LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 22

LAND AND WATER.

BIRCHWOOD HOUNDS, WAIRIO.

Tuesday morning 'of the 24th ult. having been ushered in by a heavy fall of suow at Heddon Bush, the master reluctantly postponed the meet for that day to the following one, and early in the morning intimated as far as practicable to followers that such was his iutentions, when many a one in our southern corner of the hunting world soliloquised that the man who wrote the lines — Go it, ye dappled darlings ; Go it through sleet and snow, must have been sitting by a very comfortable fire at the time.

The afternoon cleared up and a thaw seemed imminent, when a few ardent sports were seen wending their respective ways to the Heddon Bush statiou, only to be slightly disappointed and fiud thtir way home again post haste or run the risk of being frozen in their tracks, as it started early in the afternoon to solidate everything that was not in pretty active circulation, and many were the prophets that said there will be no hunting to-morrow. Tussday night, v. very hard one, passed, and old Sol, true to his promise, rose with a beaming countenance and cast a pleasant, smile on all those who rrreettid her with the query, Shall we hunt to-day ? The orb's fascinating beams fell so direct and constant on old Mr Frost that he had to retire in confusion, in the vicinity of the hunting field at all events,

only leaving a trace of hi&old ways on the sheltered side of those terrible fences that Mr j Tenant had invited all hunting men to try the I abilities of their nags over. I As 2 o'clock approached and a lovely day, I parties were seen wending their way to the appointed grounds for the throw-off, until between I 95 aud 100 faces could be seen, all appearing to I have taken the infectious smiles of old Sol. Amongst those present were the master and hon. huntsman (Mr Gardiner), on Rye Pecker; M. Ribchie, hon. first whip, on i Watau ; Mr Hare, second hon. whip, Sailor Boy ; Miss Spender, Honest Peter ; our host, looking a picture in the scarlet, on Sandy ; Mr Hastell, Nora ; Mr Spenser, Kitty ; Mr ■ J. Basstian, Kobiu; Mr Hilder, Cocoanut; Mr W. Basstian, Coliu ; Mr Snierdon, Civis ; Mr Groves, The Orphan i Mr Stevens, a good-looking gelding by The Peer ; Messrs Drabbles on two clever sons of Bothwell; Mr Keach, a nico brown ; Mr Audry, ;an upstanding bay ; Mr Henderson, Toby; the pro-whip on that rare bit of stuff, GingerJ and Mr William Johnston on a game little son of Wee Lad that ought to be mouthed before again appearing on a hunting field. The drag having been entrusted to Mr Tenant's head stockman on Oreti and the usual law allowed, the hounds were laid on, when a start was made in full tongue over a stiff gorse with a ditch on the landing side, which was successfully negotiated by Rye Pecker, Ginger, Waiau, Sailor Boy, Honest Peter, Civis, and The Orphan in the order named. Robin and Mr Keach's mount coming to grief caused a break, and not a few b.aulkers added to the confusion. Mr Tenant emerged from the second division on hia game chestnut, and showing a good example, was closely followed by Kitty, Nora, Peer gelding Colin, Cocoanut, and the Messr3 Drabble and Johnston, a Heddon Bush " lepper " again filling up the ditch. A four- foot post and rail was left Lehind without much alteration in the order of things. A whopper of a livo 1 f^nce met tho game 'uns gaze, but, unfortuuately for tho straight goers, a gap had been prepared for the hounds to get through, which such cattle as should be in the plough took advantage of to the detriment of the true sports. The same order was still over this and the next fence, when a slight check was caused by the* dragman having crossed the trail. The hounds having a strong lead, doubled back, and before they could be whipped off the ragtag and bobtail had again closed on the leading division ; but they were doomed not to remain long in that position, as the next fence sifted the grain from the chaff, and was got over by Rye Pecker, Waiau, Ginger, Sailor Boy, Civis, and fcjandy at the first request. Honest Peter was here unfortunately deprived of a leading position by the vagaries of a ragtag running across him. However, true to his cognomen, he took at the next asking. Mr Henderson here jumped this obstruction in a very unartistic fashion, his horse Toby to follow. However, those who got over found themselves in very close proximity to another fence that formed this double, but as its dimensions were small it only served to try the steeds at a standing jump. The next fence made Rye Pecker turn his head, when he was led over by that plncky old son of The Bazzard, Waiau. , This obstacle successfully discounted by about 15 steeds, all eyes were centred on the leaders a<» they approached the next fence, a tremendous gorse about 6ft high — one of Sandy's favourites. The question now asked was, *' Will the master get over ?" Not at the first asking, but the old gentleman never put eyes on a fence that he would not try again at, and just in time to accompany the not-to-be-denied light-weight, Ginger. Over Waiau — as a matter of course he is over ; but will Sailor Boy do it ? He ought to. He has only the little impost of 17st lOlbs to carry, and with the game little Civis in attendance he does ■it cleverly, leaving a paddock full of mediums behind, with only an occasional glimpse of their heads visible as they say, "Not this time." But at another part of this wall of, gorse is to be seen Sandy, Nora, and Kitty taking it in splendid style, while Robin pilots the impounded ones o/er. Another capped ,wire fence negotiated with a few narrow escapes! and one fall (Kitty's pilot), the last fence is approached, which is a repetition of the pounding fence, where all or nearly all of the straight repeat their performance in nearly the same order, only Robin's rider narrowly escaped, and Kitty's did not escape, but she did without him. Sandy's rider here, with a view to some fun, I think, led the dauntless left-behinds over a heavy post and rail, and got a goodly number smashed by the local "leppers." This brought us to the end of about six and a half miles of a run, and a very enjoyable one, as the , hundred and odd throats testified to by the lusty response to the master's call for three hearty cheers and one cheer more for Mr Tenant, who had that day provided such good sport, and I need not add that he was cheered to the echo. Wairio, July 31. Whip.

FOOTBALL.

HETUBN MATCH AGAINST OTAGO —THE NATIVES

WIN 151' ONE POINT. (Continued from page 27.)

The return match between Otago and Joe Warbrick's Native team was played on the Caledonian ground on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of about 4000 spectators, and resulted in an unexpected win for the visitors after a very even game by 1 point to nothing. The weather was fine and the ground in capital order, and a close contest was expected, but very few people thought that the Natives, against whom odds of 5 to 1 were laid, would win. Both teams differed slightly from thoee in the first match, the principal alteration beingiu theNativeteam. D. Gage, who played half back on Saturday, took thu place of W. Wynyard, and Ihimaira (the well-known Hawke's Bay player, whose jovial temperament has gained him the sobriquet of " The Smiler ") and Taare played as half backs with Elliott. Anderson, of the Thames, played forward in place of Stewart, while Wi Karauria, of Hawke's Bay, stood out to make room for the seventh back. C. J. Davey, of the Kaikorai Club, took the place of T. Lynch (who was suffering from a stiff krieo) in tbe Obago team. The hides were thus constituted as follows :—: — MAORI TEAM. OTAGO TEAM. FULL BACK : • FULL BACK : W. Warbrick (captain). W. Thomas. THRBK-QUAKTEH BACK* : THBEE-QUAKrER BACKS : Gage Datey M'Causland Mownes Madignn. Thomson. HALF BACKS : HALF BACKS : Ihimaira Croxford Mlliott Keogh. Taare. (FOBWAKDS : FORWAIUJS : Ellison. Anderson Taiaroa DiamouU Webster Gibscn Stewart Hunter Lee Morris Kene W. M'Farlane G. Wynyard ?tf orrison (captain) Anderson. Stephonson Webb. Messrs Williaras and Drabble umpired for tbe Natives and Otago respectively, and Mr 11. Rose acted as referee.

Morrison won the toss and elected to play with the wind. Almost immediately after the kick-off a rush of' Otago forwards, and a long kick by Keogh forced the Maoris down. Following the kick out, G. Wynyard taking the ball in good style, made some headway, but Stephenson getting possession from the edge of a scrum took the ball past the middle flag. Taiaroa replied with a splendid dribble. A tight scrum followed, '• the Smiler J) urging his men with cries of " Kea kaha 1 " A fine dribbling rush by the Maori forwards theu took the bajl well up the field, but the Otago men replied in good style, Morrison in the van. Play continued near the centre, and " the Smiler " caused a laugh by rushing , headlong into the, Otago forwards with the baU tucked under his arm. Taare followed with another good run, and play centred in the Otago twenty-five amid loud cries of "Play up Blues!" Then Taare got a mark in the Otago twenty-five, and Ellison took a try, the ball going right in front of the Otago goal. Tararoa, playing in splendid style, charged down on Croxford, who made rather a poor attempt to get rid of the ball, and " The , Smiler" earned a round of cheers by making several desperate attempts to got through, the Otago lines. Downes, however, by a long kick averted the threatened danger, though Taiaroa suceeded in bringing the ball back some, distance. Croxford made a dash through a scrum, and then Madigan getting the ball made a run well down the touch line. The Natives] tried some passing, but Stephenson dashed down on them in brilliant style and frustrated- their intentions, while Thomson afterwards took the ball to the Maoris' t^snty-five flag. Arthur Warbrick and Ellison made a couple of splendid runs for which they were loudly cheered, and Taare also made a fine dashing run, taking the bull well up the field till the Bluesreplied with a dribbling rush and once more invaded the Maoris' territory. They made a hard struggle to get over their opponents' lines without success, the Natives' forwards making a dash past the twenty-five line. A pretty piece of play then ensued between" Morrison and Keogh, tbe fonder sending the ball into touch with a sharp punt. M'Causland kicked past the centre, but Davey returned the ball and some very even play ensued, and the Maoris at last rushing the ball to the Otago twenty-five, where Thomas saved his side just in the nick of time. Croxford again dashed through the Blacks' forwards, and Anderson and Morris dribbled in good style well down the field till W. Warbrick replied with a good run, finishing up with a long kick, and Keogh and Thomson each made dashing runs, the latter being well tackled by three Maoris. Stephenson then distinguished himself by some fine passing, and a scrum ensued right in front of the Natives' goal. " The Smiler " then made a grand dash right through the Otago men, but the Blue forwards not to be denied took the ball once more down into their opponents' twenty-five, and Arthur Morris assisted with a fine dribble. Keogh then got possession of the ball, and dodging in past several Natives succeeded in transferring it to Thomson, who dashed onward and scored a fair try at the corner flag. The Natives, however, disputed it, and as neither the Otago umpire or referee saw it the try had to be disallowed. . Thomsom immediately afterwards had a pot at goal, but the ball wenta good distance wide. After the kick out the Bluea again took the ball to their opponents' goal, but M'Causland relieved his side with a punt into touch, and W. Warbrick was immediately afterwards cheered for a grand run up to the centre flag. A piece of very fast play then ensued, W. Warbrick, M'Causland, Thomson, Keogh, and Morrison putting in some very effective work, and a hard kiok by one of the Otago forwards again forced the Natives down. It now wanted only two minutes of time, and the chances of the Otago men to score in the first spell, with the wind, seemed small indeed. So far the Natives had, despite the efforts of the Otago men, succeeded in making the game principally a tight scrummaging one, their great weight and strength enabling them to do this. The attempts of the Otago men to make the play loose were seldom successful, for when they did get the ball out of the scium it was invariably pounced upon by Elliott who was playing a flagrant off-side game the whole day. Nothing further worthy of special notice occurred during the two minutes of the spell that remained, and half-time was called without any score having been recorded on either side.

The Natives now had the wind in their favour and after the kick-off they were not long in getting the ball past the centre. Elliott was the first to get away, but he only ran back and Downes collared him in fine style. The Blues then took the ball past the centre. Madigau tried to get away, but M'Farlane collared him splendidly. Croxford relieved his side by a punt into touch ; Morrison got ' away in good style ; and then Hunt< r by a pretty dribble went clean away from the ruck, till M'Farlaue spoilt his chances by hard kicking. Otaso were now showing up well, and even though their opponents were playing with the wind they made a stubborn stand against them, aud some clever passing put them in a good yjo&ition, till Davey missing the ball badly gave Madigan a chance, which he was not slow to avail himself of. Amid loud cheers ho passed every one of the Otago men, but Thomas proved equal to the occasion, and brought him down in graud style amid renewed cheering. Morrison did some hard work in a loose scrum, but the Natives took tho ball batik, aud Otago for the first time had to submit to a force down. The ball was then rushed back, and Downes had a very fair chance to pot a goal, but his kick was not a success. Thomson trier! to get under weigh, but was well tarkled by Wynyard, and the play remained in the Ofcago twenty-five, aud their lines were in great danger. Both Taare and Madigan made desperate attempts to get through, but the tackling of tbe Blues proved too good for them, and the game became fast and furious, and very exciting as tho sturdy Otago forwards made desperate efforts to clear their lines. A very mixed sort of scrum in their twenty-five caused a good deal of fun, Madigan again made a dashing run, but was once more brought to earth. The Blues at last, after a good deal of trouble, relieved thair lines, and Croxford made a fine dribble, but was interfered .with by Madigan in a most unfair manner, the crowd heartily- hooting the latter. J. Thomson followed with a pretty run. He transferred the ball to Keogh, but the latter was collared by Madigan before he got far. The Blues amid loud cheering made a grand rush to the Maori line, while the excitement continued and increased as a scrum was formed right on the line. The Maoris, however, cleared their lines, and M'Causland punted into touch near the centre. Downes and Thomson made pretty runs up the field, and the latter was thrown into touch, bub Wynyard by a fine piece of play landed the ball >. once more past the centre. Thomson made another lictle dash, aud Dick Taiaroa made a splendid fending run, passing one after another of the Blues, and when well down near the line he passed to Elliott. The latter was almost in when Thomas brought him down in fine style on the touch line. From the throw out Ellison, jumping in the air, took the ball in splendid styk', and befoie the Blues knew where they were he had dashed over the line and scored amid loud cheers. It was now all *\ up a' tree "

with Otago, though there were a few who still hoped agiinst hope, The try at goal was a failure. Score :' Natives, 1' point ; Otago, nil. After the kick out Dick Taiaroa again .distinguished himself, and Thomson- made a splendid run back to the centre, where a tight scrum ensued. "The Smiler," Elliott, and Madigau were loudly cheered as a grand passing run brought them once more well down to the Otago lines, Thomas once more saving his side. The Maoris got two marks in succession, but nothing came of them. " The play, however, sfcill remained in the Otago ground, and another score by the Maoris was quite on the cards. One of the Otago men missed the ball badly and Taare all but got in. A scrummage ensaed right in front, of the Otago's goal. Madigan made a splendid run and looked dangerous, but Downes shunted him into touch in good style. It now wanted j only two minutes of time, and the Maoris playing with great determination did all they cohld 'to score, but their attempts were always frustrated, and time was called without any further score. The result' of the match was a surprise to everyone, but it is, not difficult; to point' to the, secret of the success of the victors. The long and the short of it is that they played a much more determined game than thly did on Saturday,, and frustrated all the , attempts of the Otago team to make the play loose and scientific. It was simply'heavy weight'afad main strength against science, and weight and strength won the day. There can be no doubt that this is thfr style of game which is at present best suited to the Native team, and ' if they adopt similar tactics in England they should have a very fair record ere their return to the shores of New Zealand. The" Native team, too, was in a great measure strengthened by the jnclusion of Ihinuira and Taare, who are as plucky a couple of players' aa one could wish to see on a football field. Time after time when the Otago .team did succeed in making the game loose and getting a dribbling rush on they fell down on the ball at no small risk to themselves, thus stopping the play momentarily, and allowing their principal forwards time to come up and get on one of their irresistible rushes. It was no use in the Otago players trying to get the ball out, for the Natives kept it at the back of the scrum in the most determined manner, and their eight forwards were quite strong enough to push Otago's nine before them. The Otago men had thus but few opportunities of passing, and what litlle passing they did was not nearly so good as it was in -Saturday's match. It was hard' lines that Thomson's try could not be allowed, but the referee was not in a good position to see it, ard under the circumstances he was quite justified in giving the visitors the benefit of the doubt. All the backs in the Native team played well, Ihimaira,' Taare, W. Warbrick, and Madigan in particular, but Elliott should endeavour to pay a little more attention^ to the rule regarding off-side play. Tho forwards played much better together than they did on Saturday, Taiaroa, Ellison, and Webster being most prominent.' Tbe first-namdd played the best game of any forward on the ground. On the Otago side Thomas quite maintained his reputation, his cool collaring and splendid kicking saving his side on many occasions. Thomson and Keogh were the best of the other backs. Davey was a complete failure. The forwards all did good work, but as already stated they were greatly overmatched in weight and strength, even though they had a man more than their opponents. With the public the win was a popular one, and the Natives were loudly cheered on leaving the field and again on returning to their hotel. Even the Otago players do not grudge them their hard-earned victory, and join with all true footballers in wishing them luck in the battles which they have to fight across the seas. In the evening 'both teams were entertained at a smoke concert at the City Hotel, and there was a capital attendance.

The Natives left by the steamer on Wednesday for Melbourne. They play one match there, and then go by direct steamer to England.

OTAGO UNIVERSITY v. CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

The following team will represent fche Otago University in the annual match against Canterbury College, which will be played in Christchurch on Saturday next:— Full back— Held; three-quarter backs — Murray, Thomson, Huxtable ; half , b icks — Copk, Le Cren; forwards— Morgan, Menzies, Milne, Poison, Pearce, Cantrell, Fooks, Smith, Torrance ; emergencies — Fitchett. C Gillies.