THE NATIVE TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1913, 20 July 1888, Page 26

THE NATIVE TEAM.

The management of the Native team finding their first organisation was not strong enough have imported two or three of the best Auckland players to assist them. This is likely to cause some trouble, so far as the Southern unions are concerned, for it was distinctly understood from the beginning that the team was to be a Native one pure and simple. The Otago Union, I fancy, will be sure to object to the Auckland men playing, and they will be quite right in doing so, all things considered. If these men are to be allowed to play there is nothing to binder Warbrick from picking up good men from each of the provinces, and making his team a New Zealand one. If a New Zealand team is to go Home, well and good, but by all means let it be a thoroughly representative one, and in that case it should be a team sent Home by the New Zealand unions, and not a money-making organisation promoted by Messrs Warbrick aad Co.

The Natives are anxious to arrange a return match against Otago on Wednesday, August 1, but I fancy there is not much chance of the Otago Union being able to fall in with their suggestion.

The Native team will play a match at Timaru on their way from Christchurch. They have also arranged a match with the Victorian Rugby Union, which has lately sprung into existence. The team have received free passes over the New Zealand railways. The North Island people seem to be able to get anything they want in this direction. Otago, on the other hand, could only get a very small reduction when they travelled North last season.

The takings at the Wellington match were disappointing, for whereas there was seemingly a good " gate," many of the spectators took advantage of the fact that contributions were voluntary, and the " dead-head " list was accordingly large.