet and gol , jerseys, and other portions of' the uniform ot the "Club," aro on view at Messrs Htrange and* Cd;'s.' This Club held its .annual meeting a few days ago. The Committee, in presenting the' third' annual repot t, congratulated the members on the prosperity of the Club., The great success was due, in a large measure, to the very energetic manner in which' the members worked together during 1 the season. Referring, to the' play^ (the report went on , the Club can claim considerable credit for doubling the amount of organised football in Chiirstuhnrcb, playing 'altogether 32 matches with the- following' re-'' suits : — First Fifteen I,'after1 ,' after meeting every club; of standing in Canterbury ,< played 15 matches ,witti aotno success, winning 12, drew 2, lost 1, and scored 12 goals 37 trios against 3 goals 3 tries. Second Fifteen has a fair average, considering the various changes they had to undergo when men where required to fill vacancies in the first. The Third Fifteen was not quite, so successful, lo'sins 5 out of G matches ; but as this is the first time a Canterbury, club hap, been able to'raise a third fifteen, the result was np more than could be expected, especially so when they had to play second fitteens of other clubs. , The (membership of ! the Club has largely r increased,- the number I on the roll at piesent being 79,. all of whom have paid up their subscriptions; 41 were' elected during the year. • At'-the-com-mencement of the season Messrs W. H. and W. Or. Atack kindly.. presented' the Club with a trophy, to be given .to < the member who potted most goals, from .the field. .This was won by Mr E V L. Francis. An annual match has been arranged with the Union Club, of Dunedin ; the, first contest, takes place here in July. •Another, match has been fixed with the Zingari Club, of the same city; to be played hezo on May 24. The thanks of tho members are due to, a number of. ladies who have shown tliqir appreciation of .the Club's success by presenting it with a, most handsome Danner bearing the Club's, monogram. 'The Club bye-laws aud rules are being- revised, and- will be distributed amongst ,the membeis. The book will be found to contain a lot of useful information—viz., matches played, results, &c, hints ,to, players, officers, &0., and a (revised .list of the Rugby rules, which, have been considerably altered. The financial position of the Club is ,very satisfactory (although the expenses . have been heavy), as will be seen ,by the treasurer's statement. The receipts amount to £55. 185, expenditure ,£47 15s 2d, leaving a balance in ,the bank of £8 2s lOd. The Club property (material and. dressing-room) is valued at £20. •It was decided to present the hon. secretary, Mr F. D. Kesteven, > with a testimonial, .on account of the energy he had displayed in discharging the duties of bis office. Thirty-four new members were elected, ; , > The Sydenlnun and Eaßt Christchurcli Clubs played matches last Saturday, : ' ' CRICKET. ! ' ', ( ! MM,, The following are tho^scores in the match Midland v. U.C.C. which, was continued in Christchurch last Saturday :—: — i U. 0.0. First Inmngs'.' >WVMillton,>b'Halloy - <:. ' \.' ; b9 " X D Hnrinan, b Ifowko ' ■. . . . 03 ' ,T D Hatman, c Barnes, b Strango • .<. 24 HMathuv, b Sfcrpnge , .. , .. IB - G Helmoro, runout „ ' r-j W J OotteriH r Ibw, b'Etfser .. ,'.\ ii V. J OtlffcteriU, c Washer; b Birnea . . 1(5 ' E J Kos 1 ", c Dudney, b Edsor . . ! ! 0 A Chapman, b EUser ■ ' . . . . 8 A Lomrilen. b pdaer „ .. 10 W hi 'Dowall, not out .. ..9 Extcaa .. .. !. 11 Total .. ! .. • „ jJ3o MIDLAND. , First Innings. WJI Dudney, c and b,Ohapu)tiu .. ]9 J Fowlce, stVielninre, b liosa ' o O •Strange, rtin out ... i ! 28 J T Kueharfin. st t T elmoro, b ltosa .'! 5 G!- Watson, 1) Ohapmua . . '. 1 22 X Barrrjs, b Chapman .. !! 1 O Uiynor, c JjODgden, b Chapman .' .' 0 H K'!s«v, <b Tlom . . . . o A Wiu'hor, c P Harman, b Chapman .. 1 L Oohcn', b Chipin'iu . . . . 11 R Halloy, not out . . „ . . 3 Extras .. „ ..18 Total .. „ „ jig

, AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN v. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FIFTEEN. . , The compleLe scores in the above "match were :— Australian Eleven', 268, and 112 with no wicketri down ; South Australia, 260 and ,189." Murdoch, Bonrior, v and Oqopsrgrft' duck's eggs in tJie first innings' of tlie'Elevon; and Alexander was highest 'Bribrer wirTifM) 1 ; ahcFin -the second inningd Boh'nor tvaa not but with' 73, and A. Bannerman:witfi 34. 1 -Ivt Southl'Aiis.tralia's first innings Nool tvas top scorer^'with G3, A.- Slight coming' inext with' 31'; 'and' in the second innings' Godfrey scored '4B, Jar Vis '3o, and Brideson 35.' "' i " *"' • »i ' ->'• The Eleven hav6 sailed for England, Spofforth going with them. o, ' :if ,1> >• *'■ '. H i , . it.' ' ->' ;,'!'.'(-■• ' - J t ,-\ t ' JfDYfJiUSQ: * 'r.\.,V DUNEDIN yrBAIiCLUTHA.; ~\ The annual match, ipunedin y, , Balclutha, was played on the latter's K r eex^ ob, Saturday, and resulted in an' unexpected, victory. f or ,.the country players. The scores'are appended :-V DUNEDIX. „ - . (BALCbUTHA. .>"!..• No. l.Rink. r M 'K a y, , " rat^erKOU , a ., Mowat , Smhh; ' , ' [' ' : «obin ' " - Gow' '- ■ >li< I|CV ?' ' MBiarmid (aMp) ..17 Tur.ibull (skip)" •-•'.;- 18 No. 2 Rinlc' " m. H H v <i ,' v Brummond . M Donald >>i „."> CaUeiiUer . " J Hogg. "' 1l ,[,,-' MitcheH'(al{ip) ..19 R'ttogVCskip)' 11 ' 4 -... 23 ' ' ' No.3 l ßfnlf."" - T-'T -' < '<-;■/ Anderson , •■ Doiiglnis"' '' x ''• ' • Jack- ■ - .-Plaißted"' - "s'l--. - V™ n *<-. .■ ' i^i Christie ur ."-.- -, - M'Neill (akip) . . , 25,,<Webb (akip)'. „; > „, 21 "''Total V.' fl _' ' (y '...,'61". ! ( j i' Totai !'. ] f ' '.'