FOOTBALL. NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 31

FOOTBALL. NOTES BY FORWARD.

The following shows the position of the senior clubs as the result of the interclub matches played during the season : —

A letter received in Wellington from Sydney states that it is proposed to establish an Australian Rugby Union, to comprise the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand. The intention is that one of the colonies shall visit bhe other colonies every year, or in other words, New Zealand will have to tour Australia every fourth year, receiving visits in other years. The proposal is regarded favourably in Australia. Saturday's match between the Alhambra and Kaikorai was the eleventh occasion on which the clubs have met. The Kaikorai have now won five matches to their rivals' four, while two have been drawn. The Alhambra, however, have the pull in [regard to points, 52 having been scored by them against 48 made by the Kaikorai.

The War Cry (New Zealand edition) specially urges' upon footballers to get "saved" because there is always a fair chance of their being "kicked into eternity." The Auckland Evening Star's special correspondent with the New Zealand Union team in Australia lets the cat out of the bag when, referring to the defeat in the second match with New South Wales, he says: "No one can play five matches in ten days besides travelling and the high living." The italics are his. The same authority considers that Braund, Caradus, and Elliott are "demons" compared with the half backs who have been playing with, the New Zealand Union team. As Caradus owes his present proficiency to his residence in Dunedin — for his play was 100 per cent, better when he left Otago than when he arrived here — we are able to appreciate the full force of the correspondent's statement. All the while that, last week and the week before, Christchurch and Dunedin papers were being bombarded with inspired telegrams from Wellington, endeavouring first to induce the southern unions to make overtures to Mr Hoben for a match with the New Zealand Union team on their return, and endeavouring finally to goad them into making such a move, there was nary a word in the Wellington papers about the matter. And yet Mr Hoben, who is a reporter as well as a " man with a mission," was bothering Mr Allen, M.H.R., ex-president of the Otago Union, upon the subject ; and yet, forsooth, the suggestion for such a match must come from the southern unions, as the New Zealand Union could not think of recognising them — not for the world ! There was something despicably disingenuous about the way in which the attempt was made to pull the strings from Wellington. The interest in the match en Saturday between the Kaikorai and Alhambra was not confined to town. During the forenoon a telegram in these terms was handed to a member of the Daily Times staff: "Kindly wire result Kai-korai-Alhambra match. Reply paid." And that telegram came frpm Owake. The visiting delegates to the conference on Saturday, at which the Triple Alliance of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland was formed, have all earned distinction on the field. R. Galbraith, one of the finest three-quarter backs of his day, played for Otago in 1882 and the two following years; G. Harris was one of the Canterbury representatives in the northern tour of 1887 and played in all his province's matches in that year ; and T. R. Cresswell has donned the red-and-black jersey for Canterbury in 1888, 1889, and 1891. The exhibition given by A. King, the Kaikorai full back, in the last two matches played by his club cannot have done much to assist him towards a place in the interprovincial team this year. His fielding on Saturday was atrociously bad— he mulled the ball on nearly every occasion on which it went to him — and if a man does not take a ball he seldom has a chance to kick it. Ross, the Alhambra back, on the other hand, played like a book, and his kicking was one of the few noteworthy things in the match.

Huge amusement was caused in Timaru last week by the publication of the Wellington telegram stating that it was probable that an effort would be made to send fifteen of the New Zealand Union team to Timaru to play 18 of South Canterbury, if it was found practicable to obtain extra leave for the necessary number. The South Canterbury team sustained such a terrible drubbing from Canterbury last year that the ridiculousness of the suggestion was apparent to every one. At a special meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee last Thursday night, the secretary was instructed to inform the Auckland and Hawke's Bay Unions that the Otago Union could not accede to their request to state its position in reference to playing South Canterbury. Mr Cameron, of the Clyde Club, who was .suspended last year pending an explanation of the misconduct for which he was reported by a referee, wrote making an explanation and asking that the suspension be removed. It was* unanimously decided— " That Mr Cameron having at last answered the .communications of the union, the suspension be removed one month from this date."

At the last meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr Forbeß gave notice to move for the rescinding of the motion prohibiting clubs affiliated to the Canterbury Union playing those affiliated to the N.Z.R.U. Mr T. S. Marshall also gave notice to move for the rescinding of the motion in accordance with which Canterbury could not play the annual match with South Canterbury. It will be noticed that the former of these subjects was dealt with in a way that will be satisfactory to Mr Forbes, at the conference held in Dunedin on Saturday last. Referring to the undoubted facb that in England a great many players end in becoming hotelkeepers, the Athletic News says :—" The Mecca of the footballer seems to be the holy ground behind the bar of a public house, and the eyes of many a sturdy player are often turned towards the glistening enclosure where burnished taps and sheets of silvered glass shine with lovely and fascinating refulgency." The balance sheets of the principal Association clubs in Great Britain— those clubs which encourage professionalism — were beginning to appear about the time of the departure of the last mail. As usual, the array of figures is somewhat appalling. The dooument issued by the Aston Villa Club, for example, deals with

an actual income for the year of £5208 16s id. This is not a particularly modest amount even for a prominent football club, but it has fallen short of the expenditure by £273 5s ll£d. Then, the Notts Forest paid last year the enormous sum of £2347 in wages, and the item for hotel and travelling expenses was £547 In gate money £3234 was received, and £438 was paid to other clubs. During the last three seasons the Notts Forest Club have paid £8686 in players' wages, training, travelling, and hotel expeises. The Newton Heath Club, another of the big clubs of England, last season received £3009 in gates, and spent £2034 in wages — that is to say, two-thirds of the money taken at the gate 3 was spent on the professionals. Hotel and travelling expenses swallowed up £405, and altogether the expenditure amounted to £3438 8s 9d, or £154 8s more than the income. The Wolverhampton Wanderers' gate receipts amounted to £4167 18s Bd. and on the other side players' wages came to £2548, whilst training operations cost £214 Is 2d. Travelling expenses are reasonable at £256 12s 7d, and there are two items directly attributable to the misfortune of winning the English Cup. ' These are celebration dinners £58 12s lOd, and loss on guaranteed trip to Manchester £21 5s 3d. These balance sheets do form instructive reading ! The Poneke Club in Wellington have declined to comply with the Rugby Union's request not to take the advantages of the services of one H. Hare for the rest of the season. This Hare is the touch judge, who was struck by a Petone player named Haggor, with the result that" th» latter has been suspended. Upon the Poneke Club's action, the Management Committee of the Bugby Union have resolved: "That Mr H. Hare be not allowed to act as line umpire in any match under control of this union, and that the attention of the Poneke Club be drawn to Rule No. 17 of club contests, which reads as follows : — * That the Management Committee shall have power to deal with all matters not provided with in these rules which may arise out of any contest played under these bylaws.'"

Football as it is played in Nelson ! This is how the Evening Mail begins a report of a match on Saturday week between the Prince Albert and Albion Clubs : " ' The worst game I have ever seen ! ' Such was the remark which might have been heard from the vast majority of the spectators who had assembled to witness this match. The roughest game I have ever played in ! was the verdict of the players. And both spectators and players were right. After the first ten minutes there was no display of football whatever,- and the game resolved itself into a mere exhibition of btute force between the opposing forwards. There is a decided difference of opinion as to which side was to blame for this state of affairs, the spirit of partisanship shown in coming to a decision on the matter being strong. Judging by the number of accidents that occurred during the game to the Albion players — no fewer than four of them being placed hors de combat — it would certainly seem than the Alberts were the chief offenders ; but an unbiassed person will admit that their opponents were equally to blame for the roughness shown." Delightful candour characterises a letter, written by an old New Zealander, now resident in Sydney, to a friend in Wellington, which the New Zealand Mail has published. Here are some extracts from the letter, which was written after the New Zealand Union team's second match with New South Wales :— " There are some men up to first-class form — Jervis, Gage, Shannon (I haven't seen Herrold), Hiroa, Cockroft, Murray, Stuart, and Lambie, for instance. But the rest! 'tis silence. Last Saturday they were beaten from end to end, and 25 to 3 represents admirably the state of the game Jervis, the plucky, brilliant Aucklander, has played like an angel in every match, taking the ball beautifully, kicking with wonderful precision, and streaking out for the Sydney line time after time with glorious courage, but with no one to back him up, except once —in the junior matph— Bayley. . . . Good is generally too countrified in style, and neither he nor Bajley played (I speak of the second match) with any effective brillancy. As to Wilson — I've a fair memory, and I've seen a few matches, and I look back over all my football experience and vainly try to remember seeing a worse full back when a defensive game had to be played. With plenty of time or in the open Wilson's all right ; but rushed he is a mewling infant." So much, and a little more, about the backs. Now for the forwards : • • About the forwards— that is where you have been beaten all along, and were overmatched preposterously last Saturday. My first view showed what a poor lot they were. Cockroft continues to play gloriously in the centre, and Lambie, Hiroa, Murray, and Mowlem are hummers. But the rest are mere mules. And with them all, except Hiroa, there is this failing — that they play the stale old push-and-shove, hold-the-ball game. They don't pass. They were beaten in screwing scrums and in the open because they were slower than the New South Welshmen, and they hung on to the ball in glowing contrast to the others, who would pacs 20 times in so many yards. . . . Above all, you wanted and lacked combination. I believe that with another captain New Zealand would have done better. Ellison himself was always loafing offside for shows, and consequently always about 20 yards behind the play, though he made some great runs, and played desperately. Apparently he has been trying to teach his forwards something of the kind, forgetting that he had a very mediocre crowd to handle. They are terribly clumsy — mind you, I am' also speaking of the first New South Wales match, in which they were fresh — and have not been trained to keep behind the ball, so thai at most times they were always spread about the field like the dislocated ends of a broken fan. The contrast between your fellows stumbling around or trotting like so many Clydesdale stallions after the ball and the New South Wales men, all well behind and close up to it, flashing it from one to another and fairly flying along, was 1 painful both Saturdays. And in the first match only Gage, Jervis, and Wynyard, by their fine defensive and offensive play, brought you victory, though Lambie played a great game. . . . M'Kenzie is no good. He always plays offside and overruns his man." C. Melton, the captain of the Matakanui Club, was presented with a purse of sovereigns on his departure from the district. The presentation was made at a gathering under the hospitable roof of Mr W. Laidlaw, of the Matakanui station, the president of the club.

The New Zealand Union team were entertained in Sydney by Sir Henry Parkes, who addressing them stated that the visits of athletic teams to the sister colonies must give rise to links of union and mutual respect. It would, he said, be impossible for them to leave these shores without having done a service in the cause of federation.

A statutory meeting of the Eaikorai Football Ground Company (Limited) was held in the Roslyn Council Chambers last Friday. The Chairman said the company had allotted from the applications received more shares than the Rugby Union stipulated for before banding

over bhe £50 representing 50 paid-up shares. The Rugby Union had agreed to take 50 paid-up shares if the company allotted 450, and 480 had been allotted. They had, therefore, now got applications for a sufficient number of shares to represent the entire value of the ground. The solicitors for the company had prepared the necessary articles of association and had got the company registered, and it was now on a proper footing and a legal basis. The directors had resolved to proceed at once to get the ground fit for play by next season. The ground they had got was the best in the district, not only for football, but for other reoreations. The money they received from the Rugby Union would pay for the fencing, draining, and planting of macrocarpas round the ground. The hon. secretary of the University Club has written to the Daily Times in reply to the letter from " Player," Waikouaiti, which was reproduced in these columns last week.' He says : " I am sorry that the University Club were unable to fulfil their engagement, but I gave the Waikouaiti Club clearly to understand from the first that there was a possibility of our not sending a team."

A Sydney cablegram states that Lambie, Jervis, D'Arcy, Watson, Oliphant, Gray, and W. M'Kenzie played splendidly in the match on Saturday between New South Wales and the New Zealand Union team. The game was a forward one throughout. The Daily Telegraph states that under the disadvantage of a greasy ball and a slippery turf the new men played up to their high reputation.' In some interesting criticisms on the New Zealand Rugby Union team, which appear in a Sydney contemporary, the writer quotes Mr Arnold, an enthusiast, who Bays: — "The visitors are a good lot of men, no doubt, but they are not to be compared with the team that came over here in 1884. Where will yon find in this team such good forwards as Allan, Milton,' Robertson, and O'Donnell— l'll only take those four— or backs to equal Darby Ryan, Warbrick, and Taiaroa ? These men go in for short, neat passiDg, but you'll notice that there are no long passes. They've got a splendid lot of backs, but don't feed them enough. Then their full back— Wilson— is certainly not to be compared with Braddon, who played in that position with the 1884 team." Mr Arnold does not put much faith in the theory that the New Zealanders "went under" because they were stale. They had played a floe game at Newcastle on the previous Thursday, he points out, so that thoy must have got stale in 36 hours ! The writer proceeds to say that after that awful Saturday night when they were beaten Mr Campbell, the manager, imposed a scientific tariff of fines and penalties. D'Arcy's persistent exclusion from big matches puzzled everyone. Wilson appears not to have played up to his reputation, and the conclusion arrived at is that he is a fine back when the men in front are doing well, but weak when rushed. It is plainly hinted that Wellington and Auckland players ruled the roost. Wilson isdeclared to be a "mewling infant at the.defensive game, and very small potatoes as compared with others of the New Zealand crack f ull.backs, Braddon above all, Lusk (of Auckland), Sim (of Wellington), Taku (of Hawke's Bay), and in his day Thomas." "Itis a curious thing ' (remarks the writer) " that the New ' Zealanders, who have lately been priding themselves on their development of the fast; clever game, should come to New South Wales to be taught faster and cleverer play. These jarring curiosities . happen frequently. The fact is that the New Zealanders have improved in what the Americans call ' pointing,' but not in the game generally, and they have made the mistake in cultivating triokiness in preference to the straightforward game. Their captain, Ellison, is unquestionably the cleverest off-side player in the colonies. New Zealanders tell how he won an interprovinoial match for Wellington against Auckland in that way, hanging about off-side until a fluky kick put the ball in his way and he ran in and scored. Legally he was within the law ; morally outside of it, of course. Another of the visitors' weaknesses is a tendency to rough play, to which their splendid centre forward, Cockroft, is a notable exception." A Wellington telegram states that the New Zealand team meet 18 of Wellington at Petone on Saturday. Anyone who had the privilege of meeting the delegates from Canterbury and Southland during their stay in Dunedin must have been much struck with the extreme good-fellowship which exists between the three unions still standing out of the so-called New Zealand Union. There were absolutely np_ petty differences or disagreements, but judging from the tone of the delegates the three independent nnions are absolutely at one. The Canterbury Union I hear, was greatly pleased with the expressions of friendship contained in a recent letter from the O.R.F.U. on the subject of the South Canterbury Union. So far as can be judged by an impartial onlooker any feeling in favour of affiliation with the New Zealand Union which ever existed in Dunedin has practically died out, and I am assured by the Southland delegate that in his > district any desire for affiliation which may exist is quite out-weighed by good feeling ( and friendship to Otago. In Canterbury there was at the beginning of the season a section— chiefly represented by the East Christchurch Club— strongly in favour of affiliation, but the passing of time, has weakened even this section, and the football public— not always represented by the telegrams received from the City of the Plains— will receive with favour the result of the conference held here.

The delegates present at the conference have given no uncertain sound as to the position they advise their unions to taki up. The second resolution says that affiliation to the New Zealand Union would not be conducive to the best interests of football in the three unions, and the proposed South Island Union is briefly condemned as unnecessary. The first outcome of the resolutions of the delegates appeared at the meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee on Tuesday night, when the whole proceedings of the conference were reported to the union and fully endorsed by that body. This means that the North Island trip has been abandoned for this season, and that North Otago will not play South Canterbury. I am quite of the opinion of the delegates that the interests of football would not be advanced by a meeting of teams from the rival unions this year. So much strife has been stirred up and so much petty irritation caused by a constant misrepresentation of facts in Wellington that much, more than a needful amount of feeling would be sure to be introduced into the matches. The delegates wisely advise that this feeling and irritation be allowed time to disaf p?ar, and that the three southern unions then offer to meet their northern confreres on the old basis. The conference deserves great credit for its temperate and sensible resolutions. <

A match was played on Saturday between the Bannockburn and Alexandra Clubs on the former's ground. I am informed by one who was present that there was an aptonishiogly large attendance of people, with a good sptinkling of the fair sex, some travelling eight miles to see the game. The game was splendidly contested, especially by the. forwards, whoso

collaring was a feature of the game. Nothing ia the way pf passing was shown, the backs all going in for ItiokiDg. The game resulted in a victory for Bannockburn, by one goal potted by Lawrence and one try (5 points) to nothing. , One incident which greatly amused my correspondent was the sight of an elderly lady, when she heard that Bannockburn had scored boldly waving a large red shawl to show her appreciation of the local team's success. I deeply regret to stato that in the course of the game (which was controlled by Mr A. S. Wedderspoon, of Dunedin) a Bannockburn player named Charles Tippett accidentally received injuries which terminated fatally. Tippett was run into by an opponent as he was in the act of kicking the ball, and received injuries from his. opponent's -knea, which renderedjiim insensible and ultimately caused his death from rupture of the bowels. He lingered till 11 o'clock on Sunday night, and Buffered terrible agony to the last. The northern tour by an Otago team having now been abandoned, trial matches will not commence for a week or two. The New Zealand Union team show a good record for their matches in Australia. It ia not equal, however, to the record of the New Zealand combination that visited New South Wales, in 1884-.

The New Zealand Times regards the success of the''New Zealand Union team in Australia as a triumph for the union, and oonfcinues :— " The union was formed in spita of the opposition of the two great southern bodies, the trip to Australia was arranged, successfully carried | out. and its representatives have most worthily upheld fche honour oE the colony in the Australian football fields, and all without the aid of Otago and Canterbury. There's the rub for the southerners. It is no doubb painful for them, bat 'tis true nevertheless. The fact that tho tour hai been such a glorious suoce-s without their aid, which they flattered themselves was indispensable, should at least convince them of their utter folly. We hope the lesson, a very severe lesson it must be to all who like to actively uphold the honour of their country, will not be lost on, them. ,The New Zealand Union has existed so far without them, and can continue to do so. We observe thit they have detarmined to hold aloof. That, of course, is their affair. ** It is a matter on which we do not feel called upon to give them any further advice." At the usual meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee on Tuesday night it was uuanimously decided, after hearing the report of the delegates to the conference held last Saturday— " That the committee adopt the suggestions contained in the report, and record their thanks to the delegates, Messrs Milne and Waters, for the services rendered, to the union." It was unanimously resolved to inform the Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Auckland Unions that it had been decided to abandon the proposed tour of the North Island this season. The sesretary was instructed to wire to Mr Hoben, hon. secretary New Zealand Union, that the Otago Union could not agree to his request for a combined South Island Eighteen to. meet the New Zealand team next Saturday". Permitsion was given to the Romahapa Clab to play Porb Molyneux, and to the Palmerston Club to meefc Moeraki. The secretary was requested to communicate with the Southland and Canterbury Unions in reftrence to the annual interprovincial, matches. The committee decided to hold a speoial meeting on Wednesday evening to consider the inatttr of the naturo of tbe challenge sent to the South Island unions by the hon. secretary New Zealand Union. The first matoh of the season between the Kaikorai and Alhambra Clubs was played on tbe Caledonian ground on Saturday afternoon, and, as is always the case when these inveterate rivals meet, attracted a very large attendance of spectators, . The crowd was indeed as large as would be expected to witness an interproviocial matoh, and was almost certainly larger than has ever previously been present at an iuterolub match in Dunedin. It is an exceedingly difficult matter to estimate the number of persons present when there is a groat throng, but it would not be far astray of the mark if it were said that between 7000 and 8000 persons witnessed the game. The weather was admirably suited to football, the match being played under dull skies and in the absence of wind. It was understood that some trouble was experienced in .securing a referee who would be acceptable to fcoth parties, and it was believed during the .morning that the difficulty would be met by .-enlisting the services of Mr Georgj Harris, of .Christohurch, who is acknowledged to be as competent a referee as is obtainable in the colony ; jbufc.when the team 3 appeared on the field— the Alhambra, it may be mentioned, not turning out till ab6ut 10 minutes after their opponents —they were accompanied by Mr W. Wyinks, •who had not previously been induced to officiate this year. Messrs Macdonald (Kaifcerai) and Briggs (Alhambra) were the touch judges. , _ „ The toss having been won by Duncan, the Kaikorai captain, the Blues elected to play from the Kensington end for the first spell. M'Cleary kicked off for the Reds, and Cunningham returned int j touch about the twenty-five flag. The play for a few. minutes went on between the Blues' quarters and the half distance, and was of a close description. Eventually, Armit cot away with the ball, and passed to Rae, who lan cleverly upjio the Red*' territory,' where he transferred to Duncan, and the Blues' progress was then stopped by Richardson, to whpm their i captain pawed, handballing. To a long kick by Ross, Cunningham replied with a good run, and the Blues were then awarded a irte kick for interference. D. Torrance's attempt af; goal was a feeble one, and Cunningham ; muffing Eestieaux'o return the Reds forwards : were on feim in a trice, and getting the ball away at ttieir toe 9 were not stopped till they were well in their opponents' quarters. Inch by inch, in close work, the Redsencroashed on the Kaikorai's territory, but they were met with a stubborn and a smart kick by Richardson eventually drove them outside the- twenty-five flag. Then, the Blues with a strong rush, headed by Canmngham and Duncan, broke down the field and carried the ball into their opponents' quarters, where there was some more tight scrummaging. A Blip by Porteous let the Blues up to within a dozen yards of the coveted line. Hobson there obtained a mark, and Esquilant following up quickly found King, the Blues' back, to ba wanting, and the scene of play was removed to the Blues' quarters. Ctawf urd and Johnston gave the Blues' supporters some anxiety, until a .timely kick by Cunningham shifted fche play to the centre, and thence Duncan taking advantage of- an opening dribbled down to the Reds' quarters. Gawne, Rae, and Cunningham were participants in a passing display that menaced the opposing lines, but Crawford cleared with a smart punt, and King muffing the ball play centred. A rush by the Reda was stopped by Cunningham, and, after some close work on the Reds' side of the half-distance, Crawfurd stole the ball from a scrum and made a smait run, but W. Wilkinson then led a rush well into the Alhambra quarters. An attempt at passing by the Blues' baok,B was foiled by A, Downes, and A run by Kestieetuj:, who received a smart pass

from Crawfurd, took the play to the centre, but the Blues shifted it back to the Alhambra twenty-five flag, where it was at half-time. D. Torrance kicked off in the second spell and Restieaux's return sent the ball to the centre, whence the Blues' forwards immediately broke away with a strong rush whioh carried the leather over their opponents' line. The kick out let b the play at the centre, but Porteou* speculating and kicking into the opposing ranks let the Blues into the Alhambra quarters. Johnston nad a good chance to get away, but he missed the ball. Porteous, however, kicked out of bounds in neutral territory, where Hobson obtained a mark, and his kick being well backed up, the Blues had a turn on the defensive. The Reds obtaining a iree kick at the quarterdistance, Restieaux had the ball placed tor him, but nothing came of it, ahd W. Wilkinson, marking, returned with a splendid kick to mid-field. The Blues' forwards got well through, but Ross came to the rescue wilh a good kick, and A. Downes assisted with a smart dash, which carried the ball into the Blues' quarters. After a sharp tussle, de-tA»-minpd ulav by the Kaikorai forwards SSf ttSritai and the Blues had the advantage in an interchange of kicks ; but a fine kick by A. Downes, followed by sharp runs by Crawfurd and Rostieaux, assisted by a free kick to the Reds, placed the hill men again on the defensive. A mark, smartly taken by W. Wilkinson, gave the Blaes some relief, and immediately afterwards the Kaikorai forwards, with Biin and J. Torrance in the van, dashed down tha field and carried the ball over the line It was called back, however, for an infringement inside the Reds' quarters, but no sooner was the ball again in play than Armit, obtaining a pass, dashed across at the corner. The kick was entrusted to H. Wilkinson, who made a good but ineffectual attempt. On the play being resumed the Blues continued aggressive, until a good kick by Gibb, well followed up,' carried the play into the Blues' quarters, King again failing to field cleanly. The Kaikorai forwards twice got well away, but Ross on each occasion shifted the play back with a serviceable kick. The Blues, however, not to bB denied, worked the ball back to the Reds' quarters, on the fringe of which it wa* when no side was called, the Kaikorai winning by two points to nothing.

As so frequently happens when teams are so evenly matched as to be afraid of each other, the play was tight and uninteresting— at times, tedious to a degree. Serums and line-out play were the main features of the game, the Blues, with a superiority in the forward ranks, keeping the ball in that division as much as possible, with the result that the Reds backs were able to do little or nothing. The play at times was very keen, Duncan on the one side and Johnston on the other working with great determination, while Esquilant did splendid work in the Alhambra forward ranks, Hobion and Gibb being as prominent as any of the others, and the Wilkinson brothers were generally to the fore on the opposing side, whose forwards, however, are a remarkably even lot. Ross was incomparably the batter full back, King making repeated mistakes, and of the other backs on the ground none was more conspicuous than Cunningham, who showed up to capital advantage all through the game. The matoh between the Union and Taieri Clubs was played on Saturday at the North ground in the presence of a few of the more ardent supporters of the clubs. Beadle, for the Union, kicked off from the north end of the ground, and the Taieri were at once placed on the defensive, and kept so pretty well throughout the spell. Beadle scored once for the Union, M'Lennan failing to register a goal. Minn kicked off in the second spell, and Beadle, following up very fast, scored between thepoßts. M'Lennan's kick this time was successful. After this the Union were kept on the defensive, the Taieri boys giving them a very hot quarter of an hour, .during which, Gibson crossed the line, but Findlay failed with the kick. Play was subsequently carried to the centre of the ground, where it remained until time was called— the game finishing thus: Union 7 points, Taieri 2. For the winners Beadle, M'Donald and Barr among the forwards, were conspicuous for good play; Beadle', in particular, showing excellent form. Of the backs H. Harris, at half, was exceptionally good. For the losing team, the pick of the forwards were Findlay, Robertson, and Johnston. All the backs played a capital game, Gibson, M 'Donald, and Flynn being conspicuous. The game, which was throughout an interesting one, was controlled by Mr H. Smeaton. The match between the Dunedin and Pirates Clubs, played at the Carbbrook ground, resulted in a win for the former by 29 points to 5. Immediately the game started tho Pirates assumed the aggressive, and the play was mostly in the Dunedin quarters. Some pretty passing amongst the Pirates' backs resulted in Hume securing the ball and scoriog, and Matheson kicked a goal from the try. At this reverse the Dunedin team livened up, and Sullivan crossed the Pirates' line, but the score wasnotenhanced. Shortly afterwards, however, Connor secured a try, which was converted by Turton. The Pirates after this, though they made a hard fight of it, were never really dangerous. Mason getting the ball from a scrum near the Blacks' line was the next to score, as he potted a neat goal. At half-time the score stood : Dunedin 11 points, Pirates 5. In the second spell the Dunedin adopted the open play of their opponents, with the result j that the game was characterised by a series of ] passing rushes from one end of the field to the other. During the spell Doull scored no fewer than three tries, and Martia got asros* twice, while a try wa9 also obtained by Williams. Sullivan converted two of the tries. In ! i the second half the Pirate 3 were forced to play a man short, Morley having to retire. Of the Dunedin, Sullivan, Mason, Isaac*, Turfcon and Doull were the best, while on the Pirates' side Farquharson, Priest, and Johnston did good work. The match Warehousemen v. H gh School was played at the Asylum ground, and resulted in a win for the former by two goals and one try (11 points) to nothing. After the kick off play at once centred in the School twenty five, where some good defensive play was shown by their backs. The Warehousemen, however, were not to be denied, and a loose rush, in which Haydon, Hutchison, and Reid took part, the former player scored near the corner nag. Hutchison failed to convert. Play was for some time very, even until, the Warehousemen gettinga passing rush on, Wood scored near the posts, the same player converting. In the second spell play was chiefly in the Sohool twenty-five. J. Bast marktd from a long kick, and Wood kicked a splendid goal. The Pacific journeyed to Port Chalmers and added another victory to their credit, winning by two goals and one try (12 points) to nothing. The Port kicked off, and tbe Pacific soou had them on tha defensive. After some passing among the. backs G. Smyth gained possession, and after a short run scored behind the posts. J. Thompson converted. There wa<i no other score in the nut spell. The second bout was very even till the Paoifio got on a passing rash, which enabled W. King to aoore, and J. Thompeoo again converted, Just before the call of

time G. Smyth again scored, but no goal resalted. Tho Milton journeyed to Green Island on Saturday and met the local team, when, after an even game, Green Island won by 1 goal 2 tries to 1 try. Milton had the best of the first spell and scored a try, but no goal resulted. In the second spell Green Island warmed to their work and Irvine scored after a good rush, bat the kick at goal waa a failure. About five minutes later D. D widson scored another try, and again the kick at goal was a failure. Green Island continued to press, and W. Kerr scored the third try for them, J. Davidson kicking a goal. There was no further score. The Union street School defeated the Arthur street School by 11 points to nothing. Smith, Burgess, and Duthie (2) scored tries, one of which Kilgour converted. H. Robertson and West for the winners, and Corni -h, Meyer, and Cook for the losers, played a good game. The Standard defeated the Southern by 15 points to nothing. The Albiou Second beat the Belmonfc Second by 10 points to 2.

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